2021 Tesla Model 3 forward collision avoidance problems
405 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the forward collision avoidance on the 2021 Tesla Model 3 — 62% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The adaptive cruise control on Tesla vehicles is dangerous. The model in question is a 2021 Model 3 but its an issue with many model years. The cruise control tends to get confused and applies the brakes during normal driving leading to very unsafe conditions for the Tesla and anybody behind it…”
filed Aug 3, 2026
“On July 1, 2026, the vehicle was serviced by the manufacturer for GPS and camera malfunctions, and the vehicle computer was replaced. On the morning of July 2, 2026, during the first use of Autopilot after that repair, the vehicle experienced repeated serious driver-assistance malfunctions over a…”
filed Jul 2, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) soundsCampaign 24V153000 · Feb 27, 2024
- Fisheye and narrow camera cable terminals were incorrectly installed in the cable harness…Campaign 22V317000 · May 9, 2022
- Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle…Campaign 22V235000 · Apr 12, 2022
- Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle…Campaign 22V063000 · Feb 4, 2022
- A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected…Campaign 21V846000 · Oct 29, 2021
Forward Collision Avoidance problems in other Model 3 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Model 3 | 28 | 25% |
| 2024 Model 3 | 43 | 21% |
| 2023 Model 3 | 171 | 41% |
| 2022 Model 3 | 528 | 70% |
| 2020 Model 3 | 156 | 35% |
| 2019 Model 3 | 169 | 28% |
| 2018 Model 3 | 200 | 20% |
| 2017 Model 3 | 8 | 31% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Tesla Model 3
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.