Tesla Model Y Complaints (2021)

1,061 consumer complaints on file.

#11450011February 2, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On 2 occasions within the last month my Tesla Y experienced a radical but brief stopping response. This happened on a freeway while passing a large truck in an adjacent lane. The car suddenly slowed down and then immediately speeded back up. This happened a second time on a freeway but I am unsure of the specific circumstances. I got delivery of the car in Oct 2021 and both of these incidents happened in Jan 2022. It has only happened those 2 times. Thank You [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
#11449982February 2, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My Tesla Model Y seems to be suffering from what is called "phantom braking". My vehicle was produced shortly after the radar was removed and Tesla went to a camera only system. My car has the lasted updates installed. It is not a Full Self Driving vehicle. Since I purchased the vehicle it has had a problem during low light or sunny conditions with suddenly braking when using the cruise control. The situation has been reported to Tesla multiple times and "bug reports" were recorded and reported to the service center. During one morning drive of about 35 minutes I reported 8 occurrences. Sometimes the vehicle will sound the emergency avoidance braking. The car will suddenly slow from 60 to 30 mph. On multiple occasions the vehicle behind me had to take evasive action to avoid rear ending me. During one of my service visits the vehicle was taken on an extended over night test drive and the technician confirmed the problem. During the other visit the service center did not even take the vehicle for a drive. in both cases Tesla said the hardware was functioning normally and this was a "normal" operating condition for the vehicle. The car does better if I am following another vehicle because it seems to be able to maintain it's depth perception better if it has that reference point. I did report to the service center that the car seems to follow closer at night, even at the max following distance setting. The vehicle also struggles with the automatic high beam headlights which the computer turns on automatically if cruise control is activated. Very often the car is slow to turn the high beams off but in other cases it will turn the high beams off and then turn them back on as another car approaches. I am flashed by other drivers on a daily basis because of this. Tesla does not seem concerned with resolving these known issues. I hope NHTSA involvement can get their attention for these safety related items.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449977February 2, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On a recent trip to Minnesota when adaptive cruise control was engaged there were several ( >10) episodes when the car would suddenly decelerate for no apparent reason. On a two lane highway it might occur if a large vehicle such as a truck was oncoming in the opposite lane. On the interstate, the common scenario was traveling in the right lane going up a slight upgrade with a car passing in the left lane. Often the sudden speed reduction was 25 mph or more. On occasion even on a flat section the car might suddenly brake for no apparent reason. On one occasion this happened in the afternoon going west with the sun glinting off some shiny asphalt crack filling. No accident occurred, but if a car were following closely, sudden braking could cause a crash. Because of this erratic behavior I don't use adaptive cruise control except for short distances. This is a known Tesla problem, but it seems the company is more interested in enhancing games to be played while charging rather than attend to a major flaw.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449967February 2, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
A well known phenomenon of "phantom breaking" occurs frequently and without warning with the Traffic aware cruise control engaged. This occurs not only on 2 lane highways, but even on undivided and divided highways. On the 17 mile commute to work everyday, this will occur 5-10 times, which results in rapid, unanticipated deceleration. At the time of these deceleration events, there is no visual cause to the driver that would have resulted. Often it appears to be activated by oncoming traffic lights, lights on the side of the road at businesses, when cresting the road, and when the road naturally has a bend or swerve in the traffic pattern. These rapid deceleration events place the occupants at risk of rear end collisions and also are uncomfortable as you must immediately place your foot on the acceleration pedal, which results in a jerking movement to the occupants. Telsa needs to either employ a "dumb" cruise control or greatly improved their TACC system before continued use of their system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449961February 2, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Saw this article today in the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/02/02/tesla-phantom-braking/ We have a 2021 Tesla Y. It does not have the Lidar technology. We have experienced this phantom braking when driving west and east across I-94 through MN and North Dakota and Montana. Sometimes it seems like it happens when we cross over a small bridge on the interstate and sometimes it happens randomly. We can't figure out what set it off. Anyway, I told my husband we should never use the auto pilot as that is when it occurs. So, we have quit using it. It is super scary when it happens!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449926February 2, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I have experienced 3-4 occurrences of "phantom braking" while driving on the freeway with the autopilot system engaged on my Model Y. Each time, i have been traveling at 70mph+ when the automated system suddenly slammed on the brakes, causing me to decelerate by 20-40mph before I was able to override the systems by stepping on the accelerator and disconnecting the autopilot system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449917February 2, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
When using Autopilot, I experience multiple, repeatable phantom braking issues on a regular basis. While it is worse on two lane highways, I've also experienced the issues on separated freeways and interstates. The phantom braking varies from a minor throttle response to decrease speed to full emergency braking that drastically reduces the speed at a rapid pace resulting in unsafe driving conditions for occupants of my vehicle as well as those who might be following behind me. Situations that seem to trigger the phantom braking include cresting a hill with oncoming traffic, navigating a turn with oncoming traffic, a larger than average vehicle (commercial truck/tractor trailer) approaching in the opposite late, shadows cast by large trees or overpasses, and changes in pavement color - for example, transitioning from gray concrete to black asphalt.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449915February 2, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Since delivery the vehicle has experienced several "phantom braking" incidents in situations where no threat was evident, including some in which braking was initiated on clear, straight highways with no other traffic anywhere in sight. The events are aggressive and result in immediate profound loss of speed, making the threat of a collision an issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449910February 2, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I have a 2021 Tesla Model Y. Washing Post reported an increase in phantom breaking recently. It's not just recent. I took delivery of my car in May 2021 and quickly learned that when in cruise control this car will randomly apply the brakes - at times going from 70's to 30's very quickly. In a simple drive from Las Cruces, NM to Albuquerque, NM with no traffic on the freeway the system will throw on the bakes while in cruise control at least 6 times. And it's repeatable. You simply cannot use cruise control on the free with any traffic for concern of the system engaging and causing an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449908February 2, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Driving down the highway/interstate when autopilot is on and the brakes are automatically applied for no reason. This happens frequently, especially on two lane roads to the point where I am not able to use autopilot anymore of fear of the car behind me crashing into me when brakes are applied suddenly for no reason.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449899February 2, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I have experienced many episodes of sudden, unexpected and seemingly inappropriate strong braking. The most common circumstance is overtaking semi truck/ trailers that are slowly ascending the mountain slopes of Interstate 5 in southern Oregon. Often the trucks have their emergency flashers in use. IT self-brakes from 65 mph down to perhaps 30-35 mph and I "take over" by depressing the accelerator. It also happens frequently with oncoming traffic on 2 lane highways night or day and usually on a curve. The problem is frequent enough to avoid using cruise control on 2 lane roads and on I-5 mountain grades. It happens reliably on my way to town where an intersection has a flashing light and the approach is downhill into a right hand turn. It does not happen travelling the other direction and does not require any other traffic. For all of these, the sudden braking puts myself and others at significant risk for a rear-ender" collision. There are no lights, warnings, or ability to learn what triggered the inappropriate braking. I do not have the full self-driving option on this vehicle. A call to Tesla for service concludes with, " There are no faults with any of the hardware in the vehicle and these behaviors are a limitation of software in the system at this time". I did not take it to them to look at the car as it is 5 hours of driving plus the service time to do so.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449896February 2, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The manufacturer updated the vehicle software in January 2022. This caused the rear camera to malfunction. The malfunction is that the view of the camera inside the vehicle pauses for periods. The driver is becomes unaware of the true distance between the vehicle and objects behind it. This is worsened as the driver is unaware of the issue. This is a safety issue for any object behind the vehicle when it moves in reverse - including People. It could also easily result in damage to the rear of the vehicle being driven.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449884February 2, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Multiple times on highway car “phantom breaks” when there are no obstacles/cars in front of me. I noticed that the car seems to regularly do this at certain places the highway. For example, on one stretch I’ve had it happen multiple times going under a specific bridge when I’m in cruise control. The car seems to think the speed limit has reduced, leading me to believe the car is reading the overpass speed liMit, not the highway, and adjusting. On another highway, after a steep decline there is an incline. At the end of the decline, the car slams on the breaks as if it thinks the incline in the road is an obstacle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449883February 2, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
This car is continually slamming on the brakes when in cruise or autopilot I have reported this to Tesla and tried to have them repair it but they say it’s normal. My 2019 didn’t hav3 this issue. One time I’d did this my wife started to chock on her gum when it slammed the brakes on so hard it dropped about 40mph in a few seconds.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449878February 2, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The full self-driving mode in my tesla does not react correctly to speed limit changes in small towns. I will be driving with the FSD at 65 MPH when I get to a small town and the speed limit changes to 45 and then down to 25 for residential area the cars speed does not decrease quickly enough to be at the correct speed limit by the time the car reachs the speed limit sign. Based on the speed limit laws I was taught was the car you are driving and are slowing down you must be at that limit when you reach the speed limit sign or else you can be ticketed for speeding. The Tesla FSD is not in compliance with that specific rule of the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449873February 2, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While on a 475 mile road trip, my vehicles emergency brake system was activated while using cruise control on more than one occasion with no visible hazard ahead of me. This caused my car to brake at speeds upward of 70 miles per hour on two lanes highways, leaving me to fear that any car behind me could easily rear end me and harm me or my children who were in the backseat. On another occasion during this same trip, the weather began to turn. Snow began to fall heavily leading to poor road conditions. My model y activated corrective steering twice at speeds of 10-20 miles/hr, both times attempting to swerve my car into the lane next to me occupied by a semi truck. These issues are unacceptable and need correcting as they pose a threat to passenger safety.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449851February 2, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My 2021 Tesla Model Y has a huge problem with phantom braking. It even occurs when I am only using cruise control. Sudden stops and slow downs. I clearly has problems with large vehicles approaching in adjacent lanes. Not only does it scare the daylights out of my passengers, but it is a major safety issue is someone is following closely behind. The answer I get from Tesla Mobile service is to keep reporting it as a "bug". The answer I get from my Tesla Service center is "what to you expect...Tesla Vision is still in Beta mode". I am selecting a date below because your form requires it, but the problem has been occurring since I took delivery in July of 2021
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449732February 1, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The adaptive cruise control system is very dangerous due to constant "phantom braking" problems. With cruise control enabled, the car will randomly slow down, sometimes gradually and others times rapidly. Sometimes the deceleration happens when passing a large truck, or a car on the other side of the road. Sometimes it is in response to shadows on the road. Sometimes there is no discernable reason. Instances of rapid and unexpected deceleration make it likely we will be hit by another car or otherwise cause an accident. This problem is prevalent throughout all Model Y cars and detailed online. Dealers say that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle and they hope it can be fixed in the future by software. However, in the meantime, the dangerous situation exists. My vehicle has not been inspected by anyone for this purpose, at least not yet. There are no warning lamps or messages when this happens.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449481January 30, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Hello, Tesla has released an update that will turn on the side camera when the blinker is activated. At night, the blinker can blind the camera making it difficult if not impossible to see any object. I'm concerned that this can cause the driver to turn into another car at night. The picture attached is with the hazard lights on and you can see how one camera works correctly and the other has a massive glare.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449436January 30, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The heat pump that supplies all heated air to the cabin stopped working completely. Safety was impacted because my windshield fogged up, making it impossible to see clearly out of my windshield or other windows. It was 11°F outside with no heating. I am not sure if a service center has been able to reproduce the issue, but I have images of the fogging and the error message. Nobody has inspected the issue yet. I received an error message "VCFRONT_a447" and "Cabin Climate Control System Requires Service" I have received this error message in two separate occasions now, both when it was lower than 15°F outside.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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