Tesla Model Y Complaints (2026)

327 consumer complaints on file.

#11699656November 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The front trunk (Frunk) has no emergency release. The older models have one but the one I picked up recently was “removed”. If it were to close with someone inside, there is no way to get out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699652November 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is no release button in the front trunk. 7 year old got inside and was unable to get out until someone got to the control on the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699583November 15, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The frunk doesn’t contain an emergency release button. I believe this is required by law per FMVSS 401.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699135November 13, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Missing required interior emergency release button in frunk per FMVSS 401
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699130November 13, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The front compartment “frunk” of the vehicle has no safety feature or emergency release latch. This is seriously concerning in case a child or kid gets inside and the trunk is closed for some reason, there would be no way for the person inside to get out by themselves. I contacted Tesla about this two weeks ago and they scheduled a visit which they, a technician later called on 11/12/25 to inform me they didn’t believe there was any requirement for the vehicle to have an emergency release feature inside the front Trunk. The service tech canceled my appointment request for a fix.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699029November 12, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
My 2026 Tesla Model Y with under 3,000 miles experienced a sudden and total loss of power steering while driving. The car became extremely difficult to control. Tesla towed it to their service center, where they claimed it was a software-related issue that could not be replicated. The service center released the car back to me but refused to provide written assurance that the vehicle is safe to drive, stating only that it is “cleared for release.” I’m concerned this issue could reoccur, creating a risk of loss of control and injury. The lack of transparency and refusal to confirm the vehicle’s safety in writing raises serious safety concerns about potential defects in the steering or software systems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698681November 10, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Description of Problem: The 2026 Tesla Model Y does not include an interior emergency release button inside the front trunk (commonly referred to as the “frunk”). Under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 401 (49 C.F.R. § 571.401), all passenger vehicles with a front- or rear-opening trunk compartment are required to have an interior emergency trunk release mechanism that allows a person to exit if accidentally trapped. Safety Risk: This missing feature presents a significant entrapment hazard, especially for children or smaller individuals who may become enclosed in the frunk either accidentally or during cleaning or maintenance. There is no way to open the frunk from the inside, which could result in suffocation, heat exposure, or death. The lack of an emergency release mechanism makes it impossible for an occupant to self-rescue if trapped. The vehicle and frunk assembly are available for inspection upon request. Problem Confirmation: This issue has been reproduced and confirmed directly by observation—no emergency release mechanism or glow-in-the-dark handle is present inside the frunk. As of now, Tesla has not confirmed the problem and the company is aware of this omission as stated in their owners manual Inspections Conducted: The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance, or any independent service center regarding this specific issue Warning Lamps/Messages: There were no warning lamps, alerts, or messages indicating the absence of the emergency release system. The issue was discovered during routine use and inspection of the front trunk area Other Tesla vehicles, including earlier Model Y and Model 3 units, are equipped with an illuminated emergency release handle in the rear trunk. However, the 2026 Model Y frunk lacks any such release mechanism, suggesting a potential design change or oversight that could warrant a federal safety recall. Attached will be pictures of the cars manufactured before and after 9/2025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698425November 9, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, WHEELS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
On November 4, 2025, I believe my New Tesla (only 2 month old) had just updated to a new software version. That morning, when I tried to start the car to drive to Walgreens Pharmacy, the vehicle did not start — the screen was locked. I pressed the brake pedal several times, but there was no response. Then I pressed the accelerator and the brake again, and the car finally started. I believe i turned on the Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode as usual. The car backed out of my garage and moved only about ten houses down our street when I suddenly felt it was out of control, and within seconds, it hit a stationary vehicle on our street. I did not hear Forward Collision Warning or feel the Automatic Braking system engage. The tesla report told me that the collision warning failure and the Safety systems are affected, and the passage side (front right) tire shows 0 psi) . The The damage was highly unusual — although I was driving slowly, approximately 10 to 15 miles per hour on my street, the front wheel became completely detached from the suspension, the suspension itself was severely damaged, However, the rest of the car’s body sustained with minimal impact. I had hard time to find Tesla service to help me, so I contacted Allstate and they had a towing company to transport the vehicle to Gwatney Collision Center, the only Tesla-certified body shop in our area.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697928November 6, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FSD was unable to avoid object in road, may be due to how the adaptive headlights work as I was unable to see the object as well FSD/adaptive headlights may may it hard or impossible to see objects on road at night No In the process of a insurance claim No
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697546November 5, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There isn’t an emergency release in the front trunk of my tesla
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697190November 3, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I currently have a 2026 Tesla Model Y and was unfortunately involved in a collision due to what appears to be a Full Self-Driving (FSD) software failure. I had engaged FSD mode while driving my child to his doctor’s appointment. The navigation directed me through narrow residential streets. While traveling on a narrwow residential street, I encountered a garbage truck stopped in the middle of the road, blocking traffic. My vehicle came to a stop behind the truck (with FSD engaged and my full attention on the road). The FSD system then began to “lurk” forward, seemingly assessing whether it could pass the truck through a very tight space on the left side. At first, I was uncertain whether there was enough clearance, but I decided to trust the FSD’s judgment, as it relies on multiple exterior cameras for precise distance evaluation—far more accurate than what I could estimate from inside the vehicle. However, as the vehicle attempted to proceed, I immediately heard and felt a long scrape along the right side of my car. It became clear that the FSD system had miscalculated the available space, and the gap was too narrow for my vehicle to pass safely. As a result, the right side of my car sustained significant damage, including both wheel caps/rims, both doors, the side panel, and the rear bumper. The impact occurred against the metal fender of the garbage truck. I am deeply concerned that this incident—caused by a software error—may occur again and to others, resulting in more serious outcomes. I am attaching photos of the vehicle, the accident scene, and the repair estimate.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697091November 3, 2025
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH:EMERGENCY MECHANICAL RELEASE
There is no safety frunk release to open the hood from inside if a child is trapped inside.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696375October 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn on the car does not work at high speeds. I believe they replaced the horn with a small speaker, at speeds with wind, it is unusable. Needs a better speaker or an actual horn.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696190October 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Full self driving disengage with no warning and won’t start up again. Unsafe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696007October 28, 2025
SUSPENSION
I recently purchased a new Tesla Model Y (Juniper refresh). The vehicle has a loud clunking/creaking noise coming from the front suspension at low speeds, especially when driving over small bumps, turning into driveways, or when the road surface is uneven. The noise is noticeable inside the cabin and feels like a mechanical component is shifting. I brought the vehicle to Tesla Service. They confirmed the noise and told me it is not caused by the damper assembly but is a known issue that Tesla’s engineering team is currently investigating. However, no permanent fix is currently available, and the issue has not been resolved. I am concerned that this may be related to a suspension component failure or premature wear that could impact steering stability or control over time. Since this affects a brand-new vehicle and others have reported similar symptoms online, I believe this should be monitored as a potential safety defect. I am requesting that NHTSA track this issue to ensure Tesla provides a proper correction and repair campaign if necessary.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695965October 28, 2025
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH:EMERGENCY MECHANICAL RELEASE
Description of the problem: The front trunk (“frunk”) of my 2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper is missing the interior emergency release button and light. This component, which was present in earlier Model Y versions, allows a person trapped inside the frunk to open it from the inside. In my vehicle, there is no visible button, glow-in-the-dark handle, or wiring harness for this feature. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The malfunction involves the frunk emergency release mechanism (illumination and release button assembly). The component appears to have been omitted during manufacturing. The frunk and all relevant panels are available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Without an interior release, a person—especially a child—could become trapped in the front trunk with no way to exit, posing a risk of suffocation or heat-related injury. The frunk is large enough for a small child to enter and can be closed from outside the vehicle. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue was confirmed by Tesla Service, which stated the vehicle was “built as designed” without the interior emergency release. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Yes. The vehicle was inspected by a Tesla Service Center representative. No other inspections have been performed. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. There were no warning lights or error messages. The absence of the emergency release was discovered immediately after delivery. Assessment: The removal of this safety mechanism may violate the intent of FMVSS 401and presents a potential safety hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695916October 27, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Tesla FSD v14.1.3 feels unsafe for the typical “average” driver because it no longer allows users to set a maximum speed limit offset when using the Standard driving profile. In FSD v13, drivers could specify a max speed offset—such as 10% or 15% above the posted limit—when FSD was enabled. However, this option is no longer available in FSD v14. As a result, FSD v14 in the Standard profile often speeds on highways and makes aggressive lane changes to pass slower vehicles. This behavior feels unsafe and stressful for most everyday drivers. Tesla should restore the ability for each driver to set their own comfortable max speed limit and reduce the aggressiveness of lane changes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695774October 27, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:BLINDSPOT:SENSORS
The contact owned a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle made a left turn independently onto oncoming traffic while on autopilot, causing her to collide with another vehicle, and the vehicle caught fire during the incident. The contact stated that air bags deployed. The contact stated his wife sustained major injuries to the spine and spleen, causing her to have surgery, a right shoulder fracture, and multiple fractures to the right side of her face, a concussion to the head, right eye laceration, and both arms, a fractured nose. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to Owens Body Shop. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire on the scene. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact mentioned the seat belt had retracted during the impact. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed the contact about a USB drive in the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11695694October 26, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving my 2026 Tesla Model Y on October 24, 2025, the Autopilot system disengaged twice on regular city roads, causing the car to suddenly stop in traffic. A new “Attention Control” feature silently required small steering inputs without any sound alert, which distracted me from the road. The lack of audible warning and sudden disengagement created a serious safety risk for me and surrounding drivers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695656October 26, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
TESLA FSD Issues: 1. Phantom braking sudden to a full stop for no known reason in the middle of the road, throwing my dogs into the floor and the car stopped completely on the highway. If an infant had been in the car Ina car seat, their neck could have been broken 2. Sudden jerkiness when making turns 3. In one case the car suddenly changed lanes and was a close encounter. 4. FSD system is now completely non-functioning. 5. These issues started about about 1 month ago and worsened in the past 1 week after the latest software update. TESLA Premium Connectivity Navigation Issue 1. Instead of taking me on main roads to my destination, it has been taking me down rural, isolated dirt roads. In one case I was directed to a dirt, logging road, isolated and dangerous terrain. I had to turn around in a secluded area and the navigation system kept directing me to dirt roads, although main roads were close by once I opened my iPhone for directions. 2. In Lynchburg, VA the navigation directed me towards an exceptionally steep downgrade to the river and would have been a catastrophe 3. These issues started this weekend [XXX] Door Locks 1. Door locks respond occasionally and there have been times I left the car assuming it would lock but it had not. There is no rhyme or reason to this. 2. This issue started [XXX] I am following up with Tesla next but thought you should be made aware. I did the recent Tesla software update and things just got worst. 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

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