Complaint volume
270 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Tesla Model Y Complaints
270 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Tesla Model Y, grouped by component category.
270 Total complaints
47 Crash reports
0 Fire reports
17 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are forward collision avoidance, unknown or other, suspension. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 47 crash reports, 0 fire reports, 17 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 50 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 16,193 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to forward collision avoidance, unknown or other, suspension?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Tesla Model Y?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Tesla Model Y
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Tesla Model Y complaints?
47 Crash
0 Fire
17 Injury
0 Fatality
25 Towed
13 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Tesla Model Y complaint categories?
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 44
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 17
SUSPENSION 15
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE 9
SERVICE BRAKES 7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7
STEERING 6
270 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | While driving from Boston to Raleigh NC, I experienced several instances of the issue known as "Phantom Braking". While driving with the systems Autopilot driver assistance system engaged the car without warning, and without any visible reason (nothing in front of the car that should have caused such a response), did engage the brakes of the car excessively. In each of the situations the car was mostly alone on the he interstate, was driving in clear conditions, and was in daylight. This occurred more then three times oaths trip down and back up to RaleighNC from Boston MA. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The GPS is malfunctioning- showing the car in a random location, direction and speed. All automation needs to be disabled. The car will attempt to make a non-existent turn based on where it thinks it is, or will speed up or will suddenly decelerate because it thinks it is coming up to a cross street or traffic control. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving approximately 3 MPH and in reverse gear, the rearview camera display began to drop frames and was not displaying live action. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had a manufacturer technician go to his work location who diagnosed on a laptop and stated that there were no issues with the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired and the contact stated that the failure was ongoing. The contact stated that he did have a backup crash due to a camera failure. The contact's rear bumper crashed into the front bumper of another vehicle. The damage was minimal, only scuff marks on the contact vehicle and the other vehicle. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 25,000 |
| Aug 2022 | STRUCTURE | Rear passenger side door was not able to be opened. Tesla service came out and fixed it. A door panel came loose and got wedged on the body seal. He was able to pry the door open and resecure the body seal. He said it happens frequently on this model car. It is a safety issue as if there was an accident (or other reason) someone needed to quickly get out of the car and that was the exit door they would be trapped. It is possible to kick the door open, but hard in a Tesla Model Y rear seat/door as there is no manual door handle, just an electronic button. It would be very hard for a young or old person to press that button and kick at door, making it impossible for them to escape. Tesla needs to redesign the door panel and add a manual door handle like the front doors have. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER | A recent software change removed the automatic activation of headlights with wipers. Headlights on with wipers is the law in most states and a common sense practice. However, with the removal of the automatic activation, you are forced to tap into several sub menus on the touchscreen in order to manually activate the head lights, all while driving in less than ideal conditions. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Total failure of HVAC system which could put driver in danger in extreme temperatures. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | HVAC "dog mode" failed for the second time after repair. Manufacturer says this is a known issue but no alert sent to owners. Screen indicates rising temp, notification sent to phone of failure. No known timetable for fix but no alerts to owners | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | With car in cruise control on freeway, sudden and hard application of brakes by vehicle, no human input. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield cracked from midway of windshield to the bottom. I have heard of/seen a significant number of similar cracks on Tesla Model Y. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Vehicle routinely forcefully applies the brakes for no apparent or warranted reason causing vehicles behind to take evasive maneuvers to avoid striking our vehicle. The vehicle on several occasions has also unexpectedly veered out of our lane into another lane, into oncoming traffic or off the road. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | WHEELS | My Tesla Y lost one of the rear tires pressure suddenly, without any warning. Tire was totally flat. There is no spare tire and I had to get it towed to workshop around 100 miles away Tesla Road side assistance did not help at all. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While sitting behind a car at a red light, the car suddenly went into autopilot and spontaneously accelerated forward at a high speed, causing a rear end collision and over $7000 damages to my car. The sedan that was rear ended by me incurred damages but I have no idea how much. . This is the second time this car has suddenly unintentionally accelerated forward while at a full stop since 1/22 ( I've owned the car since 7/2020). The first time while sitting at a drive through pharmacy window- thank goodness there wasn't a person in front of me! The second time, as stated above, at a red light at a busy intersection. Once again, thank goodness there was a car in front of me to stop the car, otherwise I might have ended up in cross traffic with potentially fatal results. UN-nerving. In light of the Washing Post article, I believe this safety hazard issue needs to be thoroughly investigated before someone gets killed. I've asked for the car data and am still awaiting a manager from Tesla to contact me to discuss what happened and if there was anything on my end that could have caused these incidents to occur. I rarely used by autopilot but since have completely disabled it. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving in a "train" of vehicles at about 65 mph using "autopilot" when my Tesla model Y slammed on the brakes when the paving changed color. I was almost rear-ended by the unsuspecting car behind me. Emergency braking without a valid reason, or even an observable reason, has occurred several times since we took delivery of then car two years ago, but not as severely. I am reporting this 2021 incident now due to the recent publicity. I urge the NHTSA to clamp down on beta testing of vehicle automation by unsuspecting new owners. Vehicle automated driving on public streets is a threat to public safety. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The automatic braking came one while I was driving 70 mph on Hwy 86 through New York State as we approached 3 of the 5 or 6 overpass bridges. My speed dropped quickly to 50 mph, at which point I hit the accelerator to get back up to highway speed. A similar behavior happened several times on this trip when going though an S-shaped curve. Similar behavior also occurred at slower speed ( 30-40 mph) when a car turn in front of me when the car was about 1 block in front of me and turned safely and cleared my path easily. I would have not braked in this situation. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | STRUCTURE | The welding link on the frunk is broken and while driving the frunk is pressing down while driving the car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I have noticed when using Adaptive Cruise Control on my Tesla Model Y that it did phantom braking on me. It has only happened to me about 5 to 6 times and it scared the heck out of me.. Don’t know if I was getting close to a Semi truck and it pulled that phantom braking, but there was a time it just did it on its own when there were no cars around. AutoPilot I have no issue. Hope Tesla comes up with a software fix soon to resolve this issue as I love my Tesla and its a great car to drive.. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Re: VIN-[XXX] My wife was driving the car in this accident. I am reporting it as it happened. When: Oct 29, 2021 at about 2:45 +/- 40 minutes. Where: in the parking lot of a shopping center. In Quail Hills shopping center in Irvine, California. Summary of what happened: a) Unintended and sudden acceleration. The car accelerated suddenly by itself and caused an accident when I was trying to park the car. b) Two more cars were involved and were damaged. My car did not respond to brake and it hit two other cars. c) The car was inspected by repair center and was fixed. Damages were extensive. d) A warning appeared on the screen that said "Automatic braking disabled." during or after the accident. e) We reported the accident to Tesla and requested the EDR/crash data report. They have not provided that. I called several times, sent emails and even went to a Tesla service center. But have no received the report yet. The best way to reach me is via my cell phone:[XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The car keeps phantom braking at highway speeds when there are changes in the color of the road surface or sometimes when overtaking a slower car or truck in the right lane. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | unexpected activate brakes while in autopilot. rapid deceleration can occur without warning, at random, and often repeatedly in a single drive cycle . | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When cruise control is on, the vehicle suddenly brakes. I only put cruise control on the freeway and it has happened 4-5 times over the course of last year, as recently as 2 weeks ago. I had to take over operation of the throttle and removed cruise control to make sure it wasn't going to cause any issue in traffic. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Phantom Breaking - While utilizing cruise control (not even autonomous driving function) the car will randomly slow down/ apply breaks and decrease speed without warning. This has happened multiple times and there is no warning before hand 1) Looks to be the cruise/ automatic emergency breaking malfunctioning. Yes available 2) Dramatic slow down/ breaking on highways going ~70 MPH with cars behind threatens to lead to an accident 3) I have seen numerous corroborating reports but have not taken my car in yet as it does not seem like a solution has been found 4) No 5) No | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | Touchscreen repeatedly freezes. Won’t show gear selection, speed, or any other items. The touchscreen freezes then takes some time to crash to black screen before reboot. Has happened daily since Tesla update. Tesla refuses to provide a fix and continues to tell us to wait for an update. This is unsafe. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | AIR BAGS | my wife who is 130 lbs while driving the passenger airbag turns off, I have told tesla service and they keep saying she needs to sit all the way back in the seat which we have tried and this does not work either, I took it into service to have this fixed and they did not fix it. I continue to send the bug report when it happens, it is oblivious that the sensor is not reading the correct weight. I have been dealing with this for over 5 months | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | Touch screen in the car does not work. Completely unresponsive. This have I cannot have anything in the car - a/c, use safety features like update auto pilot speed, etc. Issues persists even after vehicle was left idle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | We had a crack on the windshield that Safelight tried to fix, but the crack expanded and needed to get a new windshield replaced. It has been 2 months now that we have been waiting on Tesla to get the new part in. In the. meantime, the crack has expanded to over 16 inches and keeps growing. Tesla keeps pushing back the service date claiming that they did not get the windshield in yet. If they do not have windshields, then how are they building new vehicles daily if they have a windshield shortage? The crack in the meantime keeps growing and it is a safety hazard. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |