Tesla Model Y Complaints

4,325 consumer complaints on file.

#11668644June 23, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
Shortly after purchasing the vehicle in late 2024, I began experiencing multiple safety-related malfunctions. These issues include: Full Self-Driving (FSD) malfunction: On the third use of FSD, the vehicle attempted to enter a left-turn lane but failed to fully move into the lane, resulting in the right front panel of the vehicle colliding with the bumper of a truck in the adjacent lane. There were no warnings from the system prior to the collision. The incident occurred at low speed. The truck sustained no visible damage, and the rubber from the truck's bumper transferred to the car, which was removed by hand later. This event raised serious concerns about the safety and reliability of the FSD system. No police report was filed, and the manufacturer was not present at the scene. Backup alert system failure: On several occasions while reversing, the car failed to issue audible or visual alerts despite vehicles being within 10–15 feet. In one instance, the screen finally showed a red zone when a car was within 10 feet, but still provided no audible warning. This issue has been intermittently reproducible but not consistent. It poses a significant risk to pedestrians and other drivers, particularly in low-visibility or driveway situations. Manufacturer's Response: The vehicle was inspected by Tesla. After one in-person service visit and extended discussions, Tesla service representatives stated there was “nothing more they could do” and that a buyback was the only next step. A buyback request was submitted by a Tesla representative but has not been acknowledged or resolved more than 45 days later.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668631June 23, 2025
SUSPENSION
The bolt that connects the control arm to the vehicle chassis fell out of the care (and was recovered) and the mechanic noted the other bolt was also very loose.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668616June 23, 2025
SEATS, AIR BAGS
Front Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor Defect – Tesla Vehicle In March 2025, my Tesla vehicle began displaying a warning message indicating a fault in the front passenger seat occupancy sensor system. I brought the car in for service on March 14, 2025, and the system was reportedly replaced. However, in April, the issue recurred — the seat sensor alarm would activate randomly, particularly after going over bumps, falsely indicating that a passenger was present when the seat was unoccupied. I returned the car to Tesla service, and they again claimed to have repaired the issue. Despite this, the false passenger occupancy alerts continued. In May, I contacted Tesla and submitted several videos clearly documenting the problem. Tesla performed a remote diagnostic and stated that the seat occupancy sensor was functioning as intended. On June 22, 2025, I brought the vehicle back in for in-person inspection. Tesla physically examined the vehicle and acknowledged that the false alarm could be reproduced in a similar model vehicle, effectively confirming a design defect. Despite this, Tesla maintained that the issue did not affect the safety or function of the front seat. I believe this defect presents two significant safety concerns: 1.The frequent false alarms are distracting during driving, increasing the risk of an accident. 2.The defect raises serious concerns about the reliability of airbag deployment and other safety systems, which rely on accurate seat occupancy detection in the event of a collision. I have video evidence and service documentation supporting the timeline and recurrence of this defect. The problem has been reviewed multiple times by Tesla service teams, both remotely and in person. Tesla has acknowledged the issue can be reproduced but has taken no corrective action. I have videos of the defect I can submit and documentation of my conversations with Tesla.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668493June 22, 2025
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
I owned the vehicle less than a month, using full supervised drive, FSD. Today 6/22/2025 1:45 PM almost had an accident. The vehicle was in the right made a left turn crossing a yellow line, then made a turn in a white line, in front of the vehicle behind me. I took control of the vehicle to proceed in the correct lane. On another occasion it made a right turn, corrected itself to the left lane as it should have done. I am hearing impaired, focus on the road, cannot look at the screen monitor while driving. The vehicle stopped, advised me FSD was inoperable, had to manual drive to my destination. There is no warning, alerts for the hearing impaired. Other issues driving in the wrong lane, then at the last minute changes to the correct lane, I am certain cutting off drivers. UNKNOWN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668372June 21, 2025
SEAT BELTS
Subject: Complaint Regarding Faulty Seat Belt on Tesla Vehicle (VIN: [XXX] ) Dear NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline, I am writing to formally report a safety concern regarding my Tesla vehicle, VIN [XXX] . I have experienced issues with the seat belt system, which I believe are related to a known defect. Despite this, my vehicle was not included in the recent recall for faulty seat belts. The problem I am facing is consistent with the conditions described in the recall notice, and I am concerned about the safety implications of continuing to use this defective component. I believe that my vehicle shares the same defect as the recalled units, and I request that NHTSA review this matter to determine whether my VIN should be included in the recall or whether further investigation is warranted. Please advise on the next steps I should take, and whether Tesla should be required to address this issue for my vehicle. Safety is a top priority, and I appreciate your attention to this matter. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, [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
#11667991June 19, 2025
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The bolts connecting the front upper control arm and steering knuckle may not have been tightened properly, potentially leading to detachment. This causes the car to have squeaky, leaking noises when going over bumps and making turns.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667889June 19, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
I am writing to raise a safety concern regarding the use of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system on my 2023 Tesla Model Y when a rear hitch-mounted bike rack is installed. Numerous users, including myself, have experienced dangerous or erratic behavior from FSD when carrying bicycles on a rear-mounted rack. Specific issues include: False detection of a trailing vehicle directly behind the car. Phantom braking or swerving, including abrupt lane changes or acceleration. Unreliable navigation at intersections (e.g., nearly running stop signs) due to apparent misinterpretation of sensor data. In some cases, tailgating or aggressive following behavior by the vehicle. These behaviors appear to stem from the FSD system misinterpreting the presence or visual signature of the rack and bikes as another vehicle. In several online reports, this has led to unsafe maneuvers. To temporarily mitigate the issue, some drivers have resorted to taping over the rear camera, which is neither safe nor user-friendly. While I recognize Tesla has made improvements such as camera obstruction warnings (e.g., in FSD v12.5.6+), these do not address the core misclassification problem. My requests: That Tesla officially acknowledge and investigate FSD misbehavior in the presence of rear-mounted bike racks. That Tesla provide clear driver guidance on whether FSD should be used when such a rack is installed. That the FSD system include an option for a “Bike Rack Mode” or alternative logic to prevent rear-camera misinterpretation. That this concern be escalated within your safety and AI development teams to ensure user safety is prioritized.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667864June 18, 2025
Carry Handle, Shell, Base
I am writing to formally report a safety concern involving the Cybex Calisto G 360 convertible car seat. The issue pertains to a persistent rattling noise that emanates from the seat, specifically from the area near the child’s footrest, just above the belt tensioner lock mechanism. This sound occurs consistently during vehicle operation, regardless of whether a child is seated or the seat is unoccupied. I contacted the manufacturer, and their response was as follows: “After our Product Team reviewed your claim, it was determined that the amount of rattle you hear is completely normal. It passes our quality review for sound. The specific sound that is heard is from the metal rod inside the belt tensioner door.” While I appreciate their response, I remain deeply concerned. A rattling sound originating from a critical restraint mechanism area warrants a thorough safety inspection. The explanation that it is “normal” does not ease concerns about potential long-term reliability, wear, or failure of a restraint system component. Given that this noise may indicate looseness or internal movement of a part involved in child restraint tensioning, I strongly believe this issue requires further investigation by independent safety professionals. Please let me know if any additional documentation, photos, or videos would help in assessing the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667530June 17, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I was driving at a speed of 60 miles per hour in rainy weather when the car’s emergency braking system suddenly activated. At the same time, the steering wheel locked due to the braking, and I completely lost control of the vehicle. The car spun multiple times before crashing into the center divider of the highway and finally coming to a stop. This was an extremely dangerous incident from a safety perspective. This was the first time such a braking malfunction occurred. The incident has not yet been investigated by the insurance company, and no warning or notification was displayed by the vehicle at any point.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11667408June 17, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTESTATE HWY I-70 EAST BOUND ON THE LEFT LANE AND I WAS ABOUT TO TAKE THE EXIST 62. I WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WAS RAINING AND THE ROAD WAS WET. WHEN I TRIED TO CHANGE THE LANE THE CAR AUTO BRAKED AND CAR SKID AND ROTATED 360 DEGREES AND HIT THE RAILING. THE CAR GOT DAMAGED FRONT AND BACK. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO VEHICLE NEAR US SO MY FAMILY WAS SAFE. BUT I DONT KNOW WHY THE CAR AUTO BRAKED AND ONE SHOULD NOT HARD BRAKE WHEN THE ROAD IS WET. I CALLED 911 AND TESLA INSURANCE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BODY SHOP AND THEY ARE DEEMING IT TOTAL LOSS. PLEASE TAKE NECESSARY ACTIONS SO IT DOESNOT HAPPEN AGAIN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667345June 17, 2025
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, SEATS
“Front passenger Safety restraint system fault, service required” RCM2_a636 message keeps appearing on the screen. It happened right after I bought the car, so I took it to Tesla to fix. It went away for a few months and now it’s back again. According to Tesla, this fault, “ Based on the airbag system's self-diagnostic checks, a persistent fault has been detected in one or more safety restraint components. This could involve seat belts, impact sensors, occupant sensors, or related safety components. • If the airbag warning indicator stays on, the vehicle should not be driven until inspected. • Recurring faults require immediate Tesla service attention. • Pre-tensioner or sensor damage can compromise proper seat belt functionality.” This is a serious safety issue that should be addressed in a recall as it could jeopardize occupant safety of the seat belts or air bags do not work. It also appears to be somewhat widespread and persistent. Tesla also does not appear to have a permanent fix as the first time I took it in they made a comment about one repair already having been done on this before I got the car as a certified used one from Tesla.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667319June 17, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Tesla's FSD functions slowly has been reduced in the last years. Firts Tesla disabled the double pull function, resulted taken away the standard cruise control function. Lately, the fully paid ($12000) FSD is not recognizing streetsigns anymore, which worked perfectly before. This function is crucial to manage speeds, lanes, pedestrians and school zones or just attend in public roads! Tesla service center refuses to fix this issue or offer any additional solutions! This is very concerning and those vehicles with full FSD are not safe to operate on public roads anymore! Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667272June 16, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Phantom braking on the highway. We were the only car and without warning the car slammed on the brakes. There was nothing for the vehicle to hit in the road or cross traffic.It did this 3x in 35 miles. This has happened both while just cruise control and when the full self driving was on. We are too worried to use either of there is any traffic around us. We have not been to dealership yet. Fast beeping when it hits the breaks. Have not seen any alarms.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667042June 15, 2025
SUSPENSION
The lower control arm of the passenger front wheel separated from the vehicle entirely while the vehicle was in motion. There are two bolts which attach the bushing to the front sub-frame assembly. These bolts pass through the frame and are secured into nuts which are affixed to the frame. The bolts are not captured; there is no retention device (pins, wiring) which prevent these bolts from backing out of position, other than torque. Blue thread-lock compound was visible on both bolts, which remained present in the bushing after the control arm separated from the frame. When the arm detached from the frame, it dropped to the asphalt and made a loud grinding noise. The passenger side front wheel became directionally unstable and rotated inward and left, out of alignment with the intact driver-side wheel. This misalignment, while the vehicle was in motion, disrupted steering control and forced the passenger front wheel into the fender, causing friction and significant further damage to the frame and the suspension. This damage, combined with the driver's actions, stopped the car immediately. Fortunately, this occurred at low speed. Unfortunately, the cumulative damage left the vehicle immobilized in the middle of public road. Due to the great weight of the vehicle and the unstable front wheel, the vehicle could not be removed from the roadway and thus blocked traffic for several hours. The bolts, frame, and control arm were not visibly damaged. The bolts lost torque and backed out of the frame without noticeable indication that they were doing so. Tesla's characterization of the fault was that the vehicle "ejected" the bolts. Tesla repaired the damage under warranty. Multiple reports of similar (visually identical) events are available: [XXX] [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
#11666886June 14, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving slowly at a parking lot of a supermarket and preparing to park on my right. When I saw a car on my left front backing up, I pressed on the brake pedal immediately and turned the wheel slightly to the right. All of a sudden, the Tesla accelerated on its own with a very strong force and high speed, with the wheel turned sharply on its own toward the right. The Tesla then run through the steel fence of the parking lot, flying past the sidewalk, and finally settled on top of a big rock on the ground (which is placed there to protect the supermarket building). All of these happened so fast with such a strong force and all in an unintended manner. I was not injured and luckily no other persons or vehicles were involved. However, the vehicle was totalled and there were damage of the supermarket property.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666524June 12, 2025
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
While driving, a persistent error appears on the screen with a chime: "Front left safety restraint system issue" (Error Code: RCM2_a128). After researching online, it appears this is a commonly reported issue among Tesla owners and may have serious safety implications. The error code RCM2_a128 indicates a fault in the vehicle’s safety restraint system, specifically related to the seat belt or restraint mechanism on the front left side.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666422June 11, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The car exhibited a noise from the drivers side (LH) rear brake caliper, car was brought into Tesla for repair and it was determined that "Technician Notes: Technician inspected and verified excessive noise from the driver's side rear brake when applied, as reported by the customer. The noise was caused by a loose brake caliper on the left rear side. The technician replaced the left rear brake caliper and performed a brake fluid bleed/flush to resolve the issue. After the repair, the technician confirmed that the brake noise was no longer present." Tesla Service. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Brake caliper coming loose reduces brake performance and could lead to catastrophic failure and accident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, see above. Tesla Service center "resolved" the issue by replacing the caliper. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No inspection, beyond Tesla service noted above. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lights, just a clicking sound from the caliper, sounded loose.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666241June 11, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owned a 2024 Tesla Model Y. The contact's daughter was driving at approximately 30 MPH when the vehicle had independently accelerated. The contact said that her daughter drove through an intersection and crashed into another vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into the other vehicle's driver's left front door. The contact stated that her vehicle's front end was crushed, and the other vehicle's driver's side door, driver's side rear wheel, and tailgate were damaged. The contact stated that both vehicles had to be towed. The contact stated that the air bags had deployed in her vehicle. The contact stated she drove her daughter to the hospital. The daughter only had pain in her neck and shoulders; there were no cuts or abrasions. The police arrived and issued an incident report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot, and the contact was advised by her insurance provider that the vehicle was a total loss. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,011.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11666057June 10, 2025
AIR BAGS, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
The primary safety restraint system, specifically the driver's side airbag, failed to deploy during a significant frontal impact collision. This severely compromised my personal safety, as my head struck the steering wheel with force, leading to injury and pain. Had the impact been more severe, the lack of airbag deployment could have led to much more serious, potentially life-threatening, injuries. Immediately after the impact, the primary braking system also malfunctioned, and the vehicle's warning and autopilot systems became compromised, posing further safety risks. The specific airbag non-deployment problem has not yet been reproduced or formally confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, vehicle is currently scheduled for its first post-accident inspection at a Tesla Collision Center address 6010 Richmond Ave, Houston TX 77057 on June 11, 2025, and is available for inspection. To date, the vehicle has not been formally inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives for these specific malfunctions. Police responded to the accident scene and filed a report, but no technical inspection was conducted by them. There were NO prior warning lamps, messages, or symptoms indicating a malfunction with the airbag system before the collision. However, immediately after the collision, the primary brakes failed and the warning system and autopilot system showed signs of malfunction/disruption; no specific warning lights related to these post-impact issues appeared prior to their malfunction.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11665868June 9, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owned a 2024 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that it was raining while driving on the highway at 45 MPH when the vehicle began to hydroplane, no warning lights were illuminated, The contact attempted to slow down their vehicle however upon depressing the brake pedal the vehicle would not stop, and the vehicle immediatley spun around 2 times before crashing into a concrete barrier with the rear and front end of their vehicle. No property damage was reported, and the vehicle came to a stop upon impact. The airbags did not deploy. The vehicle did not need to be towed. The hazard warning light was illuminated, and warning messages were displayed stating that cameras had been damaged. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was driven back to the contacts residence, and from there, towed to a local Tesla dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and it was declared a total loss. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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