Brake complaints by model year
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owned a 2023 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving into her driveway, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated, and conversely, with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. As a result, the vehicle collided with the rear of another vehicle parked in the driveway, sending the other vehicle careening into the garage. The air bags did deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The occupants transported themselves to an area hospital for treatment; the contact was treated for a broken hand and two broken ribs, and the passenger was treated for bruising and a sprained ankle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. …
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle in a parking lot, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a supermarket door without warning. The air bags deployed upon impact. The contact was taken to the hospital for a checkup but did not sustain any injuries; no other injuries were reported. A police report was filed. The supermarket door was damaged as a result of the accident. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it remained in their possession. Recently, the contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V679000 (Electrical System; Service Brakes, Hydraulics) which was linked to the vehicle failure. The contact called the dealer about the recall and was informed that the part remained on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. …
I was driving my Tesla model X in interstate I35 with FSD turned on. After 45 minutes of FSD, I felt the car slowed down. I immediately push the accelerator to speed it up but it didn't help and the car quickly fully stopped. I again pushed accelerator but the car won't move at all and my car block one of the two lanes of north bound I35 in Gainesville area. I was forced to reboot the car as the car won't move. Several minutes later, the car finally rebooted successfully and I immediately drove to exit I35. As I had no idea why the car stopped itself so I didn't feel to continue driving it and had the car towed back. From the trip data on my phone, it shows "hard breaking" prior to all this abnormal happened. I am sure that no break panel was pushed as my foot is on the floor mat as the car was driven by the FSD. …
I am writing to formally document a life-threatening mechanical failure involving my 2022 Model X on January 30, 2026. While my wife was operating the vehicle, it suffered a simultaneous and catastrophic collapse of all primary safety systems. During operation, the vehicle experienced a total loss of steering and braking control. This was accompanied by a rapid cascade of critical system alerts on the primary display, including "ABS Malfunction," "Stability Control Disabled," and "Steering Assist Reduced/Disabled." Most critically, the vehicle exhibited Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA), increasing speed in direct opposition to the driver's physical application of the brake pedal. This resulted in a near-miss where the driver narrowly avoided a construction crew.
On 8/16/2022 Tuesday, I went to work at about 10:24 and parked by the road next to mcDonalds to call my husband. I wanted him to take the car to park elsewhere as that spot had no parking starting at 10:30. My husband was not available so I was about to move the car and had my feet slightly touching the brake. At that point the car suddenly accelerated and jumped forward without any control and hit a car that was coming out of mcDonalds driveway. That car was about 15/20 feet away from my car and I hit on the driver's side. My car was in such speed that it pushed the other car 6 feet on the other side which in turn hit a pedestrian crossing the road. I am 100% sure that I did not press the accelerator and the car moved by itself in such force that I had no chance of controlling it. I've asked Tesla to investigate as well
Was pulling out of the Starbucks drive thru when the car accelerated quickly on it's own. The brakes also failed. The vehicle only stopped after hitting a tree and a light pole. Very dangerous situation as this occurred in the morning when Starbucks is busy. State Farm insurance is in possession of the car currently. We are awaiting their findings. Police report is also pending. I did not see a warning indicator on the car or any indications of any problems. However, the car had been serviced frequently for different issues with Tesla. After the accident, Tesla offered no assistance regarding finding out if there was a safety issue and said we were on our own.
The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph in the carpool lane, the brake pedal was applied however the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into an unknown vehicle. The contact mentioned the brake alert feature failed to engage. There were no police reports filed, injuries, fire or air bag deployment. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model-X. The contact stated while at a traffic signal, he had stopped past the painted line on the roadway. The contact then shifted into reverse (R) to pull back from the traffic line, as the contact began to depress the accelerator, the accelerator pedal dropped to the floorboard and the vehicle accelerated backward at an approximated 15 MPH and crashed into the front end of a vehicle behind him. The contact stated that he had depressed the brake with force, and the vehicle slowed but seemed to continue to want to move at speed in reverse. The contact had slowed enough and shifted the vehicle into drive (D), however, the vehicle now accelerated forward to approximately 60 MPH. The contact ran the traffic signal and depressed the brake with the strength to stop. …
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Brake fluid low warning › Switch/sensor/float
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model X vehicles. The vehicle controller may fail to detect low brake fluid and will not display a warning light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Parking brake
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2018.
Frequently asked questions
Which Tesla Model X years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (24), 2017 (17), 2018 (14), 2023 (12) and 2022 (10) model years. Brake complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Tesla Model X brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-679 (switch/sensor/float, Oct 11, 2023); 17V-260 (parking brake, Apr 19, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Tesla Model X brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 22,000 miles; 85% happened before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.