Tesla Model Y Complaints

3,785 consumer complaints on file.

#11738006May 15, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Whenever Autopilot is disengaged by the driver, a pop up multiple choice question appears on the screen covering critical car information with no way to get past it except reading and answering the multiple choice question while you are driving. You have to take your eyes off the road to answer the question, it's about the dumbest most unsafe thing I've ever seen from a car company. Please require them to fix it immediately, and apparently a rule needs to be written that pop ups on cars are illegal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737898May 14, 2026
SUSPENSION
Clicking/thumping on sharper turns a day before the issue. Then today, there was a loud clunk while driving. When I was reversing into my driveway, there was scraping noises and resistance. Upon exiting the vehicle, I saw the passenger side front control arm loose. It is now inoperable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737798May 14, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHEELS
While driving, the vehicle displays a critical “Air pressure in tires very low — pull over safely” alert. When I pull over and inspect, the tire pressure is normal and there is no flat. The alert clears on its own after driving a few more miles. The vehicle has been serviced four times for this issue between February and May 2026 at Tesla service centers in Austin TX, Flower Mound TX, San Diego CA, and Los Angeles CA. The tire pressure monitoring sensors have been replaced three times (rear left twice, front left once). On the May 7, 2026 San Diego service visit, the technician documented the root cause as a low voltage issue with the sensor system. The issue continues to recur after each repair. A false critical safety alert that instructs the driver to pull over creates a safety risk because it trains drivers to distrust real alerts, and pulling over on highways carries its own risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737674May 13, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle’s low-voltage battery system failed unexpectedly, causing a complete loss of electrical power and preventing normal vehicle access and operation. The failure resulted in my [XXX] child becoming trapped inside the vehicle. The malfunction appears related to the 12V/low-voltage battery and/or associated power management system. The vehicles inspection invoice is available upon request. This incident created a serious safety risk because the loss of low-voltage power prevented normal door operation and immediate access to my child. The situation posed risks of heat exposure, medical distress, panic, and delayed emergency access. Although the vehicle includes a manual emergency door release, it is not realistically accessible or operable by a baby or toddler secured in a child safety seat. A young child cannot reasonably be expected to understand, locate, or operate the manual release during an emergency. The sudden failure without warning left my child unable to exit independently while caregivers were temporarily unable to access the vehicle. There were no noticeable warning, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure. The low-voltage battery appeared to fail suddenly and without sufficient warning, resulting in immediate loss of access and vehicle functionality. The problem has not yet been reproduced, but the low-voltage battery failure was identified after the incident. The vehicle has been inspected by Tesla service. No formal police or insurance inspection was performed, but a first responder was present. 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
#11737635May 13, 2026
STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Nature of Defect: While operating Full Self-Driving (FSD) at highway speeds, my vehicle exhibits involuntary lateral swerving — sudden, uncontrolled movement to the left and right without driver input. This behavior occurs repeatedly and unpredictably, posing a direct safety risk to the occupants of my vehicle and to other drivers. Tesla Service diagnosed the root cause as a failed FSD computer and recommended full replacement at a cost exceeding $3,000. Crashes or Injuries: None to date, though the behavior described above creates a significant risk of collision at highway speeds. Frequency: Recurring during FSD engagement at highway speeds. Additional Context: This defect was present during my vehicle's original warranty period. Tesla has been aware of this issue since my service visit and has not completed the repair. I have an active goodwill warranty request pending with Tesla that has gone unacknowledged for over two weeks. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this defect may affect other Tesla vehicles equipped with the same FSD hardware, and I want NHTSA to have a record of this failure mode.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737508May 13, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While my vehicle was operating in Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode, it encountered an accident upon attempting to park in my garage. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the driver’s side rear end and the garage wall. Notably, there was no manual intervention during the entire journey from my son’s school and the parking attempt. The FSD system failed to detect the proximity of the garage and did not initiate braking or provide any warning before impacting the wall. In this instance, the FSD system exhibited multiple failures. I have subsequently reported the incident to Tesla.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737322May 12, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While driving, the vehicle repeatedly triggered emergency braking without any obstacle present. The car continuously displayed warnings indicating pedestrians in front and behind the vehicle when no people were present. Due to these false detections, FSD became disabled during operation. The repeated sudden braking caused severe lower back pain, and I will be seeking medical treatment. This vehicle is unsafe to operate and presents a serious safety risk to myself and surrounding traffic. I have full video evidence of the incidents.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11737263May 12, 2026
SEAT BELTS
I lease a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The rear passenger side seat belt/buckle assembly had previously experienced issues involving unexpected disengagement/unlatching. The vehicle was previously brought to Tesla for service regarding the restraint system/rear passenger buckle area and Tesla represented that the issue had been addressed. On April 4, 2026, during an emergency braking event to avoid another vehicle that abruptly cut in front of me and slammed on its brakes, I was forced to brake hard and maneuver to avoid a collision. During that braking event, the rear passenger side buckle released/unlatched while my child was properly secured in a child safety seat in that seating position. As a result, the entire child safety seat violently pitched forward and my child’s face struck the seat in front of her. This incident occurred after Tesla had already been given notice of restraint system concerns involving this seating position and after prior service attempts. The issue raises serious concerns regarding rear passenger restraint integrity and child occupant safety during emergency braking situations. Tesla was formally notified again regarding this incident on May 12, 2026. As of the date of this complaint, approximately one week has passed and Tesla has not responded or attempted contact regarding the reported child occupant restraint failure. The vehicle has not yet been reinspected by Tesla following this incident and remains available for inspection. I am requesting preservation of all vehicle telemetry, restraint system data, diagnostic information, and service records related to this vehicle and prior restraint system complaints/repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11737188May 11, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I would like to report a serious safety concern regarding Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) on HW3-equipped vehicles. My vehicle repeatedly performs sudden and aggressive braking while FSD is engaged, even when there are no visible obstacles, vehicles, or hazards ahead. In some cases, the vehicle slows dramatically or comes to a complete stop unexpectedly. This creates a significant rear-end collision risk, especially on higher-speed roads where surrounding traffic does not anticipate abrupt braking behavior. This issue has been occurring for approximately one year and appears to have worsened over time and TESLA hasn't released a single FDS software update for over a year for HW3 vehicles. I recently brought my vehicle to Tesla service, paid for diagnostics/repair, and the issue still remains unresolved. I have also personally experienced the same behavior in another HW3 Tesla vehicle provided as a loaner from a Tesla service center, which suggests the issue may not be isolated to my individual car. Based on my experience, this appears to affect multiple HW3 vehicles operating with FSD enabled. The unsafe braking behavior causes surrounding vehicles to tailgate closely and react suddenly, increasing the likelihood of accidents. In my opinion, the current FSD behavior on affected HW3 vehicles presents a safety hazard for both Tesla owners and other road users. I believe this issue warrants immediate investigation. Until the root cause is identified and corrected, Tesla should consider disabling or restricting FSD functionality on affected HW3 vehicles to reduce the risk of accidents caused by phantom braking and unsafe autonomous driving behavior.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737157May 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
After updating to Tesla FSD 14.3, whenever I take over from FSD, the vehicle displays a mandatory “intervention reason” prompt on the center screen. The prompt does not disappear unless the driver selects a reason. This occurs immediately after a disengagement/takeover, when the driver may still need full attention on the road. The prompt can cover map/navigation information and forces interaction with the touchscreen while driving. I believe this may create a driver-distraction safety risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737126May 11, 2026
SUSPENSION
Vehicle brought to Tesla Service Plano TX for front-end rattle on bumpy roads at 49,951 miles. Technician found right front compliance arm split, left front compliance arm tearing, right front aft link starting to wear, left front aft link split at bushing, rear bolt for link loose, and opposite side nut separated from the subframe causing bolt to have zero tension. Tesla replaced entire front subframe assembly, both front lower lateral links, and both front lower compliance links under Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty. During the same visit, the technician performed a Vehicle Health Check (form SC-25-00-016 R2) and documented additional rear suspension defects: rear lower fore links have play and rear upper fore link bushings have excessive travel. Technician marked the suspension section as Repair/Replace. Service center declined warranty coverage on the rear, calling it normal wear despite the technician's findings. This is the second major warranty visit. At 14,928 miles in September 2024, Tesla Austin replaced the Power Conversion System, 16V Li-Ion battery, and pyrotechnic battery disconnect due to a loose harness connector causing vehicle shutdown warnings. Vehicle was manufactured at Tesla Gigafactory Austin TX. A separated subframe nut is a structural safety defect that could result in wheel alignment shift and loss of vehicle control. I drove this vehicle with my family including two children before the defect was discovered. Tesla Service Plano, service number XXX, service advisor Owen V [XXX] 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
#11737042May 11, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
Purchased used 2023 Tesla Model Y from Tesla on April 17, 2026 at ~16,300 miles. Pre-delivery, Tesla notified me by text that the vehicle failed state safety inspection due to front upper ball joint play (a known Tesla Model 3/Y defect). Tesla repaired it at its own service center and certified it as passing on April 8, 2026. No warning lamps or messages. ~12 days post-delivery a family member reported a noise from the left rear; the vehicle was then parked. On May 10, 2026, I removed the left rear wheel and found the left rear brake caliper completely detached from the rear knuckle. Both caliper bracket mounting bolts were missing. The caliper was held only because it had seized on the rotor. Vehicle unsafe to operate. Towed by flatbed to Tesla May 11; available for inspection on request. Properly torqued caliper bracket bolts do not back themselves out in ~800 miles of light use. Realistic causes: (a) bolts installed but not torqued to spec, worked loose in service; (b) bolts missing at state inspection and certified anyway; (c) suspension disassembled during the pre-sale repair, bracket reassembled with bolts omitted. All implicate Tesla's workmanship; (b) and a visibly-loose (a) also implicate the inspection. Tesla previously acknowledged this failure mode in recall SB-21-33-002 ("Loose Brake Caliper Bolts," 2019-2021 Model 3 / 2020-2021 Model Y): caliper bolts "may not be torqued to internal specifications" and "may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate." My vehicle is outside that range but the recall shows this is a known Tesla pattern. Risk: caliper detachment can wedge the wheel, lock the brake, damage tire/wheel, boil brake fluid, or break free at speed — any can cause loss of control. Vehicle driven ~800 miles in this condition. Dealer confirmation pending; Tesla instructed in writing not to repair pre-inspection. State Police ASED complaint filed; formal dispute filed with Tesla Resolutions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736806May 9, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
While reversing my Tesla Model Y, the rear parking sensors failed to alert me to a stationary obstacle (fence). No audible warning or visual alert was triggered. The vehicle had recently received a software update prior to the incident. The failure resulted in collision damage to the rear bumper. I believe this may be a sensor or software defect. I am requesting an investigation into whether recent OTA updates affected rear obstacle detection functionality.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736737May 9, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
2021built -2022 Model Y rear doors manual release door cable is really hard and impossible without tool to access. first removing the rubber pad is annoying because there is no lip sticking out to grab and remove easily, then it comes to the small plastic access to the manual door release cable, without tools it’s impossible to open, it would destroy finger nails and get cuts around fingers trying to open it. even after getting open the small access trim is still really hard to access the cable itself, cable is far from reach and not easy to grab and pull. access door is way to small to use 2 fingers. there’s no way people can get out in time not even for kids, i know 2023 model Ys have better rear door panel design to access the cable, Tesla need to have this replace ASAP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736713May 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On May 8, 2026 at approximately 1:15 PM in [XXX] , my 2023 Tesla Model Y unexpectedly locked with my [XXX] infant inside during approximately 100°F weather. I briefly exited the vehicle while charging to disconnect the charging cable. My authenticated phone key remained inside the cabin. Immediately after unplugging the charger, the vehicle activated Walk-Away Door Lock and locked all doors despite the phone key remaining inside the vehicle. I was locked out without access to my phone and had to ask a stranger to call 911 and contact my husband. Cabin temperatures rapidly became dangerous for an infant. My husband was eventually able to remotely unlock the vehicle using the Tesla app, narrowly avoiding forced entry by emergency responders. The vehicle failed to detect the phone key inside the cabin and improperly initiated locking while a vulnerable child occupant was present. This created a serious risk of heat injury or death. The vehicle also failed to prevent the lockout despite an infant occupant being seated in the second row, raising concerns about whether rear-seat occupancy detection and child safety protections functioned properly during the event. I am requesting investigation into Tesla’s proximity sensing, phone key detection, walk-away lock behavior, and child occupant safety protections during charging/unplugging events. 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
#11736702May 8, 2026
SUSPENSION
The front driver-side lower control arm bolt completely fell off the vehicle while in motion at 5pm in a parking lot. The failure caused the front suspension to immediately collapse, resulting in the front driver side of the vehicle dropping and resting directly on the wheel. The failure was witnessed and confirmed by the roadside assistance tow truck operator. The operator had to temporarily jack up the car and fasten the bolt back into the control arm just to safely load the vehicle onto the tow truck. The vehicle is currently awaiting formal inspection and repair by an auto repair shop. The vehicle and the detached bolt were inspected at the scene by the tow truck operator dispatched through my auto insurance. An initial claim was reported to my auto insurance provider. It has not yet been inspected by Tesla yet. There were no warning lamps, error messages, or prior symptoms. The failure happened suddenly and without warning; I simply heard a loud noise, felt the vehicle physically shift and drop to the ground.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736658May 8, 2026
SUSPENSION
I was driving in Topanga Canyon, heard a loud clang. Noticed the steering was off, so pulled over. The front lateral links had failed and it took me 6 hours to get a tow. Had I been at freeway speeds when that happened, I may have crashed and not been able to pull over safely as I was headed towards the 101 freeway before the links failed. Upon researching this, I found online this is a common issue with Tesla’s. If I need it don’t again, I don’t want to have to pay for an issue that’s a manufacturers defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736618May 8, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I PICKED UP BRAND NE TESLA 2026 MODEL Y AFTER TEST DRIVE I WAS TRYING TO PARK THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT CABINETS IN GARAGE, THE CABINETS CRASHED AND BROKE THE ENTRY DOOR AND THE DEBRIS THE THE HEATING AND AC BLOWER UNIT. EXTENSIVE FRONT DAMAGE TO THE CAR FRONT END. NO PERSONAL INJURY. I [XXX] WAS DRIVING MY WIFE WAS IN THE DRIVE WAY. NO PERSONAL INJURY 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
#11736560May 8, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
My 2021 Tesla Model Y HW3 experienced complete failure of all cameras, GPS, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Adaptive Cruise Control following the installation of software update 2026.8.6.1 — the OTA remedy update issued by Tesla for NHTSA Recall 26V283000. The vehicle was fully functional prior to this update. The failure was confirmed and reproduced by Tesla's authorized service center. The service advisor confirmed in writing: "During the update, the computer failed to reboot properly. We attempted to perform a 12V reset but unfortunately it is still stuck in the boot loop state." The Autopilot ECU (Primary/Turbo A) is stuck in a permanent boot loop and cannot be recovered by software means. Safety impact: All cameras including rearview camera are completely non-functional. Automatic Emergency Braking and all ADAS features are disabled. The vehicle cannot safely detect obstacles or pedestrians. GPS navigation is frozen. Tesla has confirmed the computer requires replacement but is classifying it as a customer-pay repair citing expired warranty, despite the failure occurring during Tesla's own recall remedy software deployment. This vehicle meets every technical criterion of Recall 26V283000 — HW3 hardware, 2021 Model Y, software version 2026.8.6.1, complete camera failure — but does not appear in the recall VIN database. I am requesting NHTSA review whether this VIN should be included in recall 26V283000 or a related investigation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736264May 7, 2026
STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Using Tesla FSD (full self-driving supervised) I drove home, approximately 120 miles, from a family visit. From previous experience with Tesla FSD, I knew that the navigation system would navigate into the incorrect of 2 driveways (left, instead of the correct driveway, right) leading to my parking space. Therefore, upon arriving at the building address I endeavored to take over full control by tapping break and manually turning to the right driveway, whereupon the steering wheel locked up completely and the car lurched forward crashing through the security gate and into a parked car directly in line with how the locked steering directed it. To the best of my knowledge, the car was removed to a salvage location where it was considered a total loss.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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