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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | SUSPENSION | The front suspension on my 2021 Tesla Model Y developed progressive creaking and groaning noises during low-speed turning, especially in parking lots or when maneuvering. The noise began intermittently around 45,000 miles and became much louder by around 86,000 miles, which made me concerned about a potential safety issue before a long family trip. The sound comes from the front lower suspension area and indicates that something may be loose or failing. I am worried about the possibility of losing steering control if the suspension components separate or shift while driving, especially with my children in the car. The Tesla Service Center in Lisle, Illinois inspected the vehicle and informed me that both front lower lateral links and both front lower compliance links must be replaced (all four front suspension links). The repair estimate is about $1,600. This problem appears identical to the condition described in Tesla’s campaign/recall SB-21-31-003 / NHTSA 21V835, which involves improperly torqued front lower lateral link fasteners on 2020–2021 Model Y vehicles. My vehicle shows identical symptoms and identical components, but my VIN does not appear in the recall. I contacted Tesla corporate support by email requesting a safety/goodwill review, but I have not received any response. I believe this issue is safety-related and may indicate that more vehicles should be included in the existing recall. I am attaching the Tesla service diagnosis confirming the required replacement of all four front suspension links. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I dropped my kids to school and started reversing the car without seatbelts. Thinking that I will get out of the parking lot and then put the seatbelt on. Car will stop and goes into park mode. Somehow I came out of the parking lot and about to put and drive again same thing. Car will go into park mode. Somehow I started coming out of the parking lot and took a pause. Same thing again car stops and goes into park mode. It was almost the car behind me about to hit. I guess this is a bug of the “Hold” mode. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | SUSPENSION | My 2021 Model Y at 49,865 miles had a safety-critical failure of the "front lower compliance and lateral links." The Tesla technician confirmed it was a "safety issue." | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud pop coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle lost automotive power and rolled away in reverse downhill towards oncoming traffic. The contact was able to avoid oncoming traffic and reverse onto the shoulder of the road; however, the driver’s side rear driver’s door failed to unlatch or open as intended while using the interior door handles. A local tow truck arrived on scene, and the passenger’s side door failed to open as intended with the exterior door handle. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but remained at the local dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 60,000 |
| Nov 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | This incident appears to relate to NHTSA ongoing investigation at Tesla's low voltage battery system failure causing door handle malfunction. (September 26, 2025) 2021 Model Y front and rear doors (all four) was locked down with a seven years old child inside the car at home garage driveway. Mom unable to open up doors from exterior. A few hours later, left driver door was able to open but other passengers door remained locked down. (October 2, 2025) Sent Model Y to Tesla service center and identified low voltage battery and vehicle controller failure. Tesla technician replaced those electrical components with service fee charged. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | SEAT BELTS | Both rear seat belt buckles (driver-side rear and center) fail to latch securely. The metal tongue inserts fully into the buckle but does not lock with an audible click and releases immediately upon light tension. This prevents the seat belts from restraining passengers in a crash. - No visible debris, damage, or contamination in either buckle. - Issue occurs consistently on multiple attempts and with different seat belt tongues. - Vehicle is 2021 Model Y Long Range with 83,610 miles. - **Problem first noticed yesterday (November 2, 2025)**. - Tesla Service has refused repair under warranty, stating the vehicle is out of warranty, despite this being a critical safety component governed by FMVSS 209. This is a **safety defect**, not normal wear. The rear seat belts are **inoperable**, rendering the rear seating positions **unsafe and non-compliant with federal safety standards**. Similar failures are widely reported by other Model Y owners on NHTSA and Tesla forums. REQUEST: Please investigate this recurring seat belt buckle latching failure in Tesla Model Y vehicles. A recall or safety improvement campaign may be warranted. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On October 2, my Model Y battery was replaced with a defective cell. Tesla service center replaced the battery. The vehicle could not charge or operate, making it unable to be driven. Today, November 2, while driving my car, my Tesla ABS system and other battery components experienced total failure while driving. For a brief period of time, I was unable to brake completely and my vehicle felt like it was skidding. At the time this occurred, my 1 year old daughter and pregnant wife were in the vehicle. This could have been much worse. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | SUSPENSION | The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud clunking sound coming from the rear driver’s side of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. After the failure had occurred, the mechanic who towed the vehicle informed the contact that the failure could be related to a detached axle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front suspension lateral link had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. After researching, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V835000 (Suspension). The contact expressed concerns that the vehicle should be included in the recall due to the similarities between the reported failure and the recall summary. The approximate failure mileage was 45,483. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 45,483 |
| Oct 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The driver rear left side door is unclear electrical control and broke so I cannot open the door from the outside. I have a child inside. This is an extreme safety hazard were an accident to occur. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while coasting into the garage, the vehicle independently accelerated. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic or dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. However, the contact was in the process of repairing the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,727. | Crash: No Fire: No | 38,727 |
| Oct 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | I am reporting a safety issue involving my 2021 Tesla Model Y. The vehicle recently displayed a “Parking brake function degraded” warning. The car has only 91,000 miles and is approximately four years old, which is far too soon for a failure of a critical safety component such as the electronic parking brake. Please investigate whether this issue is part of a wider defect affecting Tesla Model Y vehicles. This should not occur on a relatively new car with moderate mileage. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Rear cameras and side cameras suddenly failed resulting in low visibility and severe blind spots increasing the chances of collision with other vehicles, people, etc. It is reproducible at the dealer and they are trying to fix the problem by replacing the computer. It can be inspected until dealer repairs the issue. The vehicle has only been inspected by the dealer. There was a warning on the screen starting that cameras are temporarily unavailable but camera function did not return after a week and brought to the dealer for repair. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving along one of the main highways in Orlando, Florida called [XXX], on Wednesday [XXX], in my Model Y Tesla. I was between the exits of [XXX], and [XXX]. I was in the middle lane. There was a software update issued the previous Sunday. The warning came on the display that the lane changing was not valid. At that point the car took over and accelerated. The brakes would not work, until I slammed on it after 3 times, and the car began to decelerate. The air conditioner went off, along with the electrical turn signals. I as able to get off at the [XXX] exit for it is a bit of a "hill" up in Florida, but knew I could coast into a lane hopefully no one would be in. I was able to at least coast into a parking lot, and bump the car into a concrete barrier, and a tree infront of the barrier. The car would not respond to park, neutral or the emergency brake. I tried re-booting the car 3 times and nothing. I had to call a tow truck to tow to the Tesla Service Center in Clermont, Florida. They could not get it in park either and had to drag the Tesla onto the flatbed. After 5 days of not responding to my text, I walked into another Tesla service center to plead my problem. Long story short, there is an unexplained anomaly that is in the CANBUS and cannot duplicate the error. More $ to have to tested for another week. They gave me a loaner to use, a Model S. After a few days driving it the loaner screen went blank and I was stranded. I had their loaner towed back to the service center. They will not 100% address the problem. They know it is in the CANBUS system, but now I definitely am scared to drive the car or get it back. How do I know if they will really tell me it is fixed? I fear if I get back in the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Immediate Escalation: Safety-Related HV Drive-System Concern / Diagnostic Fee Dispute / No Loaner – Urgent Review Needed VIN [XXX] I am requesting immediate escalation of a safety-related concern involving my 2021 Model Y (approx. 90,000 miles) currently assigned to the Tesla Wilmington Service Center. The advisors (Shelly & Amanda) has stated the diagnostic fee will not be covered until after inspection, but the earliest inspection is October 22, and I’m being asked to drop off the vehicle now with no loaner or transportation support. This is a High-Voltage Drive-System concern that may fall under the Drive Unit Limited Warranty (valid through Feb 2029). The local team refuses to classify the case under warranty review or confirm transportation support, leaving me without safe mobility for weeks. Please escalate this to a Corporate Service Manager or HV Warranty Specialist today and confirm: 1. That the diagnostic will be covered pending warranty review, and 2. That loaner or transportation support will be provided. I’ve been going back and forth with the Wilmington team for a week, and this matter has not been resolved. Despite this being a SAFETY concern and issue . I was told that that O would have to wait weeks to get this issue resolved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The rear passenger door was stuck in the closed position and would not open. We brought this to Tesla to fix 5 separate times. My kids sit in the back seat and were not able to get out of the car. We were very worried about their safety because if there was an accident or emergency and they had to get out, they would be stuck inside the car. Each time we brought it to Tesla for repair they "fixed it," only to have the problem occur again weeks to months later. This is a HUGE safety issue. We will attach invoices to this but the dates this occured were 10.3.22, 5.2.23, 6.5.23, 6.21.23, and 4.25.25, | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | SUSPENSION | The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the front suspension lateral link fasteners were loosened. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V835000 (Suspension), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 22,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 22,000 |
| Sep 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,STRUCTURE | On August 20th, 2025 at 2:50pm, my eight-month-old infant was trapped inside my Tesla Model Y for approximately 30 minutes due to a critical systems failure. The vehicle experienced an error with the 12V battery that rendered the doors, windows, and trunk completely inoperable, preventing any means of access or escape. My infant was flushed, diaphoretic, and crying while stuck in his car seat with an indoor temperature exceeding 104 degrees fahrenheit. Despite all attempts to override the system, the car remained locked, and the battery dead, and emergency services had to be contacted. Officers from the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, and Montecito Fire Department arrived on scene and, in order to rescue my baby, were forced to smash a window to gain entry. The police officer was advised by a Tesla representative to do so, as he confirmed there would be no way to override the system to open the doors. My baby was found screaming in a pool full of sweat and was carried to an ambulance, where the paramedic warned me of concerning vital signs and advised me to go to the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital to have his condition assessed and treated, if necessary. I have obtained a copy of the police report (Case No. XXX) and will provide it upon request. Tesla confirmed that this problem with the 12V battery is common, nonetheless we were made to pay for a new window and a battery replacement. There were no warning signs leading up to the shutdown and not notifying us of this system failure and the risk involved is complete negligence on behalf of Tesla. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | SUSPENSION | Front suspension upper control arm makes loud creaking/squeaking noises when turning at low speeds. This is a known and widespread issue affecting Tesla Model Y and Model 3 vehicles, caused by premature ball joint wear. This poses a safety risk, as the upper control arm is a critical suspension component and could fail while driving, potentially leading to loss of steering control. Tesla has acknowledged the issue through service bulletins, but they do not cover the repair outside the 4yr/50k mile warranty, leaving many owners with the same premature failure. Some repairs may be offered under goodwill, but this is inconsistent and not guaranteed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,STRUCTURE | On July 5, 2025, I entered my vehicle parked in my home garage and the door latched shut. Upon putting my foot on the brake. Center screen was blank (did not power on). I attempted to press the unlock button on the door and there was no sound from the motor to open the door. The door was still locked from the inside of the vehicle and I was locked inside. I waited around 5 minutes (after attempting to call my wife to try to let me out of car and tried the open the drivers door again by pressing the exit button. The door unlatched by normally the window rolls down partially to exit. This time the window did not move and I have to force the door open by pressing my shoulder hard against the interior door panel. I hear a popping sound from inside the door and the window would not roll up. I did not drive the vehicle fearing that the car would not start and my family could be trapped inside the car. I created an appointment for Tesla service for July 7, 2025 for the door locks and the driver's window that would not roll up completely and also would roll down but return to a 70% rolled up position automatically. I did received an error warning on the late evening of July 6, 2025 that the 12 volt battery voltage was low on the main center screen of my vehicle. I took the vehicle to Tesla service on July 7, 2025 and it was determined that the 12 volt auxiliary battery that was faulty and my window was repaired and recalibrated. I never saw an alert for the 12 volt auxiliary battery low voltage prior to when I was locked inside the car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,STRUCTURE | - Open rear passenger door and secured child in car seat. - Try to open driver side rear passenger door - which would not open. - Tried to open rear passenger door where child was in, and the door would not open. - Car was powered off and none of the doors opened. - After approximately 5 minutes, front passenger door opened, and child was removed form the car through the front door. - Requested roadside assistance with the diagnosis of 12V battery failure. - No warning that 12V battery was near end of life - Software updated the previous night. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | A [XXX] child could not open the left rear passenger door due electrical failure. This is a known safety failure for Teslas. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,STRUCTURE | On [XXX], the car was parked at my regular parking garage. The valet entered to the car to bring it down for pick up. After he entered, the power on the vehicle went out and the door would not open. He did not know about the manual door release. I walked up to see what the delay was and found him locked inside. The car was parked on an upper floor and the it was over 100 degrees in the car. We contacted 911 but eventually found the door release. Tesla was notified and towed the car several hours later. They jumped the car to get it open. It seems that the 12V battery had died without warning. Notes from Tesla Concern: Car won't power on/enter drive - Case MergedCustomer States : vehicle will not power on or drive Originating Phone Number : [XXX] IVR Context - No Results. Please check AutoDiag. | Repair Notes: Verified customer concern. Diagnosed and Found An internal short in the 12v battery: One or more of the six internal series cells has been bridged, resulting in five or less cells now being in series, reducing the voltage by at least 17%. This resulted in the e-fuse for the VCLEFT to trip and shut down the left side of the vehicle. Replaced 12V Battery. Proactively Perform 12v Disconnect procedures. Update vehicle software to the latest available firmware. Performed Validation Test Drive. Vehicle operating currently within Tesla Specifications. Verified Proper Operation. No further action is needed at this time. Correction: General Diagnosis Correction: Battery - 12V (Lead Acid) (Remove & Replace) - Remove and Replace INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,STRUCTURE | In December 2023 I strapped my [XXX] son into his carseat in our Model Y and walked around to the front to get into the car as well. In those few seconds the 12v car battery died (I did not get any notification in my app) and I was unable to open any doors, so my infant son was trapped. We live in Florida and this was an 80 degree day. With no other recourse I was forced to call 911 to have my son removed from the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,STRUCTURE | Vehicle shut down and individual was locked in the car. Unable to release the doors. Incident occurred on June 23rd with a temp of 95 degrees and higher heat index. Individual was Stuck in the car in a parking garage with no one around to hear screams for help. Called home for assistance to come to the parking garage to help free them. Informed by online article about the Model Y 2021 model having other incidents of the same. We thought it was just a freak occurrence of our vehicle until reading about the probe. No warning indications that the auxiliary battery needed replacing that controls such functions. Tesla's Repair Notes: "The vehicle was unable to power on when parked, which was verified by the technician's inspection and the customer's report. The issue was caused by a failing 12V battery. The technician replaced the 12V battery to resolve the problem. After the replacement, all systems were checked and confirmed to be running properly" | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system has repeatedly demonstrated unsafe behavior in my 2021 Model Y (VIN [XXX] , ~60,184 miles). The issues involve Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assistance, and Forward Collision Warning. FSD frequently follows vehicles too closely, leaving insufficient distance. When I disengage, I am left with no safe option: braking hard risks being rear-ended and triggers a hard-braking event, while lifting off the accelerator leaves me dangerously close, still flagged as unsafe following. FSD often waits until less than a mile before highway exits to attempt lane changes, causing last-second darting, missed exits, or unsafe maneuvers. It also performs excessive and unnecessary lane changes that add risk without improving efficiency. Merges are frequently unsafe, forcing me to brake hard to let others pass or accelerate aggressively to avoid being cut off. On several occasions, FSD has jerked or swerved into adjacent lanes without signaling, seemingly triggered by shadows or changes in the road surface. These phantom maneuvers are unpredictable and hazardous. On [XXX] at about [XXX], at a T-shaped intersection, FSD failed to yield to a vehicle traveling straight with the right of way while I was making a left turn. I had to slam on the brakes to disengage, narrowly avoiding a collision. This was the second such incident in the same intersection in one week. These repeated failures—unsafe following, late exit attempts, failed merges, phantom swerves, and failure to yield—create significant risks for me, my passengers, and surrounding drivers. The problem has been reported to Tesla multiple times via in-car voice reports and a written service request, and logs from my vehicle should confirm these events. No warning lamps or system alerts appeared before or during the failures. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |