Tesla Model Y Complaints (2023)

1,136 consumer complaints on file.

#11633477January 1, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Cameras not working suddenly, navigation software hung in last location coordinates, auto pilot and it’s safety features not working Backup cameras not working , creating blind spot while reversing the car Not sure what caused the issue , there was an over wire update few days back maybe that is causing it Reported to Tesla service but appointments are backed out seems many cars has this issue recently in last 1-2 months
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633121December 30, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and attempting to reverse, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle stopped. The contact regained control of the vehicle on the curb. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632525December 26, 2024
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, STEERING
On [XXX] at [XXX] on [XXX] I experienced a sudden malfunction of steering control of my Tesla Model Y, followed by a rightward movement initiated by vehicle automation and potentially amplified due to the steering malfunction. The vehicle then collided with an 18-wheeler truck on the right lane and came to a stop on the middle lane. I was driving past Tracy CA on [XXX] towards Modesto on a personal trip to Merced with my daughter, [XXX] , in the front passenger seat to drop her off. Fortunately, there was no casualty or injury from this incident. We are fortunate enough to have survived physically unscathed. A difference of few seconds could have led to significant injuries or impairment. Pictures attached show the steering wheel position turned to the left at about 160 degrees, while the front wheels turned to the right at about 20-30 degrees. For a right turn it’s about a 220-degree position, which is not possible by a single swipe of the steering wheel. Please note, the front wheel position in below picture cannot be justified either way. The steering wheel and front wheel remained frozen in this position when high voltage battery supply got disconnected at crash. This proves the turn of the wheel, thereby the movement of my vehicle to the right was not caused by my steering wheel control. Vehicle Automation Engaged related to this safety incident- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems such as Autopilot, Lane Assist, Collision Avoidance Assist and other safety features were active during this incident. There were no audio or visual warnings related to lane departure, forward collision or blind spot on the vehicle dashboard. The vehicle was declared a total loss by the insurance carrier, Tesla Insurance and currently in possession of their salvage vendor Copart, Title Express. Tesla Service refused to do any inspection of the components involved in this failure while the vehicle was at the body shop, Carstar Chilton Autobody, San Carlos, CA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632199December 23, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Main Display went completely dark and Required Rebooting of the Car when attempting to move the car from the PARKED state to DRIVE state. This was the second occurence of this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631994December 22, 2024
SUSPENSION
The lower lateral link got disconnected from front suspension. Bolt wasn’t tightened to spec originally.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631982December 21, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Heads do not work properly. Dark spots appear during night time driving. While driving during night you can see portions of the left side of the road. This car was bought brand new and I have made two appointments to correct this problem. But was told it was normal. Can’t see a portion of the road so this is definitely not normal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631710December 20, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle drove on it’s own with no driver in while charging.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631704December 19, 2024
STEERING
Vehicle control arms need to be replaced as suggested by the service department. They are currently clicking because they are not secure. I truly believe this is a safety hazard. Arms cannot be replaced for another month. Seems to be a widespread issue from my research. If arm fails, driver would lose control of the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631331December 18, 2024
SUSPENSION, WHEELS, POWER TRAIN
Front suspension axel system failed two bolts fell off left wheel arm causing me to lose control of vehicle. I was in the vehicle with my children I was driving out my mothers driveway less than 5mph when the incident occurred I do not even want to imagine what could have happened if I was driving the vehicle on a high way or at a high speed. Tesla representatives I have spoke to over the phone have said them selves this is common and I have read multiple articles online this is a safety issue if this happens on a highway this would and could cause fatalities. The vehicle did not prompt any warnings or messages. Prior to this incident occurring I reached out to Tesla because vehicle had been making a clicking noise and the soonest appointment they had available was not until January. The vehicle has been towed to Tesla Van Nuys CA and two different tow truck companies did not want to be involved so Tesla road side had to do the tow all 3 tow truck drivers agreed this is definitely a safety issue and common issue with TESLA this needs to be recalled.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631186December 17, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
Was driving in traffic and when the cars were coming to a stop I was putting my foot on the break to prepare for a stop but it kept creeping forward and I’m pushing down the breaks as hard as I could but nothing. It ended up hitting the big rig in front of me. The mode of my breaks is on hold it’s always been on hold I even tried to push the parking button but it would not budge, continued forward the collision stopped the car
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631086December 16, 2024
STEERING
While driving, I experienced abnormal steering control. I am not sure if it’s a mechanical or electronic issue. The vehicle was towed to a local towing facility. I have reported the issue to Tesla but have not received a response regarding an inspection or next steps. This could be a potential safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630997December 16, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Accident report [XXX] I was driving on [XXX] fort smith ar to Bentonville Car was on autopilot, it was raining on and off and with all other cars we were driving around 70-80 mph All the sudden it started a short slip on the right then second after that it started spinning and took us out of the road car totaled car. I believe problem is autopilot did not disengage when car started to slip but instead it was still on until the car got out of the road and hit a large tree. This is 3rd time for me to have this type of accident with same situation slip then spin then out of the road. I believe autopilot is the problem here 100%. This autopilot system is very dangerous. I had enough of this and im hoping national highway traffic system will step in. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630772December 15, 2024
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
There is a steering malfunction, with my Tesla Model Y it completely locks up and the steering is disabled. The steering doesn’t move at all the following warning and codes appeared on the dashboard. DI a223 Traction control disabled Drive with caution DL a222 Stability control disabled Drive with caution GTW_w074 Steering assist reduced Steering may require increased effort Ul_a020 Steering assist reduced Steering may require increased effort. Now this is the second time it has happened within few months. It was taken to the dealership with the same complaint this was their diagnoses Concern: Customer states: Feature Availability & Settings - Steering is disabled, park assist disabled , stability control disabled, traction control disabled, vehicle hold disabled Repair Notes: Confirmed customer concern. Removed and replaced steering rack, after replacement all systems operating as designed Correction: General Diagnosis Correction: Steering Rack (Dual Motor) (Remove & Replace) - Remove and Replace Parts Replaced or Added Part Quantity STEERING GEAR - LEFT 1.00 HAND DRIVE(1188832-00- A) NUT&WSHR[SW],M14X1.5, 2.00 [10],ZNFL,PTP(1109263- 00-B). There is a serious and unsafe issue with this car. A potential disaster waiting to happen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630696December 14, 2024
AIR BAGS
My car was hit by another car in front left corner and side door at very high impact. Car has severe damaged and it is totaled now. Air bags on the driver side did not deploy even at such high impact. No air bags were deployed. There was only one person, myself driver, in the car. Police came and investigated the accident and filed report. I have also submitted the air bags issue to Tesla.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630540December 13, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
AUTO PARKING FEATURE MALFUNCTION AND BACKED RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL AND BUMPER INTO A YELLOW POLE IN A PARKING SPOT.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629671December 9, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
At 10:11 PM driving on 95 south at 78 miles per hour the car stopped on its own violently braking and swerved across the intersection. Then we kept getting alerts about the cameras. I have pictures of the alerts. There was no obstruction on the highway. Car just braked for no reason. Very scary
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629491December 8, 2024
ENGINE
This vehicle radiator protection is defective where rocks are able to hit the radiator and at some point the Tesla notified me that the radiator had leaked and it is safe to continue driving. I continue to drive and monitor the radiator level as I waited for a scheduled appointment. When I brought my vehicle to the appointment, they said that because I drove the vehicle while the radiator fluid leaked I damaged certain components that now I would be responsible to replace. Believe not only Tesla‘s vehicle notification was misleading, they have defective protection for the radiator and all model Y vehicles if not all Teslas have the same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627883November 29, 2024
SUSPENSION
In August 2024 with roughly 7,000 miles, I noticed a creaking sound when turning left. This issue was intermittent and the sound was getting louder over time. I made a service appointment at the next available date (10/8/2024) at the Tesla Service Center in Fresno, California, and the service technician was unable to duplicate the sound on a test drive and refused to look at my car. The issue became more persistent and louder over time. I took my car to my local tire shop on 11/26/2024 because the car no longer felt safe to drive due to the loud creaking or popping sound when turning left. The steering also felt very loose overall. The local tire shop advised me that the right control arm was about to fall out and the car is absolutely not safe to drive and a major safety hazard. Therefore, I towed the car to the Tesla service center in Fresno California, and they repaired the right control arm under warranty and aligned the car. There were no on-screen warnings - just the sound I was hearing. Tesla ignored my concerns in October 2024 and their refusal to look at my car then could have potentially caused me to lose control of the vehicle and potentially get into a serious accident where myself or others got hurt. Since loss of steering is serious, it could have potentially resulted in death. This is a common issue with Teslas and it was absolutely unacceptable that they would not inspect my car in October when I specifically described the concern and said that I feared it was the control arms based on my research.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627802November 27, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While Driving, the system prompt electrical system failure. pull to the road side. within 20 or so seconds, the car lost power. About 10 minutes or so later, the whole car (emergency light, door, trunk etc lost power too. Consider the car lost driving power in seconds, then lost emergency light can be highly dangerous to all parties. Before the failure, the car shows "front motor is disabled, power is reduced, OK to drive" This OK to drive turns out not OK to drive, misleading. Now the car is fixed (yet to pickup), reason Front drive unit and pyro fuse were replaced (new car, but with refurnished part).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627779November 27, 2024
SEAT BELTS
This incident occurred repeatedly during travel from 6/28/2024-7/2/2024, the last time we had a passenger in the seat of interest. The right rear seatbelt kept tightening around the passenger to the point of extreme discomfort and eventually interference with breathing. The only resolution was to unfasten and refasten the seatbelt. The tightening effect occurred when the passenger adjusted her body in the seat or when the car experienced even minor bumps in the road. This repeated in a short cycle, approximately every 5-10 minutes, causing such irritation as to force the passenger to travel without the seatbelt buckled, despite repeated attempts to make the seatbelt operate correctly. This is obviously extremely unsafe--and illegal in many states, and in some cases negating insurance coverage, etc. Although this particular incident occurred in the vehicle noted earlier in this form, it also occurred in our 2015 Model S Tesla (now sold) on the right front side and in our currently owned 2018 Tesla Model 3, also on the right front side. We reported the original occurrence of the problem (Model S) to Tesla several times, and they inspected the seatbelt. There conclusion was always the same, as they stated to us, that the seatbelt was operating correctly, by design. We tired of reporting the issue. I know for a fact that for a correctly operating seatbelt, it may momentarily lock when bumps occur, then the lock releases. The seatbelts are available for inspection on request. There were no warning or error indicators presented in the car except the standard indication when the seatbelt was unfastened (intentionally).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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