Tesla Model Y Complaints (2023)

1,194 consumer complaints on file.

#11770157October 9, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
While using cruise control, the Tesla- several times in the last two weeks- engages "curvature assist" on completely straight roads, slams on the brakes and attempts to steer the car, creating very dangerous situations. This is a very well-known issue with Tesla and they do nothing about it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769979October 8, 2026
SUSPENSION
Repeated creaking from the front suspension over bumps, speed bumps, and railroad tracks on nearly every drive. The noise was present by about 66,800 miles; exact onset unknown. No warning lights or messages appeared; the noise was the only symptom. On 09/14/2026, at 68,092 miles, a Tesla service center inspected the steering and suspension and found worn ball joints on both front lower lateral links, torn bushings on both front lower compliance links, and worn ball joints on both rear knuckles. Tesla recommended replacing these parts plus a 4-wheel alignment. The parts are still on the vehicle and available for inspection. The front lower lateral link is the component under NHTSA investigation PE26-006 (lateral link detachment on 2021-2023 Model Y). Worn ball joints on that link at under 70,000 miles raise the risk of it separating while driving, which could cause a loss of directional control. No detachment, crash, or injury has occurred. I asked Tesla to cover the front lateral link repair because of the open investigation. Tesla declined, calling these wear-related items outside warranty or campaign coverage, so the repair will be at my own expense. I believe this premature wear may be an early stage of the detachment NHTSA is investigating.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769992October 8, 2026
SUSPENSION
I was park and then I could feel the Tesla Is shaking and went to Tesla because I have a service that day and they told me the suspension to change but I learned for 2023 Tesla Model y there’s a problem in suspension
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769266October 6, 2026
SUSPENSION
During normal operation, the driver-side front lower lateral link connection became unsecured. There was no collision, curb strike, pothole impact, accident, or other known impact associated with the failure. The vehicle had been operating normally. When I reversed into my driveway, I heard a loud abnormal noise from the driver-side front suspension and the vehicle became effectively undrivable. Inspection underneath the vehicle showed that a bolt securing the LH front lower lateral link to the front subframe had backed substantially out of the mounting connection. The bolt appeared intact and had not fractured. I photographed the vehicle and suspension before repair or manipulation and had the vehicle transported to a Tesla Service Center. Tesla inspected the vehicle. Tesla's written diagnosis on the repair estimate states: “Lateral link became unsecured and damaged.” Tesla is proposing replacement of the front lower lateral links, associated bolts/nuts, and a wheel alignment. Tesla also confirmed that Campaign Bulletin SB-25-31-004 R2 applies to the inspection of my vehicle. That bulletin specifically includes inspection of the two bolts attaching the LH front lower lateral link to the front subframe and provides procedures for inspecting associated components for damage and replacing fasteners/components when necessary. My safety concern is that a critical front suspension bolted connection became unsecured during normal vehicle operation without a collision or known impact. The failure rendered the vehicle undrivable. If this connection had progressed to this condition at highway speed, it could potentially have resulted in loss of vehicle control. The vehicle and affected components are currently at a Tesla Service Center and are available for inspection. I have photographs of the failed connection, Tesla's written diagnosis and repair estimate, and Tesla service communications available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768685October 3, 2026
SUSPENSION, STEERING, WHEELS
I began hearing a squeaking noise coming from the front of my 2023 Tesla Model Y. While pulling out of a parking lot at a low speed, the front left control arm failed and the bolts came out. When the failure occurred, the vehicle suddenly steered to the left. Fortunately, I was traveling at a very low speed when this happened. I am concerned that if the same failure had occurred while traveling at freeway speeds, I could have lost control of the vehicle and potentially been involved in a serious accident. Tesla has since repaired the vehicle. After this incident, I researched similar failures and found multiple reports from other Tesla Model Y owners describing control arm/suspension components or associated fasteners coming loose or separating. I am reporting this because I am concerned this may represent a broader safety issue with the Model Y suspension system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768424October 2, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety defect in the human-machine interface (HMI) and Driver Monitoring System (DMS) of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software. 1. Automation Complacency & Vigilance Degradation: When operating on highways, the system handles dynamic driving tasks in a manner that induces severe automation complacency and driver fatigue. Placing a human operator in an extended passive-monitoring role inevitably leads to degraded situational awareness, delayed reaction capability, and drowsiness. 2. Defective In-Cabin Driver Monitoring: The system's interior cabin camera fails to meet effective driver-monitoring standards. When a driver experiences involuntary micro-sleep, closed eyes, or drooping head posture, the cabin camera repeatedly fails to issue audible alerts, escalation chimes, or forced disengagements in a timely manner. The system permits continuous hands-free operation while the driver is compromised by automation-induced fatigue. 3. Mismatch Between Marketing and Safety Architecture: While the manufacturer classifies the software as SAE Level 2 to disclaim operational liability, the operational behavior and weak attentiveness safeguards encourage disengagement without adequate fail-safes. Because the system creates conditions that promote loss of driver alertness without a reliable monitoring system to detect and correct it, this design presents an unreasonable risk of high-speed collision. I have ceased using this software and request that NHTSA evaluate whether the cabin camera monitoring thresholds comply with defect standards under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768333October 1, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, WHEELS
This is a brand new car when I bought it in 2023. I found the arm controls are damaged when replacing my tires.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768167September 30, 2026
SUSPENSION
I am reporting a front suspension mechanical failure on my 2023 Tesla Model Y. The vehicle developed a clunking/clicking noise from the left-front/front suspension area, most noticeable when turning the steering wheel at low speeds or while stationary. The noise was first noticed around December 2025. It was intermittent, more pronounced in colder temperatures and after the vehicle had been parked for an extended period. It sometimes also occurred during larger steering inputs after driving straight for a while. The vehicle had previously needed wheel alignment correction, including abnormal left-front alignment values. I took the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center. A Tesla technician reproduced the noise and inspected the front suspension. The final repair record states: "Technician verified a clunk from the front when steering back and forth at low speeds. Inspection of the front suspension indicated loose lateral links or worn bushings, and subframe nuts were broken." Tesla replaced the following parts under the Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty at no charge: - Front subframe assembly (P/N 1044531-00-C) - Front lower lateral link assembly, pair (P/N 1188341-00-C) - Front lower compliance link assembly, RH (P/N 2188359-10-B) and LH (P/N 2188354-10-B) - Associated bolts and nuts Tesla also checked and adjusted the four-wheel alignment, followed by a post-repair validation test drive. This was not a subjective noise complaint. The fault was physically reproduced by the technician and confirmed by disassembly and inspection, which found broken subframe nuts and loose/worn lateral link bushings, requiring replacement of the entire front subframe and both front lower suspension link pairs. No crash, fire, injury, or component separation occurred. I am concerned that had this connection continued to deteriorate, it could have affected front suspension geometry and vehicle control. I request that NHTSA include this case in any related safety defect investigation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767226September 27, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When the Tesla Model Y 2023 was drove on highway during heavy rain, the bumper came out and the driver unnoticed till the public warned that bumper came out. There is no indication and caused $2000 to fix as the insurance company claimed that it is a natural cause and driver has to pay the repair price.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767232September 27, 2026
SUSPENSION
At approximately 62,600 miles, my 2023 Tesla Model Y developed a creaking noise from the front suspension during low-speed turning, especially when turning right. Tesla inspected the vehicle and found that the front suspension bushings were cracked and torn. Tesla recommended and performed replacement of the front lower lateral links and front lower compliance links. The vehicle was repaired at my expense. Tesla advised that the worn suspension components could have been the source of the noise.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767311September 27, 2026
SUSPENSION
During a highway drive, I heard a loud noise from the front of the car, as if something had fallen off. It turned out that the fasteners for the front suspension lateral link had loosened and fallen off. I was really scared and went to dealer service center right away. Technician found the front lower lateral link bolts on the passenger side have become unsecured and required updated hardware with thread lock applied to bolts. Recommending replacement of lower lateral link and hardware. This was really scary moment in my life.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766338September 23, 2026
STEERING, SUSPENSION
While driving and making a left turn the wheels pulled hard to the left and a major grinding noise started and at the same time the steering wheel locked up. I was just shy of crashing into a curb area and sitting in oncoming traffic lane. I pulled on the steering wheel and it broke free but still had a grinding noise and this happens a handful of times. I took to Tesla service and they said the lower steering link was completely hanging free. No advance notice just major failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766342September 23, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:INTERIOR
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766380September 23, 2026
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was determined that the front lateral link assembly and full body suspension needed to be replaced. While a USB cord was connected to the USB port, the USB cord overheated and almost burned out due to a battery surcharge, and the air was leaking into the front passenger’s side door. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left turn at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff and failed to turn as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the trunk door latch was rusted and the front windshield wipers activated independently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,149.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766257September 22, 2026
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
Recurring 'Front passenger safety restraint system fault' warning on 2023 Tesla Model Y. The fault has appeared 5 times: July 2024, November 2024, December 2024, August 2025, and September 2026. The vehicle was serviced by Tesla after each of the earlier occurrences, but the fault keeps returning. This is a safety concern because the front passenger restraint system (airbag/seat belt) may not function correctly in a crash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766118September 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
On September 13, 2026, my 2023 Tesla Model Y (13,300 miles) displayed a High Voltage System alert stating the vehicle may not restart and service was required. I brought the vehicle to the Tesla Service Center for diagnosis. The technician found the alert occurred when the brake pedal was applied and identified electromagnetic interference affecting signal integrity in that circuit. On September 17, 2026, a ferrite suppressor was installed to address the interference, and the technician noted the alert cleared. He advised that if the concern returned, replacement of the CHMSL (Center High Mount Stop Lamp) may be required. The same day I picked up the vehicle after this repair, the High Voltage System alert recurred. Both occurrences happened while the vehicle was operating under Full Self-Driving (FSD), not under manual braking. My foot was not on the brake pedal either time. This detail was not accounted for in the original diagnosis, which was based on manual pedal actuation as the trigger. I have raised this discrepancy with Tesla and requested a re-diagnosis based on FSD-commanded brake actuation, including review of vehicle logs for both incident timestamps. My safety concern is that the alert explicitly warns the vehicle may not restart, and the underlying cause has not yet been correctly identified, since the initial repair did not resolve the issue and failed the same day. The vehicle and its diagnostic logs are available for inspection upon request. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the Tesla Service Center (two visits, same fault). It has not been inspected by NHTSA, police, or insurance. No warning lamps or symptoms were noted prior to the first occurrence on September 13, 2026.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765732September 21, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The windshield fogs up in front of the front facing camera. It can get dirty such that it is not just a matter of waiting for it to defog. During this time the self driving feature is impaired. The camera should be sealed to the window such that it can not fog up on the inside. The date of incident is the day tesla technician cleaned my camera and I learned how fragile this system is.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765779September 21, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
I run FSD 96% of the time. It’s so good that I get somewhat complacent. That’s not a character flaw. That’s what a reliable system does to people. The failure mode is simple. Car is holding a curve. Foot accidently brushes the brake. Autosteer disengages. Assist steering torque goes to zero. Wheel unloads. At speed the path goes straight, worst cases, into barrier, pole, or oncoming lane. A heavy Tesla in that geometry is ugly. Tesla’s answer is always the same: the driver disengaged, so it’s not on us. The accident is losing lateral control because of another control (braking) that should only change speed. Brake pedal grazes are easy and inevitable. I can recover a braking event. But I may not recover an instant straight-line on a bend if my hands weren’t on the wheel. Simple fix: Disengage traction but don’t have FSD disengage AutoSteer until I force the wheel. That way FSD knows I have control instead of only assuming that. I love FSD but always feel there is a suicide/killer stick just inches away from my feet. To answer your question, there is no component failure and safety risk is obvious. I can reproduce the scenario by simply tapping the brake on a curve and feel the wheel try to jerk out of my hands. Tesla acknowledges that this is the way the system was designed: complete instant manual takeover. The normal FSD disengagement tone rings. But that is too little, too late for a surprised driver.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765617September 20, 2026
STEERING
On September 18, 2026, at approximately 7:30 PM, I was driving a 2023 Tesla Model Y with approximately 31,187 miles. While traveling at low speed and making a slow right-hand turn on a winding, heavily trafficked, single-lane section of roadway, the steering suddenly became functionally unusable and I could no longer safely steer the vehicle. At the same time, multiple active warning messages appeared on the vehicle display. They included: GTW_w075 – “Steering assist reduced – Steering may require increased effort” GTW_w074 – “Steering assist reduced – Steering may require increased effort” APP_w264 – Lane Departure Avoidance features unavailable DI_a246 – Automatic vehicle hold disabled APP_w009 – Automatic Emergency Braking is unavailable. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop. I then powered the vehicle down, waited several minutes, and restarted it in an attempt to restore normal steering. The steering problem did not resolve and the vehicle remained unsafe to drive. This was not a brief or temporary issue. The vehicle could not be safely driven and ultimately had to be towed by Tesla Roadside Assistance to a Tesla Service Center. I am reporting this incident because the sudden loss or substantial reduction of usable steering assistance while the vehicle was being driven created a serious safety risk. Had the same failure occurred at highway speed, during a lane change, or in circumstances where the vehicle could not be safely stopped, the consequences could have been much more serious.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765505September 19, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY
The Autopilot/Active Safety sensor system and automated emergency braking (AEB) component failed. The vehicle experienced an uncommanded, severe "phantom braking" event and simultaneous steering lock. The vehicle is currently [State if it is at a tow yard, repair shop, or totaled, e.g., at an insurance-designated salvage yard] and is available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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