Tesla Model Y Complaints (2023)

1,136 consumer complaints on file.

#11702152November 30, 2025
SUSPENSION
While backing out of a parking stall, the bolts securing the front right lower control arm fell off. One of the bolts rolled under the car and the other bolt was still in the control arm. This vehicle has never been off road, or in an accident. It was towed to the dealership for repairs. It terrifies me to consider what would have happened to me or my family had the bolts fallen off driving at freeway speeds. "Tesla Technician Notes: The customer reported that the lower front control arm fell off, which was verified by inspection showing extensive damage to the suspension, subframe, and front drive unit. The issue was caused by both bolts falling out of the right front lower lateral link. To address this, technicians replaced the front lower lateral and compliance links, steering rack, RF spring and damper assembly, subframe, drive unit, RF halfshaft, RF wheel arch liner, stabilizer bar links, and aero shield, and performed a four-wheel alignment check and adjust. The repair was validated by ensuring all components were securely reattached and functioning properly."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702022November 29, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
When driving on slippery surfaces, if I release the accelerator pedal—even slightly—the vehicle automatically activates regenerative braking to recapture energy. On ice, this sudden deceleration mimics applying the brakes, which can cause an immediate loss of traction and control. This happened to me recently while driving in snowy and icy conditions. As soon as I eased off the accelerator, the car engaged regenerative braking, the wheels lost grip, and the vehicle began to slide, similar to what would happen if hard braking were applied on ice. I momentarily lost control of the car, creating a serious safety hazard. This behavior is not intuitive and can surprise drivers, particularly in winter climates. Unless regenerative braking is manually adjusted or turned off—something not every driver knows to do—the system can unintentionally put the vehicle into a skid. I am requesting that NHTSA review this issue. A software modification or warning may be needed so drivers are not placed at risk due to unexpected regenerative braking on slippery surfaces. Thank you for your attention to this safety concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701237November 24, 2025
STEERING
My Model Y experienced a sudden steering assist failure while driving. The wheel became extremely stiff/locked even though Autosteer was off. Multiple thermal system faults appeared: VCRIGHT_a271_THSSensorFault, VCRIGHT_a257_THSMIA, GTW_w043_THSVersionMismatch, and HVACSystemNotNominal This was very scary as I was driving and had no control of steering wheel because it locked.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701019November 22, 2025
SUSPENSION
Control arm on the left side fell off while parking
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700767November 21, 2025
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
Concern: Passenger Side Front Wheel Trim - Fitment issue upon making right turns somewhere from passenger side front suspension area making loud noise started today around 5:30 to 6pm and wheel alignment is error started is showing on screen. Repair Notes: Technician inspected and road tested the vehicle, verifying a loud noise from the passenger side front suspension area during right turns, as reported by the customer. The issue was caused by loose bolts on the lower lateral link on the left side. The technician replaced the front lower lateral link assembly, along with the necessary bolts and nuts, and performed a four-wheel alignment check and adjustment. After the repair, the technician confirmed the noise was resolved and the vehicle's alignment error was no longer displayed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700216November 18, 2025
STEERING, 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
#11699973November 17, 2025
ELECTRICAL 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
#11699670November 16, 2025
SEAT 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
#11699556November 15, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
The car don't run well
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11699503November 14, 2025
SUSPENSION
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
#11699265November 13, 2025
ELECTRICAL 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, 2025
UNKNOWN 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, 2025
SUSPENSION
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
#11699080November 12, 2025
SUSPENSION
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
#11699004November 12, 2025
SEAT BELTS
Subject / Issue: Driver Seat Belt Failure – Safety Restraint System Defect VIN: [XXX] Vehicle: Tesla Model Y 2023 Complaint Description: On November 11, 2025, at approximately 10:00 PM, while driving near my home, the driver seat belt cable snapped, leaving only the shoulder strap functional. This occurred under normal driving conditions, with no accident, impact, or misuse. The vehicle was then parked at my residence at [XXX] , and the failure made the car immediately unsafe to operate. The driver seat belt assembly and anchor points are part of the federally regulated Safety Restraint System, covered under FMVSS 209 (Seat Belt Assemblies) and FMVSS 210 (Seat Belt Anchorages). A functional seat belt is critical to occupant safety in any collision, and this defect directly compromises the primary safety system of the driver. Immediately after discovering the failure, I contacted Tesla Service via the Tesla App. My initial communication explained that the seat belt cable had snapped during normal driving, leaving only the shoulder strap, and requested immediate escalation to a Service Manager and replacement of the entire seat belt assembly. Tesla acknowledged receiving my vehicle at their service center (7077 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89117) but did not provide a repair under warranty. In multiple follow-up communications with Tesla Service (including with Efrain), I emphasized that this is a serious Safety Restraint System failure, federally covered under FMVSS 209 and 210, and that it was not caused by user damage. Despite these repeated notifications and requests for escalation, Tesla Service refused to repair the seat belt under warranty, citing Owner’s Manual exclusions and limitations, and insisted that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. Tesla provided no written justification explaining how a federally covered safety restraint component could be excluded from warranty. The vehicle remains at t 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
#11698186November 7, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
REAR LIFT GATE: When the rear lift gate opens fully, it immediately and unexpectedly closes within a few seconds with force. This could strike someone standing behind the vehicle. The issue occurs every time the liftgate is opened, even on level ground. I used the pinch button to open the lift gate, and while it was opening I started to put something in the back up near the back seats. As soon as the lift gate fully opened it quickly closed down on me (seemed faster than normal) and I was stuck. The lift gate safety mechanism did not work in that it did not sense that it had closed on something and it continuedd to put pressure on me as it tried to fully close. I was able to rearrange myself and lift it off of me, but the whole time it was still trying to close and when I let it go it immedately finished shutting.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11698175November 7, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was trying to park my vehicle on a normal street and Tesla's Automatic Emergency Braking APP_w050 kicks in and aggressively brake when i try to parallel park.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697204November 3, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pulled into hospital parking garage. Stopped to pull parking ticket. When the parking gate was raised, Tesla immediately took off at very high uncontrolled speed. Basically a runaway vehicle. There was no accerlation on my part. Brakes did not work. Hit parked car in the garage about 300 feet from the parking gate. I was taken to hospital with broken wrist. Car has been totaled.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11696419October 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Our tesla y is under warranty but despite a baby seat and an adult sitting in the back seats the rear AC wont turn on automatically and thus providing extreme danger to my toddler. Tesla tried to fix but refuses to continue further citing a software update is needed. THIS IS PUTTING BABIES IN TEXAS HEAT IN EXTREME DANGER AS THEY CANT TELL THE PARENTS THE REAR AC IS NOT WORKING. WHILE MOST TESLAS DO NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE, OUR BATCH OF TESLA HAS THIS PROBLEM YET TESLA REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY CARING MORE ABOUT DOGS WITH THEIR DOG MODE BUT GIVING NO SUCH OPTION TO BABIES(WOULD YOU BELIEVE NO WAY TO KEEP REAR AC on all the automatically unless seat sensor detects baby seat or adult which both are broken in our car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695990October 28, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? HVAC heat pump and defrost/defog system failure. The failure caused immediate fogging/condensation on the windshield and door windows. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and no parts have been removed. [Tesla Model/Year, VIN last 8]. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Sudden loss of forward and side visibility made it impossible to see lane markings, surrounding traffic, or mirrors, preventing a safe lane change or pull-over to the shoulder. This created a risk of collision with vehicles ahead or beside me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes but they are not covering it. This is a very common issue reported by many owners Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Tesla, law enforcement, insurance, or third parties. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lamps or messages appeared. The fogging occurred suddenly while driving on [date, approx. time], immediately after the cabin heat pump failed to clear the glass and visibility dropped to near zero.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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