Tesla Model Y Complaints

3,785 consumer complaints on file.

#11686394September 10, 2025
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Description of Incident: While operating the vehicle with FSD engaged, the system was traveling at the posted speed limit of 25 mph. Without warning, it suddenly made a sharp left turn onto the sidewalk and accelerated during the maneuver. A pole on the left side struck the vehicle, damaging the driver-side mirror, scratching and denting the body, and leaving the left rear door unable to open properly. This was the third time FSD had been used since purchasing the car less than 24 hours prior. The system did not allow manual override of the wheel at the time of the incident. After the impact, once the vehicle returned to the road, it came to a stop and FSD disengaged on its own. Notes: No pedestrians or other vehicles were in the immediate area, preventing further harm. No system warnings or alerts were issued before or during the incident. The incident is attributed to a malfunction of the FSD system.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686378September 10, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was in the Cesar republic parking garage and I pushed the summons button to come to me and the car went through the parking gate arm for incoming vehicles, damaging the car and the gate structure.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686167September 9, 2025
SUSPENSION
I am filing this complaint to report a serious safety defect in the Tesla Model Y. On [date], my wife suffered a rear tire blowout at freeway speeds in our Tesla Model Y. Despite regularly checking tire tread depth and relying on Tesla’s built-in tire monitoring systems, the blowout occurred because the inside edges of the rear tires had worn down to exposed cords, while the outside tread still appeared to have ample depth. Tesla Service attempted to explain this away as “normal wear and tear” and a need for alignment. However, this is misleading. The Model Y’s rear suspension has built-in negative camber that cannot be adjusted from the factory. Alignments can only adjust toe, not camber, so this design characteristic inevitably causes accelerated inside-edge wear regardless of alignment. More critically, this risk is not disclosed to consumers: It is not explained during the sales process. It is not documented in the Owner’s Manual. Tesla’s sensors only track pressure, not tread depth, meaning there is no warning system to alert the driver. The average consumer has no way of knowing they must crawl under the car to inspect the inside edges of the tires. To an owner, the tires look safe until catastrophic failure occurs. In addition to the safety hazard, this hidden defect creates a financial burden. Because of the blowout, I was forced to spend $1,200 on new tires unexpectedly. This premature and unforeseen cost compounds the danger by placing families under financial stress along with physical risk. This represents a foreseeable safety hazard that endangers Tesla drivers and passengers. I believe this condition warrants a formal NHTSA safety investigation and potential corrective action (such as a recall, suspension redesign, or mandatory disclosure). Vehicle details: Tesla Model Y Mileage at time of incident: 43940 I urge NHTSA to investigate this matter promptly to prevent additional ac
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685474September 6, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
This is a complaint regarding intermittent camera blindness, driver assistance failure, and dismissed diagnostics on a 2023 Tesla Model Y. These issues have impacted critical safety systems including: •Pillar and rear-view cameras •Autopilot and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) •Park assist and visualization systems Despite multiple service visits and clear documentation, Tesla has failed to diagnose or remedy the malfunction, attributing the issues to external weather factors despite my repeated statements that the problems occurred in clear conditions. The vehicle has also generated camera blocked/blinded alerts, even when the lenses were clean, and service technicians confirmed the B-pillar camera was blocked during 8.7% of the drive cycle — a serious figure given that Tesla’s driver-assist systems depend entirely on vision-based processing. The vehicle has shown alerts related to Automatic Emergency Braking being disabled, which Tesla attributed to a “false trigger.” Regardless, the vehicle may have operated without key crash-avoidance systems enabled at unknown times. I live near Santiago Canyon, a winding road I specifically raised concerns about in relation to Tesla’s camera-only system. A recent fatal crash in that same area involving a Tesla with severe post-collision fire damage has made this complaint more urgent. My concerns appear predictive and ignored. Timeline of Complaints •12/20/2023: Rear camera issues begin. •12/22/2023: Initial service request opened. •12/31/2023 – 1/4/2024: Repeated documentation of pillar camera blindness and system failures. Tesla dismisses as fogrelated. Invoice #3000S0008955083 issued (Irvine, CA). •1/4/2024: I confirm continued camera blindness after service. •1/5/2024: I formally tell Tesla I believe the issue is due to a software update and is broader than one sensor. •7/11/2024: New concerns about GPS failure and power trunk documented in invoice #3000S0010537222 (Lake Forest, CA).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685462September 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am filing this complaint regarding recurring safety, security, and system failures in my Tesla Model Y, concerns about unauthorized access, and Tesla’s refusal to provide complete diagnostic and privacy data. These issues have directly endangered my safety and prevent me from confirming whether the vehicle has been compromised. The vehicle’s touchscreen and associated software systems repeatedly failed. An unfamiliar key fob activity was detected on July 27, 2025 and on at least two occasions prior to July 27, 2025, the touchscreen went black and could only be restored via a full hard reboot. Safety Risks: * Loss of touchscreen functionality could disable access to critical driving and emergency controls. * Potential unauthorized access poses risks of theft or malicious interference with the vehicle. * Chemical/gas odors could indicate exposure to harmful substances. Tesla service center inspected the vehicle but reported no issues; I believe the inspection may not have been fully conducted as requested. The vehicle has not been independently inspected outside of Tesla. Police and insurance representatives have not been involved. Warning Signs Prior to Failure: * The touchscreen went black twice in the two days prior to July 27, 2025. * Unfamiliar key fob activity was detected on July 27, 2025. * The charger port opened by itself multiple times. * The vehicle locked while I was inside on one occasion. Attempts to Resolve: * Tesla’s mobile service rescheduling and service center inspection did not identify or resolve the issues. * Five privacy/data requests submitted to Tesla for access and diagnostic logs returned incomplete, empty, or irrelevant files. Desired Outcome: * A complete copy of all records and data related to my vehicle, including access logs, diagnostic logs, security/camera events, and system communications. * A thorough, transparent inspection of the vehicle by Tesla, conducted in my presence, with full documentation of findings provided.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685416September 5, 2025
SUSPENSION
The 2 bolts on the lower lateral control arm on the front driver side fell off as I was driving. This caused the front wheel to collapse into the wheel well. Two large bolts were on the ground. Car had to be lifted onto tow truck . The car is out of warranty but this is a manufacture defect for the bolts to just fall off. If I had been on the freeway, there would have been a major collision. Luckily I was on a residential street. Tesla needs to do a recall. I looked up this issue and many Tesla owners have the same experience. Please help
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685140September 4, 2025
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, in a parking lot, the message for an alignment was displayed for several seconds before the front driver’s side wheel separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The tow truck driver had difficulties placing the vehicle on the tow truck. Upon inspection, the contact found two loosened bolts had detached and fallen to the ground. The front suspension was also loose. The dealer confirmed that the bolts had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V835000 (SUSPENSION). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 36,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685040September 4, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sun glare is a well-documented driving hazard, yet Tesla’s Y model’s visors are too short to offer sufficient coverage. This compromises driver safety and forces customers to seek aftermarket solutions for a problem rooted in design. A responsible manufacturer should address this defect directly. Driving home as sun was setting, I was completely BLINDED by the sun. It was terrifying as the visor was too short to stop the sun glare. I was lucky I didn’t hit something or somebody plus my own safety.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684895September 3, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Tesla vehicles include an “ambient light” feature called Sync with Music. When enabled, the cabin lights pulsate, flash, and change intensity in rhythm with the audio being played. While marketed as a visual enhancement, this mode is extremely distracting when the vehicle is in motion. The constantly strobing and pulsating lights inside the cabin draw the driver’s attention away from the road, especially during night driving when the effect is brightest. Details of the Issue: •The light pulses are highly dynamic and mimic stage lighting or flashing effects, which compete for the driver’s visual attention. •The distraction is more severe in low-light or nighttime driving conditions, where the contrast between the pulsating interior lights and the dark environment is stark. •The rapid changes in brightness and color can momentarily impair night vision when the driver looks back toward the windshield. •There does not appear to be a safety lockout that prevents the mode from operating while the car is in motion. Safety Concern: This feature increases visual distraction for the driver and may impair safe operation of the motor vehicle. The flashing lights could also pose a potential risk for individuals sensitive to strobe effects or conditions like photosensitive epilepsy. Allowing this mode to run while driving is a safety hazard. Request: NHTSA should investigate whether Tesla’s Sync with Music ambient light feature complies with federal motor vehicle safety standards related to driver distraction and interior illumination, and whether restrictions should be placed on its use when the vehicle is not in “Park.”
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684879September 3, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving on the highway with my 2021 Model Y Tesla when control arm detached from the frame. Tesla said they could not confirm if it was covered on the warranty over the phone.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684568September 2, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The main vehicle computer (MCU) failed. The problem first appeared in May 2024 with intermittent rear camera malfunctions. It has since worsened. Most recently (08/28/25), the center display went completely black and the vehicle became inoperable — I could not start or move it. This left me stranded in a dangerous neighborhood late at night and required the car to be towed. When the display fails, I lose access to the rear camera, climate controls (including defrost), and turn signal indicators. These are safety-critical systems, and in this case the failure also disabled the ability to drive the vehicle entirely. The problem has been reported to Tesla. They inspected the vehicle but claimed the earlier camera malfunction was unrelated to the current computer failure. No independent mechanic has inspected it. The failures are ongoing and reproducible. No warning lights or alerts appeared before the system shut down. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Being that this issue originally arose back in May, 2024- it should fall under Tesla’s warranty which expired in December 2024.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684364September 2, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
When using the adaptive cruise control or “autopilot” feature on my Model Y, the vehicle will brake extremely hard without warning. This sudden, unnecessary braking is commonly referred to as phantom braking. The failure is available for inspection upon request. This malfunction poses a significant safety risk to myself and others, especially vehicles following behind, as it could lead to rear-end collisions. The issue is widespread, with many other drivers experiencing the same problem. The problem is easily reproducible on highways, particularly at certain intersections where no obstacle is present. The system will sometimes display a “curvature assist” prompt despite the road being straight, causing the vehicle to brake abruptly. I have not taken the vehicle to a dealer because the warranty has expired. The issue has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, nor has it been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. However, I reported it directly to Tesla and have received no response. No warning lamps or error messages appear before the failure, aside from the inaccurate “curvature assist” prompt. Cause: UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684325September 1, 2025
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
Bike rack fell off of car on northbound interstate 294 less than 1/2 mile from the 127th street exit. I believe I set it up correctly. Pin was in and the knob was tightened. No accidents as traffic narrowly avoided the unit and bikes. IDOT showed up quickly to remove. I believe the safety pin is inadequate to hold the unit on. Pictures attached.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684225August 31, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Phantom braking happened. This is the 3rd time to my car. This time, my car stopped automatically when I was already decelerating close to 2-5 mph and the car in front was very far away. I was not using FSD nor autopilot. The emergency auto stop sign came up out of nowhere and my car jerked really hard and my child in the back experienced the jerk and this injured his shoulder.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11684201August 31, 2025
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
Two days ago a warning popped up on the Tesla screen saying to schedule service for something the car had detected. It said the car could still be driven. I submitted a service request in the app, and in the meantime researched the error. Per Google, it said this was a potential issue with suspension / steering components that needed to be looked at. The next day, a Tesla technician called and asked what my appointment was for. I told him about the error and that I had found it said it was for a suspension or steering issue. He told me I was wrong, and that it was only for low tire pressure. The car did not have low tire pressure. He said the appointment wasn't needed, cancelled the appointment, and told me to drive 30-40 miles to clear the error. Literally 5 hours later, after my wife driving my kids down the freeway, when parking on the street in front go my house the car made a giant pop and the front left sank. We looked under the car and the front drivers side control arm had completely disconnected, popping straight down towards the road. More concerning, two bolts popped out, not broken, but just clearly loose and had finally unscrewed. You will see them on the ground in the pictures. If this had happened 5 minutes earlier while on the freeway I don't want to even think about what might have happened. These cars should be recalled, this is super dangerous. Not to mention the fact that Tesla explicitly canceled my appointment for this and told me not to bring the car in.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684109August 30, 2025
SEAT BELTS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Subject: Complaint – Tesla North Hollywood Service Visit on Aug 30 Date: August 30, 2025 Time: Around 12:25 PM Location: Tesla North Hollywood Service Center Advisor: Anthony I visited the Tesla service center to report issues with my car: Possible seat belt problem in the back seat (my two kids sit there) Front and rear windows sometimes stop working I spoke with Anthony explained the issues and showed him the video i recorded it clearly show seat belt and windows malfunction . tesla Security cameras will confirm this. He smiled and asked if we wore seat belts. I said yes. He asked me to go to the car, but he didn’t inspect anything. I asked him again to check, and he said there’s nothing he can do unless the problem is happening right now. Then he walked away. This was very disappointing, especially because this is a safety concern involving children. No inspection was done, and my concerns were dismissed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683887August 29, 2025
WHEELS, STEERING
Incident Details: • Date/Time: [XXX]. • Location: [XXX] • Event: While driving, the front left wheel partially detached without warning, causing an immediate loss of steering control. Findings (third-party technician at the scene): • The wheel/control arm/linkage had come loose/detached. • Two major suspension bolts were extremely loose or had detached. • A rotor screw detached easily during inspection. • Photos, videos, and witness statements are available upon request. Current status: Tesla has not provided a failure analysis or demonstrated that the issue is resolved. Similar failures have been reported on social media, and recalls between 2021–2023 addressed front suspension lateral link fasteners that could loosen or detach. “A 2021 recall (NHTSA Recall #21V835) affected Model 3s from January 2019-April 2021 and Model Ys from March 2020-June 2021. A 2022 recall (NHTSA #22V895) was for certain 2023 Model Ys with issues on the left-hand lateral link. “ My vehicle has not been included in any such recall, and I received no prior notification. Supporting documentation (emails, service records, publications) is available upon request. Risk Level: Extremely high. This defect creates a severe danger to drivers, passengers, and the public. Tesla’s lack of corrective action leaves many customers at risk. 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
#11683809August 29, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The Curvature Assist function activates and applies the brakes automatically on straight and level sections of freeways with no observable obstacles or curves, requiring driver to resume acceleration to override the brakes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683645August 28, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
After I purchased this car I noticed that the steering wheel and whole car including the seats vibrate. They tried tire pressure, alignment and balancing nothing. It still vibrates so much it’s affecting the nerves in my hands and body and make me numb. They say the car is safe and refuse to diagnose or fix it unless I pay. Car is a month old it’s still under warranty!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683536August 27, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Tesla has a bug with their basic Autopilot software that they refuse to fix and that I believe is causing a safety issue. They advertise Autopilot as standard on all Tesla's as an active safety feature that helps reduce driver stress and improve safety on the road. Here is the issue. Basic Autopilot has a feature built into it that limits the speed to 5 mph over the speed limit. This is a great idea! However, since a software update that was released early last summer, the car struggles to read the proper speed limit. For instance, many roads in my area are posted at 65 mph. The car doesn't read these and defaults the speed limit to 50 mph, meaning I can only use Autopilot at 55 mph max. When most people are driving 70 mph, this causes a safety issue. Tesla is aware of the problem. I have filed MANY bug reports, and even contacted a service center about the issue. The service center claims to be aware of it, and said that they escalated the problem to the software team, but no fix has been issued in over a year. Either they just don't care about this issue and are too busy trying to work on FSD and Robotaxi to fix it, or they are purposely not fixing it to force people to subscribe to FSD as FSD doesn't have this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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