Common problems

Tesla Model Y Common Problems

We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 6 Tesla Model Y model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.

Data updated June 2026

Owner complaints
3,358

6 model years

Top recurring issue
Forward Collision Avoidance

6 affected years

Crash reports
395

Owner-reported severity signal

Fire reports
20

290 injuries · 107 deaths

Pattern overview

Most reported Tesla Model Y problem categories

#1

Forward Collision Avoidance

875complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 6 model years; highest in 2021.

#2

Vehicle Speed Control

434complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 6 model years; highest in 2021.

#3

Electrical System

335complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 6 model years; highest in 2021.

#4

Unknown Or Other

320complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 6 model years; highest in 2021.

#5

Steering

329complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2023.

#6

Service Brakes

248complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2021.

#7

Back Over Prevention

25complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2024.

#8

Lane Departure

5complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2025.

What owners reported

Issue summaries by Tesla Model Y model year

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners of the 2021 Tesla Model Y frequently report issues with phantom braking, where the vehicle unexpectedly applies brakes during cruise control or Autopilot use, often triggered by shadows or vehicles passing in adjacent lanes. These incidents are described as abrupt and can occur multiple times during a single trip, with some reports noting occurrences at highway speeds. Complaints also detail failures in the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, including unsafe following distances and uncommanded lane changes. Mileage at which these issues arise is not consistently specified, though some reports mention software updates as a potential trigger. Nine complaints involve crashes, and one report mentions an injury, highlighting potential safety risks for prospective buyers.

Severity signals: 9 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners report that the 2022 Tesla Model Y frequently experiences issues with forward collision avoidance, particularly with phantom braking. Complaints often describe sudden, harsh braking during adaptive cruise control or Autopilot when no obstacles are present, posing potential rear-end collision risks. Some reports involve crashes, with 10 incidents and two injuries noted. These issues appear across various mileage ranges, with some occurring shortly after purchase. Additionally, multiple owners mention problems with the system misinterpreting speed limit signs, leading to inappropriate speed adjustments. These patterns suggest that potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, especially when considering the safety implications of unexpected braking and speed misinterpretation.

Severity signals: 10 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners report that the 2023 Tesla Model Y frequently experiences issues with forward collision avoidance systems, notably phantom braking and unexpected vehicle behavior when driver-assistance features are enabled. Complaints often mention sudden, hard braking without clear obstacles and erratic steering responses, which can lead to rear-end collisions or loss of control, with some incidents resulting in crashes and injuries. These issues are reported across various driving conditions, including clear weather and different road types, and can occur both with and without cruise control engaged. Additionally, owners describe problems with camera and sensor functionality, which may exacerbate these safety concerns. Patterns suggest these issues can arise relatively early in the vehicle's life, with some reports indicating problems starting at around 65,000 miles, and they pose significant safety risks, including documented crashes and injuries.

Severity signals: 12 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports

STEERING

Owners report frequent issues with the 2023 Tesla Model Y's steering, particularly involving the front suspension's lateral link bolts loosening or detaching. Complaints often mention a loss of steering control, sometimes accompanied by metallic noises or a sudden "BANG" sound. These failures typically occur around 20,000 to 54,000 miles, with some incidents resulting in crashes and injuries. Multiple owners describe the steering becoming unresponsive, leading to collisions or near-misses, especially at highway speeds. Buyers should be aware of these potential safety risks, as the issues can lead to sudden loss of vehicle control.

Severity signals: 24 crash, 0 fire, 16 injury reports

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owners of the 2021 Tesla Model Y frequently report issues with phantom braking, where the vehicle unexpectedly decelerates without any visible obstructions, particularly when using adaptive cruise control or autopilot. This problem is often described in scenarios involving approaching large vehicles or on certain road conditions, and it is reported to occur consistently at specific locations or under specific circumstances. Another issue noted by owners is unintended acceleration, where the vehicle accelerates without driver input, sometimes requiring aggressive braking to regain control. These incidents are reported across a range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 38,727 miles. Safety implications include reports of crashes and injuries, indicating a potential risk of loss of control. Buyers considering a used Model Y should be aware of these recurring issues, especially when evaluating the vehicle's automated driving features.

Severity signals: 11 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owners report frequent issues with the vehicle speed control system of the 2023 Tesla Model Y, particularly involving unexpected braking events known as "phantom braking." These incidents often occur when using cruise control or autopilot features, where the vehicle abruptly slows down or brakes without apparent cause, even in clear conditions. Complaints frequently mention scenarios such as driving on highways or encountering oncoming traffic, leading to potential rear-end collision risks. Some reports include incidents of unintended acceleration, with a few resulting in crashes and injuries. These issues appear across various mileage ranges, and multiple owners express concerns over the safety implications, particularly the risk of loss of control or accidents due to sudden speed changes.

Severity signals: 17 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owners report frequent issues with vehicle speed control in the 2022 Tesla Model Y, particularly related to phantom braking and cruise control malfunctions. Complaints often describe unexpected and abrupt braking at highway speeds, sometimes without any apparent obstacle, which can lead to near-collisions. Phantom braking incidents are noted both when cruise control is engaged and when it is not, with some owners experiencing this multiple times over long trips. Additionally, several reports mention the car's speed control defaulting to 55 mph unexpectedly due to software updates, causing safety concerns. Notably, some complaints involve crashes and injuries, highlighting significant safety implications for potential buyers.

Severity signals: 6 crash, 0 fire, 5 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report frequent issues with the 2021 Tesla Model Y's electrical system, particularly involving the high-voltage battery and 12V battery failures. Symptoms commonly described include sudden power loss, inability to charge, and vehicles becoming inoperable or locked, sometimes with occupants trapped inside. These problems often occur without warning and at varying mileages, with some reports indicating issues as early as 28,125 miles. Safety implications are significant, with multiple reports of crashes, one fire, and several injuries linked to these failures. Prospective buyers should be aware of these potential issues, especially the risks associated with unexpected power loss and battery malfunctions.

Severity signals: 10 crash, 1 fire, 9 injury reports

Pre-purchase inspection

What to check on a used Tesla Model Y

When problems are reported to begin

  • Forward collision avoidance failures — 0–1,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures — 0–1,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • AP4 computer failures — 1,000–4,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Rear tire wear — 15,000–25,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures — New–100,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Suspension failures — 20,000–54,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures — 59,000–65,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures — 30,000–40,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record

Buyer red flags

  • Test all cameras and sensors for functionality, including backup camera and GPS
  • Check for windshield cracks after using defrost mode in cold temperatures
  • Inspect for any unintentional acceleration or braking during test drive
  • Verify proper operation of Full Self-Driving features, especially lane keeping and collision avoidance
  • Ensure airbags deploy correctly by checking for any past deployment failures
  • Inspect for any signs of rodent damage to wiring, especially in the electrical system
  • Test all cameras and sensors for functionality
  • Inspect rear tires for uneven or excessive wear

How to interpret the counts

Complaint totals are not failure rates

A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.

Source trail

Where this Tesla Model Y data comes from

VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Tesla Model Y research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.

Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.

Buyer questions

Tesla Model Y research FAQ

What is the most common Tesla Model Y problem?

Forward Collision Avoidance is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 6 years with 875 complaints represented.

Which Tesla Model Y year has the most reported problems?

The 2021 has the largest forward collision avoidance count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.

Do NHTSA complaints prove a Tesla Model Y has a defect?

No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.

Check the actual car

Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.

Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Tesla Model Y you are considering.