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2021 Tesla Model S brakes problems

16 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
16
of this car's complaints
9%
crashes
3
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Tesla Model S brakes problems in other years

2012201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Tesla Model S brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Phantom braking 12

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2021 Tesla Model S owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · 65,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the cruise control feature engaged, the brakes independently activated without the brake pedal being depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed May 13, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · AL

I noticed it happened before but I couldn't quite figure out what happened! I was driving down the local road and got ready to go under a overpass and next thing u know my EV just slammed on brakes like I was about to hit someone! Seatbelt choked me and made me gag! But when I came through this time It caught me off but after that I realized there's a problem,especially going under that overpass! This couldn't been very dangerous to anyone! This is a VERY DANGEROUS and IMPORTANT SAFETY CONCERN! I STRIVE SAFETY AND THIS COULD BE FATAL!! I NEED TO REACH SONEONE IN SAFETY! ASAP

Filed Sep 18, 2024 · Brakes, Steering · FL

Front suspension has a popping and creaking sound when driving and turning steering wheel. Safety issue as sounds something is loose but Tesla says no issue it’s the body flexing which is even scarier to hear the panels rattling if this is in fact true. Tesla will not do anything about it. Additionally the brakes and rotors squeal when pressed at slow speeds coming to full hard stop. Both front and back. Both brakes and rotors have 90% life and according to Tesla shouldn’t need replacing until 90k miles due to the regen braking. The braking system does not engage as it should or how it is designed and car has 40k miles. Tesla uses the excuse that that they don’t cover this as it’s a wear and tear component. Which another issue because they don’t know the reason of why it’s doing this. They want customers to pay and replace the brakes and rotors. Many owners with same car experience this issue and is a design defect that can pose safety issues

Filed Jul 30, 2024 · Brakes · NY

To avoid collision on the highway with a deer crossing in front of me, I braked very hard. The left rear brake caliper mount broke as a result. I did not lose brake fluid pressure, thankfully but this could’ve been a catastrophic failure. I contacted Tesla who seemed indifferent and blaming the incident on my driving and the mileage of the car ( 48,000 ). I have never in my life heard of a caliper mount breaking on any car with any number of miles. I’m sure it happens, but it should not happen on a car with 1000 hp.

Filed Jun 9, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MS

Third time this week I have been thrown forward into the steering wheel with no cars or objects surrounding me.

Filed May 14, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MS

Another automatic phantom braking throwing us toward in the car with no objects or other cars in proximity.

Filed Apr 27, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · TX

On March 19, 2023, I put my Tesla in drive and it went into reverse . When I tried to brake the speed accelerated. We were unable to stop the vehicle, while driving in reverse the car hit two mailboxes and two ceramic flower pots. It has been over 6 weeks and Tesla will not return my calls or messages. My insurance company looked at the body of the vehicle for a repair estimate. Nothing indicated that there was a problem prior to the incident.

Filed Feb 13, 2023 · Brakes · FL

Im having total braking loss around freezing temps The issue occurs around freezing temps, after a car wash or if the roads are wet after driving on the highway for 20-30min without using the brakes. (Using one pedal driving) Last year I had the same issue and Tesla’s position was something to do with detergent in the car washes I use. Now they’re saying it’s because I put the “wrong” size rear tires on the car. They were sold to me and installed by Tesla as the factory recommended winter tires and rim package. They’re saying that the abs sensor is detecting the error and automatically applying ABS brakes because of the mismatch tire size. However, the issue is not an intermittent braking loss, it’s a complete braking loss. I’m also seeing abnormal front rotor wear. Tesla said this was an issue that was occurring on some other vehicles and they had a high level engineering team trying to figure it out. At the time mine was one of the first P2 refresh vehicles in Canada so I was guessing there weren’t that many being used in below freezing temps since they weren’t exporting to Europe at the time.

Filed Dec 15, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

Our Tesla, in the "Full Self Drive" mode, has on more than one occasion applied the brakes suddenly without warning while traveling on the freeways. The date I indicate below was the last occurrence. I see that others have indicated this malady and I wanted to add our voice to this conversation. Thank you

Filed Nov 4, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA · crash

In August 2022 I was driving my Tesla S. I was traveling 25 miles an hour or less. I unfortunately lost consciousness for a very short time. My tesla then crashed into a parked car. There was snow emergency braking nor any emergency alarms. In theory describes shouldn’t of happened with an emergency braking system.

Questions about the 2021 Tesla Model S brakes

Does the 2021 Tesla Model S have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Tesla Model S, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2021 Tesla Model S brakes problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Tesla Model S brakes?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Tesla Model S have bad brakes?

The Tesla Model S model years with the most brakes complaints are 2016 (56 complaints), 2013 (25 complaints) and 2017 (25 complaints).

Other 2021 Tesla Model S problems

Driver assistance 52Steering 29Electrical 25Acceleration 16Suspension 16Wheels 10Body 9Tires 9Seat belts 8Lights 6Airbags 5Visibility 4Locks 2Seats 2Transmission 2Engine 1

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