Recall 21V846 covers 11,728 2017-2021 Tesla Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y vehicles for unexpected braking. Free OTA update.
Tesla is recalling 11,728 2017-2021 Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles running software version 2021.36.5.2 because a communication error can trigger false forward-collision warnings or unexpected automatic emergency braking. Unexpected braking can make the car stop suddenly and increase crash risk, and Tesla provides the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems on these 2017-2021 Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles use cameras, on-board chips, and vehicle software to watch traffic ahead. The warning system alerts the driver when the car detects a possible front collision. The emergency braking system can apply the brakes when the software reads an immediate risk.
On vehicles running software version 2021.36.5.2, a communication disconnect can happen between the two on-board chips as the vehicle wakes from Sentry Mode or Summon Standby Mode. One chip is coming out of a low-power sleep state, and the camera-processing networks on that chip can run less consistently than expected. That can make the system read a negative object speed when another vehicle is present, which can trigger a false warning or unexpected automatic braking.
When the false braking happens, the vehicle gives a warning chime and shows a warning message on the display. Those alerts happen as the false-positive braking occurs.
Who's affected?
Each covered model year for these Tesla models lists the same camera, software, automatic emergency braking, and warning-system components.
| 2019 Tesla Model S | Camera |
|---|---|
| 2019 Tesla Model S | Software |
| 2019 Tesla Model S | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2019 Tesla Model S | Warnings |
| 2019 Tesla Model X | Camera |
| 2019 Tesla Model X | Software |
| 2019 Tesla Model X | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2019 Tesla Model X | Warnings |
| 2019 Tesla Model 3 | Camera |
| 2019 Tesla Model 3 | Software |
| 2019 Tesla Model 3 | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2019 Tesla Model 3 | Warnings |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | Camera |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | Software |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | Warnings |
| 2020 Tesla Model X | Camera |
| 2020 Tesla Model X | Software |
| 2020 Tesla Model X | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2020 Tesla Model X | Warnings |
| 2018 Tesla Model X | Camera |
| 2018 Tesla Model X | Software |
| 2018 Tesla Model X | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2018 Tesla Model X | Warnings |
| 2018 Tesla Model S | Camera |
| 2018 Tesla Model S | Software |
| 2018 Tesla Model S | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2018 Tesla Model S | Warnings |
| 2020 Tesla Model Y | Camera |
| 2020 Tesla Model Y | Software |
| 2020 Tesla Model Y | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2020 Tesla Model Y | Warnings |
| 2020 Tesla Model S | Camera |
| 2020 Tesla Model S | Software |
| 2020 Tesla Model S | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2020 Tesla Model S | Warnings |
| 2021 Tesla Model S | Camera |
| 2021 Tesla Model S | Software |
| 2021 Tesla Model S | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2021 Tesla Model S | Warnings |
| 2017 Tesla Model 3 | Camera |
| 2017 Tesla Model 3 | Software |
| 2017 Tesla Model 3 | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2017 Tesla Model 3 | Warnings |
| 2021 Tesla Model X | Camera |
| 2021 Tesla Model X | Software |
| 2021 Tesla Model X | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2021 Tesla Model X | Warnings |
| 2017 Tesla Model S | Camera |
| 2017 Tesla Model S | Software |
| 2017 Tesla Model S | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2017 Tesla Model S | Warnings |
| 2021 Tesla Model 3 | Camera |
| 2021 Tesla Model 3 | Software |
| 2021 Tesla Model 3 | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2021 Tesla Model 3 | Warnings |
| 2017 Tesla Model X | Camera |
| 2017 Tesla Model X | Software |
| 2017 Tesla Model X | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2017 Tesla Model X | Warnings |
| 2021 Tesla Model Y | Camera |
| 2021 Tesla Model Y | Software |
| 2021 Tesla Model Y | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2021 Tesla Model Y | Warnings |
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | Camera |
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | Software |
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | Warnings |
| Units affected | 11,728 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected AEB activation can stop the car suddenly and increase crash risk. When the warning chime or display message appears with false braking, keep control of the vehicle, leave extra following distance, and arrange the update soon. Repair is free at any franchised Tesla dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2021 Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, or Model Y is included in this recall.
- Install the free over-the-air software update that corrects the forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking communication error.
- Contact Tesla Service if the update is missing, stalled, or marked incomplete.
- Reference recall number 21V846 and Tesla recall SB-21-00-004 when you call Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
- Keep extra following distance until the update is installed; the AEB system can stop the car suddenly.
What happens at the repair
Tesla Service released an OTA software update that corrects the communication error behind false forward collision warnings and unexpected automatic emergency braking activation. The update is free under the recall, and Tesla can confirm the software version if the vehicle has not already installed it. Tesla's general reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid for this recall related repair. Keep any invoices or documentation and contact Tesla customer service to ask how to submit a claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 25, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| October 29, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
| November 1, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| November 1, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 28, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V846?
Recall 21V846 covers 11,728 2017-2021 Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles running software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error can trigger false forward-collision warnings or unexpected automatic emergency braking. Tesla Service released a free over-the-air software update.
What should I do if my 2017-2021 Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, or Model Y is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Tesla is included in recall 21V846. If it is, confirm the free over-the-air software update was installed. Contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 and reference Tesla recall number SB-21-00-004 if the update status is unclear.
Is the Tesla recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recall defects at no cost, and Tesla Service released the over-the-air software update free of charge. The fix applies regardless of where the vehicle was purchased.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V846?
The safety risk is sudden, unexpected automatic emergency braking. NHTSA campaign 21V846 says the AEB system can activate unexpectedly and cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing crash risk. The free software update corrects the communication error tied to the false warnings and braking event.
When did Tesla start this recall?
Tesla began recall 21V846 on October 25, 2021. The remedy is available now as a free over-the-air software update from Tesla Service. If your vehicle still shows the affected software version, contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V846000 |
|---|---|
| Tesla customer service | 1-877-798-3752 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V846 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V846000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →