Tesla Model Y Complaints

3,785 consumer complaints on file.

#11760101August 27, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On August 27, 2026, the 12V/low-voltage battery in my Tesla completely failed without any prior low-voltage warning displayed on the screen or sent to the mobile app. After placing my infant/toddler in their car seat in the rear and closing the door, the vehicle's electronic systems shut down entirely. The electronic door handles and key access became completely inoperative from the outside, locking my child inside the vehicle with no way for me to open the doors or retrieve them. The manual override releases are inaccessible to a young child buckled in a car seat, and the vehicle provided zero advance warning that the low-voltage battery was at critical failure. This severe design flaw creates an immediate, life-threatening entrapment hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11760096August 27, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
Screen provides alert that "center brake light condition deteceted". Shows up as VCRIGHT_a487. Tesla has said it is a software condition that will be fixed in an update, yet several updates later, the condition persists with no fix in sight. This error has appeared since the time of new vehicle delivery in early May 2026 to the present.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759998August 27, 2026
STEERING
The bolts on the control arm came loose on its own while driving causing the steering to become unstable and loud.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759891August 27, 2026
SUSPENSION
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The front driver-side control arm came loose after two bolts fell out. The vehicle had no prior accidents, and the failed area can be inspected if needed. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The front driver side of the car suddenly dropped onto the wheel while I was backing into a parking spot. If this had happened at highway speed, it could have caused a very serious accident, loss of control or potential death. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem was confirmed after the vehicle was inspected and the two missing control-arm bolts were identified. The car was not safe to drive after the failure. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle was inspected after the incident by a service center or mechanic. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance unless otherwise noted. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lights, messages, or noticeable symptoms before the failure. It happened suddenly while I was backing into a parking spot.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#11759824August 26, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
On August 26, 2026, I sustained a significant injury when the door of my Tesla closed while my thumb was in the door area. The door caught my thumb and forcibly lifted/tore off most of my thumbnail, causing immediate bleeding and leaving the nail bed exposed. I am reporting this because I am concerned about the safety of the vehicle’s door closing mechanism and its ability to prevent this type of injury when a hand or finger is obstructing the door. The force of the closing door was sufficient to cause substantial physical injury rather than a minor pinch. There were no warning messages or alerts before the incident that I was aware of. At this time, I do not know whether the door, sensors, or closing mechanism malfunctioned or whether they were operating as designed. The cause is UNKNOWN and has not yet been confirmed by Tesla or an independent service center. The vehicle and door are available for inspection upon request. I am also reporting the incident to Tesla and requesting that Tesla inspect the door and related components and preserve/review any available vehicle diagnostic or event data associated with the incident. The injury has been photographed and documented. I am concerned that the same door behavior could cause serious injury to another occupant, particularly if a child’s hand or fingers were caught in the door.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759724August 26, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Tailgate doesn’t close. Electric hydraulic arm on driver side is too strong forcing misalignment of tailgate. Tesla will not repair under warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759659August 26, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting this history because four windshield failures across two relatively new Tesla vehicles raises concern that there may be a recurring issue involving windshield durability, installation, fitment, glass stress, vehicle-body interaction, or another vehicle-related factor. I am also concerned about the following distances maintained by Tesla's automated driving and adaptive-cruise systems. In my experience, the vehicle frequently follows other vehicles more closely than I would choose when driving manually. While the vehicle may calculate that the distance is adequate for braking, closer following distances may increase windshield exposure to stones and roadway debris thrown from vehicles ahead. I cannot establish that automated following distance caused these windshield failures, and I am not presenting that as a proven cause. I am reporting it as one possible contributing factor that may warrant investigation along with windshield design, glass specification, installation, fitment, and structural stress. Because the windshield is an important visibility and structural safety component, I believe the repeated cracking history warrants documentation and review for a possible pattern involving Tesla vehicles. For the current August 17, 2026 incident, I have asked Tesla to inspect and document the apparent origin of the crack before replacing the windshield, including whether there is an identifiable external impact point or evidence of an edge-, fitment-, or stress-related crack. I am submitting this complaint so that NHTSA has a record of the repeated windshield failures and can determine whether similar complaints indicate a broader safety-related defect or trend.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759615August 26, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, SUSPENSION
Car makes loud noise from front axel
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759612August 26, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY, SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
FSD (Supervised) was engaged while the vehicle was traveling toward a freeway entrance. The vehicle was expected to turn right, but instead began veering left. The driver applied the brake in an attempt to slow the vehicle and disengage FSD. According to the driver’s recollection, the vehicle did not respond as expected and continued accelerating until it left the roadway and crashed into a ditch. The incident created a serious safety risk to the driver and an infant passenger. Emergency services responded, and the driver and infant passenger were transported to an emergency department for evaluation. The vehicle was subsequently towed from the scene. The suspected malfunction involves FSD/vehicle control behavior, including whether the system properly responded to brake input and whether commanded acceleration continued after the driver attempted to intervene. The vehicle and its electronic systems should currently be available for inspection, and a request has been made to preserve relevant vehicle telemetry, driver-input data, FSD engagement status, accelerator and brake inputs, commanded motor torque, speed, steering inputs, camera footage, Event Data Recorder information, diagnostic logs, and software/FSD version information. A police report has been filed and both Tesla and Tesla insurance have been contacted.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11759495August 25, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I own a 2021 Tesla Model Y with an HW3 car computer. At approximately 54,000 miles, the vehicle developed intermittent failures of the cameras, GPS/navigation, and cruise control. On two occasions during the same routine drive, about 40 minutes into the trip, the GPS, cameras, and cruise control abruptly stopped functioning at approximately the same location. The first occurrence was about July 7, 2026 at 9:15 AM and the second August 7, 2026 at about 3:15 PM. I made the same trip once between these events without a failure. I had also previously experienced a frightening incident while driving northbound on I-280 approaching the lane division for 19th Avenue in San Francisco using Autopilot. Where my lane widened and a new lane began, the vehicle abruptly attempted to follow the new lane to the right. I had to intervene firmly with the steering wheel to maintain control. I do not know whether this event was related to the later diagnosed computer failure, but report it because of its possible safety significance. Tesla serviced the vehicle in Sunnyvale on August 16, 2026 at 54,565 miles. Tesla's invoice states: “Technician addressed the intermittent loss of GPS, cameras, and cruise control. The car computer had board-side failures and was replaced.” Tesla replaced the HW3 computer with a Hardware 3.2 computer, part 1775000-S0-L. Tesla also found corrosion at the 12V input and replaced the 12V battery. My concern is that the HW3 computer failure was intermittent and simultaneously affected cameras, GPS/navigation, and cruise control. The vehicle operated normally between failures, so a driver could not know when the problem might recur. I ask NHTSA to determine whether similar HW3 computer failures are occurring in other 2021 Model Y vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759166August 24, 2026
TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
The front driver-side OEM Hankook tire (size: 235/55R18) on my 2026 Tesla Model Y Standard Range developed a severe 2-inch structural split/crack along the tire shoulder/sidewall under normal daily commuting on paved roads. There was no road hazard or curb impact. This sudden structural failure caused immediate, complete air pressure loss, creating a severe safety risk on the road. The failure was confirmed by an independent local tire repair technician, who inspected the tire and declared it irreparable, forcing an immediate out-of-pocket replacement. No prior warning lights or symptoms appeared before the incident. Photos of the defect, tire size, and DOT code are available upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759136August 24, 2026
STEERING
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started sticking, and the contact discovered that the center of the steering wheel was cracked and peeling. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,997.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759095August 24, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I own a 2026 Tesla Model Y, and I subscribe to and use Tesla's Full Self-Drive ("FSD") service. Whenever I have the car in FSD mode and take over control of the car, thereby turning off FSD, a box appears in the bottom left corner of the display screen in the car that the driver must use for all functions of the car. That box asks why I turned the FSD off and requires that I choose from 4 selections. The box remains on the screen until a selection is chosen and does not disappear after any period of time on its own, and there is no option to stop that box from appearing every single time I take over from FSD. The requirement that I divert my attention from the road to the bottom corner of that screen every single time I take control of my vehicle from FSD is a dangerous distraction that on more than one occasion has almost caused an accident. It is ridiculous that Tesla imposes this dangerous feedback box on its drivers with no ability to turn it off or make it disappear without taking our eyes off the road to answer it. Please do something to require them to get rid of this dangerous mandatory feedback box before it gets people hurt or killed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758972August 24, 2026
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Subject: Safety Hazard caused by Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance on [2026 Tesla Model Y] Description: I am writing to report a serious safety issue regarding the Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance (ELDA) feature on my US-spec Tesla. Starting with recent software updates, the vehicle forces the Lane Departure Avoidance setting back to "Assist" upon every single drive cycle, with no option to disable it permanently. This behavior creates an immediate safety hazard, especially in cold climate regions and during winter driving conditions. When attempting to steer around immediate road hazards such as open manholes, deep potholes, or debris, the vehicle's cameras fail to recognize the object in the road. If the driver maneuvers to avoid the hazard without a pre-activated turn signal, the ELDA system aggressively intervenes, jerking the steering wheel back into the path of the danger. On slippery, icy, or wet roads, this unexpected electronic intervention causes a sudden loss of traction, risking a severe crash. Forcing a driver to navigate multiple sub-menus on a touchscreen to change a safety-critical setting before every single drive is dangerous and distracting. In the United States, there is no federal mandate requiring this setting to reset to "Assist" on every drive. I request that NHTSA investigate this aggressive software behavior and compel Tesla to restore the option for owners to permanently set Lane Departure Avoidance to "Warning" or "Off".
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
#11758931August 23, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Phantom braking while using the TACC on the tesla
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758907August 23, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Full auto pilot I pay $99 every month and it was on the car decided to take a turn to go over the middle island and hit the tree. The road has yellow line straight but then the yellow line start to be... I think the car decided oh my God it’s not the correct way and decided to take off and run over the middle island and hit the tree. Totaled the whole car and then the fire or the smokes are to go inside car what I was stuck inside I tried to open the door, but then five minutes later I got out almost died.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758818August 22, 2026
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
On 8/22/2026, my 2022 Tesla Model Y Long Range with approximately 81,000 miles developed an Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) fault immediately after I felt a brief jerk while reversing. The vehicle displayed “Steering assist reduced / Steering may require increased effort.” Manual steering currently feels normal, but Full Self-Driving/Autosteer and Lane Departure/Lane Keeping functions became unavailable. Tesla Service Mode shows repeated faults EPAS3P_a072_motFeedFwdError, EPAS3P_a049_piCtrlError, and UI_a020_SteeringReduced. For EPAS3P_a072, Tesla’s diagnostic screen describes a “Motor control feed-forward correlation error,” lists the potential impact as “Reduced steering assist and EAC inhibited,” and specifically lists “Replace EPAS” as the clear condition. The faults return after vehicle power-off and reboot. The vehicle was updated to software 2026.21.6 / FSD v14 Lite approximately two weeks before this occurred. There were no previous steering warnings. I am not claiming the update caused the failure, but I believe the timing warrants investigation. NHTSA Complaint 11749826 describes a 2021 Model Y with the same EPAS3P_a072 and UI_a020 faults, including Tesla Service Mode stating “Replace EPAS.” Complaint 11758026 describes another 2021 Model Y steering gear failure and requests expansion of Recall 25V-092 to earlier Model Ys. My vehicle has not yet been physically inspected by Tesla. The vehicle and diagnostic information are available for inspection. I request NHTSA investigate whether this EPAS failure extends beyond the current recall population and whether recent software changes may be contributing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758811August 22, 2026
STEERING
Component Failed: Electronic Power Steering (EPAS) system / Steering Rack. The vehicle is currently displaying the active safety alert code: UI_a020 ("Steering assist reduced / disabled"). The vehicle is available for inspection. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of primary power steering assist creates a severe safety hazard, requiring extreme physical effort to steer the vehicle. This increases the risk of a crash during sudden maneuvers or at low speeds. Confirmation & Warning Lamps: The UI_a020 warning message is actively displayed on the vehicle's touchscreen. Tesla service has remotely acknowledged the alert code and required a diagnostic fee approval via the mobile app. Inspection Status: The vehicle has not yet been physically inspected. Due to severe service backlogs, the earliest available appointment Tesla could provide is more than a month away, on September 30th. I am forced to either park the vehicle or drive it with a known, I think there's active steering system fault until that date.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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