2018 Tesla Model S Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 27 brake complaints for the 2018 Tesla Model S, 16% of all complaints filed for the year. These complaints link to 8 crashes, 6 injuries, and 1 fire, with a median mileage at failure of 4,473 miles. No related recalls are listed for this issue.
- Brakes complaints
- 27
- 16% of 168
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Median mileage
- 4,473 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Owners report the brake pedal being depressed with no response, causing the vehicle to continue moving and collide with objects or other vehicles.
- Several owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking or entering a driveway, resulting in the car jumping curbs or striking walls and trees.
- Some drivers report "phantom braking" or "ghost braking," where the car suddenly brakes on its own at highway speed with no obstacle present, sometimes while using cruise control or FSD.
- One owner reported a complete brake system failure, saying both the hydraulic brakes and the electronic emergency brake failed to stop the vehicle before a collision.
- Owners describe jerky or lurching braking behavior during normal driving, on both Automatic Cruise Control and FSD, that occurs repeatedly and unpredictably.
When 2018 Tesla Model S brake complaints were filed
First complaint Jun 18, 2018, latest May 22, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2018 Tesla Model S
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Brakes complaints by Model S model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does the 2018 Tesla Model S have?
- NHTSA lists 27 brake-related complaints for the 2018 Tesla Model S, which is 16% of the 168 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for 2018 Tesla Model S brake problems?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this brake issue on the 2018 Tesla Model S.
- Did the 2018 Tesla Model S brake issues cause crashes or injuries?
- Yes, NHTSA data tied to these brake complaints show 8 crashes, 6 injuries, and 1 fire.
- At what mileage do 2018 Tesla Model S brake problems tend to occur?
- The median mileage at failure for these brake complaints is 4,473 miles.