Driving on divided highway at night, the car slowed dramatically at each exit from the highway.
2021 Tesla Model S cruise control problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
1crash
1fire
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 12 cruise control complaints filed for the 2021 Tesla Model S, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2021 Tesla Model S consistently describe unexpected hard braking with adaptive cruise control or Autopilot engaged on highway stretches with zero visible hazards. No other vehicles, obstacles, or weather conditions justify the braking. One owner reports daily phantom-braking events; others note multiple incidents per drive. The problem reportedly intensified around December 2022 when Tesla deactivated the vehicle's radar and switched to camera-only operation. Owners cite fear of rear-end collisions from drivers unable to anticipate the sudden braking.
A handful of narratives describe related but distinct failures: one driver had the brake pedal trigger acceleration instead of deceleration at 100 mph, leading to a rollover crash with serious injuries; another's vehicle shifted into reverse unexpectedly and accelerated when brake was applied. One owner also alleges the traffic-light camera confused a left-turn signal with the lane-control light, nearly causing a head-on collision.
One narrative mentions the vehicle slowed abruptly at each highway exit during nighttime driving. Another owner speculates phantom braking may be triggered by insects striking the camera lens. Tesla has not issued recalls or technical service bulletins mentioned in these complaints, and one owner reports Tesla did not respond to contact attempts for over six weeks.
Failure modes owners describe
Unexpected hard braking (phantom braking) with cruise control or Autopilot engaged
Vehicle applies brakes forcefully and unexpectedly while traveling at highway speeds with adaptive cruise control or Autopilot active, with no obstacles, hazards, or other vehicles present to justify the braking event. Occurs on open roads, clear weather, and divided highways. Owners report the issue has worsened significantly after Tesla disabled radar and moved to camera-only operation.
When: Highway speeds (65–80 mph), multiple occurrences per drive for some owners; one owner reports daily incidents; escalation noted around December 2022–January 2023 after radar deactivation
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly slams on brakes with no visible obstruction; No warning lights or minimal warning before braking; Loud alarm or warning sound in cabin; Items tossed around interior; Seat belts engaged with discomfort; Vehicle maintains speed or accelerates despite brake application in one case; Repeated incidents (multiple times per drive for some owners); Phantom braking triggered on clear roads, divided highways, and two-lane roads
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs cited by owners; Tesla not contacted by one owner who assumes it is a known widespread issue
Brake pedal malfunction with acceleration instead of deceleration
Vehicle accelerates dramatically when brake pedal is depressed, instead of slowing or stopping. Occurred at high speed (100 mph) with aggressive braking mode enabled. Vehicle lost control and crashed.
When: Approximately 8,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depression causes acceleration instead of deceleration; Dramatic uncontrolled acceleration; No warning lights observed by owner; White smoke from rear of vehicle; Vehicle loss of control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle completely destroyed by fire; black box destroyed by fire intensity
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed of failure
Gear selection and brake malfunction (reverse engagement with acceleration on brake)
Vehicle unexpectedly shifted into reverse when driver placed it in drive. Subsequent brake pedal input caused acceleration instead of braking, preventing vehicle control.
When: March 19, 2023; no mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shifted to reverse when drive selected; Brake pedal depression caused acceleration; Unable to stop vehicle; Vehicle struck two mailboxes and two ceramic flower pots while in reverse
Repairs/costs cited: No prior issues evident; insurance company body inspection performed; Tesla did not return owner calls or messages for over six weeks
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control phantom braking with potential camera misidentification
Vehicle brakes unexpectedly on straight roads with no elevation changes or hazards. Owner speculates braking triggered by insects on camera lens. In one instance, vehicle misidentified a left-turn traffic light as the green light for the owner's lane, nearly causing collision with oncoming traffic.
When: Ongoing, regular occurrence on US Hwy 24 between Wilkerson Pass and Fairplay, CO
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden braking on straight roads; No visible hazards or obstacles; Braking occurs multiple times per drive; Traffic light misidentification (left-turn light confused with lane control light); Vehicle accelerates on green light for wrong direction
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla deactivated radar without owner consent; now using camera-only operation
Dramatic vehicle deceleration at highway exits during nighttime driving
Vehicle slowed dramatically at each exit when driving on a divided highway at night, suggesting potential misidentification of exit structures or lighting as obstacles.
When: Nighttime driving on divided highway
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle slows dramatically at each highway exit; Occurs repeatedly at multiple exits on same drive
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The contact owned a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving approximately 100 MPH, as he took his foot off of the accelerator, with the vehicle brake control set to "aggressive slowdown," as the vehicle slowed the contact looked into the rearview mirror and observed white smoke issuing from the rear of the vehicle. The contact then depressed the brake pedal, and instead of slowing…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2021 Tesla Model S?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2021 Tesla Model S?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 8,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Tesla/Model S.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.