Tesla Model Y Complaints
3,785 consumer complaints on file.
- #11700216November 18, 2025STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Currently on the newest Tesla Full Self Driving software v14.1.4, it is phantom breaking as well as phantom swearing out of nowhere. It is swerving and using the breaks so hard it actually affects the steering wheel and self disengages it's self (without the big-loud safety alert to immediately take over control), it just does the soft disengage audio notification, like if you wanted to cancel FSD yourself. The serious problem is that the car does not stop like it should, instead it just continues it seems like it just neutrally rolls on its own drive and twice in the last week it would swerve directly into oncoming traffic. It is not supposed to be doing this at all, especially now that the "hands off" approval is enacted. I drive about 450 miles a week and this has happened about twice a week for the last two weeks. Thank god i was paying attention all four times, but I am so worried this is going to kill someone. I have tried to call TESLA but they purposely don't staff their phones and no one answers.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699999November 17, 2025LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Self driving was maintaining vehicle. Looked at roadway before reaching down to passengers side for water bottle. The weight shift in the seat turned the self driving off immediately while turning sharp left. The Tesla Model Y crossed the left interstate lane barely missing an 18-wheeler. Drove 80mph in the central ditch, branches, and rocks. Car was still in drive, and rolled up to roadside which was covered in dust. The two eighteen-wheelers that I cut off then Drove away, and drove tesla to next exit to see damage.(dashcam footage available.)
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699973November 17, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VISIBILITY/WIPER
On November 16, 2025, my Tesla Model Y experienced a complete and dangerous failure while driving. The touchscreen went totally blank and stopped responding. All essential driving information and safety functions were lost, including speedometer, gear selection, turn signals, HVAC/defrost, and vehicle controls. At the same time, the car made a continuous loud humming/buzzing sound and displayed a low coolant warning. This made the vehicle unsafe to operate because I could not see my speed, cannot shift properly, and could not access any safety controls. This is the second time my vehicle has experienced a critical malfunction. The first major incident occurred on July 28, 2025. A complaint has been filed with the NHTSA under tracking number 11676662. Both failures involved sudden loss of essential functions, raising serious concerns about electrical, cooling system, or display system defects. I am reporting this because it is a serious safety risk and could lead to vehicle loss of control, inability to signal, or inability to see speed or gear position. The problem has been reported to Tesla and is pending evaluation at a Tesla service center. Warning messages and symptoms appeared at the moment of failure with no prior signs.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699671November 16, 2025FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
While driving in rain at night, the vehicle’s automated driving system attempted to make a turn at an intersection near active train tracks. Instead of remaining on the roadway, the system steered the vehicle directly onto the train tracks, where the vehicle became stuck between the tracks and the paved road surface. All four tires were damaged, and the vehicle could not return to the travel lane under its own control. If a train had been approaching, this situation could have resulted in a severe or fatal collision. I had to manually reverse the vehicle a significant distance to return to the roadway. The malfunction appeared to result from the automated driving system misidentifying the roadway under rain and low-visibility conditions. This suggests a recurring risk for any vehicle using the system at this location in similar conditions. The safety issue has not yet been inspected or confirmed by the manufacturer. No warning lights or alerts were displayed prior to the incident. The affected components and system are available for inspection upon request. I also have dash-cam video of the incident documenting the event.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699670November 16, 2025SEAT BELTS
Rear passenger seat buckle not working. We have always had a car seat that was tethered at this seat and have not had to use the seat buckle until yesterday when we decided to reconfigure to high back booster configuration and tried to use the seat belt to buckle the kid in.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699656November 16, 2025UNKNOWN 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, 2025UNKNOWN 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
- #11699613November 15, 2025SEATS
The driver’s seat material is deteriorating prematurely on the left bolster area. The damage affects the structural support of the seat edge, which causes the driver to shift position unexpectedly during turns, braking, and lane changes. This instability can delay reaction time and reduces secure seating posture. The deterioration is progressive, and if it continues, the driver may not remain firmly supported, which creates a safety risk under normal driving conditions. This also suggests a potential materials or manufacturing defect for this model year.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699583November 15, 2025UNKNOWN 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
- #11699556November 15, 2025VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
The car don't run well
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699553November 15, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I dropped my kids to school and started reversing the car without seatbelts. Thinking that I will get out of the parking lot and then put the seatbelt on. Car will stop and goes into park mode. Somehow I came out of the parking lot and about to put and drive again same thing. Car will go into park mode. Somehow I started coming out of the parking lot and took a pause. Same thing again car stops and goes into park mode. It was almost the car behind me about to hit. I guess this is a bug of the “Hold” mode.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699503November 14, 2025SUSPENSION
While parking the car, the bolts on the front lower control arm/tension link—part of the front suspension assembly—came off entirely. Our family, including our two children, were in the car, and the situation was terrifying. If this failure had occurred while we were driving, it could have resulted in a major, life-threatening accident.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699446November 14, 2025FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I am writing to report critical safety issues I’ve experienced while using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software version 14.1.3. The recent update has introduced several dangerous behaviors that were not present in previous versions. One issue occurs frequently on neighborhood roads: the vehicle performs sudden emergency braking for no valid reason. For example, during one drive, it abruptly stopped because a few leaves blew across the road. There were no pedestrians, vehicles, or real obstacles present. These false-positive braking events are alarming and could easily cause a rear-end collision. An even more concerning issue arises during highway driving. The car now repeatedly swerves partially into adjacent lanes—without signaling—and then abruptly returns to its original lane. This happens constantly, even in light traffic, and it did not occur in previous versions of the software. This erratic behavior is incredibly dangerous and could easily cause sideswipe accidents or create confusion for surrounding drivers. It is clear that version 14.1.3 is a regression from earlier versions. The system’s decisions are more erratic, less confident, and frequently unsafe. I no longer trust the FSD to operate reliably in environments where it previously performed well. I urge your agency to investigate this software update as it presents a real and growing hazard on public roads.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699280November 13, 2025FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving ~40 mph with no Autopilot or cruise control active, my 2024 Model Y suddenly braked itself from 40 → 0 mph for no reason. The road ahead was clear. I did not touch the brake. My 3-year-old was in the car. We were nearly rear-ended and could have been seriously injured. When I went to Tesla Service, the manager insisted I must pay a $270 diagnostic fee unless they “find a problem,” while also saying the incident was likely caused by “shadows.” This makes me believe they will simply say “no issue found” and charge me despite this being a severe safety malfunction. When I reached out to Tesla Customer Support, they stated it was a known issue. This poses a serious risk of rear-end collisions, injuries, or fatality, and Tesla is not addressing it.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699265November 13, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
First cold day of the year and the heater stopped working. With the heater not available the windshield couldn’t be cleared it would always fog and cover the windshield blocking the view infront of the vehicle. Next couple days it was even cooler and the windshield was frozen with no way of heating and clearing the view. Yes the issue was reproduced by the service center upon taking the vehicle there once the vehicle was a little warm. Tesla service center mentioned there was an internal fault in the compressor which they can’t be clear so have to replace a compressor, exv valve, pressure temperature sensors and coolant. Vehicle was parked when I tried to turn the heat on in the morning it would just blow cool air. No warning before the failure. Once the compressor faulted it would give a warning “vcfront_a447” cabin climate control system requires service. And just blow cold air everytime the vehicle is started. If turning on heat from the phone app or inside the cabin it would blows cold air for about 10 mins then it will show the warning lamp.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699256November 13, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving straight on a local street at less than 15 miles per hour using Tesla's full self driving latest software version 14.1.4 when all of a sudden, the car accelerated and veered off to the right and hit another vehicle which was stationary and not moving. I tried to step on the brake prior to collision, but I couldn't stop my car. The collision caused significant body damage on both vehicles. I drive a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The accident took place 2 days after I installed Tesla's latest software update, which full self driving, version 14.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699147November 13, 2025SUSPENSION
On my way home about 2 mi from my house. I heard a little clunk noise coming from the front of my car and I keep driving and I hit a bump. It sounded really loud so I really drove slow. I got home back into my garage. I can hear it really loud sound from the front. The next morning I jacked my car up pull the wheels out. Was checking to see where the noise coming from. What I notice on one side the bolts on my lower positioning arm both were halfway out. Check on you other side of it. The bolt were totally out and resting on the bottom plate of the car. So I went ahead and tried to put it back in. I was able to screw it back in. The bolts were okay. I removed the bolts and looked at it and was still in good shape so able to rethread it back in and tighten it up. This looks like a situation where these bolts will never screw them properly, so that's the reason why I want to report it. I was reading online lot of people having the same problem with this 2023 Tesla y models. The other thing is this could have been very dangerous. It could just broke off and fell. I could have crashed. Maybe kill someone or myself.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699135November 13, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Missing required interior emergency release button in frunk per FMVSS 401
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11699130November 13, 2025UNKNOWN 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
- #11699080November 12, 2025SUSPENSION
I am reporting a safety defect involving loose lower control arm bolts on my 2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range (VIN: [XXX] ), discovered at 33,008 miles. We purchased the vehicle brand new, and it has no modifications or repairs to the suspension. On 09/02/2024, a warning light appeared. At the time, I did not know if it was related to the suspension. In the weeks after, I began noticing popping/clunking noises when turning or going over bumps, and the steering felt noticeably looser and less stable. On 11/08/2024, the issue was identified: bolts on the lower control arm were backing out and were extremely loose. On 11/11/2024, during a scheduled Tesla service visit, I drove the vehicle to the service center and demonstrated the noises and steering issues. Tesla technicians inspected the vehicle and confirmed it was unsafe to drive due to the loose control arm bolts. This is a serious safety concern. Loose or backing-out lower control arm bolts can lead to loss of steering control or suspension separation, creating a high risk of a crash. The vehicle did not provide a clear suspension-related warning prior to this issue, and the problem would not have been noticeable to an average driver until it became severe. Because this occurred on a well-maintained, unmodified vehicle with just over 33,000 miles, I am concerned this may indicate a broader manufacturing or quality-control issue affecting other Tesla Model Y vehicles. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this defect for potential patterns and determine whether a recall or corrective action 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