2018 Tesla Model X brakes problems

Filed May 23, 2026 · Airbags, Body · CA · crash

The Automated Emergency Brakes did not activate. This car hit the next car on the street. I was driving when I noticed the brake lights on the car in front of me, so I applied the brakes. Though it did not work, as this car is equipped with the Automated Emergency Brakes feature, it was expected that the car would activate the feature to stop to avoid impact and an accident. Which did not happen, and this car has a tremendous loss; the car in front also suffered a loss. The car manufacturer has given data in Excel files showing the events; it has no data at the time of the impact, but it has data well before and well after. Due to the failure of this important feature, the car has suffered a loss (potentially a total loss), the insurance process has been affected, and there has been a mental impact on my family members and me. Hence, requesting help in this regard.

Filed Feb 4, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · AZ

During a recent incident where a tire issue caused damage to the wiring harness for the parking brake, resulting in a Parking Brake Failure notification on the screen, the vehicle would not stop or turn off. The vehicle displayed N for neutral on the dash, but the vehicle would drive forward unless the brake was depressed. In addition, we were unable to place the vehicle in Park, which meant that we were unable to shut it off. The only way to stop the vehicle from driving on its own and crashing into something was to place concrete blocks under the tires! Unplugging the 12v battery also had no effect! The vehicle kept driving as if it was in drive, and there as no way to stop it without placing the foot on the brake pedal the entire time or placing the blocks I referenced. The only way I was able to shut it off, was to pull what's known as the Fireman's Loop, which I'm guessing firemen pull in the case of an accident. I wasn't aware of this mechanism, and only learned of it after posting on numerous social media apps regarding this issue. This is a Major issue, as we are talking about a moving and unstoppable car! Tesla needs to build some mechanism that allows the car to be shut off by the driver or to override the screen and place the car in park. Pulling this firemans loop and unplugging the 12v battery, required me being in front of the vehicle, risking my life, as the vehicle could've easily moved if the concrete barriers didn't stop it, and also required me taking 30+ minutes to remove components from the Frunk, just to access these components!!

Filed Mar 23, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · AZ

Based on thousands of posts, replies, etc, this seems to be a well known issue with this model/year Tesla as well as other years/models. It seems that the Wheel Sensor Cable is not fastened properly, and over time, the cable runs against the tire, causing the internal wires to be exposed, this in turn causes numerous faults to occur, which includes causing ABS, lane departure avoidance, traction control, stability control, ABS, and regenerative braking to stop working. This happens while driving resulting in an immediate change in how the vehicle functions which could easily lead to a major accident While there are numerous forums where this issue is noted, below is one that details the issue with photos [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 10, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

Starting especially so on this date, and on occasion before this time, The vehicle would abruptly brake very aggressively when I was passing a semi truck with his emergency lights on or when perhaps passing a shadow or for no reason at all. I would have to slam on the gas to avoid a collision or being rear ended.

Filed Jun 3, 2022 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

While on cruise control (autopilot) on the highway, the vehicle occasionally violently slows down. The majority of the time, this happens near or just before an exit/entrance ramp and if the car is in the rightmost lane. It happens regardless of traffic conditions and even if there are zero cars around, it will still "hiccup" and hit the brakes. I've noticed that the cruise control system sometimes automatically changes the maximum speed for the cruise control to 35-45 MPH which explains the sudden braking. It is semi-replicable by setting the cruise control to a comfortable highway speed (say 65 MPH) while the car is in the rightmost lane, then driving past a (normally) heavily trafficked entry/exit merging area. If requested, I can probably find a safe time and area to replicate this and send in my dashcam footage of the incident.

Filed May 16, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

On May 15. 2022 at 4:25PM while traveling north on highway 395 about 14 miles south of Bishop Californa. While traveling with little to no traffic, using adaptive cruise control (NOT SELF DRIVING) the vehicle suddenly stopped for no apparent reason in the middle of the highway. Fortunately, there were no cars behind us otherwise I probably would not be writing this. I have registered a similar complaint back in March for the same issue. We have had a total of 4 “phantom braking” incidents since buying the car in October 2021

Filed May 2, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

Our Tesla has had the “phantom braking” on 3 occasions. The first incident happened on southbound interstate 5 near firebaugh. right after we purchased the car. The car suddenly stopped from 70 MPH to about 25 MPH in the middle of the freeway. The second event on northbound 395 at 2:45pm 3/20/2022The car went from about 60 mph to about 25 with out warning. It happened once again at about 4:03PM the same day. All of these events occurred while the car was in adaptaive cruise control, it in self driving mode. I have one event on video, that showed skid marks ahead at the same time the braking occurred.

Filed Feb 17, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MN · 1 injury

I was driving down a ramp and the emergency brake engaged, causing All of my belongings in my passenger seat and rear seat to fly off the seat. It felt like whiplash and my daughter was in the backseat as well. The next day, I had severe neck and upper back pain to the point that I couldn’t move. I am seeking care with a chiropractor.

Filed Mar 17, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · 38,500 miles · NJ

On march 1, 2021, wife and I was driving east bound on route 80 highway in ohio. Twice the vehicle braked while driving in cruise control. It was a clear day. There were no cars around. No bridges or obstacles. And the road lines where clear. The first braking occurred while we were on right lane on a two-lane highway. The second braking occurred (around 5:15pm) while we were in the middle lane of 3-lane highway. We were driving approximate 65mph. At both braking, my wife was driving. When I happen, we both confirmed there was no cars or obstacles around us. We contacted tesla, who after reviewing their logs says it was working in "normal". That the vehicle saw something and braked. Even though both myself and wife can confirm there was nothing around us, particularly since covid has significantly reduced any traffic. There has been a history of issues. On other occasion, one of my side doors indicated there was something there, even though I was the only vehicle in completely empty parking lot. Only after many complaints an attempts did they finally replace the sensor. It seems that they are repeating their denial of claims by two eye-witnesses of the issues.

Filed Sep 2, 2019 · Brakes · 18,000 miles · CA · crash

It happened on freeway 57 when I was on the way to work in the early morning. I was driving my tesla model x, and in the autopilot mode. Supposedly in the autopilot mode, tesla will detect the speed and the object in front and slow down or accelerate. If tesla is too close to an object, it will beep and stop. But in that morning, the car slowed down but did not stop. And also there is no 'beep' the warning sound when car is too close to the car. Because the video is too large, I can not upload so I put sharing link you can review: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11h_pdlkslg0jarlnkevf9ytf6wk0hwkd/view?usp=sharing. Also I called tesla and reported same day, I had been told they will investigate and call me back but it never happened. Accident happened on april 29 2019, and it has been 4 months. Tesla is still ignoring every call I made in the past.