514 of the 4,228 complaints about the Tesla Model 3 (12.2%) concern Brakes, making it the model's third-largest problem area. That share is 2.0× the Brakes share across all tracked vehicles.
514Complaints · Brakes
12.2%Share of complaints
2.0×vs. all vehicles
25Last 12 months
15.2%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Brakes complaints peak with the 2022 model (158, 21% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (4). 25 Brakes complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 42 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
Owners most often describe: “cruise”, “braking”, “phantom”, “control” and “autopilot”. 79 of these reports (15.2%) describe a crash or fire, with 40 injuries and 2 deaths mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 21V387000 (2021-05-25, model years 2019, 2020 and 2021).
On July 11 at approximately 6:47 a.m., I was operating my Tesla Model 3 on Interstate 65 in Hart County, Kentucky, with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged during normal highway travel.
Brakes · 2026-07-14 · ODI 11750430 · Crash
-I was driving down into an indoor basement level garage very slowly as there is a steep incline. It descends from street level to basement level within a distance of approximately 30 to 35 ft.
Brakes · 2026-06-08 · ODI 11742761 · Crash
On XXX at around 3:30 PM EST, I was driving my 2023 Tesla Model 3 on [XXX] about 10 miles outside of [XXX]. I had the adaptive cruise control set at 75 mph. I was driving in the right lane of the two available lanes of travel in that direction.
Brakes · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11759922
My brake lines have corroded to the point where half a liter of brake fluid has leaked out rendering the vehicle unsafe.
Brakes · 2026-07-30 · ODI 11753838
The rear passenger side break would not release. Had to be towed because the vehicle was non operational.
Brakes · 2026-07-20 · ODI 11751692
2024 Model 3, under 20k miles; burning smell and brake drag from right rear wheel while driving; parking brake fault alerts UI_a019, EPBR_a176, EPBR_a182; dealer inspection found cracked EPB caliper case housing near the electrical connector; Tesla…
Brakes · 2026-07-16 · ODI 11750946
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER Campaign 21V387000 · 2021-05-25 · Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021
Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and tighten, or replace the caliper bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-33-002.
How common are Brakes problems on the Tesla Model 3?
514 of the 4,228 complaints about the Tesla Model 3 (12.2%) concern Brakes, making it the model's third-largest problem area. That share is 2.0× the Brakes share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Tesla Model 3 model years have the most Brakes complaints?
By model year, Brakes complaints peak with the 2022 model (158, 21% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (4).
Is there a recall for Tesla Model 3 Brakes problems?
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 21V387000 (2021-05-25, model years 2019, 2020 and 2021).