Tesla Model Y Complaints
4,325 consumer complaints on file.
- #11678430August 5, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is a latch sensor open kept Coming on. I have been to the Tesla dealership twice and nothing has been resolved.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11678400August 5, 2025VISIBILITY/WIPER
There are distortions, that makes looking through the windshield wavy/rippling. Minor distortion at the top of the windshield at the angle you look at top portion of cars in front of you and traffic lights. Major distortion when looking at the right side of the windshield from the driver seat, covering around 30% of the windshield. When driving it will become significantly noticeable and causes dizziness sometime.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11678397August 5, 2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
The GPS and camera functionality went out on the same day several days ago. The car thinks it is at Tesla’s headquarters in CA and so you cannot find a charging station near your actual location, and no cameras work meaning the additional safety features for collisions do not function at all. This is a widespread issue based on Tesla user forums.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11678264August 4, 2025STEERING
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel, and the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 20,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11678237August 4, 2025WHEELS, STEERING
I am writing to report severe safety concerns involving my Tesla Model Y. Without any accident or impact, my vehicle experienced a mechanical failure on [XXX}, when the front left tire detached, making the car immobile. The vehicle had approximately 31,500 miles and no prior damage or accident history. Tesla towed the car for repairs. However, during the repair process, I discovered that the vehicle was transferred to a body shop in Chantilly, VA, without my prior knowledge or consent. When I visited the shop to retrieve personal belongings, I was shocked to see that the condition of my vehicle had significantly worsened. The technician informed me that the car now had serious structural damage, including a twisted frame and extensive paint damage. This damage did not exist before and was not caused by an impact. The technician indicated that repairs would take at least a week if only bodywork was addressed. Most concerning, the vehicle was transferred with no visible damage, yet now has severe structural issues. Tesla has suggested replacing the damaged body parts later, which makes no sense given that the car was in a safe condition prior to the transfer. Additionally, the front wheel, which detached earlier, was reassembled without impact, but the vehicle remains unsafe. It has taken over 30 days to attempt repairs, and the vehicle still is not fully fixed. I do not feel safe driving it under these conditions. Furthermore, communication regarding the damage has been poor. I was not informed of any body or structural damage before the transfer. Tesla’s recent message asked me to pick up the vehicle, stating they will order parts later, which is confusing and concerning. Given the extensive damage, delays, and safety risks, I request the NHTSA investigate these issues. I also urge Tesla to buy back my vehicle so I can use the credit toward purchasing a new Tesla, ensuring my safety and confidence. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11678047August 3, 2025WHEELS
I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving my Tesla Model Y 2023, VIN: [XXX] , in which the front right tire detached from the axle while parking on [XXX] at [XXX] . Description of Incident: While maneuvering the car slowly into a parking spot, the front tire suddenly dislodged from the axle or aero suspension. The car became immobile on the spot. Thankfully, there were no injuries, but the outcome could have been catastrophic had this happened at speed. The car was immediately towed to Tesla Service Center Sacramento, Arden Way, where technicians diagnosed the failure as being due to The issue being caused by loose front lower lateral link mounting bolts and damaged front compliance links — a structural suspension component. Critical Concerns: Tesla’s own technicians confirmed that: This failure was not caused by user error or road impact. The issue was caused by loose front lower lateral link mounting bolts and damaged front compliance links The bolts had loosened over time or were improperly torqued during manufacturing or servicing. Emotional & Functional Impact: I am now afraid to drive this vehicle, unsure of its reliability and safety. I’ve experienced anxiety, sleep disruption, and ongoing depressive symptoms since the incident. This event has interrupted my daily life, shaken my trust in Tesla, and caused extreme emotional stress. Had this happened on a highway or in traffic, it could have led to serious injuries or fatalities. My Formal Requests: A written report detailing the failure, root cause, and whether it relates to known issues or recalls. A clear statement on whether Tesla assumes liability for this event. A full remedy, which may include: Replacement or buyback of the vehicle, Compensation for emotional distress and lost use, Commitment to enhanced quality control inspections. 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
- #11677984August 2, 2025SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The vehicle in front of us came to a sudden stop, but my Tesla failed to issue any alerts or activate automatic braking. When we attempted to brake manually, the car did not allow full braking and continued moving forward, ultimately causing a collision. This strongly suggests a malfunction in the Tesla’s safety or braking system. As a result, I’ve suffered significant financial losses due to the vehicle being totaled and damage caused to other vehicles/other persons injuries involved. This incident is also likely to lead to increased insurance premiums moving forward.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11677444July 31, 2025LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
-As a regular driver in the DC area, I have repeatedly experienced the Lane Departure Avoidance system disabling itself mid-drive. This is particularly troubling in city driving conditions marked by unpredictable traffic, unclear lane markings, and frequent distractions—scenarios where these safety features are most essential. Lane Departure Avoidance helps prevent accidents by alerting drivers or gently correcting steering if the vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane. -I don't know if there was a specific concern about the safety of others, but it may have. -Unknown -Not needed -No - just happened
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11677115July 29, 2025FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
In FSD mode, my Tesla Model Y always heads to the "Do Not Enter" road and I have to take over manually to prevent entering the "Do Not Enter" road. This has happened almost all the time I am there. This is a very unsafe. Tesla needs to correct this issue at their highest priority.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11676662July 28, 2025SUSPENSION, WHEELS, STEERING
While driving on the freeway, I heard an unusual noise coming from beneath the battery of my car. Concerned, I drove to a nearby friend's house and parked there, carefully checking my dashboard for any warning signals but finding none. I decided to resume my journey, but as I backed out of the driveway, I heard a sudden noise indicating something had come loose, followed by a crackling sound. Upon inspecting the car, I discovered that the control arm had become detached, the axle had popped out, and two bolts had come off. During the towing process, I noticed that the steering had become extremely tight. To my surprise, I had never received any recall notice from Tesla addressing this issue. Considering that my car is less than two years old, I was deeply disturbed by the situation. This incident has significantly undermined my confidence in the safety of the vehicle, as it highlights a potential manufacturing defect involving defective parts. I regularly use this car to drive my children to their activities, and knowing that this could have led to a catastrophic failure such as tire separation, loss of steering control, or compromised braking capabilities especially on the freeway, is worrying. The car was towed to a dealer and currently in the queue for evaluation by tesla technicians. I requested detailed service report from Irvine service center. There were no warning indicators in the dashboard while I was driving or after the bolts came loose.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11676395July 26, 2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
There is a Tesla software defect. 1. I stepped into my Tesla Model Y. There was no vehicle in front of my driveway. A delivery van came to park in front of my driveway temporarily. It is a traffic violation according to the California Vehicle Code Section 22500(e). 2. I put my foot on the brake and put my car in the reverse gear. 3. Then I made an adjustment on the CONTROL screen. 4. I put my foot on the accelerator to continue to back up my car. The screen doesn't show the rear view anymore. This is a Tesla software defect that the screen should display the rear view as soon as I push the accelerator in this case.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11676373July 26, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
The tesla computer freezes. Sudden there is no information from the car, no miles per hour, no navigation, no side view cameras. I can drive the car but that's is all. Since the navigation is entirely dependent on the computer I can't tell where I am going. It has happened more than 30+ times in the car.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11675797July 24, 2025FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Vehicle Make/Model/Year: 2026 Tesla Model Y (Launch Series) Incident Date: [XXX] Incident Location: [XXX] System/Component Involved: Automated driving systems / Autopilot / Steering What Happened: While driving my new 2026 Tesla Model Y on Autopilot, the vehicle suddenly turned off the main road near [XXX] , and steered toward the curb. I immediately pressed the brake, but due to the vehicle’s speed, it still hit the curb, causing damage to the front right tire, wheel well liner, and triggering multiple system error messages. Shortly after, I witnessed another Tesla Model 3, also using Autopilot, make the exact same wrong turn at the same location and crash into the curb. No injuries occurred, but this appears to be a mapping or Autopilot software issue that can cause vehicles to leave the roadway unexpectedly, creating a serious safety hazard. Tesla is preparing the incident data, but this report is being filed to alert NHTSA of a potential Autopilot safety defect in this area. 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
- #11675732July 23, 2025STEERING
The power steering became reduced and diminished while driving. Tesla is stating that there is corrosion on the wiring harness ports on the power steering rack. There was no warning until after the incident, but now a “reduced power steering” annunciation appears in the screen. The Tesla repair station has confirmed the condition.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11675542July 23, 2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
All cameras went blank on vehicle 4 year and 7 months old. All driver assistance systems became suddenly disabled. Tesla service diagnosis established that computer needs to be replaced for a cost of $2,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11675282July 22, 2025WHEELS
I am writing to report a serious safety issue following a recent service appointment for my Tesla Model Y at the Peabody, MA location (10 Andover St) on Friday, [XXX]. After driving approximately one hour on the highway following my visit, I heard a popping noise. Upon arriving home, I inspected my vehicle and removed the lug nut cover from the rear right tire — the one that was serviced during my appointment. To my shock, two lug nuts came off with the cover, and two others were not even screwed in. This is absolutely unacceptable and extremely dangerous. The wheel could have come off while I was driving, which could have led to a catastrophic accident. 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
- #11675200July 21, 2025SUSPENSION, WHEELS, STEERING
The vehicle lost steering at 10 mph as a bolt from the front suspension's upper control arm and lateral link fasteners became loose and detached rom the vehicle. The wheel was completely misaligned, and the vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle could not be moved to the side of the road, putting my safety and the safety of other drivers at risk. I fear that this could have been a fatal accident had I been on the highway. This issue has been confirmed by Tesla Service Center, and they acknowledged that this is a known issue. There were no warning indicators or recall notices sent to warn of this known issue. My vehicle should have been recalled. Tesla is making me pay $3,000 for repairs despite knowing this is a manufacturer defect, and they are continuing to put lives at risk by not issuing a wider recall.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11675101July 21, 2025STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On April 18th, 2025, I dropped off my 2022 Tesla Model Y at Tesla Collision Center (Paramus, NJ) after a minor accident. I later revoked consent for any repairs via email. Despite this, Tesla performed major body and paint work without my permission. No signed work order exists. The repairs were unauthorized and proceeded without my knowledge or approval until this day. These changes now risk altering my VIN history and vehicle safety records. I’m concerned this constitutes falsified documentation and could affect resale value, title accuracy, and liability in future accidents. I was never shown a repair summary or given the chance to approve or decline service. Even after I sent a formal cease-and-desist letter on June 6, 2025, Tesla towed my rental vehicle on June 4 (without warning), which I had been using through Tesla Insurance. My personal belongings were inside. The timing suggests retaliation for revoking consent and demanding documentation. There were no mechanical failures or warning lights before this, but my concern is that Tesla falsified records & carried out structural work under my VIN without my legal consent. That poses serious risk to my safety and consumer transparency. The work was done by Tesla’s own collision center. The vehicle is available for inspection. I request NHTSA to review Tesla’s repair authorization practices and investigate whether unauthorized repairs, falsified VIN records, or retaliation have occurred in my case and others. This incident reflects broader safety concerns around Tesla’s internal repair authorization system, which may allow collision centers to proceed without documented customer consent. If vehicle repairs are being logged under owner records without approval, this poses risk to accident liability, insurance disputes, and NHTSA transparency. I request a formal investigation into Tesla’s repair authorization practices and how they affect vehicle safety, ownership rights, and regulatory compliance. Thank you.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11675071July 21, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER, WHEELS, SUSPENSION
Issue: A consistent rattling noise, noticeable while driving at speeds of 10-40 mph over bumpy roads or pot holes.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11674803July 19, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8k miles after warranty expired, I got this notification in my Tesla. BMS_u018 Maximum battery charge level reduced OK to drive - Schedule service Car won’t charge anymore, Tesla says it’s a High voltage battery issue and are charging $14,000 out of warranty. Online it says others have the same issue of it not working sometime after warranty expires. Tesla states batteries should run from 200-300k miles? Wanted to make this complaint since I don’t do anything to cause the battery to have a malfunction this early. No supercharging or charging to 100%.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0