2021 TESLA MODEL Y Complaints

Frequent phantom braking when in cruise control. The vehicle unexpectedly brakes often while in cruise control when there is an oncoming vehicle in the oncoming traffic lane, despite the fact that both my vehicle and the oncoming vehicle are in their respective lanes (in other words there is no apparent danger of collision). The phantom braking also sometimes happens apparently at random, in other words when I can't see anything in the vehicle pathway that could be interpreted as dangerous. I am entering a date under "Additional Details" below, but this has happened repeatedly on many different dates.

Vehicle abruptly applied automatic braking as I was cruising at 40 mph. Went to an almost complete stop in a short distance. No one was behind me but if there were it would have been dangerous. Also, there were patches of ice in the road which made it even more dangerous.

From June, 2019 to June, 2021 we owned a Tesla Model 3. We have had the Model Y since June, 2021. The current Model Y has a significant phantom braking problem. Worse than the Model 3 that we owned. Our Model Y relies on "Tesla Vision" without radar. Last week we drove 1,400 miles from Montana to Southern California. On more than a fifteen occasions phantom braking occurred, to the point that we were reluctant to use it. Driving on an Interstate at 80 mph, the car would suddenly brake. The 1st reaction is to overcome the braking with acceleration. On one occasion when there was no traffic behind, I didn't accelerate until 45 mph. From 80 mph to 45 mph suddenly. Dangerous. On city streets we also experienced phantom braking, yet not so dramatic. Some thoughts on what causes this issue: pavement glare, a change in pavement color, concrete barriers on an overpass, reflection from on coming traffic. Traffic Assisted Cruise Control is an important feature for me and now I'm reluctant to use it.

The defroster system is not able to keep the windshield clear of ice buildup when driving even in light snow. This is because this is an electric vehicle, so there is no engine heat from underneath the hood to radiate towards the wipers. Between wiper cycles, the wipers rest below the area of the windshield that is heated by the defroster. During snowfall ice builds up on the wipers from their resting position between cycles and that ice then propagates to the rest of the windshield as the wipers move. This is an extremely dangerous situation. I heard Tesla is installing a heater beneath the resting area of the wipers on the 2022 model year of this vehicle. However, NHTSA should issue a recall and require this heating plate be retrofit onto earlier model years. The country of Canada is aware of this issue as well and currently investigating it.

When cruise control (TACC) enabled the car will brake on 2 lane undivided roads when oncoming vehicle is a semi or other large vehicle. Vehicle may suddenly slow 5-15mph causing unsafe condition if being followed closely. Problem is easily reproducible on any 2 lane road. Will also occur when autopilot engaged as autopilot is simply TACC with lane keeping. The features otherwise seem safe on interstates and divided highways.

When driving with Adaptive Cruist Control on, the car will randomly slam on the brakes (phantom braking) for no reason. It can be with a shadow on the road or, VERY commonly, when any car or large truck passes on a 2-lane highway or road. It's extremely dangerous to any cars behind and to myself.

Phantom braking. I can’t use the cruise control at all because it constantly brakes and swerves when nothing is in front of the car. I took the car to the device center and was told they can’t do anything.

The car experiences phantom braking when adaptive cruise control is engaged. Happens most often when going under an overpass but has happened on clear open roadway as well (no cars around).

When cruise control is active, the car slams on the brakes for no apparent reason. This happens basically every time I drive the car. I’m always concerned it will cause me to be rear-ended.

This car is exhibiting random “phantom braking” incidents when cruise control or auto pilot is engaged. In EVERY incident the road is clear ahead and in the adjacent lanes, with no other vehicle traffic. The car will appl full emergency braking for no reason, and with no warning