2017 Tesla Model S Forward Collision Avoidance Problems
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about forward collision avoidance problems on the 2017 Tesla Model S, 16% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 33,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “cruise control” (25% of reports).
- 67forward collision avoidance complaints
- 33,000median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 82%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Cruise control: mentioned in 17 of 67 complaints (25%)
- Phantom braking: mentioned in 11 of 67 complaints (16%)
- Full self: mentioned in 8 of 67 complaints (12%)
- Rear ended: mentioned in 7 of 67 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do forward collision avoidance problems happen?
Based on 14 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 67 complaints, 8 mention a crash.
Tesla Model S forward collision avoidance complaints by model year
| Model year | Forward Collision Avoidance complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Model S | 2 | 29% | — |
| 2024 Model S | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2023 Model S | 17 | 15% | — |
| 2022 Model S | 34 | 24% | 2,236 |
| 2021 Model S | 48 | 27% | 6,000 |
| 2020 Model S | 23 | 29% | 100 |
| 2019 Model S | 12 | 27% | 24,500 |
| 2018 Model S | 50 | 30% | 40,500 |
| 2017 Model S | 67 | 16% | 33,000 |
| 2016 Model S | 39 | 6% | 71,000 |
| 2015 Model S | 31 | 5% | 64,000 |
| 2014 Model S | 9 | 2% | 72,547 |
| 2013 Model S | 3 | 1% | 95,143 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: camera; forward collision avoidance:software; forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking; forward collision avoidance: warnings
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
Risk: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The new defects with audible chimes and safety alerts are a direct consequence of the 8GB eMMC safety recall service performed by Tesla my car is now not warning me with any chimes or sounds related with safety features of the car. Tesla are attempting to charge me to correct safety defects…
This happens about 30%to 40% of the time when using Full Self Driving Supervised on HW3, FSD version 12.6.4, software version 2026.14.6. When changing marked lanes to the right, either initiated by FSD or the driver asking FSD to move to the right by engaging the right turn signals, it will do one…
Using FSD. Stopped at a stop sign making a UPL into a 4-lane 35 MPH posted street. TWICE now there was a small opening which would require an aggressive accelerator - it started the turn stopping a full car length into the first lane and decides it's going to wait for closing traffic from the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2017 Tesla Model Ss have forward collision avoidance problems?
No. NHTSA has 67 owner complaints about forward collision avoidance for the 2017 Tesla Model S (16% of the 428 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Tesla Model S forward collision avoidance?
Yes: 1 safety recall list forward collision avoidance. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do forward collision avoidance problems start?
The median reported mileage is 33,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about forward collision avoidance problems on the 2017 Tesla Model S?
The most frequent phrase is “cruise control”, in 17 of 67 complaints, followed by “phantom braking” (11).
Other 2017 Tesla Model S problems
- Electrical System problems (114)
- Suspension problems (107)
See all 2017 Tesla Model S problems or forward collision avoidance problems across all Model S years.