2020 Tesla Model X: brakes engage by themselves (phantom braking)

Filed Mar 20, 2023 · Driver assistance · NV

On multiple occasions (between 6 and 10) while driving east and west on interstate highway 80 between Reno and Salt Lake City the vehicle executed a phantom braking maneuver while autopilot was engaged. I was east bound on 2/2/23 and 2/24/23 and west bound on 2/7/23 and 3/5/23, i.e., these events occurred on multiple days in multiple locations. On no occasion was there any danger of collision with another vehicle or other obstacle. In fact, the braking was most likely to occur as my vehicle topped a rise in the highway followed by a gental downgrade with no other vehicle or turn in the road for at least a mile ahead. The braking was very hard and caused my vehicle to slow by at least 10 mph before I could react. On one occasion, I immediately accelerated to return to the posted highway speed of 80 mph and the vehicle twice more braked hard after I accelerated back to highway speed. Had there been a vehicle behind me, it's likely I would have been rear-ended on multiple occasions. The problem has not been independently verified (though I understand the federal safety agency has received many similar reports). The vehicle has not been inspected. There was no warning that the vehicle was going to brake hard though I recognized the circumstances in which it was likely to occur and was prepared to accelerate to counteract the effect. The section of I-80 in which these events occurred is lightly traveled and if Tesla autopilot should be flawless, it should be flawless there! Another source of autopilot phantom braking is flashing lights next to the road warning of animal crossing or prison zones. However, in this case, the braking is gentle and not a hazard. In contrast, 2022 when driving the same section of I-80, phantom braking, as described above, was much less of a problem but flashing lights prompted the vehicle to brake hard. It appears Tesla has fixed flashing light-related problem.

Filed Jul 13, 2022 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · AZ

Recurring Phantom braking every drive

Filed Mar 18, 2022 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · IL

1) Cruise control randomly resets itself to different speeds. Happens several times daily. I can set it to 55 and 5 seconds later it will reset itself to 80 and accelerate suddenly, or vice-versa. It can change to any speed-either higher or lower than what I've set. Happened yesterday afternoon (3-17). First noted it being a problem 2-28 at about 6 pm MST while driving on 4 lane highway in Colorado, with multiple episodes of randomly resetting speeds itself. Given the rapid acceleration/deceleration of a Tesla, when the cruise control resets itself, the acceleration/braking can be abrupt and significant. 2)Ghost braking has been and remains a problem with this car. It was serviced by Tesla 2-18 and a "chip" was replaced per Tesla. I reported about a dozen incidents of ghost braking to Tesla shortly after picking it up but don't have exact times/days. There are 3 episodes of ghost braking that were truly dangerous. I was driving on the Interstate at 70-75 mph and the car slammed on the brakes for no reason, and it seemed it would have stopped completely in the middle of the Interstate if I hadn't accelerated manually. Speed went from 75 to 50 within 1-2 seconds before I was able to react and accelerate. Twice this happened at about 1-2 am on a completely empty interstate in Nebraska with no one around me at all, but the 3rd time was on a busy highway (I-55) near Chicago. I was nearly rear-ended by another car when this braking occurred. He was able to swerve around me, but was unhappy and made his displeasure known. Even if it didn't directly cause an accident it certainly triggered road rage, which is probably more dangerous than actually having an accident these days. Have told Tesla about it before but they always tell me it's just "software" and will get better with updates I have notified Tesla of these incidents (with written record) but haven't heard back from them. I have a service appointment 3-21-22 to get them to try and address these issues

Filed Feb 3, 2022 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 46,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the cruise control or autopilot functions activated, the brakes inadvertently engaged, causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop. The vehicle experienced phantom braking. The contact stated that after the full self-driving beta program was installed, the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer transferred the contact to the tech department. The tech department informed the contact that they would repair the failure with an over-the-air software update. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the cruise control or autopilot functions activated, the brakes inadvertently engaged, causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop. The vehicle experienced phantom braking. The contact stated that after the full self-driving beta program was installed, the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer transferred the contact to the tech department. The tech department informed the contact that they would repair the failure with an over-the-air software update. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2022 · Driver assistance · CA

While on autopilot or cruise control, the car would suddenly and abruptly slam on the brakes for no reason. There's no traffic or objects to avoid. It was very startling because it could have caused a massive rear-end collision had I not intervened to cancel the autopilot and speed up again. . Because of this, I have stopped using the autopilot feature altogether. I cannot trust it will work properly. I have mentioned it to Tesla and they simply say the software update will solve it. It has not!