2023 Tesla Model Y driver assist problems

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

On Wednesday, August 12 around 6:30 am the vehicle applied AEB while I was making a left turn on green. It landed me in the middle of the intersection while a car going straight from the opposite direction was speeding towards me to go before the light turned yellow/red. I escaped a collision only because the other driver managed to slow down.

NHTSA complaint #11757758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Our car phantom brakes when traveling through shadows frequently and occasionally at random. This occurs at high speed as well as low speed.

NHTSA complaint #11756091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Our car phantom brakes when traveling through shadows frequently and occasionally at random. This occurs at high speed as well as low speed.

NHTSA complaint #11756091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

I want to raise a serious safety concern with a recent Tesla software update related to Full Self-Driving (FSD). When I disengage FSD, a prompt immediately appears on the main screen asking why I intervened, with selectable options. Here is the issue: When I take over from FSD, it is almost always because something requires my full attention in that moment. That is the exact point where I need to be focused entirely on driving, not reading or interacting with a screen. Introducing a pop-up at that precise moment creates a distraction during a potentially critical transition from automated to manual control. From a human factors and safety standpoint, this feels backwards: - The highest-risk moment is the handoff from FSD to driver - The system is adding cognitive load and visual distraction at that exact time - Even if interaction is optional, the visual interruption alone pulls attention This is not just an annoyance—it has real potential to increase risk in already sensitive situations.

NHTSA complaint #11752281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I was pushed to complete an update on my 2023 Tesla Y with an over the air update. This happened last week. Following the update i have been getting a slew of errors when driving my car related to the parking break, brake functions, automatic energy braking and steering are affected. The wording on the app / car says, Alerts - Steering & Braking - Parking brake functions degraded / Parking brake may not apply or release / Parking brake may not apply or release. This causes my auto brake to not engage, my hold break to not engage, my parking brake to not engage. This causes my car to roll at stop / red lights. I have to physically slam by brakes to stop. This is extremely unsafe and Tesla is trying to charge me $130 to diagnose the car to see why the update caused the issue. My car went from fully drivable without any FSD, normal driving to a runaway trainwreck. This happens roughly 20-30 minutes randomly into driving. Not immediately and it is completely random.

NHTSA complaint #11751833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

While traveling on the freeway with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) engaged, my vehicle attempted to initiate an automatic lane change to the left. At that exact moment, another vehicle was already traveling parallel to me, fully established in the adjacent left lane. My vehicle signaled and immediately began veering directly into the occupied lane, completely failing to detect the car traveling next to me. The system did not abort the maneuver or yield to the existing traffic. To prevent an immediate sideswipe collision, I had to forcefully grab the steering wheel and wrench the car back into my original lane. The FSD system completely failed to monitor its immediate left blind spot.

NHTSA complaint #11751537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

While traveling on the freeway with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) engaged, my vehicle attempted to initiate an automatic lane change to the left. At that exact moment, another vehicle was already traveling parallel to me, fully established in the adjacent left lane. My vehicle signaled and immediately began veering directly into the occupied lane, completely failing to detect the car traveling next to me. The system did not abort the maneuver or yield to the existing traffic. To prevent an immediate sideswipe collision, I had to forcefully grab the steering wheel and wrench the car back into my original lane. The FSD system completely failed to monitor its immediate left blind spot.

NHTSA complaint #11751537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

I have reported safety issues on this vehicle before, but a new one has arisen which is related to the same. It is the computer shorting out. While in the past I have reported lack of backup camera, lane keeping, cruise control, collision avoidance, now intermittently the power steering fails. I get an error. Thankfully, this occurs when starting up and not while driving (yet), but it is nearly impossible to turn the wheel. As of now, exiting the car, letting the car doors lock and then coming back to the car has solved the issue, but I worry about this occurring while driving. Tesla knows about the computer issues and should take responsibility via a recall rather than a pricey repair on my own as this is a well reported issue. I have received no communication or feedback despite the complaints I have lodged with you and with Tesla. Please intervene before someone gets hurt.

NHTSA complaint #11751608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

I have reported safety issues on this vehicle before, but a new one has arisen which is related to the same. It is the computer shorting out. While in the past I have reported lack of backup camera, lane keeping, cruise control, collision avoidance, now intermittently the power steering fails. I get an error. Thankfully, this occurs when starting up and not while driving (yet), but it is nearly impossible to turn the wheel. As of now, exiting the car, letting the car doors lock and then coming back to the car has solved the issue, but I worry about this occurring while driving. Tesla knows about the computer issues and should take responsibility via a recall rather than a pricey repair on my own as this is a well reported issue. I have received no communication or feedback despite the complaints I have lodged with you and with Tesla. Please intervene before someone gets hurt.

NHTSA complaint #11751608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

We recently got a subscription for Tesla's full self driving (FSD) system. While using the system, on several occasions, the car "jerked" momentarily. Like it is hard braking but then the car resumes its previous pace. Again, this is very quick, perhaps taking less than a second. It is an occasional occurrence, but it has happened enough times that I am not using the feature anymore. For a split second, It feels like the car was stopping abruptly, which startled everyone riding in the car. My wife called Tesla and provided the information above to an automated help center. She was told to try the "Hurry" mode in FSD. We've been using the "Standard" mode.

NHTSA complaint #11751611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

I am submitting this report based on my personal experience operating a Tesla Model Y equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD). I have used FSD for approximately four years and have extensive experience with the system. During several recent road trips through heavily forested and mountainous areas, including Yosemite National Park and multiple locations throughout Oregon, I repeatedly observed similar unexpected behavior under the same environmental conditions. On roads where dense tree cover creates alternating bands of sunlight and shadow across the pavement, the vehicle occasionally performs abrupt deceleration, unnecessary braking, or jerky speed adjustments despite there being no visible hazards, obstacles, pedestrians, or animals in the roadway. I cannot determine the technical cause, but based on repeated observations at different locations, it appears that rapidly changing lighting conditions or high-contrast tree shadows may present a perception challenge for the vision-based driving system. This is only my observation and not a technical conclusion. My concern is that unexpected braking or sudden speed changes could surprise following drivers and increase the risk of rear-end collisions, particularly on two-lane highways or winding mountain roads. While I remained attentive and was able to supervise the vehicle, these unexpected reactions occurred multiple times under similar conditions. I respectfully request that NHTSA evaluate this type of real-world driving environment as part of its ongoing assessment of advanced driver assistance and automated driving systems. Forested roads and mountain highways are common throughout the United States, and ensuring reliable performance in these challenging lighting conditions is important before wider deployment of autonomous driving technology. I would be happy to provide additional information if needed.

NHTSA complaint #11748796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

My Tesla has repeatedly exhibited dangerous behavior while Full Self-Driving (FSD) is engaged. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has stopped for a red light and then proceeded through the intersection while the traffic signal was still red. This has put my family and others at risk on a public roadway and creates a serious safety concern. One documented incident occurred on June 21, 2026, while my family was in the vehicle. During that event, the car stopped at a red traffic light and then proceeded to attempt to run intersection even though the light remained red. This was alarming and dangerous, and it required close driver supervision because the system did not behave in a safe or reliable manner. This was not an isolated incident. My Tesla has run red lights in this same manner on multiple occasions while FSD was engaged. In addition, the vehicle will suddenly stomp on its brakes on a public roadway, which is another serious and unpredictable safety issue. I have taken the vehicle to Tesla regarding these issues, and I was told that this behavior is considered normal and that nothing would be done about it. Tesla’s response was that the software is still being developed, and that this is essentially part of the risk of using the software. These repeated failures involve traffic signal compliance and erratic vehicle behavior that could easily result in a crash or injury. My family has been placed in danger by these events, and I believe this is a serious safety defect that needs to be investigated immediately. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate Tesla’s FSD system for repeatedly stopping at red lights and then proceeding through the intersection while the signal is still red, as well as for sudden unnecessary braking events on public roadways.

NHTSA complaint #11747141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

My Tesla has repeatedly exhibited dangerous behavior while Full Self-Driving (FSD) is engaged. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has stopped for a red light and then proceeded through the intersection while the traffic signal was still red. This has put my family and others at risk on a public roadway and creates a serious safety concern. One documented incident occurred on June 21, 2026, while my family was in the vehicle. During that event, the car stopped at a red traffic light and then proceeded to attempt to run intersection even though the light remained red. This was alarming and dangerous, and it required close driver supervision because the system did not behave in a safe or reliable manner. This was not an isolated incident. My Tesla has run red lights in this same manner on multiple occasions while FSD was engaged. In addition, the vehicle will suddenly stomp on its brakes on a public roadway, which is another serious and unpredictable safety issue. I have taken the vehicle to Tesla regarding these issues, and I was told that this behavior is considered normal and that nothing would be done about it. Tesla’s response was that the software is still being developed, and that this is essentially part of the risk of using the software. These repeated failures involve traffic signal compliance and erratic vehicle behavior that could easily result in a crash or injury. My family has been placed in danger by these events, and I believe this is a serious safety defect that needs to be investigated immediately. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate Tesla’s FSD system for repeatedly stopping at red lights and then proceeding through the intersection while the signal is still red, as well as for sudden unnecessary braking events on public roadways.

NHTSA complaint #11747141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

My Tesla has repeatedly exhibited dangerous behavior while Full Self-Driving (FSD) is engaged. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has stopped for a red light and then proceeded through the intersection while the traffic signal was still red. This has put my family and others at risk on a public roadway and creates a serious safety concern. One documented incident occurred on June 21, 2026, while my family was in the vehicle. During that event, the car stopped at a red traffic light and then proceeded to attempt to run intersection even though the light remained red. This was alarming and dangerous, and it required close driver supervision because the system did not behave in a safe or reliable manner. This was not an isolated incident. My Tesla has run red lights in this same manner on multiple occasions while FSD was engaged. In addition, the vehicle will suddenly stomp on its brakes on a public roadway, which is another serious and unpredictable safety issue. I have taken the vehicle to Tesla regarding these issues, and I was told that this behavior is considered normal and that nothing would be done about it. Tesla’s response was that the software is still being developed, and that this is essentially part of the risk of using the software. These repeated failures involve traffic signal compliance and erratic vehicle behavior that could easily result in a crash or injury. My family has been placed in danger by these events, and I believe this is a serious safety defect that needs to be investigated immediately. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate Tesla’s FSD system for repeatedly stopping at red lights and then proceeding through the intersection while the signal is still red, as well as for sudden unnecessary braking events on public roadways.

NHTSA complaint #11747141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

On June 23, 2026, at approximately 7:45 AM Central Time, I was operating my Tesla in full manual drive mode on US Highway 35 westbound between Denton and Fort Worth, Texas. No driver assistance, autopilot, or automated steering system was activated or engaged by me at any point prior to or during this incident. Without warning and without any driver input, the vehicle autonomously activated an automated steering and driving assistance system, assumed full control of the vehicle, and did not return manual control to me despite my attempts to intervene and regain control of the vehicle. The incident occurred during active rainfall and wet road conditions. The vehicle, while operating under its own autonomous system control without driver consent, drifted and struck the guardrail on the driver's left side. Following the initial impact, the vehicle continued moving and did not stop. The automated system remained active and did not disengage following the collision. The vehicle did not return control to me until a wheel separated from the vehicle. This incident was not caused by driver error. The vehicle's automated system activated without driver input or consent, overrode manual driver control, prevented the driver from regaining control of the vehicle, caused a collision with the guardrail, and continued operating after impact until mechanical failure occurred in the form of wheel separation. I am requesting a formal investigation into this uncommanded autonomous system activation as a safety defect. This type of failure poses an extreme and immediate safety risk to drivers, passengers, and the public.

NHTSA complaint #11746031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

On June 23, 2026, at approximately 7:45 AM Central Time, I was operating my Tesla in full manual drive mode on US Highway 35 westbound between Denton and Fort Worth, Texas. No driver assistance, autopilot, or automated steering system was activated or engaged by me at any point prior to or during this incident. Without warning and without any driver input, the vehicle autonomously activated an automated steering and driving assistance system, assumed full control of the vehicle, and did not return manual control to me despite my attempts to intervene and regain control of the vehicle. The incident occurred during active rainfall and wet road conditions. The vehicle, while operating under its own autonomous system control without driver consent, drifted and struck the guardrail on the driver's left side. Following the initial impact, the vehicle continued moving and did not stop. The automated system remained active and did not disengage following the collision. The vehicle did not return control to me until a wheel separated from the vehicle. This incident was not caused by driver error. The vehicle's automated system activated without driver input or consent, overrode manual driver control, prevented the driver from regaining control of the vehicle, caused a collision with the guardrail, and continued operating after impact until mechanical failure occurred in the form of wheel separation. I am requesting a formal investigation into this uncommanded autonomous system activation as a safety defect. This type of failure poses an extreme and immediate safety risk to drivers, passengers, and the public.

NHTSA complaint #11746031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

While driving in FSD the car is ping ponging between the lane. It didn't used to do this but now does it on any road. Highway, city, turns, etc. The oscillation causes me and my passengers to be sick and it looks like a drunk driver on the road.

NHTSA complaint #11744110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

While driving in FSD the car is ping ponging between the lane. It didn't used to do this but now does it on any road. Highway, city, turns, etc. The oscillation causes me and my passengers to be sick and it looks like a drunk driver on the road.

NHTSA complaint #11744110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Component/Issue Description: Following a recent over-the-air (OTA) software update to the vehicle's Full Self-Driving system, a dangerous user interface defect was introduced. Immediately upon an FSD disengagement—the critical transition window where the operator must resume manual driving control—the center touchscreen populates a mandatory, invasive feedback popup menu. This menu causes a severe driver distraction and creates an immediate safety hazard. The popup blocks vital driving visualizations and navigation data on the screen at a high-stress moment. Furthermore, the UI creates a functional touchscreen lockout, demanding manual and visual interaction from the driver to clear the box while the vehicle is actively in motion. Forcing a driver to divert their eyes from the roadway to navigate a touchscreen menu immediately following a system intervention creates an unreasonable and systemic risk of collision. The manufacturer has provided no setting to disable this dangerous distraction.

NHTSA complaint #11743974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.