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 2021 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | WHILE I WAS PREPARING TO PARK. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AND JUMPED THE CURB. THE BREAK WAS NOT RESPONSIVE, AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR. THE CAR HIT A POLE AND STOPPED. I CALLED THE POLICE AND FILED A POLICE REPORT. THIS IS SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE OWNING THE CAR. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 1,995 |
| Feb 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | WE PICKED UP OUT NEW MODEL Y ON 2/13/2021 FROM MINNEAPOLIS, DUE TO LIVING IN IOWA AND THAT BEING THE CLOSEST STORE. AFTER LEAVING MINNEAPOLIS, THE INTERIOR HEAT QUIT WORKING. WE MESSED WITH THE CONTROLS ALL WE COULD AND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE EXTERIOR TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE NEGATIVE TEENS. AT ONE POINT ON THE 2 HOUR 45 MINUTE DRIVE HOME THE INTERIOR CABIN TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE SINGLE DIDGETS. IT CONTINUES TO NOT WORK CORRECTLY FROM THE INTERIOR CONTROLS. I WAS UNABLE TO GET AHOLD OF ANYONE AT TESLA TO FIND A BETTER SOLUTION OTHER THAN JUST GETTING HOME. ONLINE RESEARCH SAYS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE MANY PEOPLE HAVE COME ACROSS THAT I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF. THE WINDOWS OF THE VEHICLE WERE BEGINNING TO FROST OVER DURING OUR DRIVE HOME. WE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES, AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO WARM BY USING THE TESLA APP ON OUR PHONES, BUT ONCE WE START DRIVING THE HEATER STOPS WORKING. I FEEL IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE RECEIVED A NEW VEHICLE WITH 6 MILES ON THE ODOMETER IN THE UPPER MIDWEST WITH A HEATER THAT DOES NOT WORK AS INTENDED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 20 |
| Feb 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES | WENT TO STOP ON BELLFLOWER AVE IN LONG BEACH AROUND 8 AM 2/11/21 TO TURN IN TO THE LONG BEACH VA AND HAD LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE. BASICALLY STOPPED FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING. HAD TO PUSH BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO ENGAGE AT ALL. THANKFULLY DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. TESLA FOUND AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF A BRAKE CALIPER WITH A LEAK. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE QUALITY CONTROL FOR A BRAND NEW CAR. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR GOD FORBID, WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,200 |
| Feb 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | MY DEFROSTER HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE CAR FAILS TO PROVIDE HEAT IN COLD TEMPERATURES, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THIS PRESENTS A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN DRIVING IN WINTER CLIMATES AND RESULTS IN THE WINDSHIELD ICING UP INSIDE AND OUT. I HAVE BEEN IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE REPLACED SENSORS. NOW THEY HAVE STATED THAT THE CAR PERFORMS AS IT SHOULD, AND IS MADE FOR WARMER CLIMATES. THE LAST TIME THE FAILURE TOOK PLACE, I WAS DRIVING IN A SNOWSTORM AND THE WINDSHIELD ICED OVER, BAD ENOUGH THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FROZE IN PLACE. I AM ALSO BEING TOLD THAT THE CAR MUST WARM UP FOR 45 MINUTES PRIOR TO DRIVING, DUE TO THIS CONDITION. MY CAR IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE WHEN THE TEMPI TIRE IS BELOW 15F WITHOUT REASONABLE RISK OF BECOMING IMPAIRED. I HAVE REQUESTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO REPAIR MY CAR AGAIN, THEY HAVE REFUSED, STATING IT IS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THIS MODEL. AGAIN, WHEN ON HI DEFROST IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 15F, THE CARS CLIMATE CONTROL CANNOT SUPPLY ENOUGH HEAT TO PROPERLY KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,000 |
| Feb 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | THE CABIN HEATER DOES NOT WORK IN COLD TEMPERATURES | Crash: No Fire: No | 15 |
| Feb 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | MY CAR'S INTERIOR HEATING STOPPED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING FROM KADOKA, SD TO BIG SKY, MT ON A ROAD TRIP. AS TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE WERE SUBZERO, INTERIOR WINDOWS FROSTED OVER, PREVENTING VISIBILITY AND CABIN TEMP FELL TO ZERO. MY WIFE AND I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE TO NEAREST HOTEL IN GILLETTE, WY TO STAY. BY THE TIME WE ARRIVED WE HAD SYMPTOMS OF FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA AND DRIVING A CAR WITH NO VISIBILITY ON ICY ROADS WAS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. THIS HEATING ISSUE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NEW MODEL Y TESLAS AND HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED EXTENSIVELY IN ONLINE FORUMS: HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/MODEL-Y-HEAT-STOPPED-WORKING.212992/ HTTPS://INSIDEEVS.COM/NEWS/464084/TESLA-MODEL-3-MODEL-Y-HEATER-PROBLEM/ HTTPS://FORUMS.TESLA.COM/DISCUSSION/179743/MODEL-Y-HEAT-PUMP-MANIFOLD-FAILURE HTTPS://FORUMS.TESLA.COM/DISCUSSION/178224/MODEL-Y-WILL-NOT-HEAT-THE-CABIN HTTPS://FORUMS.TESLA.COM/DISCUSSION/177562/CABIN-HEATER-NO-HEAT TESLA SHOULD BE ISSUING A RECALL FOR THIS AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,700 |
| Feb 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER | HEAT DOESN'T WORK ON NEW MODEL YS. FOR COLD CLIMATES THIS SHOULD BE A HUGE ISSUE. CANNOT DEFROST WINDOWS. CAN'T GET THE CABIN HEAT ON COULD RESULT IN HYPOTHERMIA IF TIRE GOES FLAT. THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE, APPARENTLY FAULTY SENSORS, AND THEY'RE STILL PRODUCING WITH KNOWN PROBLEM. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I TOOK DELIVERY OF A MODEL Y DEC 27, 2020 AND WAS CONCERNED RE THE DIVER'S SIDE VIEW MIRROR. I ALSO ENQUIRED WHEN A SERVICE CALL WAS NEEDED FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE SOON AFTER DELIVERY. THE MIRROR ADJUSTMENTS DO NOT ALLOW VISUALIZATION OF THE LANE ON THE LEFT OR TO THE REAR WITHOUT BENDING TO THE SIDE AND CRANING MY NECK. IT CREATES AN UNSAFE SITUATION WHILE DRIVING AND TESLA SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE TRIED EVERY POSSIBLE ADJUSTMENT AND IT IS A CLEAR DESIGN FLAW. I AM 6 FEET TALL, SO I AM SURE I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS ISSUE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 20 |
| Jan 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES | WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 15MPH, THE REGENERATIVE BREAKING SYSTEM IS ENGAGED TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT THE TIRES BREAK TRACTION WHEN DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACE LIKE SNOW OR ICE. THE CAR THEN GOES OUT OF CONTROL AND SLIDES IN AN UNCONTROLLED MANNER. THE CAR HAS VARIOUS SETTING FOR BREAKING, BUT EVEN THE SETTING THAT OFFERS THE LEAST BREAKING (CALLED "ROLL"), RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANT BRAKING ACTION WHEN THE GAS PEDDLE IS RELEASED AT SPEEDS ABOVE 15MPH' ENOUGH FORCE THAT DRIVER AND PASSENGERS FALL FORWARD AGAINST SEAT BELTS. MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY 2-WEEK OLD CAR IS THAT THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL, AND I SLID ACROSS THE ROAD INTO AN EMBANKMENT. I HAVE 30 YEARS OF INTENSE, REMOTE WINTER DRIVING EXPERIENCE, AND I HAVE HAD ZERO ACCIDENTS, UNTIL NOW IN A BRAND NEW TESLA. THE CAR SHOULD OFFER A SETTING WHERE NO MECHANICAL OR REGENERATIVE BREAKING IS APPLIED WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED. ALTERNATELY, THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM SHOULD BE ACTIVATED WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED SO THAT THE BREAKING SYSTEM CAN DISENGAGE IF WHEELS STOP ROTATING (IF A SLIDE/SKID IS DETECTED). IT'S A HUGE FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IN THIS OTHERWISE IMPRESSIVE CAR. HERE'S THE GIST: ALL GOOD DRIVERS KNOW THAT IF YOU PRESS A CAR'S BRAKE WHILE ON SNOW OR ICE, (PARTICULARLY IN A TURN OR WHEN THERE ARE OTHER INERTIAL FORCES) THE CAR WILL GO OUT OF CONTROL. HOWEVER, THE TESLA MODEL Y GOES OUT OF CONTROL WHEN YOU LIFT YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS ' NO BRAKE NEEDED. THIS IS A NOVEL BEHAVIOR AND THE CAR SHOULD EITHER NOT DO THIS, OR THERE SHOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT WARNING TO NEW DRIVERS. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 640 |
| Jan 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR CANNOT EXTEND TO ALLOW NORMAL SIDE VIEW VISIBILITY. I AM ONLY 5'8" AND AT FULL OUTWARD ELECTRICAL MOTOR STOP, ABOUT 1/3 OF THE MIRROR SHOWS THE CAR BODY. I HAVE 55YRS OF DRIVING AND NEVER HAD A CAR WITH THIS LIMIT. MY WIFE, AT 5'2" IS ABLE TO GET PROPER ADJUSTMENT | Crash: No Fire: No | 30 |
| Jan 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE | I AM REACHING OUT TO SAY THAT I SAW THE MODEL S AND X RECALL FOR TOUCHSCREEN GLITCHES. I HAVE A MODEL Y 2021 AND I'M EXPERIENCING MANY OF THE SAME CONCERNS AND ISSUES WITH LOSS OF SAFETY FEATURES LIKE BACK UP CAMERA, PROXIMITY CENSORS, LAND CHANGE, AND MORE. THIS TENDS TO HAPPEN WHEN I ENTER THE CAR AND START MOVING. IT WON'T RESOLVE ITSELF TILL I LEAVE THE CAR, WALK AWAY, AND REENTER THE CAR. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,000 |
| Jan 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 TESLA MODEL Y. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A VERY SLOW SPEED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE IN A STORE PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLES SPEED HAD INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. DURING THE INCIDENT DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE DOWN AN EMBANKMENT BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 600 |
| Jan 2021 | STEERING,SUSPENSION | CLUNK NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO GO OFF CENTERED, SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, AND HAD SOME PLAY. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE HELD TIGHTLY TO KEEP CAR DRIVING STRAIGHT. I CALLED TESLA AND TOOK IT IN TO THEIR LAKE FOREST SERVICE CENTER. THE CLUNK CAN BE FELT AND HEARD WHILE TURNING LEFT ONTO DRIVE WAY. SERVICE WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE NOICE BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO PINPOINT THE CAUSE. TECH DID STATE THAT A BOLT WAS 1/8 OF A TURN LOOSE. TECH PERFORMED ALIGNMENT AND STATE THST NOISE WENT AWAY. SERVICE ADVISOR RELEASED VEHICLE AND ASK TO INFORM HIM IF PROBLEM RESURFACE. SAME CLUNK NOISE PERSIST BUT AT A LOWER NOISE LEVEL WHILE TURNING LEFT ON DRIVEWAY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 300 |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR CANNOT BE ANGLED LEFT ENOUGH TO DISPLAY PROPERLY WHAT'S ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AS SUCH, MORE THAN 1/3 OF THE MIRROR DISPLAYS THE CAR ITSELF INSTEAD OF POTENTIAL OTHER CARS OR OBJECTS ON THE REAR LEFT (SEE ATTACHED PICTURE). THERE IS A WAY TO ANGLE FURTHER THE LEFT THE MIRROR IF IT IS ANGLED DOWN. HOWEVER THIS LEADS TO A WORST SITUATION WHERE WE SEE ONLY THE GROUND NEXT TO THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF CARS OR OBJECTS ON THE REAR LEFT. THIS IS A RECENT ISSUE INTRODUCED IN MODEL YS WITH AUTO-DIMMING MIRRORS ONLY AND I BELIEVE THIS WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS IF NOT ALREADY IF TESLA DOES NOT RELEASE A FIX FOR THIS ISSUE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 15 |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR DOES NOT GOT FAR LEFT OR UP ENOUGH. I AM 5'11. I HAD ANOTHER MODEL Y BEFORE THIS WITHOUT THE AUTO DIMMING MIRRORS. DID NOT HAVE AN ISSUE AT ALL WITH THE MIRROR. RIGHT NOW THE MIRRORS I CANNOT SEE ANYTHING ON MY NEXT LANE ON DRIVER SIDE. NEARLY HIT SOMEONE ALREADY BECAUSE OF THIS. NOT SURE IF IT IS MIRROR ASSEMBLY OR THE GLASS ITSELF. BUT I IMAGINE MOST LIKELY SOMETHING TO DO WITH HOW IT IS INSTALL. I THINK THE MIRROR'S INITIAL SETTING IS NOT PLACED CORRECTLY SO THE MOTOR CAN'T GO PAST ANYWHERE. THE MIRROR ALSO DOESN'T SIT FLUSH WITH THE DOOR AND TRIM OF THE CAR. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WON'T GO OUTWARD AND UP ENOUGH. I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING IN THE NEXT LANE. REALLY DANGEROUS FOR TALL PEOPLE LIKE 6'00" | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2020 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | TESLA ADDED NEW AUTO-DIMMING MIRRORS IF YOU ADJUST FOR A PERSON 5'10" OR ABOVE THE MIRRORS DON'T ADJUST TO SEE THE LEFT LANE. IT POINTS DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE AND MADE FORMAL COMPLAINT TO DELIVERY TEAM ON 11/27/2020. I WENT WITH SENIOR SERVICE TECH AT THE SERVICE CENTER AND ALL NEW DELIVERY WITH THESE NEW MIRRORS DO NOT ADJUST UP AND TO THE LEFT FOR TALLER DRIVERS. I HAVE A PREVIOUS VIN WITHOUT NEW AUTO DIMMING MIRRORS AND DOES NOT HAVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE. HAVE DISCUSSED WITH A MULTITUDE OF OWNERS WITH NEW MIRRORS AND IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO ATTACHED OTHERS VEHICLES WITH SAME ISSUE ALONG WITH MINE. ALSO SOMEONE HAS RECORDED VIDEO OF IT NOT BEING ABLE TO ADJUST AT LINK HERE HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=UMQA62DS4H4. WHILE DRIVING I HAVE TO HOVER OVER PASSENGER SEAT AND LOWER TO BE ABLE TO EVEN SEE THE LEFT LANE. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2020 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | THIS IS THE 2ND TESLA MY MOM OWNED, SHE DROVE A MODEL 3 WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS FOR MANY MONTHS. SHE PICKS UP THIS MODEL Y ON NOVEMBER 19 2020, AND DRIVES HOME FROM THE DEALER WITHOUT ISSUES. NEXT DAY NOVEMBER 20, 2020, DRIVES TO HER WORK, PULLS INTO A PARKING SPOT AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. APPROX 5-10 SECONDS LATER THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD, HOPS OVER THE PARKING CURB, OVER SOME GRASS AND INTO A BRICK WALL AT FULL ACCELERATION. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS HURT, BUT SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND THE CAR. THIS CASE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION NEEDS INVESTIGATION. MY MOM DOES NOT FEEL SAFE GETTING BACK INTO THIS MODEL Y. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 70 |
| Nov 2020 | SUSPENSION | HERE IS A 2021 TESLA MODEL Y IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/38193324?ROWNUMBER=7 IT HAS TRAVELLED AN AMAZING 221 MILES BEFORE THE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF AND CAUSED A WHOOPSIE. YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHS THAT TESLA IS USING THE SAME FRAGILE SUSPENSION GIBLETS THAT ARE USED IN ALL THE OTHER MODELS OF TESLA. THE TOP BALL-JOINT HAS POPPED APART. THE STEMS ON THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE SNAPPED. IT IS 99% CERTAIN THAT THE OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS CAUSED BY A LOSS OF CONTROL AFTER THE FRONT WHEEL WENT WHOMPY. IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE AND IT'S CERTAINLY NOT PROPER ENGINEERING. IT'S JUST PLAIN WHOMPY. PLEASE GET THESE DEATH-MOBILES OFF THE ROADS. THANK YOU. KEEF | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 210 |