2023 Tesla Model 3 Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control Problems

NHTSA component category: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL · data through 07/12/2026

107Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control complaints

26%Of all 411 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control ranks on this vehicle

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL107 · 26%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING95 · 23.1%

STEERING83 · 20.2%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL64 · 15.6%

Unspecified / other56 · 13.6%

Share of the 411 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2023 Tesla Model 3 overview page.

What owners report

“I have had this car for 6 months. Three times within the past month sudden braking (phantom braking) occurred while driving on the high way…”NHTSA complaint 11532334 — filed 07/14/2023

“When driving in highway using autopilot, the car suddenly slammed on the brakes. This made no sense at all as there were no cars in…”NHTSA complaint 11531955 — filed 07/13/2023

“Scenario 1: Driving mid day in hot weather in desert highway with rolling hills and cruise control activated. Upon cresting a ridge with mirages the…”NHTSA complaint 11531185 — filed 07/09/2023

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2023 Tesla Model 3 have forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control problems?

Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control is the most-reported problem area on the 2023 Tesla Model 3: 107 of 411 complaints on file (26%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2023 Tesla Model 3 have in total?

411 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 70 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 49 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.