Tesla Model Y Complaints

4,325 consumer complaints on file.

#11738920May 19, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING, ENGINE
On Saturday 16th Oct 2026 around 10 AM EST, while driving down the ramp from Parking Floor 2 to Parking Floor 1 in the JFK Terminal 4 Short Term Parking garage (John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York), the Tesla vehicle suddenly accelerated forward very fast on its own without any input on the accelerator pedal. Either I was not pressing the gas pedal at the time, or I was slowing pressing as the car was going down on ramp. The car surged ahead with significant force and struck a fence at the bottom/end of the ramp area. There were two passengers in the vehicle. No other vehicles were involved. The impact caused: My Tesla Model Y to sustain severe front-end damage and appear to be a total loss. Injuries to both passengers. Minor scratches on my hands. Sequence of Events: I was driving the vehicle at low speed down the ramp from Parking Level 2 to Level 1 in JFK Terminal 4 Short Term Parking. Without pressing the accelerator, the car unexpectedly accelerated. Braking did not prevent the impact. The vehicle came to a stop only after hitting the fence. Today, I have reported this as a sudden/unintended acceleration event to Tesla and requested a full vehicle data log review. I would like Tesla to investigate following. 1. Why the car suddenly accelerated on very speed? 2. Why the steering got locked when it happened? 3. Since it is the closed parking lot, why Tesla did not stop automatically before hitting fence? I have been driving for more than 27 years, I never had any accident, and I never got any tickets in last 27 years.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#11738872May 19, 2026
SUSPENSION, STEERING
Bolt fell out of the lateral control arm on the front left wheel. Car was inoperable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738762May 19, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, STRUCTURE:BODY
I am reporting two unresolved safety-related defects on my 2021 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX] ) that occurred following paid service at Tesla's League City Service Center on 04/16/2026 DEFECT 1 — COMPUTER AND SENSOR SYSTEM FAILURE: The vehicle's onboard computer cuts in and out intermittently. Sensors fail during operation and the problem worsens significantly in high-temperature conditions. Tesla vehicles rely on their computer and sensor systems for core safety functions including collision avoidance, autopilot, and driver assist features. Intermittent failure of these systems while operating the vehicle is a safety hazard to the driver and the public. DEFECT 2 — GLOVE BOX INOPERABLE: The glove box does not open following Tesla service. The glove box in Tesla vehicles houses key vehicle documentation and is integrated into the vehicle's locking and security system. I paid $2,497.50 for service on [06/16/2026]. Both defects were either caused or left unresolved by that service. I have notified Tesla service staff directly and followed up multiple times over more than four weeks. Tesla has not responded, has not scheduled any repair, and has not refunded my money. I am filing this complaint because (1) the sensor and computer failures present an active safety risk during operation, (2) Tesla has ignored all attempts to resolve this, and (3) public reviews indicate this is a pattern affecting multiple consumers. I request that NHTSA investigate and determine whether a safety defect investigation or recall is warranted. 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
#11738758May 19, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car is missing front trunk emergency release. Apparently standard on newer Tesla’s but it violates FMVSS 401 as a child can easily fit in the front trunk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738713May 19, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER
The full self driving system has malfunctioned and is failing. I was put in incredibly dangerous situations that were near potentially fatal accidents. Had someone been a little bit closer when following me, I would not have had enough time to counter the issue. Yes it has been confirmed but not nearly to the extent that I have experienced it It has been inspected by a local service center from the company. There have been some visibility warnings but nothing else.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738462May 18, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
I am reporting a recurring and unresolved electrical/safety issue with my new Tesla Model Y. The issue has occurred 5 times within the past 4 weeks and affects multiple systems simultaneously. When the issue occurs: * The air conditioning stops working completely. * The driver-side front and rear windows cannot be rolled down or up. * The driver seat adjustment may not function properly. The problem appears intermittently. It may disappear temporarily and then return hours or days later. Tesla service has inspected the vehicle multiple times, but the issue continues to recur. This creates a significant safety concern because: * The driver window may not function during rain or emergencies. * The AC may fail during extremely hot weather. * The driver seat may not adjust properly, potentially affecting safe vehicle operation and driver visibility. * The intermittent nature of the failure makes the vehicle unpredictable and unreliable to operate safely. The issue has not been permanently resolved despite repeated service visits. I am concerned there may be a broader electrical or control system defect affecting vehicle safety.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738365May 17, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY FINGER WAS AMPUTATED BY THE DOOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11738360May 16, 2026
STEERING, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2025/2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper experiences noticeable vibration starting at approximately 75 mph on smooth highways. The vibration is felt throughout the entire vehicle: steering wheel, doors, seats, and pedals/floor. It is not limited to the steering wheel. Tire balancing, alignment, and foam checks have all been performed with no resolution. Tesla service states the issue is ‘normal/within spec.’ Video of the vibration with speedometer visible is attached. This matches a widespread pattern reported by other Juniper owners. Video: [XXX] 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
#11738266May 16, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The latest Tesla autopilot software forces users to engage in an autopilot product survey after disengaging autopilot while driving in order to gain access to audio/radio controls. The survey is not dismissible without reading a complicated prompt and choosing a response, and it completely obstructs audio controls until you participate in the survey. The driver therefore cannot turn off music to listen for emergency sirens, pedestrians, or other potential safety cues while driving at any speed, unless the driver also takes eyes off the road to participate in the forced product survey. This is by design and affects all Tesla drivers who use the autopilot feature.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738182May 15, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING
The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the contact's husband was driving at 70 MPH, the self-drive feature failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle aggressively jerked into the merging lane. The contact stated that the vehicle almost crashed into a concrete wall. In addition, the contact stated that the failure was persistent. The contact stated that the failure began after an unknown software update was performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738006May 15, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Whenever Autopilot is disengaged by the driver, a pop up multiple choice question appears on the screen covering critical car information with no way to get past it except reading and answering the multiple choice question while you are driving. You have to take your eyes off the road to answer the question, it's about the dumbest most unsafe thing I've ever seen from a car company. Please require them to fix it immediately, and apparently a rule needs to be written that pop ups on cars are illegal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737898May 14, 2026
SUSPENSION
Clicking/thumping on sharper turns a day before the issue. Then today, there was a loud clunk while driving. When I was reversing into my driveway, there was scraping noises and resistance. Upon exiting the vehicle, I saw the passenger side front control arm loose. It is now inoperable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737798May 14, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHEELS
While driving, the vehicle displays a critical “Air pressure in tires very low — pull over safely” alert. When I pull over and inspect, the tire pressure is normal and there is no flat. The alert clears on its own after driving a few more miles. The vehicle has been serviced four times for this issue between February and May 2026 at Tesla service centers in Austin TX, Flower Mound TX, San Diego CA, and Los Angeles CA. The tire pressure monitoring sensors have been replaced three times (rear left twice, front left once). On the May 7, 2026 San Diego service visit, the technician documented the root cause as a low voltage issue with the sensor system. The issue continues to recur after each repair. A false critical safety alert that instructs the driver to pull over creates a safety risk because it trains drivers to distrust real alerts, and pulling over on highways carries its own risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737674May 13, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle’s low-voltage battery system failed unexpectedly, causing a complete loss of electrical power and preventing normal vehicle access and operation. The failure resulted in my [XXX] child becoming trapped inside the vehicle. The malfunction appears related to the 12V/low-voltage battery and/or associated power management system. The vehicles inspection invoice is available upon request. This incident created a serious safety risk because the loss of low-voltage power prevented normal door operation and immediate access to my child. The situation posed risks of heat exposure, medical distress, panic, and delayed emergency access. Although the vehicle includes a manual emergency door release, it is not realistically accessible or operable by a baby or toddler secured in a child safety seat. A young child cannot reasonably be expected to understand, locate, or operate the manual release during an emergency. The sudden failure without warning left my child unable to exit independently while caregivers were temporarily unable to access the vehicle. There were no noticeable warning, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure. The low-voltage battery appeared to fail suddenly and without sufficient warning, resulting in immediate loss of access and vehicle functionality. The problem has not yet been reproduced, but the low-voltage battery failure was identified after the incident. The vehicle has been inspected by Tesla service. No formal police or insurance inspection was performed, but a first responder was present. 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
#11737635May 13, 2026
STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Nature of Defect: While operating Full Self-Driving (FSD) at highway speeds, my vehicle exhibits involuntary lateral swerving — sudden, uncontrolled movement to the left and right without driver input. This behavior occurs repeatedly and unpredictably, posing a direct safety risk to the occupants of my vehicle and to other drivers. Tesla Service diagnosed the root cause as a failed FSD computer and recommended full replacement at a cost exceeding $3,000. Crashes or Injuries: None to date, though the behavior described above creates a significant risk of collision at highway speeds. Frequency: Recurring during FSD engagement at highway speeds. Additional Context: This defect was present during my vehicle's original warranty period. Tesla has been aware of this issue since my service visit and has not completed the repair. I have an active goodwill warranty request pending with Tesla that has gone unacknowledged for over two weeks. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this defect may affect other Tesla vehicles equipped with the same FSD hardware, and I want NHTSA to have a record of this failure mode.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737508May 13, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While my vehicle was operating in Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode, it encountered an accident upon attempting to park in my garage. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the driver’s side rear end and the garage wall. Notably, there was no manual intervention during the entire journey from my son’s school and the parking attempt. The FSD system failed to detect the proximity of the garage and did not initiate braking or provide any warning before impacting the wall. In this instance, the FSD system exhibited multiple failures. I have subsequently reported the incident to Tesla.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737322May 12, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While driving, the vehicle repeatedly triggered emergency braking without any obstacle present. The car continuously displayed warnings indicating pedestrians in front and behind the vehicle when no people were present. Due to these false detections, FSD became disabled during operation. The repeated sudden braking caused severe lower back pain, and I will be seeking medical treatment. This vehicle is unsafe to operate and presents a serious safety risk to myself and surrounding traffic. I have full video evidence of the incidents.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11737263May 12, 2026
SEAT BELTS
I lease a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The rear passenger side seat belt/buckle assembly had previously experienced issues involving unexpected disengagement/unlatching. The vehicle was previously brought to Tesla for service regarding the restraint system/rear passenger buckle area and Tesla represented that the issue had been addressed. On April 4, 2026, during an emergency braking event to avoid another vehicle that abruptly cut in front of me and slammed on its brakes, I was forced to brake hard and maneuver to avoid a collision. During that braking event, the rear passenger side buckle released/unlatched while my child was properly secured in a child safety seat in that seating position. As a result, the entire child safety seat violently pitched forward and my child’s face struck the seat in front of her. This incident occurred after Tesla had already been given notice of restraint system concerns involving this seating position and after prior service attempts. The issue raises serious concerns regarding rear passenger restraint integrity and child occupant safety during emergency braking situations. Tesla was formally notified again regarding this incident on May 12, 2026. As of the date of this complaint, approximately one week has passed and Tesla has not responded or attempted contact regarding the reported child occupant restraint failure. The vehicle has not yet been reinspected by Tesla following this incident and remains available for inspection. I am requesting preservation of all vehicle telemetry, restraint system data, diagnostic information, and service records related to this vehicle and prior restraint system complaints/repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11737188May 11, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I would like to report a serious safety concern regarding Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) on HW3-equipped vehicles. My vehicle repeatedly performs sudden and aggressive braking while FSD is engaged, even when there are no visible obstacles, vehicles, or hazards ahead. In some cases, the vehicle slows dramatically or comes to a complete stop unexpectedly. This creates a significant rear-end collision risk, especially on higher-speed roads where surrounding traffic does not anticipate abrupt braking behavior. This issue has been occurring for approximately one year and appears to have worsened over time and TESLA hasn't released a single FDS software update for over a year for HW3 vehicles. I recently brought my vehicle to Tesla service, paid for diagnostics/repair, and the issue still remains unresolved. I have also personally experienced the same behavior in another HW3 Tesla vehicle provided as a loaner from a Tesla service center, which suggests the issue may not be isolated to my individual car. Based on my experience, this appears to affect multiple HW3 vehicles operating with FSD enabled. The unsafe braking behavior causes surrounding vehicles to tailgate closely and react suddenly, increasing the likelihood of accidents. In my opinion, the current FSD behavior on affected HW3 vehicles presents a safety hazard for both Tesla owners and other road users. I believe this issue warrants immediate investigation. Until the root cause is identified and corrected, Tesla should consider disabling or restricting FSD functionality on affected HW3 vehicles to reduce the risk of accidents caused by phantom braking and unsafe autonomous driving behavior.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737157May 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
After updating to Tesla FSD 14.3, whenever I take over from FSD, the vehicle displays a mandatory “intervention reason” prompt on the center screen. The prompt does not disappear unless the driver selects a reason. This occurs immediately after a disengagement/takeover, when the driver may still need full attention on the road. The prompt can cover map/navigation information and forces interaction with the touchscreen while driving. I believe this may create a driver-distraction safety risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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