Tesla Model X adaptive cruise problems

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Driver assistance · TX

My 2019 Tesla Model X Performance (HW3, Full Self-Driving purchased outright) has experienced repeated, intermittent critical failures of Autopilot/FSD while driving at highway speeds above 60 mph. On multiple occasions, FSD abruptly displayed a RED immediate-takeover warning and disengaged while actively steering, including during curves and lane changes. Immediate driver intervention was required to maintain control. Some incidents involved unexpected acceleration immediately before disengagement. At other times, Autopilot, FSD, and cruise control become unavailable, displaying “Cruise control unavailable.” The problem sometimes disappears without repair. During an active failure, Tesla Service Mode showed Primary Autopilot ECU (A): CRITICAL; Secondary ECU (B): NOMINAL; and Driver Assistance Features: UNAVAILABLE. Recorded fault codes included APS_w135_appCritical, PM_w041_dasMIA, APP_w009_aebFault, and APP_w184_fisheyeCameraStreamExit. Camera previews were unavailable. Tesla Plano Lexington inspected the vehicle in October 2026 at approximately 85,413 miles. Technician logs showed fisheye camera deserializer alerts. Tesla recommended replacing the forward-facing triple camera and coaxial harness but confirmed in writing that the Autopilot ECU has not been proven defective, the cause remains uncertain, and proposed repairs may not resolve the issue. On October 19, 2026, Tesla’s DFW Service Manager also confirmed in writing that these camera/communication faults may impair Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and other collision avoidance features. Tesla could not confirm these safety systems were unaffected. No crash or injury has occurred. Tesla advised against using FSD/Autopilot until repaired. The malfunction remains unresolved. I request the federal safety agency investigate the risk of sudden driver-assistance disengagements and potentially unavailable collision avoidance systems.

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Driver assistance · TX

I own a 2020 Tesla Model X equipped with HW3 and Full Self-Driving (FSD). After a Tesla software/FSD update earlier in 2026, the vehicle began experiencing a recurring problem during FSD operation. The issue has now occurred more than 20 times. During certain FSD-controlled maneuvers, particularly when turning from a complete stop onto a higher-speed road, FSD commands unusually aggressive acceleration. During the acceleration, FSD abruptly aborts/disengages and the vehicle logs diagnostic fault code DI_w124. Cruise control and FSD then become unavailable. There is one particular location where the condition is highly reproducible. FSD turns from a stop onto a road with a 50 mph speed limit, rapidly accelerates the vehicle, then triggers DI_w124 and aborts. Tesla previously inspected the vehicle for this issue and advised that the vehicle hardware checked out normally. The problem has nevertheless continued through subsequent Tesla software updates. After another recent software update, I tested the same maneuver again on [XXX], and the same DI_w124/FSD abort occurred. The problem did not occur prior to the earlier software/FSD update and appears to be associated with FSD-controlled acceleration rather than a general vehicle hardware failure. I am concerned that a driver-assistance system commanding aggressive acceleration and then unexpectedly disabling itself during the maneuver presents a potential safety risk, particularly when entering a 50 mph roadway or merging into traffic. Tesla has previously inspected the hardware but the condition remains unresolved. I am reporting this so the federal safety agency can determine whether other 2019–2020 Tesla Model S/X HW3 vehicles are experiencing the same DI_w124 fault during FSD-controlled acceleration. here is a link to the video that was taken a few months ago. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MN

While driving the car the dash board lit up with several failures related to auto pilot and auto steering. The car would not engage auto pilot or cruise control and the dashboard showed messages that the car driver assist has failed, lane departure warning, blind spot warning and required immidiate service. Per Tesla, the problem was with the steering rack and had to be replaced and was not covered by any warranty.

Filed Aug 16, 2026 · Driver assistance · MI

My vehicle intermittently and without warning disables Autopilot/cruise control while driving, most consistently during hard acceleration from a stop or low speed. The touchscreen displays "Take Over Immediately" and Autopilot becomes completely unavailable for the remainder of the drive. The system only resets after the vehicle is parked and allowed to sit. This has occurred repeatedly over multiple weeks, documented via the vehicle's own Service Mode diagnostic logs, showing the following recurring fault codes occurring together, dozens of times between approximatelyXXX and XXX: PM_w041_dasMIA – "Pedal Monitor Warning: DAS CAN node is missing" DI_w124_cruiseFault – "Drive Inverter Fault: Cruise faulted," user-facing message "Cruise control disabled" I brought the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center. Technicians stated they could not identify a specific cause, but acknowledged they were aware of similar cases from other owners of this vehicle model reported on Tesla's internal systems. No repair or resolution was offered. This vehicle is equipped with an HW3 (FSD Computer 3) Autopilot computer and Full Self-Driving Capability (purchased package). Tesla CEO [XXX] publicly confirmed on the company's Q1 2026 earnings call (XXX) that HW3 computers do not have sufficient capability for current and future Full Self-Driving software, and announced a remediation plan for affected owners. I have not been offered any remedy. I am concerned this represents a safety-relevant defect: the sudden, unpredictable loss of Autopilot/cruise control during active acceleration, particularly on-ramps or intersections, could create a hazardous situation for the driver and surrounding traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 2, 2026 · WA · crash

On 02/01/2026 at approximately 2:07 p.m., my 2018 Tesla Model X (VIN [XXX] , approximately 151,099 miles, software version 2026.2.3) experienced Sudden Unintended Acceleration while I was driving near [XXX] . I was [briefly describe what you were doing, for example: “slowing to a stop in traffic,” or “slowly pulling into a parking space,” or “braking to turn into a driveway”]. My foot was on the brake and I was NOT attempting to accelerate when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly surged [forward/backward] with far more power than appropriate for the situation. I had to [firmly press the brake / shift to neutral / steer away] to avoid a collision. At or around the same time, a “Sudden Unintended Acceleration” warning/message appeared on the vehicle’s display. This acceleration did not match my pedal input and created a serious risk of a crash. [There was no contact, damage, or injury / or briefly describe any damage or injuries, if applicable.] The vehicle was operating on software version 2026.2.3 at the time. [Autopilot/Traffic‑Aware Cruise Control/Full Self‑Driving was ON/OFF at the time – please select what is correct.] I have reported this incident to Tesla and requested that they preserve and review the vehicle log data for this time and location. I am filing this complaint because I believe this is a safety‑critical defect involving sudden unintended acceleration, and I am concerned it could recur and/or affect other Tesla vehicles. *** If you tell me exactly what you were doing (parking vs in traffic, approximate speed, forward vs reverse, Autopilot on/off), I can fill in the bracketed parts precisely for you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Electrical · CA

My 2018 Tesla Model X experienced repeated over-the-air software update failures starting in late December 2025. Each update attempt would run for hours and then fail with a timeout error. This pattern continued for several weeks with the same error every time. After these repeated failed update attempts, the Autopilot ECU (computer) completely failed. Tesla service diagnosed the issue on January 6, 2026 as a failed Autopilot ECU 3.0 requiring full replacement at a cost of $1,808. The failure has disabled Full Self-Driving, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking, and all driver-assistance safety features. I am concerned this represents a systemic defect where Tesla's software updates are damaging or exposing failures in Autopilot hardware. Multiple other Tesla owners have reported this same pattern in 2024-2025: update timeout errors followed by complete Autopilot computer failure requiring expensive replacement. Tesla is charging customers to fix problems created by their own update process. The loss of critical safety features occurred solely due to Tesla's software update attempts.

Filed May 31, 2025 · Driver assistance, Suspension · NJ

Purchased this vehicle new from Tesla on March 29, 2024. As I got home I hear a pop sound come from underneath the car and the abs warning light came on. The vehicle lost some of the functions like regenerative breaking and cruise control. The suspension was also inoperable. I brought the car in on the first availible service date to get the repair done which took a few days. After repair was completed I went back to pick the car up only to have the same warnings appear on the odometer and lost of functionality again 20 minutes into driving home. I contacted Tesla and they gave me another appointment at a different service center. I then brought the car to the other service center and they corrected the ABS and other warning light issue. However, I been experiencing vibration on highways when breaking and regenerative breaking. Since the beginning of ownership. I mentioned it to them but the told me vibrations can be normal with these cars so I endured it ever since until it felt worst after a while. I brought the car in again and they diagnosed it. They recommended changing the rear rotors and brake pads. After picking the car up its still doing the same thing. This costed me $1200 out of pocket. I brought the car in for front end noises and they changed parts under warranty. The noises was gone after the service but a week later I heard the noises again and it worsened. Now they are refusing further repairs and recommended that I take the car to a auto body repair shop.

Filed Mar 19, 2025 · Steering · OH

I had cruise set at 60mph on 2 lane highway. Their were rumble strips in center as well as edges of the road. I approached 2 slow moving vehicles (adaptive cruise was on) and then used turn signal, took over control myself disabling adaptive cruise. I pulled back in across the center mark after passing vehicles. When i crossed the 12" wide center rumble strip my car immediately threw up a message on the screen and i could barely turn the wheel to prevent the car from driving into the ditch on my projected path back into my lane. The car got straight finally but the wheel was nearly impossible to turn. A few miles later, I approached my ramp to take and slowed down to 15mph under the ramp limit and it took nearly everything to get the wheel to turn 15 degrees to make my turn. i pulled off very slowly into a graveyard right off the road and parked the car. i took pictures of the messages on the screen "EPAS_w002 Steering may require increased effort" on the center screen and the similar message on the center screen "Steering assist reduced steering may require increased effort". I did a computer reboot (hold 2 buttons on steering wheel), left the car with my key and locked it ad walked away for a minute. I reapproached the car, it unlocked, and i turned the car back ON. Everything worked when i got on the highway with the exception of Autosteer (beta). It would not set, so i disabled it on the center screen. I turned it back on this morning (next day) and it is fully functioning again. I do not know how i didn't end up in the ditch at highway speeds, but i feel this needs reported and a solution found before I or someone else loses steering. I'm not sure the center rumble strip had anything to do with it or if it was coincidental, but the car always does a shimmy when you cross rumble strips in the center of the road (switching lanes) regardless of speed.

Filed Mar 2, 2025 · Driver assistance · CO

Since February 20th, I have begun keeping a log of these occurrences. Below is a summary: [XXX]: 2-3 occurrences on [XXX] (from Estes Park to Fort Collins, CO) and 2 occurrences on [XXX] northbound. [XXX]: 2-3 occurrences on [XXX] southbound. [XXX]: 1 occurrence on [XXX] southbound and 1 near the [XXX] exit in Colorado. [XXX]: 2-3 occurrences on [XXX] southbound. [XXX]: 2 occurrences on [XXX] southbound, on the morning of my service appointment to drop the vehicle off at the Tesla Service Center in Loveland, CO. [XXX]: 2 occurrences on [XXX] northbound, on the way home from the service appointment. each time the car abruptly slows down by 10-15 miles per hours, unless I intervene and stop using this feature. I only use the cruise control feature of the car. There have been several close calls with other motorists on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 23, 2025 · Driver assistance · CO

Phantom Breaking and vehicle slow down events occur near daily when using the highway when adaptive cruise control is engaged. The vehicle will abruptly try to stop, or slow down aby 5-10 MPH. This has caused several close calls with other drivers on the highways. Date of the incident is the latest. In the last two weeks prior to the incident, it has occurred at least 6-10 times.