Tesla Model Y Complaints

3,785 consumer complaints on file.

#11749826July 12, 2026
STEERING
The electronic power assisted steering (EPAS) rack on my 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced an internal electronic failure. The failure first occurred while the vehicle was performing an automated parking maneuver (Autopark) at low speed. The vehicle displayed the warning "Steering assist reduced / Steering may require increased effort" (alert UI_a020_SteeringReduced). Using the vehicle's built-in Service Mode, I retrieved the underlying diagnostic fault: EPAS3P_a072_motFeedFwdError, described by the vehicle as "Motor control feed-forward correlation error," set when the difference between estimated motor torque and commanded torque exceeds 1.2 Nm. The vehicle's own diagnostic screen lists the clear condition for this fault as "Replace EPAS," indicating an internal hardware failure of the primary EPAS module. The listed potential impact is "Reduced steering assist and EAC inhibited." The fault initially cleared after approximately three minutes but returned and is now latched: it persists through vehicle reboots and multiple drive cycles. While the fault is active, power steering assist is reduced and lane keeping assistance / active safety steering features are inoperative. Safety risk: steering assist can degrade without warning during low-speed maneuvers, requiring sudden and substantially increased steering effort, and lane keeping assistance is disabled. The failure occurred while an automated driving feature was in control of the steering, with no curb impact, collision, or abnormal use.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749824July 12, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Tesla Y on the freeway, FSD on(Full Self Driving), driving at 70 mph. I saw the cars ahead are slowing but my car was not slowing, so I braked and held the steering wheel firmly. However, my car still hit the car in front at 36 mph. The airbag deployed and luckily I only sprained my thumb in both hands in holding the steering wheel very hard. If I didn't take over my car would have hit the car in front at 70 mph. I downloaded Tesla "Vehicle Data Report" and it shows that the "FSD was active, Cruise Control State was active, Driver Monitoring Detection was detected and I applied the brake. I used FSD for over 3 years and no problem at all, until the accident. The Tesla Data shows that the FSD malfunctioned that caused the accident but my insurance told me that it was my fault and they increased my insurance for $227 a month.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#11749812July 12, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Tesla's FSD system has ZERO opportunity for the driver to adjust what the car believes is the speed limit. My car often has no idea what the speed limit is. More often than not, it believes the speed limit is lower than it actually is, by as much as 30 MPH. This causes the car to impede traffic if I do not intervene. I can press and hold the accelerator to force the car to drive the speed limit, however I am then faced with a warning that the car will not automatically brake in an emergency. I run my car in "Sloth" or "Chill" 99% of the time to prevent speeding (something you should actually enforce), and this is really where the issue becomes somewhat problematic. If I'm on a 55 MPH road driving 55-57 and the car suddenly decides the speed limit is 30, in sloth, it will decelerate aggressively, making people behind me think I'm nuts... could potentially be dangerous. Recently I was on a "new" road into a campground, a couple days after school ended and there were children around, the speed limit on the road is posted at 20... the car said [XXX], and proceeded to accelerate aggressively of course I terminated the FSD session and just drove the car myself. But no matter which way it is, it's insane that I cannot adjust the speed limit to whatever the speed limit actually is. I own this car, and I pay for FSD for one reason, I'm getting older [XXX], and my driving skills and reflexes are not what they used to be. I'm spending my money to increase safety... please insist that Tesla allow us to adjust the speed limit, or provide a way to get them to do it in a timely manner. I report these situations to Tesla often... not once have they adjusted whatever they use in the background... same problems on the same roads over and over and over, day after day. Please force them to do the right thing! 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
#11749760July 11, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY, WHEELS
I purchased a used 2023 Tesla Model Y from Tesla in Austin, Texas. Upon and after delivery I discovered the following safety defects that were not disclosed to me prior to purchase: the front left door is completely off its hinges and scratching, the rear right door does not shut properly, the passenger side window is not seating correctly in its track, the front left tire is damaged, and both wheel rims have visible chipping and damage. Tesla's own delivery managers documented all of this in their system at the time of delivery. I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle. I have escalated to Tesla executive leadership and filed complaints with the BBB and Texas Attorney General.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749701July 11, 2026
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
Recurring front passenger safety restraint system fault causing incorrect occupant detection for airbag deployment. Failed and was ‘repaired’ 3 times since 2024, including 2 consecutive failed repairs of the same part within the last 3 months. Tesla service advisor also mentioned informally this is a common issue. Tesla is now refusing further no-cost repair despite both recent repairs remaining under Tesla’s own parts warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749672July 10, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A Tesla vehicle passed by me and my kid while we are trying to get into the car, it just stopped in front of my parking spot to block my car. Then I got down and checked there is a no driver. I took a picture of the license plate and side view of car where no one is there in the car. It was terrifying since no one is in the parking lot we came after a movie and entered the parking lot to get our car. This smart driving needs to be banned or restricted without driver.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749426July 9, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
June 30, I was driving an highway, PA 376 during a rain storm, FSD 60 MPH 4-5 PM. The rain was heavy, vehicles in front of me flashing their emergency lights, I attempted several times to slow down, Acceleration Modes, towards me. Vehicle would not slow down, heavy rain and puddles blurred my vision, thinking I would rear end the vehicle in front of me. Traffic was light due to the rain, FSD needs better software to slow down during weather conditions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749374July 9, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Supervised self driving. The latest software requires drivers to divert attention from the road to enter information on the screen whenever self driving is disengaged. This is potentially dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749310July 9, 2026
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Error ui_a020 "steering assist reduced" appears without any noticeable steering changes at the moment, but with a warning that steering may become increasingly harder and harder. There were recent recalls on other models of Tesla.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749176July 8, 2026
SEATS
The left back seat actuator engaged twice in the same day and the seat back dropped down unexpectedly on the passenger. It’s done it to my grandchild twice and hurt him. No injuries but the surprise and shock of the seat coming down on him was painful. I've had this with other passengers in the same seat. Tesla inspected it for this problem, but found nothing at the time. The problem is intermittent.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749156July 8, 2026
STEERING
The vehicle pulls or "snaps/clicks" when wheel is moved at all speeds while driving manually. It is more prevalent at higher highway speeds. Tesla stated steering gear mechanism may need replacement and it is considered normal wear and tear. There are no alignment, nor wheel, problems. The steering issue has become a hazard on the highway due to the sudden "jerk" reaction from steering wheel input. I am concerned the steering wheel input may become completely unresponsive in the near future when vehicle is being driven. Steering components should be a safety problem and not a typical "wear and tear" component. Car has never been in an accident or incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749101July 8, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The rear hatch has shifted out of alignment, and has started to fall 5-10 inch's when opened intermittently. TESLA service can't fix the issue and pushing me to a body shop. There have been no accident or issues that would cause a body panel to shift over a quarter of an inch.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11749080July 8, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On XXX, at approximately 12:30 PM, I was driving eastbound on XXX through [XXX]. The weather was mildly rainy, and I was traveling at approximately 65–70 mph. Without any input on my part, the vehicle suddenly steered sharply to the left, causing it to strike the center divider. The vehicle then crossed multiple lanes of traffic, slid toward the shoulder, and impacted barriers a second time. The collision resulted in the vehicle being declared a total loss, and all airbags deployed. Two days later, after reviewing the vehicle recordings, I observed that immediately after water splashed up from the vehicle in front of me, the Tesla appeared to make a sudden steering maneuver to the left as if attempting to avoid an object or hazard. Based on my review of the footage, I did not observe an actual obstacle in the roadway that would have required such an evasive action. As a result, I am concerned that the vehicle may have incorrectly detected a hazard and initiated an unintended steering maneuver. While I cannot determine the exact cause, the behavior appears consistent with a false or erroneous perception by the vehicle's automated driving or driver-assistance system. 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
#11748960July 8, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2024 Tesla Model Y and while parked, the rear windshield spontaneously shattered while defrosting my window. My kids were sitting in the back seat when the incident happened. This has not been confirmed by a dealer or service center but me, my wife and brother were standing outside our car when it happened and saw no signs or external impact or object. The vehicle has not been inspected by any external parties at this time. The vehicle presented no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748796July 7, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I am submitting this report based on my personal experience operating a Tesla Model Y equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD). I have used FSD for approximately four years and have extensive experience with the system. During several recent road trips through heavily forested and mountainous areas, including Yosemite National Park and multiple locations throughout Oregon, I repeatedly observed similar unexpected behavior under the same environmental conditions. On roads where dense tree cover creates alternating bands of sunlight and shadow across the pavement, the vehicle occasionally performs abrupt deceleration, unnecessary braking, or jerky speed adjustments despite there being no visible hazards, obstacles, pedestrians, or animals in the roadway. I cannot determine the technical cause, but based on repeated observations at different locations, it appears that rapidly changing lighting conditions or high-contrast tree shadows may present a perception challenge for the vision-based driving system. This is only my observation and not a technical conclusion. My concern is that unexpected braking or sudden speed changes could surprise following drivers and increase the risk of rear-end collisions, particularly on two-lane highways or winding mountain roads. While I remained attentive and was able to supervise the vehicle, these unexpected reactions occurred multiple times under similar conditions. I respectfully request that NHTSA evaluate this type of real-world driving environment as part of its ongoing assessment of advanced driver assistance and automated driving systems. Forested roads and mountain highways are common throughout the United States, and ensuring reliable performance in these challenging lighting conditions is important before wider deployment of autonomous driving technology. I would be happy to provide additional information if needed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748755July 7, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Lateral control arm bolt has fallen out with no impact/collision or reasonable explanation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748516July 6, 2026
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, WHEELS
"I have a Tesla Model Y that experienced what looks like a steering malfunction, with documented data and repair records already in hand. "While driving our 2024 Tesla Model Y when the steering wheel suddenly turned itself, hard left, and driver couldn't regain control. The car went up a hillside, between a utility/ electricity pole and an electrical box, coming to a stop just inches from the pole. No injury, but real vehicle damage." "I pulled Tesla's own vehicle data log for that exact moment. It shows the steering angle went from +362° to -358° — basically two full wheel rotations — in about 1.5 seconds, while the torque sensor barely registered any force. Then the wheel stayed pinned at full-left lock for about 8 seconds while the car was actively accelerating in Drive." There was a fault code 14 mention in the data file right before the incident. "Tesla told us their review of the data showed 'no malfunction.' But afterward, Tesla's own repair records show they replaced the steering gear assembly and the drive unit — after we complained the steering felt stiff once we got the car back from the first repair."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748415July 6, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Safety features on vehicle stopped working after software update was pushed to my vehicle. GPS, all cameras including backup camera and ones used for blind spots, and cruise control have all stopped working. Time displays incorrectly due to GPS issue and night mode stays on so rear view & back window stay dark making it hard to see other vehicles around me during the day. I’ve followed all recommended steps to resolve and issue persists.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748286July 4, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I had gotten the free trial of FSD (full self driving) from Tesla in 2024. I used it with a friend to take us to the zoo. It drove there perfectly with no issues & even backed itself in the parking spot. When time to leave, my friend suggested using the “summon” mode to have the car come to us- it was in view, maybe 10 or so yards away from the curb where we were. I held down the button to summon, the lights turned on & it began making the noise evs make when reversing to alert others that it was on the move. It started slowly creeping out of the spot, maybe a foot or two when it suddenly turned the wheel all the way to the left and accelerated, crashing into the parked car next to it. We were in a bit of a shock, as it was so slow- but it happened so fast? I didn’t even have time to take my finger off the button that made it move/ stop. It did everything in a split second. I have not used the feature since, and when I brought it up to a Tesla engineer they sort of downplayed it & said it was my fault for not properly supervising the vehicle. However, there was really nothing that could have been done in that situation to prevent that. At no point did my friend or I think the vehicle would randomly accelerate into the car next to it, and I would ask how a human would be able to predict that? The more I see incidents of faulty FSD online, the more I believe this incident should be investigated. Thank you for your time If you reach out regarding this case, I know the date of this incident was April 3, 2024 between window of 4-5pm
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748135July 3, 2026
SUSPENSION, STEERING
Power steering is giving difficulty while driving on the highway, stiffens up and hardens and makes it difficult to steer to the left or the right. Took it to the dealer, they confirmed needed a new steering rack, checked online quite some people with the same issue especially with their cars coming from the same year. No warning lamps doesn’t show up on the screen, took to Tesla dealership and they ran a diagnostics and then confirmed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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