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Tesla ESP_a118

Assist for low brake performance activated To stop, keep brake pedal firmly pressed

Common search variants: ESPa118 · ESP-a118 · ESP a118 · Search ignores case and common separators.

DriveNot yet established by verified evidence.
ChargeNot yet established by verified evidence.
ServiceWhether service is required for ESP_a118 is not yet established by verified evidence.
Confidence95%

Quick answer

ESP_a118 means Tesla Hydraulic Fade Compensation is active. The vehicle detected reduced braking performance and temporarily activated brake assist intended to help provide full braking capability. To stop, keep the brake pedal firmly pressed.

This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.

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1. What does ESP_a118 mean?

ESP_a118 means Tesla Hydraulic Fade Compensation is active. The vehicle detected reduced braking performance and temporarily activated brake assist intended to help provide full braking capability. To stop, keep the brake pedal firmly pressed.

2. Technical explanation

Verified Tesla owner-manual material filed with NHTSA states that Hydraulic Fade Compensation is active. It is a temporary brake-assist function that activates when the vehicle detects reduced braking performance, with the purpose of helping ensure full braking capability. The alert text instructs the driver to keep the brake pedal firmly pressed to stop.

3. What system is affected?

Brake system; specifically Tesla’s Hydraulic Fade Compensation brake-assist function.

4. How serious is this code?

The database severity is unknown. The alert concerns reduced braking performance and provides an immediate stopping instruction.

5. Symptoms you may notice

  • The vehicle displays: “Assist for low brake performance activated To stop, keep brake pedal firmly pressed.”
  • Hydraulic Fade Compensation is active.
  • The vehicle has detected reduced braking performance.

6. Possible causes

  • Reduced braking performance detected by the vehicle. Further underlying causes are not yet established by verified evidence.

7. Can I still drive the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

8. Can I charge the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

9. What you can safely do

  • Keep the brake pedal firmly pressed when stopping, as instructed by the alert.
  • Follow the Tesla owner’s manual guidance applicable to the vehicle.

10. Step-by-step troubleshooting

  1. Do not attempt high-voltage or brake-system repair based on this alert. Further owner troubleshooting steps are not yet established by verified evidence.

11. When to contact service

Whether service is required for ESP_a118 is not yet established by verified evidence.

12. What the service center may check

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

13. Possible repair or resolution

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

14. Affected vehicles

15. Related TSBs / service bulletins

  • NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10250484: ManualD, published 2023-12-01. It reproduces Tesla owner-manual information describing ESP_a118 and Hydraulic Fade Compensation: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10250484-9999.pdf
  • NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10253666: Index390, published 2024-03-27. It includes the ESP_a118 owner-manual alert information: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10253666-9999.pdf

16. Recall information

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

17. Official manufacturer information

Verified NHTSA-hosted Tesla owner-manual communications identify ESP_a118 as a Hydraulic Fade Compensation alert. Verified applicability records cover US Tesla Model 3 (2013–2024), Model S (2012–2024), Model X (2016–2024), and Model Y (2020–2024), with overlapping year ranges in the source database. Applicability should be confirmed against the specific vehicle and its current owner documentation.

19. Frequently asked questions

What does Tesla alert ESP_a118 mean?

It means Hydraulic Fade Compensation is active. Tesla’s verified owner-manual text says this temporary brake-assist function activates when reduced braking performance is detected.

What should I do when ESP_a118 appears?

Keep the brake pedal firmly pressed to stop, as stated in the alert.

Does ESP_a118 identify the underlying brake fault?

No. The verified evidence establishes only that the vehicle detected reduced braking performance and activated Hydraulic Fade Compensation; the underlying cause is not yet established.

Can I continue driving or charge the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

20. Sources & verification

Accepted ResearchVerified
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Tesla ESP_a118: Assist for low brake performance activated To stop,… | EV Diagnostics