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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | The vehicle driver assist system frequently has phantom braking in situations it should not be, especially when there are vehicles behind putting us at risk for a collision due to unexpected braking behavior of the car. This happens especially in setting of 2 lane roads with oncoming traffic, and guaranteed with a truck in the vicinity. On major highways it is less so, but does still happen occasionally. On local roads even if straight and no obstruction the automatic braking without notice occurs when least expecting. Also the lane departure system disables automatically for the remainder of a drive if you veer off a lane even once and didn't take the corrective action the vehicle thinks should have happened. That's not how a safety feature should work... It should remain on regardless. As much as I do enjoy this car, these quality issues definitely make you second guess and keep a closer eye on how you drive to avoid accidents if the system decides to not work as advertised | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Saw this article today in the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/02/02/tesla-phantom-braking/ We have a 2021 Tesla Y. It does not have the Lidar technology. We have experienced this phantom braking when driving west and east across I-94 through MN and North Dakota and Montana. Sometimes it seems like it happens when we cross over a small bridge on the interstate and sometimes it happens randomly. We can't figure out what set it off. Anyway, I told my husband we should never use the auto pilot as that is when it occurs. So, we have quit using it. It is super scary when it happens! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When using Autopilot, I experience multiple, repeatable phantom braking issues on a regular basis. While it is worse on two lane highways, I've also experienced the issues on separated freeways and interstates. The phantom braking varies from a minor throttle response to decrease speed to full emergency braking that drastically reduces the speed at a rapid pace resulting in unsafe driving conditions for occupants of my vehicle as well as those who might be following behind me. Situations that seem to trigger the phantom braking include cresting a hill with oncoming traffic, navigating a turn with oncoming traffic, a larger than average vehicle (commercial truck/tractor trailer) approaching in the opposite late, shadows cast by large trees or overpasses, and changes in pavement color - for example, transitioning from gray concrete to black asphalt. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was traveling in -5 degree (Fahrenheit) weather and the cabin heater stopped working (a notice appeared on the screen explaining that it was malfunctioning). Windshield began to fog up, so turned on fan and outside air in order to remove the fog. Ended up driving 8 hours in -5 degree weather with outside air coming in the car. Seat heaters and steering wheel heater continued to work. My passengers and I had to wear coats, boots, gloves, and a hat and still got numb hands and feet. I felt this was a dangerous situation, unable to keep warm while driving or when pulled over. Manufacturer looked at the issue and said the refrigerant was slightly low and replenished it. I don't feel confident that this was an actual fix. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Multiple times on highway car “phantom breaks” when there are no obstacles/cars in front of me. I noticed that the car seems to regularly do this at certain places the highway. For example, on one stretch I’ve had it happen multiple times going under a specific bridge when I’m in cruise control. The car seems to think the speed limit has reduced, leading me to believe the car is reading the overpass speed liMit, not the highway, and adjusting. On another highway, after a steep decline there is an incline. At the end of the decline, the car slams on the breaks as if it thinks the incline in the road is an obstacle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The adaptive cruise control system is very dangerous due to constant "phantom braking" problems. With cruise control enabled, the car will randomly slow down, sometimes gradually and others times rapidly. Sometimes the deceleration happens when passing a large truck, or a car on the other side of the road. Sometimes it is in response to shadows on the road. Sometimes there is no discernable reason. Instances of rapid and unexpected deceleration make it likely we will be hit by another car or otherwise cause an accident. This problem is prevalent throughout all Model Y cars and detailed online. Dealers say that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle and they hope it can be fixed in the future by software. However, in the meantime, the dangerous situation exists. My vehicle has not been inspected by anyone for this purpose, at least not yet. There are no warning lamps or messages when this happens. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | The heat pump that supplies all heated air to the cabin stopped working completely. Safety was impacted because my windshield fogged up, making it impossible to see clearly out of my windshield or other windows. It was 11°F outside with no heating. I am not sure if a service center has been able to reproduce the issue, but I have images of the fogging and the error message. Nobody has inspected the issue yet. I received an error message "VCFRONT_a447" and "Cabin Climate Control System Requires Service" I have received this error message in two separate occasions now, both when it was lower than 15°F outside. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LANE DEPARTURE | Hello, Tesla has released an update that will turn on the side camera when the blinker is activated. At night, the blinker can blind the camera making it difficult if not impossible to see any object. I'm concerned that this can cause the driver to turn into another car at night. The picture attached is with the hazard lights on and you can see how one camera works correctly and the other has a massive glare. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I have written to you before on my Tesla automatic emergency braking (phantom braking) problem. I am updating you on the issue. Please see the enclosed file. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Sudden acceleration. I was stopped in my driveway (flat surface). The car started to roll forward and I pressed brake hard. Vehicle came to a complete stop but when I removed my foot from brake car lurched forward. Car hit a retaining wall approximately 3 feet away before I could stop it again by braking hard. When the car was put in park I was able to remove my foot from the brake without it lurching forward again. Little personal safety risk in this situation in my driveway with no other people around. the car hit the retaining wall at relatively low speed when it lurched forward. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Heat pump failed when driving in minus 7F weather. Windows fogged up and car was dangerously cold. Only heat seater and steering wheel to stay warm. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | The heater of the vehicle just stop working, due to MN cold weather and since there is no heat and just cold air blowing. It freezes the windshield and frost would build up with out any way to melt it since there’s no heat. It also fogs up the interior in the car since you can’t open the windows due MN minus windchill weathers. It’s hard to see and keep warm in a cold climate state. Tesla doesn’t see this is an emergency and it’s very concerning | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the horn was inoperable unless extreme pressure was applied. The dealer was made aware of the failure and sent a Tesla associate to the contact's residence to inspect the horn; however, the vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable. Consumer stated horn works but very difficult to operate. Horn/airbag has to be pressed hard in the center which requires removing one hand from the steering wheel. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 75 MPH on interstate with FSD 10.9. 6 separate phantom braking events over 350 miles. Very dangerous in traffic. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When using cruise control or autopilot the vehicle will suddenly slam on the brake which almost caused an accident on multiple occasions. The lack of lasers has caused the cruise control and autopilot to become very dangerous to myself and others in road as the phantom braking it does for no reason is very powerful. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving on the 7 mile bridge in the Florida Keys with the Adaptive cruise control set to 58 mph. There was no traffic in my lane for about a mile ahead of me. As an oncoming Semi approached me, remaining in his lane, my car applied emergency braking. I had to immediately add throttle to avoid a collision with the truck behind me. This “ Phantom braking “ has occurred on multiple occasions to me. There is no way to engage cruise control without the adaptive feature which uses cameras instead of radar on these new Teslas. I did not have this problem on my 2018 Tesla that did use radar. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Received Error code: VCFRONT_447 indicating a cabin heat issue, and a complete loss of heat within the interior of the vehicle. It appears this also is preventing the battery from fully warming up causing severe vehicle power reduction and lack of regen braking. It being sub-zero and frost bite within minutes this poses a safety risk when traveling. The problem has been reported by other vehicle owners. It has not been inspected at this time. There were no other alerts prior to the issue starting on 1/20/2022 at ~6am CST. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | There is no heat in car. The Climate Control Failed. Cabin Climate Control System requires service is the error message. Its a known problem with Tesla Model 3 and Model y The temperature in the car was in the single digits. The window would not defrost and had a hard time seeing. Tesla expected me to drive the car in a snow storm to bring in for service. I canceled the appt with the next available appt 10 days later. Service scheduled for Jan 27th 2022. the 1st time it failed was Jan 15th 8:00am. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | Vehicle constantly experience phantom braking. Will randomly brake for shadows, vehicles in the opposing lane, and when it feels like it. Chance for rear collision is higher due to autopilot. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Started driving the car in cold weather and received message climate control needs service. The heater would not warm up. Tried shutting the car off and on and it still would not provide heat. It was under 20 degrees and had no heat or defrost. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | The cruise control and auto pilot functions failed while driving in the rain. The car would not disengage from auto pilot and continually would engage back into auto pilot and eventually locking tires and spinning out across all lanes of the freeway. My safety and all the drivers around me are put at risk when something that dramatic occurs. The car spun out completely out of control and after doing a complete spin the car continued to spin losing all control and ended up inches from the center median and was facing oncoming traffic. Unknown- I instantly called tesla and removed my memory stick from the vehicle, they are still conducting their "investigation". Took it into the dealer and had them look into the issue. They are currently remotely working on what caused the issue with their engineers. No warning lamps or messages appeared prior to the occurence. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | While driving on ice and snow covered roads the regenerative braking feature comes in so strongly that it makes driving dangerous as the car loses traction and control every time the foot is removed from the accelerator. The regenerative braking automatically applies once the foot is removed from the accelerator. Tesla used to have an option to reduce the strength of the regenerative braking but removed that option in October of 2021. That change in software has made the vehicle unsafe to drive on slick roads. I was able to maintain control of the vehicle because of my driving skill, but did lose control numerous times during a 50 mile trip because of the increased regenerative braking feature. Tesla vehicles manufactured before October 2021 still have the option to reduce regenerative braking power, I also own one of those vehicles. I have attached a photo of that screen that shows the option. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Several times now the car has done a phantom braking event where the car brakes for no reason when using adaptive cruise control on two lane highways. Mostly it's when large vehicles like a semi truck or RV passes in the other lane. Sometimes it appears to be due to shadows like overpasses or trees. The car slows down so quickly sometimes that if someone were following me it may cause a rear end collision. Most of the time the slowdown happened without warning. I have submitted a service ticket with Tesla about this but this seems to be a systemic problem on the TMC forums: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/phantom-braking-in-my-new-model-y.253378/#post-6301315 https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/phantom-braking-and-active-safety-features.248184/ https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/possible-to-deactivate-tacc-and-use-regular-dumb-cruise-control-phantom-braking-unexpected-slowdowns.235813/ https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/27-phantom-brake-in-10-miles-how-often-should-i-press-camera-button-to-report-10-6-1-fsd.250396/ | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Please see attached PDF | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Last year Tesla switched to a heat pump system for heating the interior of the car. Since that change the 2021 models are regularly loosing heat when the temperature gets below zero. Sometimes restarting the car will bring it back but not always. This can lead to drivers being stranded with no heat in potential dangerous temperatures. Tesla was aware of the issue last winter and it has still not been addressed and the issue is persisting in newly built cars. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |