What 748 owners told NHTSA about the 2022 Tesla Model 3 Bev

Adaptive cruise control fails. Repeated phantom braking on the highway. Would cause severe high speed accidents if there was traffic, luckily there was not. Not yet. Not yet. No. First appeared on my first long (5+ hr) road trip and brakes were applied jarringly for no reason, braking from 80mph down to 55 before I could turn the cruise control off. Repeated this more than a dozen times on the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11520516

Hello, I recently drove 600 miles and experienced numerous random, frightening and dangerous occurrences of "phantom braking" while in cruise control mode. The car suddenly slammed on the brakes (I could hear the tires screech) while the highway was almost always completely empty, and always completely devoid of any potential danger. In three occurrences, the car was confused by something physical (albeit posing no danger at all): it was confused a "divide highway" sign post at the beginning of a divided highway median, the distant back a truck, a least a quarter of a mile ahead, and an incoming truck a least a quarter of a mile ahead in a long curve. In all other occurrences -the vast majority of occurrences- whatever triggered "phantom braking" was nowhere to be seen (the highway in front of me was completely empty of any traffic or obstructions), and never materialized. My safety and the safety of drivers behind me (and potentially in other lanes in case of a pile-up) was compromised during every occurrences. I stopped using cruise control when a car or truck is behind me. I contacted Tesla Service. They did an over the air check and said that there was nothing wrong with the system, that each occurrence provided data to improve the Beta system (it would have been nice to be told when I purchase the car that my family and I were Beta testers of an automotive safety product), and that Tesla is "working on a firmware update". Not very reassuring, and most importantly, no fixes at all to address this dangerous safety issue. Tesla Service indicated that I do not need to bring my car in (since there is nothing wrong with the software and therefore no fix).There was no advance warning before occurrences of "phantom braking". Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11519936

I was driving my car north on I15. Suddenly the car applied full breaks when there was no objects on the road. I could no longer control the car. Even when my foot was on the accelerator the car automatically depressed the break pedal. Luckily there was no vehicle behind me. I was also fortunate that we were going on a straight section of road. If this happened mid turn I would have completely lost control. These cars are a danger to society. It is impossible to drive them safely when they take control away from the driver.

NHTSA ODI 11518954

While driving across the Nevada and Utah deserts, while on cruise control, traveling at 80 MPH we experienced 7 phantom braking. There were no vehicles or obstructions in sight and it was on straight stretches of road. We are no longer using cruise control due to the danger of possibly causing an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11518018

Driving on the freeway at night, cruise control was on and going 70 mph. There were no other cars around and the car started braking on me out of no where. My speed went from 70 mph down to almost 20 mph on the freeway. Luckily there was no one behind me otherwise it would have been a bad crash.

NHTSA ODI 11517798

I have had several incidents of my car rapidly decelerating when in assisted driving mode and I am driving on the highway. I am driving at 65 and all of the sudden it decelerates, making it extremely dangerous. There are no apparent barriers or nearby objects causing this to happen. I am very concerned this will result in a significant accident. I have filed this claim previously without anything happening. Additionally, I had a problem with my rear warning signal not going off when I was in a parking garage, causing me to back into a car. I filed a claim with Tesla and never heard back from them.

NHTSA ODI 11517319

While driving on the highway on a clear day using what I call cruise control that also adapts to the speed of vehicles in front of my vehicle, as well as to extreme weather conditions, with no other vehicles around me, the car randomly decided to apply the brakes without provocation which slowed the vehicle from the setting of 74 mph to 49 mph before I could react and correct the aberrant braking. This is the 4th time this has happened in this vehicle. Previous incidents occurred in heavier traffic, so I suspected the aberrant breaking was an overcorrection relative to the other vehicles around me. After this most recent occurrence, I am confident there was no other reason for the car to suddenly brake other than due to a fault with the car.

NHTSA ODI 11517071

The Tesla computer and especially the USER INTERFACE IS UNSAFE. More accurate to say I hate the UNFRIENDLY user interface. I am surprised NHTSA OKed this computer interface. It needs a GOOGLE quality voice activation feature. The current one is deaf to most words normally used to drive a car. E.G., to turn the lights on while driving on a road where “LIGHTS ON” is required. I must hit a button to see all controls. Then I must hit the “LIGHTS” button. Then I must hit the “LIGHTS ON”. All this while having trouble reading the small print on the screen. The reading is difficult. All this while taking my eyes off the road to even see the screen. This is just one of very many examples. The actual use of the computer is VERY OFTEN more user UNfriendly and UNSAFE than the “LIGHTS” button. Dangerous, DANGEROUS. I almost killed another driver when my car was new because I was WORKING the computer and I ran a read light. Fortunately my car stopped because I hit the breaks or because the car was, in fact, SMART??????? I am surprised NHTSA OKed this computer interface. The computer is smart but using the interface is dangerous. I want to bring this issue up to NHTSA, not to issue a recall, but to ADD on a user interface as good as GOOGLE? What is the chance that they will re-investigate a safety decision they have already made? Sincerely; [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11516355

Our 2022 Tesla Model 3 has "phantom braked" three times on the highway. During each episode, the vehicle slowed from 75mph to 45mph in about half a second - with no vehicle or obstruction in front of us. This was a 4-lane highway all three times. If a car was behind us, it likely would have collided with us. No precipitation, the car was clean and cameras clear. I took the car to the Latham Service Center at 326 bOld Niskayuna Road near Albany, New York, to have the sensors and car checked. The tech took the car for a 10-minute drive, didn't experience phantom braking, and said that since he "could not duplicate the concern" no repairs were needed. After several messages expressing concern that this did indeed need to be fixed, neither the owners Scott and Carolyne nor the tech responded.

NHTSA ODI 11515933

Nearly every time I use the "Traffic-Aware Cruise Control" on my Tesla, I experience a phantom braking event. Nearly all the time it is when the road is clear, in the daytime. I use this feature infrequently because I cannot rely on it at all and I'm concerned it will cause someone to hit my from behind.

NHTSA ODI 11515465

Just completed a 3 day cross country trip from Palm Desert CA to Saint Paul MN. On a long highway trip like this, we rely on 'cruise control' to maintain consistent highway speeds. Tesla provides adaptive cruise control as a feature of Autopilot. On numerous occasions, the adaptive cruise control unexpectedly stopped, causing the vehicle to slow, or unexpectedly braked hard causing the vehicle to sharply reduce speed. Due to the frequency of Tesla autopilot phantom braking, I found that my foot needed to consistently hover over the accelerator pedal to counter the numerous instances of phantom braking. This was necessary to prevent a possibly inattentive driver behind the Tesla from driving into the rear of the Tesla or another vehicle driving behind the Tesla. This phantom braking occurred as many as 6 to 10 times per day over 3 days and approximately 2,000 miles. The adaptive cruise feature malfunctions under certain conditions and our vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Our safety and the safety of others was put at risk by unexpectedly slowing or braking hard while driving at posted highway speeds and putting our vehicle at risk of being rear ended, and perhaps the same for a vehicle behind our vehicle. The phantom braking issue has been well documented in press & social media and I find it difficult to believe that it has not been reproduced by an independent organization such as NHTSA. I believe that the manufacturer (Tesla) is aware of the phantom braking issue as it appears to be inherent to Tesla's approach to providing adaptive cruise control. When the phantom braking occurs, there are no warnings or messages prior to the unexpected braking. Most phantom braking instances occurred on approach to or on the crest of a hill. At least one instance occurred after cresting a hill and the roadway was in full view.

NHTSA ODI 11515149

complete shutdown or blanking screen while driving causing GOD knows what is working and what not. definitely driver won't know his/her speed, car systems status like blinker, auto pilot,...etc until the system comes back to become available. 1st time this happened, Tesla sent me its service mobile service person who mentioned that he could not find anything wrong and if it happened again he will schedule the car for an in-house service center appointment for the main computer unit to be replaced. When the incident happened again Tesla scheduled the service appointment but after inspection the report came back that this is a recurring incident in many teslas and require a firmware update! Service report attached (Job number 4 and 5)

NHTSA ODI 11514873

Vehicle will repeatably go incorrect speed limit while on Autopilot or Fsd(beta), internal mapping data has incorrect speed limits, sometimes 65 in a 30, other times 25 in an unmarked 55. Speed limit may change multiple times within a short distance making it hard to correct without slowing or speeding up This is on software 2022.45.12. ( fsd 11.3.3), has been a constant issue on previous versions, also affects regular auto pilot

NHTSA ODI 11513896

On a two lane road with no traffic approaching and no traffic behind us on us95 in the Nv desert, the model 3 slammed on the brakes and slowed from 60mph to 30 or less. This is with the adaptive cruise control engaged, not auto steering. This happens several times. There were several times when large semi trucks were approaching in the opposing Lane and the model 3 slammed on the brakes also when adaptive cruise control was engaged. When we reported this to Tesla they said they need the exact date and time of each incident, or they could not help us. These breaking incidents happened during a 12 hour trip between Carson City and Rancho Cucamonga. This is an unbelievable safety hazard as if someone is following too closely and the car suddenly decide to apply the brakes. The person behind you is going to be caught off guard and crash into you. I cannot believe this is been going on for over a year as I have read several articles about the problem. There is no warning whatsoever when the car does this.

NHTSA ODI 11513862

During normal operation vehicle suddenly engages braking system l. This has nearly caused 2 accidents. Tesla insists there is no fault with the car.

NHTSA ODI 11513060

With the autopilot engaged, on the freeway, and at freeway speeds, the car will automatically brake without reason and without any traffic in front of the car. In a stretch of 100 miles, the car did this 8 times. The car even "phantom brakes" on regular cruise control. This is not only alarming but dangerous! Had the road been wet, or slick, we could have easily crashed! THIS MALFUNCTION NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION! Thank you, Steve & Liza Starr

NHTSA ODI 11512579

While using autopilot the car randomly decelerated from 75mph to almost 30mph in the highway (I75) super quickly. If a car has been behind it might have caused a crash.

NHTSA ODI 11512140

I used Autopilot on my Model 3 for the first and only time a few weeks ago, and had a terrifying experience with "phantom braking" that could have killed my entire family while going ~75mph on the I-5 near Bakersfield, CA. The I-5 here is split with 2 lanes in each direction, and is straight with no bends. I was driving in the right northbound lane, with Autopilot engaged (adaptive speed control only, no automatic lane-steering). My right foot was off both pedals and two hands were on the wheel. There were no other cars in sight except for a single car driving northbound behind me in the left lane. This car began to pass me on the left, and when its front bumper was aligned with the mid-point of my car (I could just barely see the front bumper through the corner of my eye), my Tesla suddenly automatically slammed on the brakes with absolutely no warning! I immediately clenched the wheel as hard as I could, and had to quickly respond to prevent the wheel from automatically veering to the left. While fighting the wheel to try to keep the vehicle straight, and my family hanging on for their lives, we screeched to a grinding halt at a 45 degree angle facing the left lane. We were extremely lucky to not hit the passing car and fortunately there were no vehicles behind us. I disengaged Autopilot and quickly got out of there so we weren't vulnerable. I speculate that the camera on the left panel between the driver and rear door saw the passing car, and wrongly invoked automatic evasive braking and steering maneuvers in response to a falsely anticipated head-on collision. That's the only reasonable explanation I can come up with. I will not use Autopilot again until "phantom braking" is eliminated. This is a known issue that I've since found mentioned all over the Internet by other Tesla owners. This needs to be fixed hastily before people are killed! We're damn lucky I had both hands on the wheel, otherwise we'd likely be dead! Note: Same report has been sent to Tesla.

NHTSA ODI 11511287

Since taking ownership of vehicle in summer 2022, have experienced multiple incidents of vehicle emergency braking for no apparent reason while using cruise control. In a few instances when I have attempted to use cruise control again after initial phantom braking incident, there is a 2nd incident of emergency like braking for no apparent reason in the same trip. Have never attempted to reuse cruise control within same trip after experiencing issue twice in that one trip. When phantom braking occurs: - It is while using cruise control (with or without steering assist). - There is no audible or visual warning (not even from auto emergency braking system) before or during vehicle braking. - Is a very strong braking force akin to an emergency maneuver. - There is no clear reason for why vehicle braked - no obstacles in road or slowing traffic. - Level of traffic (light or moderate) does not seem to be a factor, but I don't use system in moderate to heavy traffic. - Weather does not appear to be a factor - it can occur in perfect driving conditions (sunny, clear day). In most recent incident, was traveling at 78mph on highway with no traffic in front or behind vehicle for approx. a half mile in either direction. Without warning or reason, vehicle began to brake hard, slowing vehicle down to 62mph before I could disengage system (approx 1-2seconds). Unclear how low vehicle would brake to if cruise control wasn't disengaged. Cruise control feature feels extremely risky to the point that view as unusable in almost all driving situations (even if would be a good time to use cruise control).

NHTSA ODI 11510345

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while her husband was driving 80 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle jerked forward and decelerated to 52 MPH. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The driver deactivated the cruise control and continued driving to his destination. The contact stated she also experienced the failure on February 27, 2023. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

NHTSA ODI 11509715

the window is opening alone

NHTSA ODI 11508909

While in the cruise control mode my car will periodically come to an abrupt slowdown. Often when I’m on the freeway and I am very concerned that one day I will be rear ended by the cars totally unexpected slow down. It has happened at least 30 times in my Tesla model 3

NHTSA ODI 11507936

The car suddenly braked for no good reason nearly caused an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11507731

The "traffic aware" cruise control automatically slows the car when entering a portion of highway with a reduced speed limit. Sounds good in theory and Tesla says this is intentional and cannot be modified in settings. However, suddenly slowing down from 65 mph to 45 mph when all traffic PERSISTS at 65 mph could lead to rear end collisions or loss of control.

NHTSA ODI 11507644

Constant Phantom Breaking at interstate speeds. Tesla insists this is not a problem.

NHTSA ODI 11507283