2021 Tesla Model 3 Service Brakes Problems
NHTSA component category: SERVICE BRAKES · 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 service brakes 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
“Driving normally, with cruise control (not auto steering) engaged vehicle will spontaneously and dangerously apply emergency breaking. This happens regularly to the point I wonât…”NHTSA complaint 11441906 — filed 11/29/2021
“My new Tesla 3 deployed automatic emergency braking seven (7) times in a 5 hour period. The Tesla Autopilot was turned off due to reports…”NHTSA complaint 11441777 — filed 11/26/2021
“On a recent trip, we started experiencing extreme issues with our car's cruise control and autopilot features. Specifically, when in cruise control or auto pilot…”NHTSA complaint 11441457 — filed 11/23/2021
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Service Brakes complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Tesla Model 3 have service brakes problems?
Service Brakes is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2021 Tesla Model 3: 124 of 648 complaints on file (19.1%). 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 service brakes category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the SERVICE BRAKES category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
