2019 TESLA MODEL X Forward Collision Avoidance Problems

23 complaints about Forward Collision Avoidance

23
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Forward Collision Avoidance Complaints (23)

Sep 26, 2025 Crash

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) – Safety Incident Report: While using the vehicle’s ‘Summon’ feature, the car failed to stop when I released the control button. It continued forward, drove up and over a large curb, struck a signpost, and came to rest with one tire elevated on the curb/grass and the other three tires on the pavement. This “jumping curbs” behavior and collision with fixed objects represents a serious safety hazard. I am extremely grateful that no person was nearby or inside the vehicle at the time, as this failure could have resulted in injury or death. The incident is documented on video. The vehicle is currently pending inspection. Despite my request, Tesla has not responded or addressed the issue, leaving the defect unmitigated. At no point did the vehicle display any warning lights or messages indicating a malfunction before or after the incident. Given the nature of this failure, its potential to cause harm, and the lack of response from the manufacturer, I am submitting this report to alert federal safety authorities and initiate appropriate investigation into the safety of the ‘Summon’ feature and the vehicle’s ADAS systems.

Sep 26, 2025 Crash

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) – Safety Incident Report: While using the vehicle’s ‘Summon’ feature, the car failed to stop when I released the control button. It continued forward, drove up and over a large curb, struck a signpost, and came to rest with one tire elevated on the curb/grass and the other three tires on the pavement. This “jumping curbs” behavior and collision with fixed objects represents a serious safety hazard. I am extremely grateful that no person was nearby or inside the vehicle at the time, as this failure could have resulted in injury or death. The incident is documented on video. The vehicle is currently pending inspection. Despite my request, Tesla has not responded or addressed the issue, leaving the defect unmitigated. At no point did the vehicle display any warning lights or messages indicating a malfunction before or after the incident. Given the nature of this failure, its potential to cause harm, and the lack of response from the manufacturer, I am submitting this report to alert federal safety authorities and initiate appropriate investigation into the safety of the ‘Summon’ feature and the vehicle’s ADAS systems.

Jun 19, 2025

I own a 2019 Tesla Model X. After Tesla upgraded my vehicle from AP2.5 to the FSD hardware module, the front camera view became blurry. I disassembled the camera housing and found that a heated line in the windshield, intended to prevent fog or ice buildup in front of the camera, runs directly through the camera’s field of view. This line now causes noticeable image distortion, which interferes with safety-critical features such as FSD, forward collision warning, and lane keeping assistance. The Tesla service supervisor confirmed this is not my fault. He explained the issue may have been caused by heat from the line gradually affecting the glass, or that the upgraded FSD hardware, which captures clearer images, is now revealing a flaw that was previously less visible. He also mentioned that Tesla redesigned this component in newer Model X vehicles to prevent this issue. However, because my car is out of warranty, they are refusing to replace the windshield. Since the FSD upgrade, I have experienced multiple warning messages while using FSD. On one occasion, while driving on the freeway, the system suddenly disengaged and displayed a message saying the camera had weak visualization and the driver must take over. I believe this is a serious safety issue related to the blurry front camera caused by the heated line in the windshield. Although Tesla acknowledges the problem and that it is not due to misuse, they have declined to offer any resolution. I am now unable to safely use the FSD system I paid over one thousand dollars to install, and Tesla has taken no responsibility. I believe this issue poses a risk to driver and public safety and should be investigated regardless of warranty status.

Jun 19, 2025

I own a 2019 Tesla Model X. After Tesla upgraded my vehicle from AP2.5 to the FSD hardware module, the front camera view became blurry. I disassembled the camera housing and found that a heated line in the windshield, intended to prevent fog or ice buildup in front of the camera, runs directly through the camera’s field of view. This line now causes noticeable image distortion, which interferes with safety-critical features such as FSD, forward collision warning, and lane keeping assistance. The Tesla service supervisor confirmed this is not my fault. He explained the issue may have been caused by heat from the line gradually affecting the glass, or that the upgraded FSD hardware, which captures clearer images, is now revealing a flaw that was previously less visible. He also mentioned that Tesla redesigned this component in newer Model X vehicles to prevent this issue. However, because my car is out of warranty, they are refusing to replace the windshield. Since the FSD upgrade, I have experienced multiple warning messages while using FSD. On one occasion, while driving on the freeway, the system suddenly disengaged and displayed a message saying the camera had weak visualization and the driver must take over. I believe this is a serious safety issue related to the blurry front camera caused by the heated line in the windshield. Although Tesla acknowledges the problem and that it is not due to misuse, they have declined to offer any resolution. I am now unable to safely use the FSD system I paid over one thousand dollars to install, and Tesla has taken no responsibility. I believe this issue poses a risk to driver and public safety and should be investigated regardless of warranty status.

May 4, 2024

When operating under adaptive cruise control, the vehicle frequently slams on the brakes for no reason. This has become so bad that we are simply terrified to operate the vehicle under adaptive cruise control. The highway is completely empty in front of us, there are no hazards and no issues with visibility on the road. The cruise control simply reacts to a phantom in a highly dangerous manner. > What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The adaptive cruise control - you are welcome to inspect it. > How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? We have suffered two near-miss rear-end collisions at high speed on the Interstate. The behavior throws us against the seat belt restraints, causing near loss of control. > Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? We have raised the problem repeatedly with Tesla, and there are numerous confirming reports by other Tesla owners > Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The system has been checked by Tesla, nothing found wrong. Tesla maintains that they are continuing to "train" the system, but after 5.5 years, there has been no improvement. > Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Nothing - the car simply slams on the brakes.

Jun 10, 2023

While driving on autopilot, adaptive cruise control essentially, on a 300 mile trip last week the car had several, I think 5 total, instances of phantom braking. These occurrences happen in random situations, no consistent factors that seem to indicate what triggers it. It is often not only startling, but scary since it is almost always in a high speed situation with traffic. These events have happened in the past but not at this frequency. We have another Tesla, a Model 3, that also experiences this same phenomena. When I reported it to Tesla they said to reboot the system, which I did. Did not appear to improve. Otherwise they seem to be unconcerned about these events. I have had adaptive cruise control in other cars, mostly Lexus, where this never occurred.

May 18, 2023

When using cruise control the car decides to randomly hard-brake dropping instantly 40+ mph OR it increases speed higher than the set cruise control for no reason. We literally have had our bodies slammed into the seats during braking and we will inevitably be rear-ended for this faulty “phantom” braking. We submitted a service request to Tesla on 5/18/23 and were told there’s nothing to be done because it’s in Beta Testing. This is dangerous and unacceptable. Almost all new cars have adaptive cruise and those other brands have figured this out. Tesla ignoring this and basically saying “it’s not our fault” is irresponsible.

May 12, 2023

Random phantom braking while on the open freeway with no traffic while in cruise control. it happened multiple times while on a road trip. there was not an obstacle or traffic in front of us. braking was hard almost to a skid

Mar 9, 2023

Proof Tesla FSD Beta v11.3.1 Running Red Lights. 1. https://youtu.be/qt56idWv9rw?t=455 2. https://youtu.be/iJbJS-UQIDc?t=1297 Proof it tryed to run a stale yellow light: https://youtu.be/4cJasL0_jFU?t=1404 Proof Emergency breaking Failed: https://youtu.be/4cJasL0_jFU?t=658

Sep 7, 2022

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -- Cruise Control system (with or without Full Auto-pilot engaged) How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -- Vehicle comes to a near complete stop from highway speeds, in traffic, to avoid 'something' that doesn't exist Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -- No, but can be reproduced on Highway 54 between El Paso, TX and Alamogordo, NM Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -- No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No, problem has occurred since April 2022 after receiving the Full Self-driving beta software update. Description of problem: Vehicle is suffering from the well known "Phantom Braking" issue and appears to be getting worse. The problem can be reproduced 100% of the time on Highway 54 between El Paso, TX and Alamogordo, NM. With Cruise Control activated and set to 75 MPH (Auto-pilot disengaged), vehicle will hard brake to 45 MPH or less and then resume back to 75 MPH; essentially "brake checking" the vehicle directly behind. No injuries or accidents to report at this time

Sep 7, 2022

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -- Cruise Control system (with or without Full Auto-pilot engaged) How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -- Vehicle comes to a near complete stop from highway speeds, in traffic, to avoid 'something' that doesn't exist Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -- No, but can be reproduced on Highway 54 between El Paso, TX and Alamogordo, NM Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -- No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No, problem has occurred since April 2022 after receiving the Full Self-driving beta software update. Description of problem: Vehicle is suffering from the well known "Phantom Braking" issue and appears to be getting worse. The problem can be reproduced 100% of the time on Highway 54 between El Paso, TX and Alamogordo, NM. With Cruise Control activated and set to 75 MPH (Auto-pilot disengaged), vehicle will hard brake to 45 MPH or less and then resume back to 75 MPH; essentially "brake checking" the vehicle directly behind. No injuries or accidents to report at this time

Jun 17, 2022

Car brakes hard when nothing is in road and when it comes to stopped cars waits too long to brake and brakes too hard when using autopilot

Jun 17, 2022

Car brakes hard when nothing is in road and when it comes to stopped cars waits too long to brake and brakes too hard when using autopilot

Jun 3, 2022

We continue to experience "phantom braking" from our Tesla Model X. The incidents are sporadic, but have been been consistent across our 3 years of ownership of the car. The phantom brake incidents always occur on the freeway, and are rarely associated with an actual collision. The car will be set to standard "autopilot" cruise, and will suddenly slam on the brakes. We have become so accustomed to this, that we are usually ready to intervene and accelerate manually to avoid startling/brake checking the traffic behind us. Autopilot has always seemed to phantom brake in the following conditions: around semi trucks, or large trucks, or when (what I assume) is confusion of the nav system where the car believes it's on a reduced speed limit road, when in fact it's still on the freeway.

Jun 3, 2022

Unexpected hard braking while the car is in Advanced Driver-Assistance model.

Feb 23, 2022

experienced repeated phantom breaking and unwarranted early collision warnings

Feb 23, 2022

experienced repeated phantom breaking and unwarranted early collision warnings

Feb 18, 2022

the automobile automatically brakes even on the highway at speeds of 55 -65 miles per hour. It creates a safety issue because there are cars coming behind me at full speed and the tesla stops for no reason.

Feb 18, 2022

Phantom Breaking does occur. It is scary when this happens because of rear vehicles not being able to stop. The breaking, I think, is probably due to some shadows on the road like bridges casting shadows on the road, or something else of that nature, the vehicle perceives an obstruction ahead. I think it is camera issue related, or sensor perceiving some unknown, not existing object ahead. This has happened multiple times, and at one spot on I 690 before a bridge. That is why my thinking is shadow issue.

Feb 17, 2022

When I am driving down the highway, the car breaks abruptly for no reason at high speeds. It has scared my family multiple times over the last 3 to 4 months. I thought by now it would stop doing it, but it’s still inconsistent even when I checked all of the camera lenses turn sure they are clean. I understand this is being called phantom breaking? Please let me know when I can do?

Feb 3, 2022

At highway speeds, using autopilot, my car will suddenly and powerfully brake to a full stop unless I intervene. If this happens with traffic behind me, they must brake hard to avoid hitting me. Also the forward collision warning activates when there is no reason. I have many video recordings, of my dash, the events and the road, while this is happening. How do I send video to you?

Feb 3, 2022

At highway speeds, using autopilot, my car will suddenly and powerfully brake to a full stop unless I intervene. If this happens with traffic behind me, they must brake hard to avoid hitting me. Also the forward collision warning activates when there is no reason. I have many video recordings, of my dash, the events and the road, while this is happening. How do I send video to you?

Dec 21, 2020

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY USING THE AUTOPILOT FUNCTION THE CAR WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY SWERVE OUT OF THE LANE WHEN THE LANES WERE MERGING. AT OTHER TIMES IT WOULD SLAM ON THE BREAKS ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.

Mileage: 15,000