Tesla Model Y Complaints

3,785 consumer complaints on file.

#11699029November 12, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
My 2026 Tesla Model Y with under 3,000 miles experienced a sudden and total loss of power steering while driving. The car became extremely difficult to control. Tesla towed it to their service center, where they claimed it was a software-related issue that could not be replicated. The service center released the car back to me but refused to provide written assurance that the vehicle is safe to drive, stating only that it is “cleared for release.” I’m concerned this issue could reoccur, creating a risk of loss of control and injury. The lack of transparency and refusal to confirm the vehicle’s safety in writing raises serious safety concerns about potential defects in the steering or software systems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699010November 12, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
On October 13th 2025, while driving, I began to hear a clunking and rattling sound from the front left wheel area when braking. Concerned for my safety, I brought the vehicle to a local independent brake specialist for inspection. Their technician found that one of the two bolts securing the brake caliper was completely missing, and the remaining bolt was approximately halfway backed out. The shop explained that this condition presented an immediate risk of caliper detachment and total brake failure, potentially leading to serious injury or death. After both bolts were replaced and properly torqued, the brake noise that Tesla had previously attributed to “pad burnishing” disappeared entirely. This indicates that the squeaking and vibration symptoms Tesla dismissed were, in fact, caused by an improperly secured caliper—a direct safety issue, not a normal wear condition. I notified Tesla legal of this problem (via certified mail) on October 13 2025 and requested a response within 14 days. I have received no such response, nor have I been contacted for further investigation into this dangerous situation with my vehicle.
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
#11698990November 12, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On November 8, my 2024 Model Y suddenly came to a complete stop from about 40 mph while I was driving with no cruise control or Autopilot active. This was extremely dangerous — my [XXX] was in the car, and we were lucky no one was behind us. It put myself, my child, and others in the absolute risk of collision and injury. When I contacted the service center they said it sometimes happened due to "shadows" or "sun". They refused to run a diagnostic on the car for free and wanted me to pay for it. 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
#11698816November 11, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, SERVICE BRAKES
On November 10, 2025 while my 2025 Tesla Model Y was being driven, in Miami, Florida, around 2:55–3:05 PM, the brakes failed completely. Despite firm brake pedal pressure, the vehicle did not slow down or stop as expected and continued forward until a collision occurred. The brake pedal felt normal with no loss of resistance, but the car did not decelerate as expected. No forward collision warning (FCW) or automatic emergency braking (AEB) activated prior to impact. There were no audible or visual alerts displayed before or during braking. After the collision, the vehicle’s screen displayed messages stating “Airbags Deployed” and “Automatic Emergency Braking is unavailable. Feature may be restored on next drive.” However, the airbags did not deploy. A burst of white particulate dust, consistent with airbag propellant or deployment powder, was released inside the cabin. None of the vehicle’s cameras recorded the incident; there is no Dashcam or Sentry Mode footage from that time. At the same time, the cell phone, which was actively linked to the vehicle through Bluetooth and the Tesla app, stopped transmitting location data through the Life360 app for a few minutes. This may indicate a coinciding electrical or data interruption affecting both the vehicle and connected devices. This incident placed my families safety and that of others at serious risk. Multiple safety systems appear to have failed simultaneously, including the braking function, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, camera recording systems, and airbag deployment.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698681November 10, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Description of Problem: The 2026 Tesla Model Y does not include an interior emergency release button inside the front trunk (commonly referred to as the “frunk”). Under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 401 (49 C.F.R. § 571.401), all passenger vehicles with a front- or rear-opening trunk compartment are required to have an interior emergency trunk release mechanism that allows a person to exit if accidentally trapped. Safety Risk: This missing feature presents a significant entrapment hazard, especially for children or smaller individuals who may become enclosed in the frunk either accidentally or during cleaning or maintenance. There is no way to open the frunk from the inside, which could result in suffocation, heat exposure, or death. The lack of an emergency release mechanism makes it impossible for an occupant to self-rescue if trapped. The vehicle and frunk assembly are available for inspection upon request. Problem Confirmation: This issue has been reproduced and confirmed directly by observation—no emergency release mechanism or glow-in-the-dark handle is present inside the frunk. As of now, Tesla has not confirmed the problem and the company is aware of this omission as stated in their owners manual Inspections Conducted: The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance, or any independent service center regarding this specific issue Warning Lamps/Messages: There were no warning lamps, alerts, or messages indicating the absence of the emergency release system. The issue was discovered during routine use and inspection of the front trunk area Other Tesla vehicles, including earlier Model Y and Model 3 units, are equipped with an illuminated emergency release handle in the rear trunk. However, the 2026 Model Y frunk lacks any such release mechanism, suggesting a potential design change or oversight that could warrant a federal safety recall. Attached will be pictures of the cars manufactured before and after 9/2025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698425November 9, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, WHEELS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
On November 4, 2025, I believe my New Tesla (only 2 month old) had just updated to a new software version. That morning, when I tried to start the car to drive to Walgreens Pharmacy, the vehicle did not start — the screen was locked. I pressed the brake pedal several times, but there was no response. Then I pressed the accelerator and the brake again, and the car finally started. I believe i turned on the Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode as usual. The car backed out of my garage and moved only about ten houses down our street when I suddenly felt it was out of control, and within seconds, it hit a stationary vehicle on our street. I did not hear Forward Collision Warning or feel the Automatic Braking system engage. The tesla report told me that the collision warning failure and the Safety systems are affected, and the passage side (front right) tire shows 0 psi) . The The damage was highly unusual — although I was driving slowly, approximately 10 to 15 miles per hour on my street, the front wheel became completely detached from the suspension, the suspension itself was severely damaged, However, the rest of the car’s body sustained with minimal impact. I had hard time to find Tesla service to help me, so I contacted Allstate and they had a towing company to transport the vehicle to Gwatney Collision Center, the only Tesla-certified body shop in our area.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698390November 9, 2025
SUSPENSION
My 2021 Model Y at 49,865 miles had a safety-critical failure of the "front lower compliance and lateral links." The Tesla technician confirmed it was a "safety issue."
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
#11698052November 7, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2022 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD VIN: [XXX] Current mileage: 71,967 SAFETY DEFECT: Power Conversion System (PCS) internal hardware failure causes sudden, complete loss of Supercharging capability and extreme vampire drain. Tesla technician’s own words – invoice #[XXX] dated 11/04/2025: “The problem was caused by an internal hardware condition in the Power Conversion System.” This is a manufacturing defect – NOT wear/tear. Safety risk: • Stranding hazard – vehicle stalls at 99%/95% on V3 Superchargers. • One documented trip (Indiana → Las Vegas) required 27 Supercharger stops and 14+ hours of charging instead of the normal 10–12 stops. • Vampire drain: 95% → 70% in 4 days parked (all features off) – July 2025. • Battery degradation: 16.4% loss at 72k miles (83.5% health, 268 mi range) – far above fleet average. Tesla knew since 49k miles: • Nov 20, 2024 – full HV circuit integrity check – goodwill $0 • Feb 19, 2025 – Service Manager [XXX] ran diagnostics and wrote “everything checks out great” • 15 service visits, 3 charge-port doors replaced – same root symptom Tesla now demands $2,503.17 out-of-pocket and refuses to release the vehicle until paid – despite admitting the defect in writing. Cybertruck loaner (provided by Tesla) exhibits identical 99% stall 5 times – proving systemic issue. Attachments (will upload): 1. Invoice #[XXX] – “internal hardware condition” 2. Nov 2024 goodwill invoice 3. [XXX] “great” email 4. Vampire drain screenshots 5. Cybertruck loaner 99% stall photos 6. CA AG complaint confirmation Request immediate investigation and recall of 2022 Model Y Power Conversion System. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [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
#11697928November 6, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FSD was unable to avoid object in road, may be due to how the adaptive headlights work as I was unable to see the object as well FSD/adaptive headlights may may it hard or impossible to see objects on road at night No In the process of a insurance claim No
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697850November 6, 2025
EQUIPMENT:ACCESSORY:FLOOR MAT
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model Y. The contact purchased aftermarket rubber floor mats, and the floor mat on the driver’s side was warped and had started to block the contact from depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that after removing the foot from the accelerator pedal to depress the brake pedal, and then switching back to depress the accelerator pedal, it was more difficult than normal due to the warped floor mat blocking the accelerator pedal. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and replaced the floor mats twice; however, the second set of floor mats was also warped. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697715November 5, 2025
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud pop coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle lost automotive power and rolled away in reverse downhill towards oncoming traffic. The contact was able to avoid oncoming traffic and reverse onto the shoulder of the road; however, the driver’s side rear driver’s door failed to unlatch or open as intended while using the interior door handles. A local tow truck arrived on scene, and the passenger’s side door failed to open as intended with the exterior door handle. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but remained at the local dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697546November 5, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There isn’t an emergency release in the front trunk of my tesla
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697485November 4, 2025
SUSPENSION
Driver side rear outer camber bolt lost the nut holding the bolt for the camber arm. Rear tire cambered in greatly. Upon disassembly saw that bolt has backed out about 75% because of the absence of nut. If bolt had completely backed out the camber of the rear wheel would have collapsed completely and very possibly caused an accident.
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
#11697194November 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING
The contact owns a 2024 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the vehicle was making a right turn out of the parking lot in Full Self-Driving mode at approximately 2-3 MPH, it continued to turn to the right and crashed into a nearby parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries or medical attention needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697190November 3, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I currently have a 2026 Tesla Model Y and was unfortunately involved in a collision due to what appears to be a Full Self-Driving (FSD) software failure. I had engaged FSD mode while driving my child to his doctor’s appointment. The navigation directed me through narrow residential streets. While traveling on a narrwow residential street, I encountered a garbage truck stopped in the middle of the road, blocking traffic. My vehicle came to a stop behind the truck (with FSD engaged and my full attention on the road). The FSD system then began to “lurk” forward, seemingly assessing whether it could pass the truck through a very tight space on the left side. At first, I was uncertain whether there was enough clearance, but I decided to trust the FSD’s judgment, as it relies on multiple exterior cameras for precise distance evaluation—far more accurate than what I could estimate from inside the vehicle. However, as the vehicle attempted to proceed, I immediately heard and felt a long scrape along the right side of my car. It became clear that the FSD system had miscalculated the available space, and the gap was too narrow for my vehicle to pass safely. As a result, the right side of my car sustained significant damage, including both wheel caps/rims, both doors, the side panel, and the rear bumper. The impact occurred against the metal fender of the garbage truck. I am deeply concerned that this incident—caused by a software error—may occur again and to others, resulting in more serious outcomes. I am attaching photos of the vehicle, the accident scene, and the repair estimate.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697124November 3, 2025
SEAT BELTS
Both rear seat belt buckles (driver-side rear and center) fail to latch securely. The metal tongue inserts fully into the buckle but does not lock with an audible click and releases immediately upon light tension. This prevents the seat belts from restraining passengers in a crash. - No visible debris, damage, or contamination in either buckle. - Issue occurs consistently on multiple attempts and with different seat belt tongues. - Vehicle is 2021 Model Y Long Range with 83,610 miles. - **Problem first noticed yesterday (November 2, 2025)**. - Tesla Service has refused repair under warranty, stating the vehicle is out of warranty, despite this being a critical safety component governed by FMVSS 209. This is a **safety defect**, not normal wear. The rear seat belts are **inoperable**, rendering the rear seating positions **unsafe and non-compliant with federal safety standards**. Similar failures are widely reported by other Model Y owners on NHTSA and Tesla forums. REQUEST: Please investigate this recurring seat belt buckle latching failure in Tesla Model Y vehicles. A recall or safety improvement campaign may be warranted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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