2018 Tesla Model 3 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 89about this part
- Share
- 9%of 1,036 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 4,750miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 89 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Tesla Model 3, 9% of the 1,036 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,750 miles. 19 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving on a highway Tesla suddenly hard braked out of nowhere. My speed dropped from 70 to 30 in a couple of seconds. There was an 18 wheeler behind me and it could have been a deadly collision if I hadn't intervened. This is a known Tesla but that someday would kill someone.”
NHTSA complaint #11402908, filed 2021-03, 28,200 miles“My Tesla when on autopilot on a freeway running less than 5 MPH due to traffic was right behind a big truck and the car never stopped and bumped into the truck. An attempt to brake manually was done but the autopilot wouldnt deactivate and give us back the control to stop the car. I have a video from my front cam with the incident. I was lucky my car was not driving at a higher speed if the same incdent could happen as like may others who got killed.”
NHTSA complaint #11299698, filed 2020-01, 34,000 miles“On 11/28/19 at around 5:30-6:00am, while driving on the 5 south freeway near the atlantic ave off ramp, the car swerved to the right on its own. I could not control the car'it had a mind of its own. The brakes and steering wheel did not respond to me. I don't know what happened. I don't know if the side camera thought the SUV was veering into my lane because the rain distorted its view or what but it was very scary. It was as if the car was driving itself even though autopilot was not on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11297507, filed 2020-01, 27,000 miles“While driving on local road, traffic stopped ahead. I pressed the brakes, but it did not respond. The collision warning and emergency auto-stopping system also did not engage, causing the vehicle to collide with the car in front. Two days before the collision, the Tesla received a firmware update. I noticed the driving behavior was slightly different. Brake failure like this never happened before this firmware update. The firmware version with this issue is 2019.5.4. 4c3c414”
NHTSA complaint #11190595, filed 2019-03, 1,255 miles“We recently got into an sua with our current Tesla 3. I was turning into my drive way and I came to a complete stop. While I was waiting for the gate to open and when I braked, the car suddenly sped up very fast and I stepped on the brake again but the car did not stop. The car was also in hold mode when I later checked I never stepped down on the accelerator hard enough to reach the speed of running through 2 cemented metal gates. The airbags didn't pop out and Tesla's sensor break system also did not activate. …”
NHTSA complaint #11403795, filed 2021-03, 11,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11033173May 8, 2026On certain Model 3 vehicles, brake lines may be corroded beyond acceptable limits, which may result in loss of brake fluid. Loss of brake fluid will result in a customer facing…
- 11029583Feb 11, 2026On certain Model 3 vehicles, brake lines may be corroded beyond acceptable limits, which may result in loss of brake fluid. Loss of brake fluid will result in a customer facing…
- 10186277Dec 22, 2020Certain Model 3 vehicles may have sustained damage to the Electric Park Brake (EPB) housing during the vehicle assembly process.
- 10169041Nov 25, 2019Some Model 3 vehicles are equipped with rear brake dust shields that can trap road debris between the dust shield and brake rotor, causing loud grinding noises.
- 10151607Nov 19, 2018Some Model 3 vehicles are equipped with rear brake dust shields that can trap road debris between the dust shield and brake rotor, causing loud grinding noises.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 13 | 11% |
| 2024 | 5 | 2% |
| 2023 | 56 | 13% |
| 2022 | 169 | 22% |
| 2021 | 126 | 19% |
| 2020 | 48 | 11% |
| 2019 | 63 | 10% |
| 2018 | 89 | 9% |
| 2017 | 3 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2018 Tesla Model 3
204 complaintsSuspension
192 complaintsOther or unknown
175 complaintsElectrical system
168 complaintsAir bags
143 complaintsSeat belts
105 complaintsVehicle speed control
91 complaintsSteering
83 complaintsSeats
74 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
61 complaintsBody and structure
60 complaintsLane departure
52 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Tesla Model 3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology