400,000 Teslas investigated over braking

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating 416,000 Tesla vehicles following reports of some cars suddenly braking on their own, in what is being called “phantom braking.”

The agency received 354 complaints concerning braking issues with the 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over the past nine months, and will be conducting a preliminary investigation into the cars, NHTSA said in a filing document on Wednesday

Tesla owners have complained about what is being dubbed “phantom braking,” a rapidly deceleration when cruising at highway speeds. NHTSA said the issue relates to the autopilot features, which allows for automatic braking and steering within lanes.

“The vehicle unexpectedly applies its brakes while driving at highway speeds,” the report reads. “Complainants report that the rapid deceleration can occur without warning, at random, and often repeatedly in a single drive cycle.”

In August, NHTSA opened a formal investigation into Tesla’s partially automated Autopilot system after a series of crashes with emergency vehicles.

NHTSA received 250 complaints in the past two weeks after a Washington Post investigation revealed a sharp uptick in the “phantom braking” phenomenon, The Post reported on Thursday.

The Hill has reached out to Tesla for comment.