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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER | Heat stops working when it gets to cold. Windows can fog up and make visibility almost impossible. Unsafe as well for passengers in freezing temps. No news or update from Tesla | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The heat stops working when the ambient temperature reaches 0 degrees. This is a safety risk in cold temperatures, especially for young children that can’t wear coats in the car due to car seats. This has happened in newer models that have a heat pump as the heating system, per social media accounts. The service center is inspecting tomorrow. A warning message appears when the heat stops working on the car screen. There is also an error on the phone app when preconditioning cannot start (preconditioning is supposed to mitigate the error, but it gets too cold to precondition). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The car's adaptive cruise control system will suddenly and dangerously brake in random situations on multiple occasions. It presents a very dangerous condition should there be cars behind that can't brake in time | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Multiple occasions of the vehicle's heat/ac system failing in cold weather. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Heat did not work in -15F temperatures. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was driving from Bend Or to Boise Id on January 1st 2022. The temperature was about 7 degrees out that evening and the heater stopped working. We bundled up and kept the blower on the windshield so that we could see, but by the time we reached Boise it was 22 degrees inside the car. We were very cold. Due to the remote area we were in we did not want to stop. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was driving on interstate 285 Atlanta in rain. All of a sudden the screen froze. Wipers won’t work. Had poor visibility. Could not even put on emergency lights. Had to do hard reset and pull over. Before I could get them to work again. This was extremely dangerous in the middle of the road. Similar issue happened with my wife in a brand new model 3 a few weeks ago and we were told it was a software issue and resolved with an over the air update. I have the UpToDate software in my model y. Feel Tesla softwares should be approved by NHTSA before being sent to customers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | the new user-interface design removed the defroster icon from the home screen. the driver now has to swipe up on climate controls then select the defroster. this is significantly unsafe, especially when you are having difficulty seeing due to unexpected fog. recommend they add the defroster icon to the home screen. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | SEATS,VISIBILITY/WIPER | The software was updated and I am no longer able to access control for the window defoggers or windshield wipers with one button press. This creates a hazardous driving situation when I need to focus on driving the car. Additionally, the seat will automatically adjust itself to other driver profiles and I am unable to quickly control it, once again creating potentially dangerous conditions. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The backup warning system did not work when I backed out of a driveway on a dark night. I knew there was a black car (sedan I believe) parked along the curb across from the driveway, and could partly see it in the backup camera when the tail lights would turn on (i.e., when I stepped off the drive pedal), but was unable to tell exactly how close I was to the car. There were no beeps from my car to warn me. My car stopped abruptly as the edge of my trunk lid hit what I guess was the corner of the other car. All damage appears to have been to my car - a dent in the trunk lid. I reported all of this to Tesla through their service app, and received a list of places from which I can get an estimate to repair the damage, but never received an explanation from them of their evaluation of the car's records I want to point out that I believe my Tesla includes all camera sensors - a change they apparently made over the summer. My car was ordered in June 2021 for September delivery. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | With Tesla’s new software version 11.0 (Firmware 2021.44.25.2), the enabling of the front and rear window defogger is not readily accessible (they are buried in a menu). In the previous version of the software, there was a dedicated button on the screen to enable each of them. This is a safety issue because of the following scenario that happened to me today, comparing to my experience just the day before: I was driving in the mountains of Colorado, where it was below freezing and snowing. On the 22nd of December, BEFORE the software update, my front window started fogging up VERY quickly. I was able to turn on the front and back window defoggers with one tap. Today, I was driving back and the same thing happened — the window started fogging up. With the new software you had to tap twice, taking away your attention from the road in order to locate the defrost ON button. This is incredibly dangerous. I opted to move to the side and put my flashers on while I did that. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | Tesla recently overhauled the firmware to their vehicles, however the newest update removes much of the ease and functionality. They have removed defogger buttons into the background, and other settings as well, causing the user to have to use multiple touches to work something that previously was quick. I believe this to be a safety issue. Drivers are now unaware where certain settings are and causes drivers to become distracted from the road to a degree that is unsafe while driving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When driving on a two lane road and approaching an oncoming 18 wheeler the cruise control consistently slams on the brakes and I am concerned about the well-being of my 5 and 4 year old in the back seat. It whips them forward. I am also concerned about cars following me and getting rear ended with the force it is applying this phantom braking. I called Tesla and they said this is expected behavior and it might be fixed in a future firmware but no guarantees. I think this is an unacceptable answer regarding the safety of my family. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Traffic Aware Cruise Control is just about useless on 2 lane highways. Once enabled it is plagued by frequent decelerations for absolutely no obvious reason. What is more concerning is the application of emergency braking when meeting an oncoming truck, even on a well marked highway where the truck is centered in it’s lane. Fortunately this has not happened to me while I was being followed by a vehicle, but it is highly likely that a large truck or inattentive driver would have rear ended me in this scenario. Tesla service has looked at my car, and told me that everything was working properly, that it was a common complaint and they did not have a fix. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On Monday November 22 at around 6:15 PM CST, I was driving my model Y and had Tesla's Full Self Driving Beta software engaged. A right banked curve on a two lane road in a rural area came up with a vehicle coming around the curve the opposite direction. The Model Y slowed slightly and began making the turn properly and without cause for concern. Suddenly, about 40% of the way through the turn, the Model Y straightened the wheel and crossed over the center line into the direct path of the oncoming vehicle. I reacted as quickly as I could, trying to pull the vehicle back into the lane. I really did not have a lot of time to react, so chose to override FSD by turning the steering wheel since my hands were already on the wheel and I felt this would be the fastest way to avoid a front overlap collision with the oncoming vehicle. When I attempted to pull the vehicle back into my lane, I lost control and skidded off into a ditch and through the woods, causing significant damage to the vehicle. I was able to retrieve the dashcam footage of this incident and it is attached here. I did analyze the footage myself briefly. You can see the vehicle leave the lane, and within about 10 frames, I had already begun pulling back into the lane before losing control and skidding off the road. Since this video is recorded at about 36 FPS, this would mean I reacted within 360ms of the lane departure. I understand it is my responsibility to pay attention and maintain control of the vehicle, which I agreed to when I enrolled in FSD beta. I was paying attention, but human reaction does not get much faster than this and I am not sure how I could have otherwise avoided this incident. I am thankful this was the outcome rather than a front overlap collision with the oncoming vehicle, which would have likely resulted in bodily injury. Tesla has confirmed that FSD beta was engaged, per the attached correspondence, but insists that this incident and the resulting accident are my responsibility. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When cruise control or Autopilot systems are active, the car will often slam on the brakes and sound an alarm as if there going to be an imminent collision, even thought the lane is clear in front of the car. This happens most likely often when cresting small hills or on curves. There may be a car in coming in the opposing lane, but there is no danger as the opposing car is fully in their lane. The adapative cruise control or Autopilot system decreases the speed very quickly, often reducing the speed by 10-20mph within seconds. This causes panic for the driver and any cars behind us have to suddenly slam on their brakes, creating a dangerous situation. I own both a 2021 Tesla Model Y and a 2021 Model 3 that both have the Tesla Vision Camera based cruise/Autopilot/collision detection system. This problem has gotten worse as Tesla has released new firmware updates in recent months. Many Tesla owners are reporting that they are having the same issues recently. Tesla's response is that the systems are under development and that they will improve over time. The problem is that this is a safety issue NOW! They seem to be overly focused on developing and testing their full self driving systems that they are ignoring a huge safety flaw in their current cruise control and Autopilot systems. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I am experiencing phantom braking when using both the features listed below * Adaptive Cruise Control * Tesla Auto-Pilot I have experienced this safety issue when 1. I would be crusing on the road using either of these featuers. All of a sudden, and without warning, the car has applied brakes, even when there's no object / human in the same lane or attempting to come to the lane. 2. I'm cruising in the middle lane of a 3 lane highway, with no vehicles around. This has happened even when vehicles are following behind my car. 3. In both daylight and at night. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While driving my Tesla Model Y using cruise control, the vehicle will continuously brake suddenly for unknown reasons. In several instances, I was worried that the car following me would either hit my car or be forced to take other actions, possibly causing an accident. The system is dangerous and useless. When I contacted Tesla regarding my concern, they said something about the software program evolving…no fix available. I have had my Tesla Model Y in their service center three times and have had numerous phone conversations with them and their customer service department regarding this issue. They said they simply cannot do anything about it. Again, the cruise control system is extremely dangerous. Please require Tesla to resolve this problem immediately. Thank you. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES,SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC | My wife and I purchased our Tesla model Y back in February 2021. We picked it up back in May 2021. The selling point for us was how it drove in the winter since we live in central WI. When we test drove the car in a snow snow at the highland park dealer. The car handled great in the ice and snow due to the car having the winter driving option. My wife nearly got into an accident due to no longer having the option for winter driving. The regenerative braking option is great until you drive in winter conditions. Ice and snow will cause the vehicle to slip and slide whenever letting off the throttle. The safety concern is that if a line of vehicles is in front of you and one person slams on the brakes letting off the throttle is essentially the same thing as slamming on your brakes. Which you never do while in a snow storm. We essentially bought the vehicle with and for this option to to control the vehicle better based on weather conditions. Removing the the winter driving option was not only wrong but a law suit waiting to happen due to the safety issue it brings. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On two occasion, our brand new Tesla model Y lurched forward from a complete stop. The first time, on 2021/10/09 at 4:36pm I was at a car wash and trying to put the car in neutral. Fiddling with the gear selector, the car jumped forward without me touching the pedals. I hit the breaks and neither the car or anyone else was injured. The second time, on 2021/10/25 at 8:10 am, my wife was dropping off the kids at school. At full stop the car lurched forward again without her touching the pedals or the speed controller. The car hit the car in front of it 3 times with force. The car as well as the two other cars in front of it got seriously damaged. My two year old son was on board, there was many middle schoolers around but thankfully no one was injured. Incidents were reported to Tesla right away who has assured us they would investigate but we have had no update since despite contacting them multiple times. They assured us they have the ability to download telemetry remotely but I am concerned that as time goes by data will no longer be available. We later got an alert on the app that the emergency braking system had been disabled at the time of the second incident. I have videos files, recorded by the car itself of both incidents as they are happening available. The body damage of the car is fully repaired but the car is otherwise available for inspection/data downloads. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving on Interstate 80 in NJ this morning. I was in the middle of three lanes. In the lane to the right of me were two tractor trailers. Adaptive cruise control was engaged. For no apparent reason my vehicle suddenly braked hard, startling me and making me wonder what I might have missed in my surroundings. There was no hazard...this was frightening and a major flaw in the system that I have seen referred to as "phantom braking." It has happened to me a couple of times before but never on such a crowded roadway...I could have been rear ended. This component of the vehicle has not been subjected to a service call...the car has 5,000 miles. There was no warning. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While driving on an interstate highway (75 mph) at about 12am (little traffic) on four separate occasions, with cruise control engaged, the brakes were unexpectedly applied without warning, no forward traffic, no wildlife, no vehicles on the side of the road. Had there been a vehicle behind us, it could have resulted in a rear end collision. Several days later, on a two lane road (55 mph), cruise engaged, with oncoming large delivery/semi vehicles, again, the brakes were applied as if it was an imminent collision - which it was not. We have not seen any warning lamps, messages, warnings - however, we are new to this vehicle and not sure where we would see such a warning. After the latter event, I contacted Tesla service but was told it is an issue being looked at however there were no fixes available at this time. I have not driven with cruise control since as I am very afraid of being rear-ended. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Tesla's autopilot / adaptive cruise control / emergency braking is defective. On multiple occurrences I have had incidents where the vehicle's adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking systems have activated inappropriately. In one occurrence I was driving on I-17 through Phoenix in the middle lane. I was beginning to pass a pickup truck pulling a trailer (my front bumper was just behind the trailer) when the car detected this as an imminent collision and applied significant braking. I had to use the accelerator to disable the emergency braking, and this triggered a number of cars behind me having to brake as well. In a second occurrence I was driving on SR-74 westbound in phoenix between I-17 and Lake Pleasant Parkway. This is a two lane road in many sections, and at one point I had a semi truck and trailer coming towards me in the opposite lane and my car detected this as infront of me and applied emergency braking. Thankfully there was no one behind me as the vehicle reduced speed from 65 to 40 before I was able to push the accelerator and resolve the issue. There have been other incidents of it braking in ways that were unexpected and dangerous. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Auto pilot / adaptive cruise control / automatic emergency braking How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? See Above Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? NO, but is well known among Tesla owners Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Have a recurring issue with phantom braking, without apparent issue, causing the car to suddenly brake (hard) without warning. (60 mph to 30 mph). This happens when using adaptive cruise control. Dealer has been contacted and their response is that this is perfectly normal, it happens to everyone, and that the car and systems are in beta. They indicate all that mechanical components are in working order and my software is up to date. Over time this may be fixed. Meanwhile, I’m concerned about being rear ended caused by my car's sudden phantom braking. This issue is prevalent in other Teslas and reports on the internet are numerous. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When traveling down a clear road with no obstructions, the Tesla will unexpectedly put the brakes on, sometimes mildly and sometimes severely when the Speed Sensitive Cruise Control OR the Autopilot is engaged. This is not Tesla full self driving, just standard cruise. This is a known problem that Tesla is aware of and has not addressed. The problem has become much more pronounced in recent software updates. This happens frequently and sometimes causes an unsafe condition causing me to not want to use this feature while driving at all. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |