Complaint volume
1019 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
2021 Tesla Model Y Complaints
1019 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Tesla Model Y, grouped by component category.
1019 Total complaints
85 Crash reports
6 Fire reports
22 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, vehicle speed control,forward collision avoidance, service brakes,forward collision avoidance. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 85 crash reports, 6 fire reports, 22 injury reports, and 4 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 98 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 16,683 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to forward collision avoidance, vehicle speed control,forward collision avoidance, service brakes,forward collision avoidance?
- 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 2021 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.
2021 Tesla Model Y
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Tesla Model Y complaints?
85 Crash
6 Fire
22 Injury
4 Fatality
63 Towed
14 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Tesla Model Y complaint categories?
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 280
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 72
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 70
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 64
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 44
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 34
SUSPENSION 30
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE 29
STEERING 26
VISIBILITY/WIPER 19
1,019 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I own a 2021Tesla Model Y. I took possession of it on August 7, 2021, in Santa Barbara, Ca. Ever since, I have had numerous instances of abrupt automatic emergency braking (phantom braking) episodes while using cruise control or autopilot. On January 26, 2022, I had 47 episodes, in just a couple of hours. This is typical. Several of the phantom braking episodes occurred with vehicles tailgating me. This is a grave safety issue and requires immediate attention. My Tesla Model Y has been to the Tesla service center over 4 times regarding this problem without resolution. They say phantom braking is a software issue and only the engineers can fix it. I was assured soon after delivery that the software would be updated quickly, and it would fix the problem. The issue still exists. I am very disappointed with the vehicle and fear for my safety. Please require Tesla to remedy this very serious safety issue immediately. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I have an ongoing problem with the dashcam recording, which for me is a safety issue. The dashcam constantly records from several cameras what is happening around the vehicle. The dashcam icon will show a red “x,” indicating that the dashcam is not working. Probably 80% of the time I get in the car, the red x is there. The solution involves opening the glove box and pulling the drive, waiting for up to 20 seconds, then replacing it. If that doesn’t work, the usb drive needs to be formatted and all previous clips are lost, but probably 95% of the time the reformat fails. It was recommended by Tesla service that I purchase another usb drive ($45?), but that did not solve the problem. I’ve had my car into Tesla service for this issue or reported it through the app multiple times. For months, I’ve been told it will be addressed with a firmware update, but it has not happened. Other Tesla owners are also having this issue, but it was addressed with a firmware update and the problem was fixed. The owners who have the Full Self Driving Beta have NOT had a firmware update to address the issue. We are the owners who paid $10-15,000 extra for the full self driving feature. I have not been able to get any information from Tesla about an expected timeframe for this update. I ask, but I’m always told it will be a “future update.” I have asked if anyone is working on this issue, and they won’t answer that question either. I would like to know the status. I’ve been very patient, but since there is aggression in the areas where I drive against EV drivers, and Teslas in particular, I need this feature to be working. I have been harassed, had large pickup drivers tailgate or try to run me off the road, and I’ve been coal rolled. I’ve already used data from the dashcam to report aggressive drivers to the police. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Autopilot was on during a light rain event where I was traveling less than the posted speed limit on the I95 northbound Highway. The autopilot appeared to force the car to abruptly jolt the steering wheel/tires, causing a slip/ hydroplane of the front end which forced the car into a left/sideways slide across the highway. The car slid sideways for about 100 feet or so before going straight into the concrete divider along the Highway (front driver side initial impact, then rear driver side 2nd impact). Control could not be regained with the vehicle. Steering did not work (tried to correct the path), it felt as if brakes did not slow the vehicle as the car approached the divider. Autopilot was fully engaged and lane keeping was active… with at least one hand on the steering wheel and moderate level of attention to the road. I must say I had likely became over-reliant on the autopilot. No warning was provided to me as, prior to the incident. A similar hydroplane problem can also be seen on a YouTube video posted online for the same model car. I experienced the same outcome as the other vehicle except I hit a divider after crossing lanes. I am however very pleased with how well the car handled the impact and how well the airbags went off, although also unfortunate- I do feel like the car may have been partially responsible for the accident itself.I have experienced a few prior occurrences where the car will jerk the wheel when in autopilot to keep or find a lane, even with hands on the wheel and full attention facing forward. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | multiple incidents of phantom braking well traveling on I 90. 5 documented incidents. Have requested vehicle service however previous service for this type of incident did not correct the issue. at one point the car slowed from 75 to 50 before i could react. there were no other vehicles near my vehicle when the events occurred. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While driving cross country on interstate highways using cruise control my car would try to stop itself. During a 500+ mile day it would do this 10x per day. Most times hard enough to engage seat beats. There has been no inspection. Tesla is denying a problem. The danger is if someone is following too close they could resend me. I was never in traffic when this happens. Never anyone in front of me or next to me when this happens. On line they call the phantom braking. I can’t tell if it’s braking, or the cruise control disengages and the car is suddenly stopping because of one pedal driving mode. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | TIRES | The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Pro Contact, Tire Size: 255/45/R19, DOT Number: IVY0FBJJL. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH, the TPMS warning illuminated and the contact was advised to pull off the road. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side tire had disintegrated and the entire tread had separated from the side wall. The contact had the vehicle towed to a tire dealer and had the rear passenger’s side tire replaced; however, the failure reoccurred without warning light. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the tire was not inspected. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,926. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 13,926 |
| Aug 2022 | STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES | My wife was driving on the highway on 8/16/22 at around 9:50pm on the garden state south and all of the sudden the car by itself started swerving lanes and my wife tried to stop the car but to no avail the brakes weren’t working as well. After some time the car finally got back into control and she was able to pull over. The car seemed to be hacked. No explanation how this happened. We didn’t pay for the whole self drive option so I’m not sure how this happened. Very furious. That could’ve been my wife’s life on the line if there were cars. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | Currently and noticing other reporting the inaccurate location of the GPS in the car. At times the car gpe will drift into areas not associated with the cars correct location. If the car is in adaptive cruse or teslas autopilot the car will maintain the posted speed limit for that GPS location or a delta of the users defined (+ - 10 or 15 mph). This cause a car to abruptly reduce the speed if not within the posted speed limit for that area. For example a car in autopilot or adaptive cruse going 70mph on the highway, the gps will start drifting into areas outside of you location and abruptly reduce the speed to assumed location. This is even more troublesome if autopilot is engaged where the car will try to change lanes as directed by the gps. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My wife and I have owned the Tesla Model Y for one year. We have taken it on several long distance drives from our home in Moscow Idaho to the Oregon and Washington coasts, Vancouver BC and Seattle. During each of the trips we experienced phantom braking when the car was driven with cruise control engaged at highway speeds on 2 lane highways. Phantom braking has occurred when 1) there was no oncoming traffic during daylight hours 2) with oncoming traffic that was not in our lane 3) when there was a slight turn in the highway and no traffic. The most recent phantom braking events occurred 7-14-22 and 7-30-22 on Washington highway 26. When the phantom braking occurs it appears to be random. The car will very quickly drop from 65mph to 55mph causing us a scare. We do not use the cruise control feature anymore on the two lane highways. Its just too scary when it happens. We have complained to Tesla and have submitted service requests and was told they are aware of the problem but no corrective action has happened yet. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | We experienced 3 phantom braking events while using the autopilot feature of the Tesla model Y on our trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco. While on autopilot on the 5 freeway northbound, the car just braked when the lanes in front of us are clear. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Reporting numerous instances of ghost braking while Adaptive Cruise Control is enabled. These are instances of sudden deceleration of the car when no other vehicles or obstructions present while traveling on 4 lane highways at freeway speeds. Requires overriding ACC feature by engaging the accelerator to maintain speed and avoid a possible rear end collision. Rear end collision is the most of the highest risk when this sudden deceleration occurs. No warnings were given before the deceleration. These episodes are most noticeable when traveling at freeway speeds of 65+ mph in open terrain with no curves. One instance could be attributed to a shadow across the roadway, however, more times than not shadows across the roadway didn't cause ghost braking. The point being that there often is no rhyme or reason that can be identified or repeated. This problem is a known problem that Tesla is aware of as well as the NHSTA. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While driving at highway speeds the adaptive cruise control suddenly slams on the brakes for no reason. It is more frequent when there is little to no traffic. This happens regularly, it is not an isolated incident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On multiple occasions the vehicle in question exhibited dangerous behavior while the "Autopilot" cruise control system was engaged. This is not "fully automated cruise control FSD" but the standard "Autopilot" system. Each of the incidents listed below occurred on multiple dates, multiple times and in various times of day, speeds and weather conditions. 1. While driving at speed, the vehicle, upon detecting the cars in an adjacent lane separated by pole dividers were stopped, suddenly slammed on the brakes in an attempt to stop the car, risking a collision from behind, even with my own lane completely clear of other cars 2. While driving at speed, the vehicle, upon detecting a higher or lower posted speed limit sign alongside the road, suddenly braked or accelerated without warning, risking a collision in front, or behind 3. While driving at speed, the vehicle, upon detecting emergency flashing lights from a passing police, ambulance or fire vehicle, regardless of that vehicle's location or direction, suddenly decelerated without warning, risking a collision from behind 4. While driving at speed, the vehicle, upon detecting a change in lane width, the loss of a lane marker, or the presence of a concrete barrier in place of a lane marker, suddenly swerved to attempt to remain in the center of the changed lane width, and on more than one occasion, almost swerved into a barrier or another vehicle | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On October 12th, 2021 my vehicle had multiple instances of phantom braking that occurred on highway 10 in California while traveling Eastbound with autopilot engaged. This was a trip in excess of 400 miles. Two of these instances occurred as my vehicle approached rainwater washes where metal barriers appear on both sides of the road ( see 33°38'10.5"N 115°05'01.6"W for an example ). The third instance occurred when a truck in the slow lane began drifting towards my lane slightly. In each of these three instances the car did a heavy braking at which time I quickly disengaged the autopilot by tapping the brake and speeding back up. Thankfully no accident but these three occurrence were scary. I reported phantom braking into the voice command database of the vehicle after each occurrence. According to a tesla representative these are saved. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | A. 3 or 4 times while I was driving on the highway with cruise control the car very suddenly de-accelerated even though the road ahead was completely clear. This happened before. B. Also later on the same trip the car hit a part of a tire tread left on the road. The underside of the car was apparently damaged. The screen message was "okay to drive. power reduced". Over next several hours the power, and later other functions like air conditioning, and maximum speed was reduced from 69 to 67 to 65 to 62 mph and message "okay to drive" was repeated. Suddenly while car had message of 62 mph maximum speed it suddenly wouldn't go over 37 mph. Seconds later it dropped to maximum 13 mph while still showing "okay to drive - 62 mph max speed". I pulled over on shoulder and car wouldn't go into drive function. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While in cruise control, which is adaptive, vehicle will abruptly slow down for no know reason. Usually there are no other vehicles, no highway obstructions, nothing that I can see. Tesla finally told me that this is a "known issue", after making a service appointment, and them calling me to cancel the appointment. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE | The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that the vehicle had received a software update through the Wi-Fi from Tesla. The contact stated that the camera for the autonomous self-drive feature had become excessively sensitive sounding the alarm for the Occupant Detection and Lane Assist at the slightest movement. The contact stated that the issue caused multiple distractions while driving. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The contact had informed the manufacturer of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 36,314. | Crash: No Fire: No | 36,314 |
| Aug 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Car regularly brakes for no reason causing near accidents constantly and posing a huge safety risk. Additionally, the full self driving option is totally unusable. Both these issues have been reported to Tesla multiple times. We have been told the only way we can have an actual working cruise control is to disable the full set aware driving without refund for that Bert expensive option | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The driver infotainment system locks up randomly. Which makes all safety features, turn signal indicators, backup camera, reverse mode (mirrors drop), speedometer, collision sensors, etc NON-FUNCTIONAL. Until either the system crashes or finally unfreezes. This also removes one-pedal driving as well when frozen. Version is 2022.16.3 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | AIR BAGS,SEATS | Airbag is OFF for a 123 lb front seat passenger (adult female). This is an intermittent fault -- the passenger airbag status changes during the drive. Possibly half the time the airbag is OFF, when it needs to be ON. Two Tesla Service Center visits were made. The first Tesla Service Center visit reproduced the fault but did not correct it. The second Tesla Service Center visit did not reproduce the fault and did nothing. The passenger airbag status OFF is displayed on the touchscreen. The faulty component(s) could be the seat occupancy sensor(s). This has been an issue since vehicle delivery. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While using adaptive cruise control we have experienced multiple incidents of our vehicle braking hard, fast, without warning, and for no reason. The most recent incident just happened (07/21/2022) while driving on a 4 lane highway. My husband was using ADP traveling at approx 65mph when suddenly our Tesla model Y began rapidly braking, throwing my upper body towards the dash and causing us to almost be rear ended by the vehicle traveling behind us. Thankfully, I did not hit the dash and the vehicle behind us was paying attention and swerved into another lane to avoid a collision. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | The rear hatch can be opened while the car is in drive or reverse from a remote input from the app. On several occasion my hatch has opened from a remote input while in traffic while stopped at red lights. Tesla says this is normal behavior. So what is possible is someone can open the hatch from a remote input from anywhere without being able to see the car. My concern is when this has happened item could have fallen from my trunk into traffic resulting in damage or vehicles behind me. To close the hatch you must place the car in park first. Having a vehicle in park in traffic could result in a collision. You can not move the vehicle while the hatch is closing or it stops closing it takes several seconds to open or close the hatch and additional time to realize you must place the vehicle in park to close it. Remote input to operate the hatch should be disabled while the vehicle is in drive or reverse. The event has occurred on 4 occasions while driving the vehicle over the last year. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The vehicle loose power all of sudden while driving disabling all power including loss of power steering, failure of lane departure avoidance, regenerative brakes, parking breaks, traction and stability controls. This has caused hazardous dangerous conditions on the road. The vehicle had to be towed to local Tesla repair/service center on 4 occasions. We have been given false reassurance with no definitive fix yet, continues to be an ongoing issues that recurs after few weeks that vehicle comes back from service center. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On July 16, 2022 I was traveling west on I-40, east of Tucumcari, NM. I was using Traffic Adaptive Cruise Control (TACC). There were no cars within a mile of me, front or back. The weather was clear, the road was flat. The car suddenly braked without warning. The objects stored in the back of the car flew forward, striking the two front seats. The wheels did not lock up. I immediately stabbed the accelerator. I saw the power line bar graph indicator go fully to the right. I contacted Tesla to request a service appointment. Tesla initially set an appointment but then cancelled it, explaining there was nothing wrong with the car. I was reminded that TACC (along with virtually all other Tesla driving aids) is "beta" and may therefore not function as intended or expected. It was the responsibility of the driver to assume the risks implied. Prior to this event, I had already decided not to use any technology more advanced than the speed control (TACC) as they behaved poorly. I thought that adaptive cruise control (Tesla: TACC) was a such a common technology that it wouldn't exhibit phantom braking. I was wrong. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I own a 2021Tesla Model Y. I took possession of it on August 7, 2021, in Santa Barbara, Ca. Ever since, I continuously experience automatic emergency braking (phantom braking) episodes while using cruise control or autopilot. It is very dangerous because I almost got rear-ended. I've had it in Tesla's service center several times for inspection. They always say the technicians can't fix the phantom braking problem, that only the engineers can, and that they are working on it. It's been one year and there hasn't been a software update to remedy the dangerous flaw. Will you please force Tesla to fix the hundred, perhaps thousands, of Tesla Models 3 and Ys that have this problem? An investigation and recall would be welcomed. Thanks! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |