All Investigations » Investigation PE22002

  Defect Investigation of Unexpected Brake Activation

Investigation of Unexpected Brake Activation

Subject: Unexpected brake activation
Components covered:
  • Forward collision avoidance
  • Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control
  • Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control:software
  • Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control:software:signage/signal recognition
  • Forward collision avoidance: adaptive lighting
  • Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
  • Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency steering
  • Forward collision avoidance: dynamic brake support/brake assist
  • Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: camera
  • Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: lidar
  • Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: other
  • Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: radar
  • Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: sonar/ultrasonic
  • Forward collision avoidance: warnings
  • Forward collision avoidance: warnings:external/pedestrian alert
  • Forward collision avoidance:software
  • Forward collision avoidance:software:pedestrian/cyclist/object/obstacle/ recognition
Investigations Summary: The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 354 complaints alleging unexpected brake activation in 2021-2022 tesla model 3 and model y vehicles. Received over the past nine months, the reports have often been characterized as “phantom braking” by consumers. Tesla describes the subject vehicles as equipped with a suite of advanced driver assistance system (adas) features referred to as autopilot which tesla states will allow the vehicle to brake and steer automatically within its lanes. The complaints allege that while utilizing the adas features including adaptive cruise control, the vehicle unexpectedly applies its brakes while driving at highway speeds. Complainants report that the rapid deceleration can occur without warning, at random, and often repeatedly in a single drive cycle. Odi is opening this preliminary evaluation (pe) to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues. The odi reports cited above are available to review online at NHTSA. Gov under odi identification numbers listed in the attachment to this resume.
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 2021 Tesla Model 3
  • 2022 Tesla Model 3
  • 2021 Tesla Model Y
  • 2022 Tesla Model Y

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