Tesla Model Y Complaints (2024)

314 consumer complaints on file.

#11759885August 26, 2026
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
SEVERE DEFECT: Unprompted autonomous steering overrides manual driving. When Autopilot is OFF, Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance (ELDA) violently yanks the steering wheel, steering TOWARD hazards like oncoming traffic on the left or a mountain/rock wall past the curb on the right. This creates a severe collision risk, overriding safe manual input.DOCUMENTED PROOF: Provided Tesla Service (Palo Alto) over 12 timestamps and several dashcam footage. Technicians physically verified NO internal/external camera obstructions across TWO separate visits. Moving a transponder failed to resolve it.TESLA REFUSAL: Service Center has canceled TWO other service requests without fixing the defect, claiming it the 'system is working as intended.' Crucially, the Manager Jay explicitly admitted this dangerous steering override is a 'known issue for vehicles without FSD' operating on an older, separate software stack prone to these errors. To resolve this critical safety hazard, he explicitly suggested I purchase Tesla's premium Full Self-Driving (FSD) upgrade, claiming the FSD stack fixes it. Tesla is fully aware their base active safety software stack is defective and steers into hazards, yet demands a paid consumer upgrade to resolve it rather than issuing a safety patch or recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758962August 23, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
While exiting a drive-thru, I pressed the accelerator and the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated at a high rate of speed on its own. I attempted to brake, but the brakes did not respond. The vehicle struck a concrete median. Police report on file: East Hanover Township PD, Case #2026-12503.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11758439August 21, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, STRUCTURE:BODY, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
On XXX at approximately 7:23 a.m., a 2024 Tesla Model Y was traveling westbound on [XXX] in [XXX] in the middle lane at approximately 71 mph with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged. While traveling in traffic, the vehicle suddenly initiated a lane change toward the right lane without providing a warning or sufficient opportunity for the driver to respond. While the Tesla was executing the lane change, a vehicle traveling behind it collided with the left side of the Tesla. Following the impact, the driver manually took control and brought the Tesla to a complete stop on the right side of the highway. The system suspected of malfunctioning is Tesla’s FSD driver-assistance system, particularly its automated lane-selection and lane-change functions. The exact cause has not been determined. The vehicle and its electronic data were preserved. Currently, non-inspection was done. The unexpected maneuver placed the Tesla and surrounding motorists at risk because it occurred without warning at highway speed in active traffic and resulted in a collision. The driver had to intervene manually after the impact to control and stop the vehicle safely. At the time of this report, the suspected malfunction has not been reproduced or independently confirmed by a Tesla service center or independent repair facility. No technical determination of the cause has been received. A police officer arrived immediatly after the accident. An inspection was performed by Insurance company over a video. Before the unexpected lane change, there were no warning lamps, messages, audible alerts, or other symptoms indicating that he vehicle was about to initiate the maneuver or malfunction. The lane change occurred suddenly while FSD was engaged. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757481August 17, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
During a software update, the vehicle was parked and no key was present inside the car. The car went into neutral and forward through my gate onto oncoming traffic. The car hit a parked car and then came to a stop. The software update proceeded and I was unable to move the car until it finished.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756721August 13, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was using the Tesla FSD in stop and go traffic. At the moment I was moving with traffic at about 30 mph and then traffic started slowing down. The vehicle in front of me came to a complete stop. The FSD on my car started slowing down, but not fast enough. It rear-ended the vehicle at about 18 mph.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756509August 12, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Plastic trim around window switches on driver side door panel bubbled and popped. Tesla refused to warranty due to “wear and tear” when vehicle was purchased brand new 1.5 year ago.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755534August 7, 2026
STEERING
Car making excessive noise, service department refuses to address at Tesla even though various cases of the same issue are easily available online. Issue is with half shaft lubrication being dried but Tesla is trying to charge and claiming that the part hasn’t failed. But to me a part failing due to lack of lubrication can lead to hazard road conditions. I don’t want to put my kids safety in harm but Tesla tells me that no lubrication will not result in part failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753674July 30, 2026
SUSPENSION
• What the issue is: Intermittent suspension noise/clunking that suggests a possible failing component. • Why it’s a safety concern: Potential suspension failure could cause loss of control. • What Tesla did: Tesla refused warranty service related to a safety issue involving the suspension because they said they could not hear the noise, despite repeated reports. I asked them to look at the suspension anyway and they refused my warranty service stating that since they could not hear anything they would not inspect and cancelled my appointment. • When it happens: speeds, bumps, turning, acceleration, etc. • Frequency: intermittent, constant, worsening. • Mileage: approximately 44000. • Weather/road conditions: any conditions • Whether the vehicle has been repaired or inspected: Tesla refused to inspect my vehicle under warranty for this safety related complaint and said if they can't hear a noise they won't look at it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753327July 28, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING
The contact owns a 2024 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the I-95 N to 175 W exit ramp, while approaching a traffic light in slow-moving traffic with the self-driving feature engaged, the vehicle failed to slow down as expected. To avoid a crash with the vehicle ahead, the contact veered to the right, leaving the roadway and traveling onto a slope and into the grass, where the vehicle struck a tree branch. There were no warning lights illuminated. A Police report was filed. There were no reported injuries or air bag deployment. The insurance company was notified of the issue. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 19,891.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752860July 25, 2026
AIR BAGS
At I-66 East and 495 Exit in Fairfax/Vienna, another car hit my Tesla car from the side at around 40-50 MPH. My car driver side had a heavy impact - Door scratched badly, rear window broke, rear tail lamp broke, rear tire got damaged, components on top of the front tire came off. Even the car was hit with this heavy force and had heavy damage, Airbags never deployed. Luckily THe driver didn't have any injuries as she was wearing a seat belt. How come the airbags never popped with this heavy impact accident? THe car that hit our car, didn't have as much damage as ours but their airbags deployed. Is this a defect with Tesla airbags?
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752840July 25, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
On August 25, 2025, I was in a crowded Trader Joe's parking lot using the vehicle's FSD parking feature. The vehicle was moving backward into a parking position. A stationary vehicle was in the area. Instead of detecting the other vehicle and stopping, the Tesla kept backing up and made contact with the stationary vehicle. The other vehicle was not moving, and there was enough room for the Tesla to park without contact. I do not remember the exact positioning or direction because of the time that has passed. I did not receive a warning that prevented the contact. I reported to Tesla that the vehicle appeared not to detect the stationary vehicle, but I did not receive an inspection result or written technical finding. I do not have an expert determination of the cause. I am asking NHTSA to review this as a possible FSD parking, parking-collision-warning, or automatic-emergency-braking safety defect.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752838July 25, 2026
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
On June 7, 2026, I was driving westbound on I-290 in the leftmost lane in a 2024 Tesla Model Y. I recall FSD (Supervised) was engaged and making a lane change into the left lane. Instead of settling in the lane, the vehicle continued left and struck the divider/median. I braked. The vehicle then bounced back and moved right toward a large truck and collided. I did not receive a takeover warning before the event. The front bumper came off and the vehicle became inoperable. A fire truck traveling behind me blocked traffic after the crash. Tesla event data records a Crash Algorithm Wake-Up at about 9:49 a.m. Central and includes speed, steering, braking, acceleration, ABS, lane-assist, and cruise-control signals. I reported the safety concern to Tesla and asked for review of the FSD/software issue and data, but I have not received written findings. I do not have an expert determination that FSD caused the crash. I am asking NHTSA to review the incident and data for a possible driver-assistance, steering, or lane-control safety defect.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11752663July 24, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
While driving through normal rain with ordinary standing water on the roadway (NOT flood conditions), the rear bumper fascia detached from my Tesla Model Y. There was no impact, no collision, and no debris strike - there are no impact marks or scratches on the bumper. The fascia was pulled off by water drag, tearing a welded body mount bracket from the vehicle structure and damaging the underbody shield. This is a road safety hazard: a detached bumper fascia can drag on the roadway, separate completely, and become a large road obstacle for vehicles behind me. Tesla documented this exact failure mode in Service Bulletin SB-20-12-003 (rear fascia detachment when driving through standing water, with damage to harnesses and body fasteners/mounts), yet the defect persists in Model Y vehicles. Notably, another Tesla directly next to mine suffered the identical bumper detachment in the same rainfall at the same time - two identical failures in identical ordinary weather conditions, indicating a systemic design defect rather than driver error. Tesla Service denied warranty coverage, characterizing normal rain as 'flood water.'
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752331July 23, 2026
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On 7/22/2026 between 6pm and 7pm PST, I was driving my Tesla Model Y on I-405 southbound in Orange County, CA, between the Westminster Blvd exit and Exit 73, with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) engaged. The incident occurred at an express lane ingress/egress transition zone where a physical barrier separates the express and general-purpose lanes. While in FSD mode, the vehicle initiated a lane change on its own. During the lane change, the FSD system misjudged the lane boundary and steered the vehicle into the lane divider/barrier. The vehicle struck the divider on the front right side. The failed system is the FSD/automated steering and lane change function. No forward collision warning sounded and no automatic emergency braking activated before impact with the fixed barrier. There were no warning lamps, alerts, or symptoms prior to the failure; the system initiated and executed the lane change without indicating any problem. The impact damaged the front right body panel, front right bumper area, and the right headlight. My safety and the safety of vehicles in adjacent lanes was put at risk, as the collision occurred at roadway speed during an automated maneuver I did not initiate. Had the divider been a vehicle or a pedestrian work zone, the outcome could have been far more severe. All FSD telemetry, camera footage, and vehicle data from the incident should be available from the manufacturer, and I have requested the vehicle data report from Tesla. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and is being taken to a Tesla-certified collision center for repair. An insurance claim is being filed with my carrier. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer or police.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752044July 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
SAFETY DEFECT REPORT: Sudden Power Loss & Falsified Records 1. INCIDENT & 5-HR TOWING (XXX): On XXX at ~16:30, while executing a low-speed (<10 mph) left turn in Cambridge, MA, the vehicle had a sudden, total high-voltage failure mid-turn, losing all motive power and power steering without warning or error codes. Photos/videos were taken on-scene confirming ZERO physical impact or undercarriage collision. The dead vehicle stopped directly in the active lane, completely blocking traffic. With zero power, the driver and several helpful bystanders had to use extreme physical effort to manually push the dead car out of the road. AAA arrived at 18:00 but could NOT tow because total power loss completely locked all 4 wheels/brakes (no Tow Mode). AAA dispatched a 2nd specialized flatbed with dollies (arrived 21:00). Driver was stranded on-site for over 5 hours. Car reached Tesla Dedham Service at 22:00. On XXX at 10:00 AM, driver reported the driving power loss in person at Dedham, handed over key, and got a loaner. 2. WRITTEN NOTICE (XXX): On XXX, explicit written notice was sent to Tesla Service Manager Taso, re-confirming the exact mid-driving power loss hazard. 3. TESLA DIAGNOSIS & REPAIRS: Invoice #XXX confirms a severe high-voltage failure: "A hardware overcurrent event caused small high voltage battery brick imbalance and rear inverter failure." Tesla replaced Rear Drive Unit Inverter (3DU) and Pyrotechnic Battery Disconnect (Pyrofuse). 4. FALSIFICATION OF SAFETY ISSUE: Despite 5-hr towing from wheel lock-up, XXX in-person report, and XXX written notice detailing mid-turn power loss, Tesla falsely recorded on invoice: "customer states: vehicle will not charge." This is deliberate falsification and deceptive practice by Tesla to downplay a critical road hazard into a benign charging issue. I request NHTSA to investigate this high-voltage overcurrent/inverter failure pattern and Tesla's practice of altering safe INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751589July 20, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This vehicle is hacked along with app. it's unsafe to drive at this point. I have contacted Tesla they are no help. my tesla app is hacked and the vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751573July 20, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
My car will randomly break while I’m driving straight on a road. It seems to happen when I’m going between 30 and 45 mph. It breaks so hard that if a car behind me was following, they could run into me. Whenever it breaks, I have to put my foot on the accelerator to get the car to go back forward.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751290July 18, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Whenever I cancel FSD in this Tesla for any reason, a highly distracting ‘forced feedback’ panel pops up on the single information screen, obstruction critical information. It only disappears when I select one of 4 feedback options, blocking my information screen view all that time. I am a regular driver, not a trained beta tester.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750667July 15, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
SYSTEMIC POWERTRAIN SAFETY DEFECT: Catastrophic Loss of Propulsion & Failure of Dual-Motor Redundancy. 1. Incident & Safety Risk: While traveling in the far-left HOV lane of a 6-lane interstate highway, the vehicle experienced an uncommanded, unwarranted Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) intervention during a controlled lane change. This sudden deceleration instantly triggered a complete powertrain collapse and total loss of propulsion. The vehicle came to a dead stop in a live highway lane. The driver (me), passenger, and our [XXX] infant were stranded in lane 3 of a 6 lane highway for ~35 minutes until Highway Patrol units arrived to manually push the vehicle across live traffic to the shoulder. This near-miss was an immediate, severe life-safety crisis not just for the occupants but also to others on the road. 2. Symptoms & Alert Codes: There were zero warning symptoms prior to the incident. Immediately upon the power collapse, the touchscreen displayed critical faults. Active diagnostic telemetry confirmed alert codes: DI_a137 (No Capable Drive Units) DI_a063 (System Graceful Power Off) 3. Manufacturer Confirmation & Inspection Status: The failure was confirmed in writing by the manufacturer’s service center. The diagnostic invoice explicitly states: "The rear drive inverter experienced an unintended reset due to an error. Sudden power reduction and shutdown while driving." The vehicle is currently held at the manufacturer's facility and is fully available for inspection. 4. Engineering Assessment: As a mechanical engineer, my assessment is the surge through the AEB event to the inverter’s DC-link was unable to damp this load, forcing a hardware logic reset. Crucially, the software logic failed to partition this fault. In a dual-motor architecture marketed as having built-in powertrain redundancy, a localized rear inverter reset should be isolated, leaving the front motor operational to safely navigate out of traffic, this did not happen. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750529July 15, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY
On July 10, 2026, my 2024 Tesla Model Y (approx. 22,440 miles) lost all power (main/12V battery) while parked next to a Supercharger stall on Level 3 of the Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino parking garage, Maricopa, AZ. Ambient temperature was approximately 110F. My dog and cat were inside the vehicle. With the vehicle powered off, the key card, Tesla app, and interior door releases did not function, leaving no way to open the doors from outside or inside. Unable to find or access a working manual door release in time, we broke the rear quarter glass and damaged a door to physically extract the pets before they suffered heat-related harm. Maricopa Police Department and Ak-Chin Fire Department responded to the scene. This represents a serious safety defect: a loss of vehicle power should not eliminate all means of entry/egress, particularly when children or pets could be trapped in extreme heat. The vehicle, damaged door, and glass are available for inspection. Photos of the incident are available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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