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Tesla phantom braking and camera faults in collision-avoidance recalls
All three of these recalls touch the cameras and warnings Tesla's collision-avoidance systems depend on, and the Model 3 is in every one. The best known is the October 2021 phantom-braking recall: a communication error on software version 2021.36.5.2 could produce false forward-collision warnings or unexpected automatic emergency braking on 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X and 2020-2021 Model Y. The second is a build error — the fisheye and narrow camera cable terminals were installed in the wrong connector positions on 2020-2021 Model 3 and 2021 Model Y, swapping the camera views. The third is quieter: a factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System on a wide span of 2013 and 2018-2022 vehicles.
Warning signs to watch for
- The car brakes hard on its own with nothing ahead of it
- A forward-collision warning that fires for no apparent reason
- Driver-assist features that fail to react as expected, on cars with swapped camera views
- No exterior warning sound at low speed, especially after a factory reset
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of the three notices tells owners to stop driving or to park outside. With the phantom-braking recall the car can brake hard without warning, so leave extra following room until the over-the-air fix has installed. The swapped-camera recall is the one to schedule promptly: that notice says not to rely on Autosteer or automatic braking until the terminals are corrected. The muted pedestrian warning does not change how the car drives, but it does affect people walking nearby.
What the free repair involves
Two of the three are free over-the-air software updates: the 2021 phantom-braking fix, and release 2023.44.30.14, which restores the Pedestrian Warning System sounds after a factory reset. The swapped-camera recall needs a service visit, where Tesla corrects the misplaced cable terminals in the harness connector and recalibrates the cameras. All of it is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 2 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-02-27 | Tesla Pedestrian Warning Sound Silenced After Factory Reset | medium |
| 2022-05-09 | Tesla Model 3 and Y cameras wired backwards | high |
| 2021-10-29 | Tesla vehicles may brake suddenly on their own | high |
Common questions
Is phantom braking on my Tesla fixed for good?
The October 2021 recall addressed a communication error on software version 2021.36.5.2 with a free over-the-air update, so that specific defect is covered. If your car still brakes unexpectedly after updating, report it to Tesla and to NHTSA.
How would I know if my camera terminals are swapped?
Probably not from the driver's seat — the notice describes a build error in the cable harness connector, not a dashboard alert. Check your VIN in NHTSA's lookup; 2020-2021 Model 3 and 2021 Model Y are affected.
Why did my Tesla go silent at low speed?
A factory reset could mute the Pedestrian Warning System sounds on affected 2013 and 2018-2022 vehicles. Tesla's free over-the-air update, release 2023.44.30.14, restores them. Until it installs, assume people on foot cannot hear you approaching.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.