2021 Tesla Model S Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking Problems

NHTSA component category: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING · data through 07/12/2026

27Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking complaints

15.4%Of all 175 complaints

#3Most-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: automatic emergency braking ranks on this vehicle

Unspecified / other43 · 24.6%

STEERING29 · 16.6%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING27 · 15.4%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL25 · 14.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22 · 12.6%

Share of the 175 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Tesla Model S overview page.

What owners report

“Oncoming vehicle suddenly turned in front of 2021 Tesla Model S resulting in collision at 34mph. Automatic braking did not engage, collision warning system failed…”NHTSA complaint 11520934 — filed 05/08/2023

“Our Tesla, in the "Full Self Drive" mode, has on more than one occasion applied the brakes suddenly without warning while traveling on the freeways…”NHTSA complaint 11497620 — filed 12/15/2022

“When in autopilot, at highway speeds, the car suddenly will brake. There is nothing that instigates this and it seems to be a safety hazard.”NHTSA complaint 11493763 — filed 11/16/2022

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

Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Tesla Model S have forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking problems?

Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2021 Tesla Model S: 27 of 175 complaints on file (15.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2021 Tesla Model S have in total?

175 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 13 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 4 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING 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.