Tesla Model Y Complaints

3,785 consumer complaints on file.

#11683531August 27, 2025
SEATS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
During normal driving, the driver’s seat shifts/moves during turns. This is distracting and raises concerns about the seat’s ability to hold position in the event of a collision. I brought the vehicle to Tesla Service to address this problem. However, the service center dismissed the concern without properly diagnosing it. Specifically, Tesla did not perform a test drive to replicate the issue. My wife reviewed the trip/route history for the vehicle after the service visit and confirmed that no test drive occurred. Despite failing to properly inspect or repair the car, Tesla has now marked the issue as “resolved” in their records and has warned me that I will be charged $225 for the next visit if I continue to pursue the matter. This effectively penalizes me for their failure to perform a proper diagnostic in the first place. In summary: •The seat continues to move while driving. •Tesla did not test-drive the car to replicate the issue. •The problem was dismissed without resolution. •I have now been told I will be charged $225 if I bring the car in again. This combination of (1) an unresolved safety defect, (2) failure to properly diagnose, and (3) a threat to charge me for follow-up raises serious concerns. I request NHTSA investigate and ensure Tesla properly addresses this seat defect without penalizing owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683445August 27, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Statement of Facts Regarding Tesla Accident [XXX] On [XXX], I was involved in an accident with a Tesla that I had rented directly from Tesla’s rental program. The vehicle was equipped with Tesla’s full software capabilities, including AutoDrive and the Smart Summon feature. At no time during the rental process was I given warnings, training, or any overview about how these features work, the risks they pose, or the long history of reported incidents involving Teslas colliding with stationary objects while operating under self-driving or summoning functions. On [XXX], I used the Summon feature for the first time in the parking lot of my business at [XXX] . The car was parked in spot [XXX], where I regularly park. I attempted to use Summon while standing in full view of the vehicle, but the software repeatedly displayed “lost connection.” After disabling Wi-Fi, I held the Summon button again and the car successfully pulled out of the spot, drove forward, and arrived directly in front of me. This demonstrated the feature was functioning properly on that day. On [XXX], while again parked in the same spot, I attempted to demonstrate Summon to my wife. I was standing in clear view, approximately 50–75 feet away, near the complex entrance. As before, the software repeatedly displayed “lost connection.” I attempted to reengage by hitting the summon button to reconnect the command. That did not work. When I walked up to the vehicle, I discovered that the front quarter panel near the wheel had come into contact with the covered parking pole. At no time was I aware that the car had hit anything, nor did the system provide any alert that it had engaged with an object. This stands in stark contrast to the way Tesla’s software consistently warns when the car is being manually driven — giving constant alerts when drifting out of a lane or approaching another vehicle. The absence of such a warning during Summon demonstrates a failure of the software’s sa INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683413August 27, 2025
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
The driver side mirror vibrates causing a blurry image while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683388August 27, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Immediately after an over-the-air (OTA) update on Aug 8, 2025, my vehicle began showing camera connection errors and disabled multiple safety/ADAS features. Over the following days, I repeatedly received alerts that AEB was unavailable. The vehicle remained drivable, but AEB and related safety functions were inactive. Chronology: Aug 8, 2025: OTA software update to 2025.26.6 completed. Right after completion, the touchscreen displayed camera connection errors and disabled AEB / Autopilot / cruise control. Aug 11, 2025: While driving, I again received an “AEB unavailable” alert. Similar alerts appeared intermittently throughout the week. There was no water intrusion, impact, or external damage. Cameras were clean and unobstructed. I scheduled the earliest available Tesla Service appointment and reported the AEB failure as a safety issue. Service diagnosis: Tesla diagnosed a failure of the Autopilot computer (HW3) and ordered a replacement. Cost/coverage: I requested that the repair be covered by Tesla because the failure started immediately after the OTA update and I am a paid Full Self-Driving (FSD) purchaser. My request was denied; I was charged ~$1,600 (slightly discounted) for the computer replacement. Safety risk description: The failure disabled AEB and other forward-collision mitigation features without an external cause, beginning minutes after the OTA update. I consider this a safety defect because an advertised crash-mitigation system became unavailable during normal use, increasing crash risk. The timing suggests a possible software–hardware interaction (software change triggering or revealing a hardware fault) that could affect other vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683017August 25, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
I initially brought my car in for a weird clicking noise. This noise went away after the car was towed to the Service Center. During service at Tesla Service Center in LA on August 04, 2025, technicians identified structural deformation of the left-hand rear subframe toe link mounting side wall. This deformation prevents proper alignment of the suspension bolt and makes a 4-wheel alignment impossible. Tesla refused warranty coverage, claiming “impact damage,” citing only cosmetic wheel rim scrape as evidence. However: 1. Torque paint marks remain intact, proving the bolt has not shifted since factory assembly. 2. No collateral suspension damage (control arms, bushings, underbody) was found, which would normally occur if an impact strong enough to bend a subframe ear had happened. 3. This failure mode is nearly identical to Tesla’s prior recall (21V-835 / 23V-235) on the front suspension lateral link bolts, which involved subframe mounting holes deforming and preventing proper alignment. Safety Concern: The subframe is a critical structural component of the suspension system. Deformation at the toe link mounting point risks the following issues: improper suspension geometry, loss of wheel alignment, reduced vehicle stability and tire wear, and potential sudden loss of control in emergency maneuvers. Tesla has declined to repair this under warranty, leaving the defect unresolved. I believe this represents a potential systemic defect in the rear subframe design, similar to the previously acknowledged front subframe defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683010August 25, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Summary of Issue: The vehicle has experienced intermittent drive disconnections without warning. This occurred multiple times on August 9–10, 2025, during trips between Palo Alto and Monterey. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection? The suspected component is the drive unit (covered under Tesla’s 8-year Drive Unit & Battery warranty). The vehicle and its systems remain available for inspection by NHTSA or Tesla. How was safety put at risk? The intermittent drive disconnections can result in sudden loss of propulsion without warning while the car is in motion. If this occurs at highway speeds, it creates a serious safety risk of collision or loss of vehicle control. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center? Tesla Service has attempted to inspect the vehicle but reported “no fault found.” Because the issue is intermittent, Tesla did not reproduce it during their inspection, though I documented it on August 9–10, 2025. Has the vehicle/component been inspected by the manufacturer or others? Yes, the Tesla Service Center inspected the vehicle 25 August 2025. However, Tesla has refused to provide a detailed record of what diagnostic steps were actually performed (log review, physical inspection, or drive unit stress testing). Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms? No warning lamps or messages appeared at the time of the failures. The vehicle resumed propulsion after several seconds, clearing the condition without leaving an active customer-facing alert. Concern: Because the failure is intermittent and leaves no persistent alerts, Tesla has returned the vehicle without resolving the problem or providing adequate documentation. This leaves a potential safety-critical drivetrain failure unaddressed. Requested Action: I request that NHTSA investigate potential drive unit intermittent disconnection failures in Tesla Model Y
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682933August 25, 2025
SEAT BELTS
I have an alert that says Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Issue and Service is required. This is a major safety issue and the Tesla Service Center says I need to pay $800 to fix it. This is a manufacturer issue and the cost should not be incurred by the vehicle owner. This issue puts my family safety at risk and the light is coming up everytime I drive. I need TESLA to review it and fix this at no cost.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682709August 24, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was using FSD the whole time without any issues. As I approached an intersection, I wanted to go straight, but the FSD intended to make a right turn, so I switched to manual mode. After driving halfway through the intersection, I switched back to FSD, and the car suddenly made a sharp right turn, crashing directly into the traffic light.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#11682682August 24, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was in a parking lot and activated Autopilot while the car was next to a stationary pillar near a parking space. Immediately after activation, the vehicle failed to detect the pillar and drove directly into it. The impact happened so quickly that there was no practical opportunity for human intervention to avoid the collision. There may or may not have been a warning, but even if a warning was displayed, it occurred too late to allow the driver to react before the impact. The system did not provide effective parking collision warning or apply automatic emergency braking. This incident caused damage to the driver-side door and mirror. My safety and the safety of others were at risk because the system failed to prevent a collision with a fixed obstacle. No inspection has yet been performed by Tesla service.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682605August 23, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While driving a Tesla Model Y on a freeway in Arkansas, the vehicle was operating in Autopilot mode (Tesla's driver-assistance system). During a highway merge, the vehicle followed a state trooper's car too closely and failed to slow down appropriately. The trooper had to apply his brakes to avoid a collision. After stopping the vehicle, the trooper issued a written warning, explicitly attributing the issue to equipment failure and advising immediate correction. This issue appears to involve a failure of the adaptive cruise control and forward collision detection system while Autopilot was engaged. No collision occurred, but the situation posed a clear safety risk to both the trooper and my vehicle. This was not the first issue with the vehicle's automation. In a previous incident (November 2024), the vehicle exceeded the posted speed limit while on Autopilot, resulting in a traffic citation. Tesla has been notified, and a service request is open. Diagnostic review is pending. There were no warning lights or alerts from the vehicle before the incident. The vehicle remains available for further inspection if required.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682599August 23, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
When using Tesla Autopilot (Adaptive Cruise Control) Tesla Curvature Assist will engage on straight roads during nice weather and great forward visibility. When Tesla Curvature Assist engages, the car brakes and slows dramatically. I have had drivers behind me think I was brake checking them or messing with them. This feature is dangerous and there is not an option to disable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682579August 23, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Brake line failed at the left rear tire. Corroded line. The line is corroded on the right rear also. These are my observations. The brakes failed when driving locally at lower speeds so the car was able to eventually stop due to the regenerative braking. Will be towed to the dealer for inspection/repair. Inspection/repair will occur on Sept.15, 2025. No warning until after the failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682563August 23, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
After installing the most recent Tesla software update, my vehicle immediately displayed multiple alerts: traction control disabled, stability control disabled, and reduced steering assist. Cameras were disabled, navigation was disabled and my vehicle location was wrong. The vehicle lost core safety systems that are critical to safe driving The car functioned normally before the update. Immediately afterward, these safety systems were disabled. Tesla Service has since diagnosed and confirmed, They state “an internal short within the drive assistance module (computer). The internal short is causing excessive current draw, resulting in loss of driver assistance features. The latest software has revealed the underlying root issue within the car computer.” This indicates that the vehicle was operating with a latent defect that Tesla’s diagnostic update exposed. The update did not cause wear-and-tear failure; it surfaced a hidden safety defect inside Tesla’s own hardware. Why This Is a Safety Concern Loss of traction control, stability control, and steering assist creates a significant risk of loss of vehicle control. If this had occurred while driving at speed, the sudden loss of these systems could have led to an accident. Attempting a reboot while driving (Tesla’s standard troubleshooting suggestion) would have created further distraction and risk. luckily when the car catastrophically failed and was unable to turn, I was in my driveway and not on a highway or any other roads.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682515August 22, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Traveling today using the cruise control function in Tesla Model Y, the car took over the control of the car and applied braking for no clear reason. Was going 70 miles an hour, had been using the cruise control for about 30 minutes when incident occurred. There were semi trucks in the slow lane, I was in the fast lane. There were no vehicles in front of my car. The car suddenly lunged forward as the brakes were automatically applied. Simultaneously, the steering wheel began to jerk back and forth causing the car to veer back and forth. Vehicles around me began braking as well to avoid rear ending my car and to avert hitting my car as it veered back and forth. I had to fight the steering wheel in an attempt to pull it off the active roadway and then the car suddenly gave all control back to me at which time I was able to disable the cruise control and take full control.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682492August 22, 2025
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
According to TESLA service, my two "lateral links" for the front wheels need to be replaced. They sent us photos of the issue and it looks like one of the fasteners for one of the lateral links was missing (1 of two fasteners) If the other fastener failed/fell out the car could easily steer out of control. The problem of the lateral links was confirmed by Tesla servicing. They are repairing it under warranty. It was only been inspected by the manufacturer, Tesla. There were no warning lamps. The only indication was the thumping sound during turns.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681847August 20, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, STEERING
accident involving my Tesla while the Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature was engaged. Vehicle Information: [2022, Model - Y, ] Incident Summary: While driving with FSD engaged, the vehicle hydroplaned and the steering wheel started spinning uncontrollably and despite attempts, couldn't regain control of the car, and it spun while crossing lanes. A truck hit the front of the car and ended up on shoulder.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11681578August 19, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle went into Turtle mode and there was a warning sign that power was reduced. The car eventually stopped moving on the highway seconds later. The warning time was minimal and I was on a two lane highway when the car stopped in one of the lanes during rush hour. This is the third time I have had this warning since February 2025 and I started leasing the vehicle December 2024. The first time, the service replaced the accelerator pedal. The second time, the rear motor. This third time, they are saying it's the accelerator pedal again. Each time there is no warning or signs that there is an issue and it is unacceptable for a vehicle that is only one year old.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681257August 18, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Front wipers stoped during use on windscreen, returned to functionality and then minutes later shut down. No ability to manually or via rain sense to get arms to move. Performed soft, hard, and thired suggested Tesla reboot. Not resolved. Service scheduled for 15 days rendering vehicle unsafe to drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681135August 17, 2025
SEAT BELTS
2nd Seat belt does not latch and cannot be secured. This poses a serious safety risk while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681097August 16, 2025
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Passenger Left rear passenger door, Right Driver Side door, Right passenger door, Trunk door would not open..rebooted car still did not open. Open car door intrenally front right..closed would not open. Same with all other doors mentioned, Tesla app show vehicle was unlocked when it was not.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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