Adaptive Cruise Control problems of the 2021 Tesla Model Y - part 1

Tesla’s full self-driving (fsd) system has repeatedly demonstrated unsafe behavior in my 2021 Model Y (VIN [xxx] , ~60,184 miles). The issues involve adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, and forward collision warning. Fsd frequently follows vehicles too closely, leaving insufficient distance. When I disengage, I am left with no safe option: braking hard risks being rear-ended and triggers a hard-braking event, while lifting off the accelerator leaves me dangerously close, still flagged as unsafe following. Fsd often waits until less than a mile before highway exits to attempt lane changes, causing last-second darting, missed exits, or unsafe maneuvers. It also performs excessive and unnecessary lane changes that add risk without improving efficiency. Merges are frequently unsafe, forcing me to brake hard to let others pass or accelerate aggressively to avoid being cut off. On several occasions, fsd has jerked or swerved into adjacent lanes without signaling, seemingly triggered by shadows or changes in the road surface. These phantom maneuvers are unpredictable and hazardous. On [xxx] at about [xxx], at a t-shaped intersection, fsd failed to yield to a vehicle traveling straight with the right of way while I was making a left turn. I had to slam on the brakes to disengage, narrowly avoiding a collision. This was the second such incident in the same intersection in one week. These repeated failures—unsafe following, late exit attempts, failed merges, phantom swerves, and failure to yield—create significant risks for me, my passengers, and surrounding drivers. The problem has been reported to Tesla multiple times via in-car voice reports and a written service request, and logs from my vehicle should confirm these events. No warning lamps or system alerts appeared before or during the failures. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

All cameras went blank on vehicle 4 year and 7 months old. All driver assistance systems became suddenly disabled. Tesla service diagnosis established that computer needs to be replaced for a cost of $2,000.

The adaptive cruse control would stop working off an on. Also it would give false land departure warnings causing driver to swerve thinking they were going to run into another care.

Several times on residential speed control the system does not recognize yellow flashing school speed reduction signs. Never slows or breaks. The speed of 25 mph does not register on the screed (other speed signs do). I told Tesla service center when other services were being done. They said they were aware. I have seen no improvement over the last several months.

Autopilot suddenly slams on the brakes going [xxx] on [xxx] just north of ankeny, IA when you hit the underpass at [xxx] [xxx] , [xxx] ). This happens every time for the past year about. No software update has fixed this yet. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Per the Tesla service team, there is a defect in the car computer which causes intermittent signal of the backup camera, failure of automatic emergency braking, and also autopilot unavailability in a 2021 Tesla Model Y with less than 40k miles on it. This issue only occurred after a software update and affects key safety features such as blind spot warning proximity warnings. The Tesla service team said the only way to solve it was to replace the entire car computer and charged us $2,583 for their own product defect. The car did issue alerts to us saying that autopilot and automatic emergency braking were unavailable, but did not detect issues with intermittent camera signal.

This complaint addresses the recent changes made to the cruise control system in Tesla vehicles, as per NHTSA guidance in 2024. While the update aims to simplify the activation of enhanced cruise control, it introduces significant disadvantages and safety risks that need to be addressed. 1. Cruise control activation update: NHTSA guidance: in 2024, Tesla was required to modify the activation process for enhanced cruise control, allowing it to be engaged with a single pull when the option is selected. There are two options available: single pull and double pull. Advantages: ? the update simplifies the process, enabling users to activate enhanced cruise control with a single pull, which is more convenient and user-friendly. Disadvantages: ? when the enhanced cruise control is activated and the turn signal is engaged, the system automatically deactivates. ? this deactivation causes the vehicle to stop maintaining its set speed, leading to a slowdown or complete stop. 2. Safety risks: driver reaction: ? the sudden deactivation of cruise control requires drivers to quickly move their feet back to the gas pedal to maintain speed. ? this is particularly concerning when attempting to change lanes or merge into tight spaces, where maintaining speed is crucial for safety. Loss of safety features: ? upon deactivation of the enhanced cruise control, the vehicle no longer maintains a safe following distance, transferring full control back to the driver. ? this abrupt transition means that the driver is left without the system's assistance to ensure safe driving and timely reactions, potentially increasing the risk of collisions. Increased driver workload: ? drivers must frequently reactivate cruise control after changing lanes, which demands additional effort and diverts attention from the road. ? this constant need to manage the cruise control system can lead to driver distraction and increased cognitive load, potentially compromising road safety. 3. Recommendations: see attche.

To whom it may concern: I am writing to report yet another dangerous incident of phantom braking in my Tesla vehicle. As a Tesla owner who has previously filed multiple complaints about this issue, I am deeply concerned and frustrated by the lack of resolution to this potentially life-threatening problem. Today, I experienced a terrifying phantom braking event that nearly resulted in a catastrophic accident. I was driving on a completely empty road with no traffic in sight - no vehicles behind me, none in front, and none approaching from any direction. Suddenly, without any apparent trigger, my Tesla aggressively applied the brakes, violently decelerating from approximately 25 mph to just 3 mph in a matter of seconds. This abrupt and unnecessary braking action caught me entirely off guard. The force of the deceleration threw me forward, and I narrowly avoided losing control of the vehicle. Had there been any traffic behind me, I have no doubt this incident would have resulted in a severe rear-end collision. The frequency and unpredictability of these phantom braking events make me feel unsafe every time I get behind the wheel. It’s only a matter of time before one of these incidents leads to a serious accident or fatality. Despite multiple reports to both Tesla and NHTSA, this critical safety issue remains unresolved. I implore NHTSA to take immediate and decisive action to address this problem. The safety of Tesla drivers, their passengers, and other road users is at stake. Please investigate this issue thoroughly and compel Tesla to implement a permanent fix for the phantom braking problem. Your swift action on this matter is crucial to prevent potential tragedies on our roads. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Twice, while in full self-driving mode on I-395, my Tesla has made the potentially fatal mistake of trying to turn the vehicle directly into the closed gates of the so-called "hot lanes" (which separate the north and sound bound lanes) and into on-coming highway traffic on those lanes. This is a serious safety issue that must be fixed immediately. This happened most recently on Sunday October 20, 2024, when I was driving south-bound on I-395 with my wife and son in the car. I was in the far left lane with "full self driving" activated. The hot lanes were to our left with all traffic on those lanes driving northbound. The gates to the hot lanes were closed to southbound traffic to prevent someone from driving directly into oncoming traffic. Shortly before we were about to pass those closed gates, the Tesla left indicator light came on and the car began to turn. The map showed the car was trying to turn us directly into the closed gates and oncoming traffic. Fortunately, I was paying close attention to this potential problem because the identical thing had happened previously, during the prior 30 day period when full self-driving was made available for free to all Tesla owners in April 2024. On that weekday evening, I was my driving my son northbound on I-395 after his basketball practice. The hot lanes were running southbound. Once again, as I approached the closed hot lane gates, the left indicator light came on as the car prepared to drive us through the closed gates and into the on-coming hot lane traffic. I am not a Tesla critic. I really like the car, but please address this issue ASAP before somebody gets killed.

This morning when operating on fsd trail version, at tye stop sign I had to make left. This is at intersection of rueslane and old bridge turnpike of east brunswick, NJ. My car started to make a left when there was an incoming car from the left, and they do. Not have to stop. Thank fully the car on the left applied instant brakes and avoided tye accident. Fsd failed to make right judgement if left turn was possible or not. Fsd version is v12. 3. 6.

My Tesla still has the phantom braking problem. It is repeatable and consistent. I can tell when it will occur on a route that I drive regularly. Day or night does not seem to alter the occurrence. There is no indication on the touch screen when this occurs. Traffic volume does not matter. It always occurs at the same places so it should be relatively easy to fix if someone would just monitor my computer when it occurs. I regard this as a dangerous problem on the freeway because my car suddenly slows and if the person behind me is not paying attention, I am going to be rear ended. Such a serious fault for a vehicle that performs so well otherwise. Since Tesla does not have a service center in my town no one has offered to look at the problem but since it has been reported so often, I'm not sure they would. I would be happy to demonstrate the problem to a technical person who might be able to diagnose it.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? system computer. After a over the air (ota) update, most driver assistive functions are inoperative. System feedback display sometime goes black (speedometer, controls, backup camera, etc). After manufacturer serviced car to verify and resolve issue, issue was not corrected. Screen continues to error, asking for a software update. Per the manufacturer this is a computer issue with the cache, and being told to replace computer. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? since the driver feedback display and cameras are sometimes non-functional. Back up camera can be unusable, lane keeping, and cruise control are inoperative. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? by an manufacturer repair center. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no, they appeared after an ota update 9-Aug-2024.

Driving [xxx] enroute to houston from peoria, az, on cruise control, the auto braking activated aka ghost braking, causing the car to extremely brake. No other cars or trucks near us and no signs in area that might affect cruise control. I thought this was fixed! totally unsafe. Luckily no one was behind us. This happened a lot back in mid 2021 and to have it still happen is hazardous. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Tesla fsd consistently ignores temporary lane closures, and will cheerfully try to drive over the barrier poles. The locale is the san diego pure water project construction zones. They set up lane closures that change every week or so. They use a line of red poles along the middle of the road to block off a lane and direct both lanes of traffic into one lane. Sometimes there is also a large closed sign in the middle of the closed lane. Tesla never sees the red poles and often does not see the closed sign. I attach several photos each showing both the Tesla screen and reality in the same image. (unless Tesla fixes this soon) I can send you lots more photos if you wish.

Tesla removed the ability to use only cruise control, with adaptive following distance, and have forced the only option to now use full self driving instead (with a recent soft-ware update). I do not feel safe using full self driving (even supervised) and believe Tesla is being unsafe forcing full self driving use. We used to be able to just use cruise control-with adaptive following distance-a driving option in all other recent cars!!! , but cannot do that now in Tesla? why would a company take away what I consider to be a safer option?? this is not an improvement (but a forced help-Tesla-improve-it’s-unsafe-full self-driving-software!).

Vehicle not acting safely, speeding up to pass stopped school bus with stop sign out and yellow lights flashing. This is a generic VIN as it applies to the current software on all fsd cars.

March 31 I received an email from Tesla that I had been selected to participate in a free full self driving (fsd) trial. I have no interest in fsd, and there was no way to opt out of this trial. At some point fsd was downloaded on to my Model Y as part of a regular software update. I was not given the opportunity to accept or refuse this particular feature. While both of these events feel wrong to me, it did not rise to the level of reporting to NHTSA until I realized Tesla had also enabled fsd on my car. In other words they switched my configuration from auto pilot to full self drive, presumably as part of the software update that downloaded the software on to my vehicle. One could argue that because two features on my screen were different I was able to figure out my configuration had changed, and manually change it back. One could also argue that not everyone would sort this out, and the next time they pulled the stalk down to engage cruise control they would unknowingly engage fsd. And that is not ok. I find the timing of all of this ironic given Tesla just settled out of court on a fatality related to their vastly overhyped fsd.

Since March 2024, fsd has failed to function as designed. Tesla denied any problem with the vehicle until October 2024, when a manager told me it's a known issue with no available fix. The issue started with fsd not recognizing traffic signals. Meaning that regardless of whether a traffic light was green or red, the vehicle would treat it like an 4 way stop. It would come to a stop and then proceed through the intersection if it didn't detect immediate cars. This was dangerous and Tesla refused to acknowledge the problem for months. Since then the issue has evolved with fsd only engaging in certain situations (interstate driving). As of the most recent update, fsd won't engage at all.

Since installing the update for 23v-838; tc2023-657 compliance, you guys have absolutely ruined autopilot. Your regulatory overreach has resulted in my task workload increasing while using any adas systems Tesla supplies, and multiple times I have reached task saturation from the number of nags, alerts, and prompts that have appeared since applying the 23v-838; tc2023-657 update. In some cases I have engaged autopilot, been nagged, wiggled the wheel which disengaged, re-engaged, been nagged, wiggled the wheel which disengaged, re-engaged, 3 times in a row. I have benchmarked almost every other adas system on the market and you chucklefucks have somehow regulated Tesla auto pilot into a place where it has literally the most frequent nags, alerts, prompts, and annoyances of anything on the market. Ask yourselves whether you honestly think nags that audibly prompt and distract the driver for merely glancing at the autopilot set speed, briefly adjusting the map, or even daring to adjust vent position are really a wise tradeoff, or just something you cooked up because you have an axe to grind. Here's another one - as petty bureaucrats, would you rather have autopilot or fsd on the road, or a hypothetically drunk driver?.

The most recent recall and modifications to autopilot have dramatically reduced subjective safety. I am more distracted by warnings and interventions by the system. The system is less able to adapt to changing conditions. It seemed to be far more effective from a safety standpoint prior to the recall. People were and are the problem with autopilot, not autopilot. As with people, it made/makes mistakes. But an attentive driver easily corrects. Full self drive is different, but if any driver has ever been under the illusion that autopilot does not require full attention, it is the driver's fault.

Tesla autopilot lost control in rainy weather, swerved off the road on freeway at 80mph, swung back in the leftmost lane and then to shoulder, risking lives of driver and all passengers including 2 children. Impact resulted in broken wheel rims and bursted tires. This could have been fatal accident if there are other cars on the road at the time of incident. There were absolutely no warning on the screen and near zero time to react with vehicle wheels turning sharp left at 80mph. Footage though immediately visible on dashcam has disappeared from usb drive. Requested vehicle logs from Tesla but that too has gap in coverage exactly during time of accident. Tesla service center has not responded to request to get system log at the time of accident. Missing logs and camera footage exactly at the time of incident is suspiciously missing. Footage and logs are available for next day as well as several weeks and months in the past.

Since December when Tesla did their software update to supposedly make my car safer, I have been buried in warnings to keep my hands on the steering wheel and my eyes on the road. It seems like every 25-30 seconds, if I even glance over at the speedometer, I get a red "keep your hands on the steering wheel" / "pay attention" warning. This is ridiculous. These distracting notifications could cause an accident.

Subject: safety concerns regarding recent Model Y autopilot update to whom it may concern at the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA), I am writing to urgently express my concerns about the latest software update for the Tesla Model Y’s autopilot system, which, in my view, significantly compromises safety. As a model 3 owner for over one year, I have generally found the vehicle and its features to be reliable and safe. However, the recent update has introduced an overly stringent hands-on-wheel detection mechanism that is not only inconvenient but also potentially hazardous. The new update requires frequent and often forceful interaction with the steering wheel to assure the system of driver presence. This change is drastically different from my previous experience, where I received only one hands-on-wheel violation in two years. The current sensitivity of the system disrupts the smooth operation of the autopilot, leading to frequent and abrupt disengagements. I have found myself struggling to maintain the system’s activation, inadvertently causing the vehicle to exit autopilot mode multiple times. This issue goes beyond mere inconvenience; it actively detracts from driving safety. The need for constant and sometimes aggressive adjustments to satisfy the system’s requirements is distracting and can lead to erratic vehicle behavior. The irony is stark: a system designed to enhance driving safety and ease is now a source of potential danger and stress. The unpredictability and over-sensitivity of the updated system could lead to dangerous situations, especially on highways or in heavy traffic, where sudden disengagement of the autopilot can be particularly risky. As a driver, I now find myself more focused on keeping the autopilot engaged than on the actual driving conditions and surroundings, which is surely contrary to the feature’s intended purpose. Thank you for your prompt attention to this serious safety concern. Sincerely, paul ramsingh.

After the latest recall (campaign #23v-838), the automated warnings while using autosteer becomes so frequently that it becomes distractingly dangerous. Even when I briefly avert my eyes while driving on an empty highway results in the warnings.

After Tesla software update 2023. 44. 30. 2, the rear back up camera no longer works. It’s just a black screen. Failure first occurred on 12/20/2023. Also, Tesla “auto pilot” no longer works (cruise control and lane assist). Support team could not fix both issues. Have a service appointment scheduled on 12/27/2023. Thank you and happy holidays.

My car has had a problem with tacc since the day I bought it. Brakes aggressively in what should be a normal driving situation. For instance, when I pass a semi truck on the interstate with my own lane in front of me, the car will slam on the brakes when it is beside the truck. Highly likely to cause a rear end collision.

When travelling with adaptive speed control enabled the car will suddenly and violently decelerate 30 to 50 mph below the set speed. This happens frequently and does not appear to correlate with anything specific. Sometimes it happens when passing a large white truck. Sometimes there is no other traffic anywhere near me. At the very least I would like Tesla to give me the option of disabling the "safety" features so the car operates like every other car with adaptive cruse control. This is not just me. Search the internet for Tesla phantom braking and you will find many instances going back years. It seems to be getting worse with each software update.

While in cruise control, car will randomly suddenly brake without warning or visible obstacle. This has been an ongoing problem ever since buying the vehicle in 2021. Very dangerous as it has happened on the highway. Is startling and causes seat belt locking. I have reported the issue to Tesla and it's apparently a "limitation of software". We usually do not use cruise control in the Tesla because of the dangerous of this, but I decided to try again recently in hopes they had fixed it but to no avail.

Car will, without warning brake aggressively while in cruise control, without pressure applied to brake. No other factors on road, except cars behind. This occurs frequently when car is driven in autopilot. Car will, without warning accelerate to a high speed without pressure applied to the accelerator. This acceleration is stopped with pressure being immediately applied to brake.

Driving with cruise control on the car would suddenly brake for no reason. Sometimes it was just a quick brake for a second or two but multiple times the car braked hard enough to have things in the car fly off the seats. These incidents happened on 9/5/2023. Needless to say we didn't use the cruise control after that, we are just glad no cars were behind us at the time. If this helps, we did use cruise control on a trip on 6/24/2023 with no issues.

When autopilot is engaged (I don't know if just cruise does this) on a highway entrance set to a reasonable speed like 35 or 45, as I approach the acceleration ramp the setting jumps to 90 and then quickly back to 85. I've found no reason to beleive that the car won't accelerate up to 85. There is no way for the driver to make such a jump. Driver is only able to jump in 1 or 5 mph increments. I have no trouble disengaging autopilot, but still. . . This has been going on for weeks, and despite a software update or two. I can provide video of this happening but I don't think I can upload it here.

Phantom braking. When there are refractions on the road seen in my lane in bright sunshine. Also in a 2-lane highway with oncoming vehicles that have lots of chrome also in bright sunshine. Never happens at night or when cruise control not enabled.

Approximately 11:26 am on Thursday July 27, and approximately 110 miles east of gallup, new mexico, I experienced when driving a 2021 Tesla Model Y, a series of extreme phantom braking events. One phantom braking event resulted in an extreme braking and the car gave a loud alarm signal. This happened while passing two rather closely spaced semi-trailer trucks that were in the right lane of the interstate highway 40 roadway going westbound. Both trucks were traveling without making any unusual movements. They were steadily traveling between 70 and 80 mph. There was a large SUV following our vehicle. This event resulted in an extremely hazardous condition. A high-speed rear-end collision was imminent. I, as the driver of the Model Y, immediately accelerated and steered over to the left-lane shoulder. No collision occurred and I was able to pass the two trucks and return to the right lane. Clearly, this behavior of the Model Y is extremely hazardous and must be corrected. It is my recollection that I had disengaged the auto steer mode prior to passing the two trucks and then reengaged the auto steer after passing the two trucks and moving to the right lane. I have experienced this behavior before as I have been driving the vehicle for the past two years of my three-year lease. Strangely it always occurs, it seems when driving on rural interstate, such as this case. Fortunately, these experiences helped me to instantly respond by accelerating and moving onto the left lane shoulder to avoid a disastrous accident. It is appalling that this has been happening. The Tesla gives absolutely no indication of the cause of the urgent breaking either before or after the event. Also there has been no notifications from Tesla on this dangerous phantom breaking. I am sending this report to Tesla and the NHTSA.

Sudden braking for no reason when driving with cruise engaged. Several occurrence at different times. Very dangerous. May be hit in rear.

I was on the highway with cruise set to 80. With no vehicles anywhere near in front of me, the car brakes hard and the cruise was set to 50. I was able to gain control by hitting the accelerator but slowed down quickly from the phantom breaking.