2017 Tesla Model S Collision Avoidance & Cameras Problems
NHTSA lists 84 Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints for the 2017 Tesla Model S, 20% of all 424 complaints filed for the year, with 9 crashes and no fires or injuries reported. A related recall (21V846000) covers false forward-collision warnings from a software error. Median mileage at failure was 33,000.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints
- 84
- 20% of 424
- Crashes reported
- 9
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 33,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical collision avoidance system symptoms owners report
- Autopilot or automatic emergency braking has engaged unexpectedly at highway speed, seizing the brakes and causing loss of control.
- Smart Summon has driven the car into stationary objects, including a house and a parked vehicle, while maneuvering into or out of a spot.
- Owners report the car braking for no reason while in cruise control, without full self-driving engaged.
- Full Self Driving allegedly failed to slow for stopped traffic and brakes became unresponsive when the driver tried to intervene.
- An Autopilot disabled warning appeared before a system fault, with Tesla support advising the owner to keep driving despite the error.
- MCU touchscreen failures have knocked out the rear-view camera, along with AC and navigation controls, requiring long reboots.
When 2017 Tesla Model S collision avoidance system complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 17, 2020, latest Jun 14, 2026.
Collision Avoidance & Cameras recalls for the 2017 Tesla Model S
- NHTSA 21V846000Oct 29, 2021Collision Avoidance & Cameras11,728 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: camera
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.
Remedy: 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.
Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints by Model S model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2017 Tesla Model S have a collision avoidance recall?
- Yes. Recall 21V846000, reported October 29, 2021, covers 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y running a software version that could trigger a false forward-collision warning. Tesla issued a free over-the-air software update as the remedy.
- How many collision avoidance complaints does NHTSA have for the 2017 Model S?
- NHTSA lists 84 complaints in the Collision Avoidance & Cameras category for the 2017 Model S, which is 20% of the 424 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Were there any crashes linked to these complaints?
- Yes, 9 of the reported complaints in this category involved a crash. NHTSA data shows no fires or injuries tied to these complaints.
- At what mileage do these problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints on the 2017 Model S is 33,000 miles.
- What kinds of collision avoidance issues do owners describe?
- Owners describe unexpected autopilot braking, Smart Summon driving into objects, unresponsive brakes during Full Self Driving use, and false collision warnings, based on NHTSA complaint narratives.