2022 Tesla Model 3: brakes engage by themselves (phantom braking)

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Driver assistance · CT

The horn on the steering wheel rarely works UNLESS it is pressed directly in the middle. I have tried to honk the horn when there is a safety event but it rarely works. This is definitely a safety issue. This has been going on since I bought the car June 2022. Full self drive is also unsafe and it will make sudden turns, accelerate too quickly, or have phantom braking. This can be unsafe for other drivers. I heard that this is improved with newer models, but if it is unsafe for older models like my 2022, it should not be available.

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Driver assistance · AZ

While driving on AutoPilot the I-10W on Wednesday July 16, 2025, the car suddenly and very harshly braked for no reason at all. The vehicle in front of me was visible on the vehicle's display, meaning it was keeping it distance and was actively adapting to its speed and distance, and at no time did I press the brake or move the steering wheel for the vehicle to use its emergency braking. It was so harsh, I felt the blood throughout my head and body lunge forward, and AutoPilot immediately turned off. If I wasn't aware of this sudden braking, I would have assumed AutoPilot would still be active, but knowing of Tesla's "phantom braking", I immediately took control once I noticed AutoPilot turned off on its own. I have a video of the dash cam available (over 10MB) if needed.

Filed Feb 2, 2025 · Driver assistance · CO

Computer system improperly triggered two false forward collision warning while changing lanes, today, on 02/02/2025. These forward collision warnings and applied excessive braking for no reason causing an increased chance of being rear ended or losing control. In heavy traffic, the car is constantly creating dangerous situations like this and the sensitivity of the forward collision warnings needs to be dialed back when the blinker is on or while in between lanes.

Filed Mar 6, 2024 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · IL

Vehicle has been scheduled for service 4 times to address phantom braking while set to cruise control on highways. Tesla service center continuously resolves the problem remotely stating that there are no faults in the system and it is operating as intended. I’m an airline pilot and my vehicle poses a safety hazard to me and those around me when operating in any autonomous mode.

Filed Mar 3, 2024 · Acceleration, Brakes · NV

On [XXX], I was driving from Victorville, CA to Las Vegas, NV on [XXX] northbound. Between [XXX] two incidents occurred. Both incidents involve phantom braking. My vehicle was in autopilot mode, which is essentially traffic aware cruise control. I was traveling at 70MPH and passed a semi-truck. I changed lanes back into the right lane after passing the truck. About 30 seconds later, the car slammed on the brakes. The semi-truck behind me took immediate evasive maneuver and swerved into the left lane to avoid hitting me. There was no obstruction in front of me. The nearest vehicles ahead of me were so far away that I could barely see their tail lights. This was a very unsafe condition. The second incident happened about 40 minutes later. No other vehicles were near me although the sudden braking gave me a scare. There were no warnings, messages, or any indication that the sudden braking was being applied. I was able to immediately depress the accelerator to increase speed and override the autopilot. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 5, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

Car slammed on the brakes on its own while the auto steer function was being used going 80mph. If someone was behind me they would’ve rear ended me.

Filed Jan 10, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · AZ

On 9 different occasions, my vehicle was operating in cruise control and slammed on the brakes for no reason. Fortunately, no vehicle was behind me. If there were I would have been rear-ended all 9 times. This has happed 8 times on the freeway and one time on surface streets.

Filed Dec 13, 2023 · Driver assistance · FL

This happens at 2 particular exits on a 65mph highway. One time the car slows down by 10mph and the other spot it will swerve over almost to the lane next to me and slow down. Just dangerous when someone is tailgating me (thats reality of driving these days) as they will not have time to react and more than likely hit me. It happened once and someone behind me started honking and flashing their lights at me. I have done a bug report for the times it "phantom braked"

Filed Dec 11, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · AZ

Please help Phantom braking is getting worse

Filed Nov 9, 2023 · Driver assistance · CA

I was traveling on Interstate 40 in Arizona in a 75 mph zone with my cruise control set at 77 mph. Suddenly and without warning the car’s emergency braking system activate despite nothing being in the roadway in front of me and no cars ahead at all. I had to take evasive measures to avoid being hit from behind by a semi truck. Approximately 10 seconds later I began receiving error messages for several systems including emergency braking, traction control, steering alignment, lane departure, stability control, cruise control, vehicle hold, and regenerative braking. In addition, other systems were not working, such as an alert tone for when traffic lights turn green would activate indicating the driver should go even if there was a car in front that has not moved. The car is currently at Tesla being evaluated, however I really don’t think these cars should be trusted.

Filed Oct 12, 2023 · Acceleration · WA

Phantom braking continues. This time the vehicle was traveling on an Interstate highway at 70mph, until the phantom braking occured, which caused the speed to drop immediately (within a few seconds) to less than 30mph. This safety problem was extremely prevalent when the car was within its first six months of use. It has improved, but has not gone away completely.

Filed Oct 6, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · WA

I have been forced to stop using cruise control on my Tesla Model 3. Over the past few years, the car will repeatedly slam on the brakes for no good reason when I am driving on the highway. I understand this behavior is known as "phantom braking." The car will suddenly and unexpectedly drop speed by 10-20 mph on the highway. I am so worried that someone will rear-end my vehicle that I cannot use cruise control anymore. For some unexplained reason, the Tesla Model 3 does not currently have a "dumb" cruise control that I could use instead.