Tesla Model Y Complaints (2021)

1,096 consumer complaints on file.

#11483467September 8, 2022
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
B pillar cameras have a known water intrusion issue rendering the camera inoperable and compromising the safety features of the vehicle. Tesla refuses to remedy this known design flaw.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11483419September 8, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Tesla's Traffic-Aware Cruise Control system has malfunctioned on my vehicle several times. It will often brake hard at high speeds despite there being no vehicle or object in front of me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11483264September 7, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL:SOFTWARE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 75 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The vehicle inadvertently slowed down to 30 MPH. The contact disengaged the cruise control and the self-driving feature also disengaged simultaneously. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The Service Center diagnosed the vehicle with a software failure however, there was no current fix. The failure mileage was 10,043.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11483235September 7, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Traveling at 80 MPH using autopilot on an open freeway when suddenly a phantom braking event occurred and slows us down to 50 MPH in 5 seconds. There were no objects on the freeway and the closest car in our lane was at least one mile in front of us.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11483149September 6, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
During a drive on 09/06/222 the car had 3 instances of phantom emergency braking while using autopilot. All the times there were no cars around the Tesla, the stop was a hard brake that jerked passengers around as well as shifting cargo. This has happened periodically before but now it is become common on every drive. Two of these instances occurred with in minutes of each other. The other happened later in the drive after stopping to charge. A hard stop like these could cause a serious accident if someone is following to close. These hard brakes could also cause whiplash style injuries, seatbelt abrasions, or bruises to passengers. There were no warnings, messages or sysmptoms prior to the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482955September 6, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I was driving my Tesla Model Y using “navigation with autopilot” on 9/4/22, from San Francisco to San Jose. The vehicle suddenly stopped while traveling at high speed after crossing “green” metering light in the ramp from 237 to 880S. The vehicle behind had to make a sudden stop, barely avoiding a rear end collision. This is the 4th time I have experienced this “phantom braking” while traveling at high speed on freeways.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482375September 1, 2022
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated on two separate occasions while idled in a parked position and the brake pedal depressed, he shifted into reverse position and the vehicle inadvertently lunged forward approximately 5ft without acceleration. The vehicle then performed as normal. The contact then stated that on a separate occasion while idled in a parked position and the brake pedal depressed, he shifted into drive without the accelerator pedal depressed and the vehicle lunged forward 15 ft without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a restaurant window. No warning lights was illuminated. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was currently being towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482106August 30, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Frequent, random, phantom braking using cruise control. Informed Tesla with times +/- one minute. Sometimes the braking was very hard and could cause a rear-end collision (at highway speeds). Always occurred with no warning and highly variable conditions (light, or hills, or overpasses, and then apparently nothing). I called Tesla and technician said overpasses were a problem. Vehicle and components have not been checked.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482038August 30, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I have experience phantom braking on my Model Y many times when I used FSD(full self drive) on the freeway. The car just randomly slows down / decelerates abruptly even if there are no obstacles or other cars in front. This results in a serious situation when the vehicle behind may ram into you causing a fatal accident. I have always reported this issue using voice control REPORT BUG and got acknowledgement saying THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK. But I have never heard from Tesla that they have fixed or are fixing it. This is repeated happening every time I use FSD on freeway even as of last week (week of Aug 21, 2022)/
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481950August 30, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
During daylight hours when the autopilot is engaged at normal highway speeds - the Tesla brakes engage and quickly slow down the car. It occurs on long straight roads with no traffic. This appears to be a "phantom braking" issue that is causing my car to suddenly brake for no reason. There are never any cars around when this occurs-- just long clear roads. This can be very dangerous. Last known occurrences were on Aug 13 at 8:30a and 10:29a of this year.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481864August 29, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Tesla Autopilot (Adaptive Cruise Control) rarely recognizes parked vehicles or obstructions beside the driving lane (right or left side) based on the display console driving environment display. Bicyclist, pedestrians, and other large roadside obstructions are also rarely recognized. Might explain the recent Tesla collisions with stopped emergency vehicles while in Autopilot mode. Don’t know if Teslas recent elimination of radar sensing made this problem worst or not. This failure to recognize nearby obstructions happens daily.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481708August 29, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I had unexpected and sudden braking while using Tesla autopilot while in TAC mode or adaptive cruise control. Not Autopilot that steers and keeps you in the lane and not Full self driving, my car does not have FSD. I had 5 or 6 incidents while heading West on I 10 towards Yuma on I 8. There was no rhyme or obvious reason for the braking. No one in front of me or behind me. The amount of braking over the separate incidents was different each time. On the way back to Tucson it happened another 5 or 6 times.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481660August 28, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I own a 2021Tesla Model Y. I took possession of it on August 7, 2021, in Santa Barbara, Ca. Ever since, I have had numerous instances of abrupt automatic emergency braking (phantom braking) episodes while using cruise control or autopilot. On January 26, 2022, I had 47 episodes, in just a couple of hours. This is typical. Several of the phantom braking episodes occurred with vehicles tailgating me. This is a grave safety issue and requires immediate attention. My Tesla Model Y has been to the Tesla service center over 4 times regarding this problem without resolution. They say phantom braking is a software issue and only the engineers can fix it. I was assured soon after delivery that the software would be updated quickly, and it would fix the problem. The issue still exists. I am very disappointed with the vehicle and fear for my safety. Please require Tesla to remedy this very serious safety issue immediately.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481615August 28, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have an ongoing problem with the dashcam recording, which for me is a safety issue. The dashcam constantly records from several cameras what is happening around the vehicle. The dashcam icon will show a red “x,” indicating that the dashcam is not working. Probably 80% of the time I get in the car, the red x is there. The solution involves opening the glove box and pulling the drive, waiting for up to 20 seconds, then replacing it. If that doesn’t work, the usb drive needs to be formatted and all previous clips are lost, but probably 95% of the time the reformat fails. It was recommended by Tesla service that I purchase another usb drive ($45?), but that did not solve the problem. I’ve had my car into Tesla service for this issue or reported it through the app multiple times. For months, I’ve been told it will be addressed with a firmware update, but it has not happened. Other Tesla owners are also having this issue, but it was addressed with a firmware update and the problem was fixed. The owners who have the Full Self Driving Beta have NOT had a firmware update to address the issue. We are the owners who paid $10-15,000 extra for the full self driving feature. I have not been able to get any information from Tesla about an expected timeframe for this update. I ask, but I’m always told it will be a “future update.” I have asked if anyone is working on this issue, and they won’t answer that question either. I would like to know the status. I’ve been very patient, but since there is aggression in the areas where I drive against EV drivers, and Teslas in particular, I need this feature to be working. I have been harassed, had large pickup drivers tailgate or try to run me off the road, and I’ve been coal rolled. I’ve already used data from the dashcam to report aggressive drivers to the police.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481317August 26, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
Autopilot was on during a light rain event where I was traveling less than the posted speed limit on the I95 northbound Highway. The autopilot appeared to force the car to abruptly jolt the steering wheel/tires, causing a slip/ hydroplane of the front end which forced the car into a left/sideways slide across the highway. The car slid sideways for about 100 feet or so before going straight into the concrete divider along the Highway (front driver side initial impact, then rear driver side 2nd impact). Control could not be regained with the vehicle. Steering did not work (tried to correct the path), it felt as if brakes did not slow the vehicle as the car approached the divider. Autopilot was fully engaged and lane keeping was active… with at least one hand on the steering wheel and moderate level of attention to the road. I must say I had likely became over-reliant on the autopilot. No warning was provided to me as, prior to the incident. A similar hydroplane problem can also be seen on a YouTube video posted online for the same model car. I experienced the same outcome as the other vehicle except I hit a divider after crossing lanes. I am however very pleased with how well the car handled the impact and how well the airbags went off, although also unfortunate- I do feel like the car may have been partially responsible for the accident itself.I have experienced a few prior occurrences where the car will jerk the wheel when in autopilot to keep or find a lane, even with hands on the wheel and full attention facing forward.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480982August 24, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
multiple incidents of phantom braking well traveling on I 90. 5 documented incidents. Have requested vehicle service however previous service for this type of incident did not correct the issue. at one point the car slowed from 75 to 50 before i could react. there were no other vehicles near my vehicle when the events occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480765August 23, 2022
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Pro Contact, Tire Size: 255/45/R19, DOT Number: IVY0FBJJL. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH, the TPMS warning illuminated and the contact was advised to pull off the road. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side tire had disintegrated and the entire tread had separated from the side wall. The contact had the vehicle towed to a tire dealer and had the rear passenger’s side tire replaced; however, the failure reoccurred without warning light. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the tire was not inspected. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,926.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480709August 23, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving cross country on interstate highways using cruise control my car would try to stop itself. During a 500+ mile day it would do this 10x per day. Most times hard enough to engage seat beats. There has been no inspection. Tesla is denying a problem. The danger is if someone is following too close they could resend me. I was never in traffic when this happens. Never anyone in front of me or next to me when this happens. On line they call the phantom braking. I can’t tell if it’s braking, or the cruise control disengages and the car is suddenly stopping because of one pedal driving mode.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480655August 22, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My wife and I have owned the Tesla Model Y for one year. We have taken it on several long distance drives from our home in Moscow Idaho to the Oregon and Washington coasts, Vancouver BC and Seattle. During each of the trips we experienced phantom braking when the car was driven with cruise control engaged at highway speeds on 2 lane highways. Phantom braking has occurred when 1) there was no oncoming traffic during daylight hours 2) with oncoming traffic that was not in our lane 3) when there was a slight turn in the highway and no traffic. The most recent phantom braking events occurred 7-14-22 and 7-30-22 on Washington highway 26. When the phantom braking occurs it appears to be random. The car will very quickly drop from 65mph to 55mph causing us a scare. We do not use the cruise control feature anymore on the two lane highways. Its just too scary when it happens. We have complained to Tesla and have submitted service requests and was told they are aware of the problem but no corrective action has happened yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480632August 22, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING
My wife was driving on the highway on 8/16/22 at around 9:50pm on the garden state south and all of the sudden the car by itself started swerving lanes and my wife tried to stop the car but to no avail the brakes weren’t working as well. After some time the car finally got back into control and she was able to pull over. The car seemed to be hacked. No explanation how this happened. We didn’t pay for the whole self drive option so I’m not sure how this happened. Very furious. That could’ve been my wife’s life on the line if there were cars.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Tesla Model Y