2020 Tesla Model Y Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking Problems

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

44Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking complaints

16.2%Of all 271 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

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL69 · 25.5%

Unspecified / other52 · 19.2%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING44 · 16.2%

SERVICE BRAKES35 · 12.9%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL35 · 12.9%

Share of the 271 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2020 Tesla Model Y overview page.

What owners report

“The model Y will randomly brake while at freeway speeds. I've seen it go from 80 mph down to 60 mph before I could react…”NHTSA complaint 11461696 — filed 04/21/2022

“At multiple occasions, there has been Phantom Braking occurring when on the freeway even when there is no-one ahead of me. Usually does occur when…”NHTSA complaint 11458207 — filed 03/24/2022

“Periodically my car slams on the brakes for no apparent reason. This typically occurs on Interstate highways at normal highway speeds. Sometimes there are bridges…”NHTSA complaint 11452720 — filed 02/18/2022

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 2020 Tesla Model Y have forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking problems?

Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2020 Tesla Model Y: 44 of 271 complaints on file (16.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2020 Tesla Model Y have in total?

271 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 47 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, 25 reported injuries, and none 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.