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Tesla Forward Collision Avoidance Recalls Include Braking and Camera Problems
Model 3 and Model Y appear throughout this Tesla group, but the notices describe distinct problems. Swapped camera connections affect certain 2020-2021 Model 3 and 2021 Model Y vehicles, impairing detection used by Autosteer and automatic emergency braking. A communication error affecting certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles running software 2021.36.5.2 can trigger false collision warnings or unexpected braking. The pedestrian warning notice concerns muted sounds after a factory reset on certain 2013 and 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles.
Warning signs to watch for
- Software Bug Triggers Unexpected Automatic Braking (SB-21-00-004): false forward-collision warnings or unexpected automatic emergency braking may occur, potentially causing a sudden stop.
- Pedestrian warning sound muted after a factory reset (SB-24-00-006): Pedestrian Warning System sounds are muted.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of these three notices includes a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. The camera-terminal recall describes impaired Autosteer and automatic emergency braking performance. The unexpected-braking recall describes a crash risk from unexpected AEB activation causing a sudden stop. The pedestrian warning recall describes a crash risk because pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle when warning sounds are muted. For each of these recalls, the notice does not tell owners to stop driving; the supplied notices give no separate interim driving instruction.
What the free repair involves
Tesla Service corrects the swapped camera terminals and recalibrates the cameras free of charge under SB-22-17-007. The unexpected-braking recall, SB-21-00-004, receives a free OTA software update. The muted pedestrian warning recall, SB-24-00-006, also receives a free OTA update, specifically release 2023.44.30.14.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 1 |
| medium | 2 |
Models affected most
Where owners report forward collision avoidance problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under forward collision avoidance for the Tesla models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Forward collision avoidance complaints |
|---|---|
| 2022 Tesla Model 3 | 576 |
| 2021 Tesla Model 3 | 438 |
| 2019 Tesla Model 3 | 237 |
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | 202 |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | 191 |
| 2020 Tesla Model Y | 134 |
| 2021 Tesla Model S | 47 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 27, 2024 | Tesla pedestrian warning sound muted after a factory reset | medium |
| May 9, 2022 | Tesla Model 3 Cameras Swapped By Wiring Error | high |
| Oct 29, 2021 | Tesla Software Bug Triggers Unexpected Automatic Braking | medium |
Common questions
Which Tesla recall describes unexpected automatic braking?
SB-21-00-004 concerns a communication error in software version 2021.36.5.2. The notice covers certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles, and describes false forward-collision warnings or unexpected AEB activation.
Does the swapped-camera recall require a service repair?
The notice specifies that Tesla Service will correct the swapped cable terminals and recalibrate the cameras, free of charge. It covers certain 2020-2021 Model 3 and 2021 Model Y vehicles and describes impaired Autosteer and automatic emergency braking performance.
What fixes the pedestrian warning sound muted after a reset?
For SB-24-00-006, Tesla released OTA software update 2023.44.30.14 free of charge. The notice says a factory reset muted Pedestrian Warning System sounds, potentially leaving pedestrians unaware of an approaching vehicle. It does not instruct owners to stop driving.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.