2021 Tesla Model 3 Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control Problems
NHTSA component category: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL · data through 07/14/2026
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
Share of the 648 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Tesla Model 3 overview page.
What owners report
“Phantom braking events on most every type of road and drive when using cruise control, not autopilot or other automated systems. Standard cruise control is…”NHTSA complaint 11444212 — filed 12/17/2021
“Constant âphantom brakingâ when using autopilot on the freeway and other roads. When the pavement changes color, the car slams on the brakes in the…”NHTSA complaint 11443861 — filed 12/15/2021
“We continue to have issues with Tesla's autopilot feature. The Model 3 with autopilot activated or just with the adaptive cruise control activated, will "phantom"…”NHTSA complaint 11443841 — filed 12/14/2021
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 2021 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 2021 Tesla Model 3: 279 of 648 complaints on file (43.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2021 Tesla Model 3 have in total?
648 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 43 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 19 reported injuries, and 4 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.
