Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
No recalls on record for this model
No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
145
Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 31 mention a crash, 8 mention an injury.
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In the 5 years we have had this vehicle there have been multiple issues with the Self Driving feature including: 1)Phantom braking on busy freeways in [XXX] 2)Swerving randomly into the other late on a curve on 4 lane hwy at 65 mph ([XXX] near [XXX]) 3)Attempting to switch lanes into fast traffic when we were at a standstill in rush hour traffic ([XXX]) 4)Slamming brakes on on a 2 lane road on a curve because there was a semi in the other lane (that had not crossed the line) [XXX] 5)Being a short way from exiting the freeway and having the car jump back into traffic ([XXX] at [XXX]) 6) Slammed on brakes when the car in front of us was exiting [XXX] normally on an offramp going northbourd around the city of [XXX]. These are some of the most egregious errors the car has made, but there are more not listed. I try it on occasion when there is a software update. It is not safe though- almost without fail I need to take over each time I try it. As [XXX] said on XXX "Hardware 3 simply does not have the capability to achieve unsupervised FSD due to physical computing and memory limitations." The full self driving is dangerous, yet each time I get in the car the computer encourages its use. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764224 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
142
Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 3 mention a crash.
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On or about XXX my Tesla Model Y downloaded FSD version 14 Lite. One day after downloading the software, I used FSD and the new software caused the computer to overheat. This killed the car computer and made FSD, adaptive, cruise control, lane keep assist, reverse camera, and many other functions, including GPS and navigation inoperable. My car’s warranty expired in January of this year and Tesla will not cover the replacement car computer. There are hundreds of other complaints of this issue reported online on [XXX], Reddit, Facebook, etc. In the 2nd quarter Tesla Earnings Call, [XXX] declared that hardware 3 equipped Tesla vehicles would not be able to support autonomous driving with full self driving. He stated every hardware 3 vehicle will need to be updated with a hardware 4 computer and cameras. Since my hardware 3 computer failed, I requested the hardware 4 computer and cameras to be installed, but Tesla denied this service even though [XXX] said it was a requirement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764580 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
463
Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 18 mention a crash, 5 mention an injury.
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The Tesla will randomly when the Adaptive Cruise Control is engaged brake from highway speeds down to 30mph. This happens when you go by off ramps and at some intersections on the highway. 1) At the intersection of [XXX] and [XXX] in [XXX] it happens sometimes especially if there is a vehicle next to you 2) At the intersection of [XXX] and [XXX] 3) Off ramp on [XXX] and [XXX]. these are the places that it happens the most. It does very randomly do it at other locations. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764813 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
161
Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 25 mention a crash, 7 mention an injury.
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I was using my cars FSD program and it nearly turned me in front of an oncoming Semi truck. This was after it hesitated to turn the car when it had a safer opportunity. I thought it would wait but then it started to turn and I had to stop it, which left me slightly out of my lane which was scary too, with a giant truck coming head on.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764834 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
46
Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.
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This is for a recurring front passenger safety restraint system defect on a 2021 Tesla Model Y, VIN [XXX]. The defect has now resulted in at least six service visits or invoices involving the same front passenger restraint / occupancy system concern, and Tesla has now charged $1,582.18 for another repair involving the front passenger seat cushion trim and seat back trim even though prior repairs did not permanently correct the condition. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11752865 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
56
Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 2 mention an injury.
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I brought the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center for a front suspension noise. During the alignment portion of that repair, the technician found a crack in the left side of the rear subframe casting, the structural member that locates the rear suspension links and supports the rear drive unit. The subframe required full replacement. There was no impact event. The vehicle has never struck a curb, pothole, or object, and Tesla's own written finding confirmed there was no evidence of any side impact. Tesla attributed the crack to stress transmitted from failed front lower control arm bushings, which were replaced at the same visit. The front lower lateral links and their subframe fasteners were also replaced during this repair. The Tesla technician stated he had not seen this subframe crack so severely at this mileage, and that he normally sees this failure only on vehicles over 100,000 miles, or vehicles that have hit severe potholes or fallen off steep curbs, none of which applies here. A rear subframe cracking under normal driving loads at 68,000 miles is a structural failure with safety implications. The subframe controls rear wheel alignment and retains the drive unit. Progressive or sudden failure could cause loss of alignment, instability, or loss of vehicle control. I am reporting this so NHTSA can determine whether premature rear subframe cracking, potentially linked to front suspension link failure, represents a defect trend on these vehicles.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763484 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
61
Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 5 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
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The vehicle's Autopilot/Full Self-Driving (HW3) computer has failed at approximately 70,000 miles. Tesla Service has diagnosed the vehicle as requiring replacement of the HW3 computer. As a result of this failure, multiple safety related systems are inoperative, including collision avoidance, lane assist, lane departure warning, automatic wipers, and other driver assistance features including adaptive cruise control. The vehicle is also unable to receive over-the-air software updates, including potential safety updates. In addition, the vehicle experiences system lag, including delay when shifting into Drive or Reverse. The center display is slow to respond, and certain media and software features are no longer functional due to inability to update. This condition increases safety risk because active safety systems designed to assist with collision prevention are disabled. The failure appears to be hardware-related and not due to normal wear. Tesla has confirmed the need for computer replacement but has declined coverage as the vehicle is outside warranty. The failed component should be available for inspection upon request.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11720961 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov