YearToAvoid

2018 Tesla Model 3 Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 92 brake complaints for the 2018 Tesla Model 3, 9% of that year's 1,024 total complaints, with 21 crashes and 6 injuries reported. No related recall is listed for this problem area. Median mileage at failure was 8,137 miles.

Brakes complaints
92
9% of 1,024
Crashes reported
21
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Median mileage
8,137 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the brake pedal feeling unresponsive or inoperative during sudden unintended acceleration events, sometimes ending in a crash.
  • Several drivers describe pressing the brakes during normal or panic stops and getting no braking action while forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking also failed to engage.
  • Some owners noticed the brake pedal became locked or frozen in position, preventing the car from slowing or stopping even at low speed.
  • A few complaints describe brake behavior changing after a firmware update, with drivers noticing different pedal response in the days that followed.
  • Some drivers report that regenerative braking and automatic emergency braking became disabled along with other electronics, such as stability control and the touch screen.

When 2018 Tesla Model 3 brake complaints were filed

First complaint May 4, 2018, latest Sep 3, 2026.

2018 Tesla Model 3 brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter222018 Q22019 Q22020 Q22022 Q12023 Q12024 Q22025 Q3
92 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q1 (22).

Brakes recalls for the 2018 Tesla Model 3

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Model 3 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20173 (12%)
  2. 201892 (9%)
  3. 201966 (11%)
  4. 202048 (11%)
  5. 2021125 (19%)
  6. 2022167 (22%)
  7. 202356 (13%)
  8. 20244 (2%)
  9. 202512 (10%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2018 Tesla Model 3 have?
NHTSA lists 92 brake-related complaints for the 2018 Tesla Model 3, which is 9% of the 1,024 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Tesla Model 3 brakes?
No related recall is listed in the data for this brake problem area.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2018 Tesla Model 3 is 8,137 miles.
Have brake issues led to crashes or injuries?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 21 crashes and 6 injuries associated with brake complaints on the 2018 Tesla Model 3.
Are brake complaints worse in 2018 than other Model 3 years?
The 2018 Model 3's brake complaints are 9% of total complaints that year, lower than the 19% seen in 2021 and 22% seen in 2022.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.