Complaint volume
1068 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
2023 Tesla Model Y Complaints
1068 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2023 Tesla Model Y, grouped by component category.
1068 Total complaints
137 Crash reports
3 Fire reports
45 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, steering, vehicle speed control,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 137 crash reports, 3 fire reports, 45 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 74 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 13,628 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to forward collision avoidance, steering, vehicle speed control,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 2023 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.
2023 Tesla Model Y
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2023 Tesla Model Y complaints?
137 Crash
3 Fire
45 Injury
1 Fatality
92 Towed
34 Medical attention
What are the most common 2023 Tesla Model Y complaint categories?
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 184
STEERING 97
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 65
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 60
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 54
SUSPENSION 53
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 36
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 34
VISIBILITY/WIPER 32
SEAT BELTS 26
1,068 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2024 | SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS | Please note that I am not the owner of this vehicle. I am a concerned citizen making this report in the public interest. My correct name and contact details are included with this submission. I have used a dummy USA address because your website does not accept entries from outside USA. There is nothing fraudulent about this despite what Elon Musk claims. This Tesla has just shown up in the junkyard. [XXX] The front suspension has snapped off for no good reason other than the parts being as weak as a sparrow's leg. Even more alarming the side curtain airbag has gone off on the WRONG SIDE of the driver's seat. They have almost certainly made a whoopsie at the factory and fitted the driver and passenger seats arse-about. There is another Tesla in the junkyard same year and Model that has the exact same whompy wheel plus wrong airbag. [XXX] If you can spare the time in between [XXX} Elon Musk I would appreciate it if you could DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE RECALL Thank You kindly [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | While I was trying to pull up my vehicle at about 10mph from the street to my driveway after driving around 35 miles from work, the vehicle suddenly accelerated (Unintended Acceleration) to 40+ mph (based on logs) and hit the property. This put my life and others at home at risk. The vehicle was inspected by insurance representative. No warnings lights prior to incident. However, the message 'Corrective steering applied for your safety' appeared periodically while driving back home even though the vehicle was very much within the lanes. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Tesla wipers doesn't work in “automatic settings” this is quite dangerous and warrant a recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The cruise control has been braking for no apparent reason, putting myself and the people behind me at risk. It also tried to stop at multiple green lights rather than continue driving. The his also outs me, my passengers and people behind me at risk. There were no warnings about this behavior. I have the latest update and will also contact Tesla about the issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Tail lamp, brake lamp, turn signal, and reverse light housings become obstructed with condensation on the inside of the housings. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Car slams the brakes while on autopilot with no obstacles on the highway. Car speed reduced at least 20 miles for no reason. Weather was clear. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While driving at hwy speeds in the #2 lane the #1 lane to my left was closed with construction cones. I was in the lane with cruise control activated and driving at approx 70 mph with flow of traffic. I had been in this lane for a few miles when all of a sudden the car rapidly decelerated approx 10-15 mph in a very short distance. I took control of the acceleration by quickly taping my brakes. Luckily there was no one behind me, as it could have created an accident risk. My only guess is the car interpreted the line of cones as a hazard even though they were not in my lane. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | False Forward Collision Warning took place on Jan 4, 2024 at 6:40pm in Herndon, VA while I was driving on Reston Pkwy: I was driving around 30mph on the rightmost lane, Tesla issued a false forward collision warning for a car that was in front of me, right before Dulles Access Rd exit. Driving conditions were clear with no snow, ice or rain. None of the cameras were blocked either, there was no daylight. False warnings (both sound, and red screen flash) created a safety risk by startling me, distracting me and creating unnecessary confusion. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving on a 2 lane road with cruise control engaged (not full auto pilot). As I approached an intersection with an oncoming semi-truck, the vehicle slammed on the emergency braking system slowing from 60 mph to 45 mph in about 30 feet. I think it is called phantom braking. I was driving into the sun at 2:45pm. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | False Forward Collision Warning took place on [XXX] at 8:07am in Herndon, VA while I was driving on Eds Dr: I took a U turn at the intersection of Eds Dr to [XXX] Dr at the dedicated leftmost turn lane. There was a white minivan in front of me, with plenty of space between us, and both cars slowed down, almost stopped. Tesla issued a false warning when I entered the dedicated leftmost turn lane, which created a lot of confusion and stress on my side. Driving conditions are clear with no snow, no ice or rain. None of the car cameras were blocked either. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | My Tesla Model y is installing the same updates multiple times. The updates installing multiple times is causing erratic functionality issues with the car's software. Tesla has been unwilling to resolve the issue and claim the car is working just fine. When I asked the local service tech I was told the car shouldn't be installing the same update multiple times. I don't feel safe in my car when I don't know when it is going to act up next. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | During highway driving, on two separate occasions that were two days apart, while using cruise control set to ~72MPH the vehicle suddenly tried to stop. It quickly decelerated by ~25MPH before I intervened by pressing the accelerator. There were no obstacles in the road and on the second instance there weren't any other vehicles in site (was in remote northern NH/VT). Had someone been driving behind me we very well could have been rear ended. I was driving with by wife and three kids and did not feel safe. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES | The vehicle's steering wheel vibrates regardles driving on highways/freeways and/or city streets. It happens since day 1 of ownership and has been owning for 4 months now. The vehicle's screen got blacked out twice when it was moving; thus, i couldn't read speed and perfom other functions such as turn on AC and/or heat. The regenerative braking/one pedal driving sometimes does not work. It sometimes accelerates itself after slowing down after accelarator was not depressed. Autopilot was not used at the times of unintended acceleration. Had submitted questions and service requests to Tesla. Unfortunately, Tesla did not provide any feedback or perform any service related to these issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The Auto Wiper system doesn't work properly. Sometimes, The wiper blade start running randomly at the sunny day. That wouldn't be a big concern but they fail to run when it is raining. I have to manually override them when it is almost impossible to see anything through the windshield. After manual "push" they appears to be working reasonably for a some time but than start running at the max speed when it is barley raining. I complained to Tesla but they gave me a generic answer that this is a Beta version of the new technology and will be improved. My old vehicles don't have this problems with the old technologies. I think this is a safety concern as changing wipers speed can be done on the screen and for that the driver has to take their eyes off the road. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I experienced so called Phantom braking several times. First time it happened i wasn't aware about this and look up online and realized that this is a known problem and Tesla is aware of this. It is a safety issue when traveling on highway the vehicle unexpectedly slows down by about 20-30 mph. I complained to Tesla but they only gave me generic answer w/o any solution and plans to fix the problem. I noticed that Phantom braking happening mostly when i'm passing the big semi's, but not always. I have to always be on alert and make sure nobody follows me too close. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Automatic Emergency Braking caused the vehicle's speed to suddenly decrease by more than 40 MPH when traveling at highway speed (75 MPH) on a multiple lane interstate highway. Cars located behind our vehicle in the same lane had to take emergency evasive action to avoid rear-ending our vehicle. There was no obstacle in front of our vehicle that should have activated the AEB system. The incident occurred suddenly, spontaneously, and without any visual or audible warnings. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with my new Tesla Model Y RWD, which I received on December 3, 2023. I have encountered two major issues with the vehicle and the customer service. First, I was promised by Tesla representatives that I would receive six months of free Supercharging after delivery, as part of a referral program. However, this offer has not been activated yet. When I contacted Tesla, one of the supervisors told me that I was not eligible for this offer, because I placed my order on September 23, before the program started. This is unacceptable, as I was assured multiple times by Tesla agents that they would honor the offer and match it before delivery. I also offered to take back my self-driving capability which is available to me for free for the first 3 months. Second, I have experienced serious problems with the auto-pilot feature of the vehicle. I have used it four times briefly in the last month, and every time the car slowed down significantly when it was supposed to cruise at 50 mph. Twice, I had to avoid rear collisions by pressing the accelerator or the brakes. I reported these incidents to Tesla through the app, but I have not received any response or explanation. The most alarming event occurred on December 26, when I was with my family on a return trip from IKEA in Woodbridge, VA. The weather was bad and the Tesla suddenly stopped on the road. I suspect that the front camera falsely detected an obstacle and caused the car to brake abruptly. These issues are not only frustrating, but also dangerous and potentially life-threatening. I am very disappointed with the quality and performance of the Tesla Model Y, as well as the lack of customer support and accountability. I request that Tesla either provide me with a satisfactory solution or compensate me for the inconvenience and risk that I have endured. I have a legal background and I am aware of my rights and remedies under the Lemon Law and other consumer protection laws. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The driver's side mirror vibrates when in movement making it nearly impossible to see anything with it. I have tried to get it repaired but Tesla has stated that "there is no update on this. The concern arose earlier this year for new delivery Model Y's. For right now, we know Tesla is in the middle of creating a new part but there is no update on when it will become available for replacement at this time." It appears that many are complaining about the uselessness of the mirrors and the unresponsiveness to Tesla on this issue. The car was delivered with this issue but I was told that Tesla is working on this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This is to inform you of the incomplete tow package that Tesla sells/installs as a factory option on Model Y and Model 3 vehicles. The 12 volt auxiliary power pin on the standardized 7 pin trailer wiring plug/outlet is non-functional, and this can pose a significant hazard to the vehicle, other vehicle, and surroundings when trailers equipped with electric brakes are towed. The hazard is that certain weight ranges of trailers are required to have electric trailer brakes and, in case the trailer breaks away from the tow vehicle, the trailer is required to have a built-in battery that provides the power to actuate the brakes. This battery gets recharged ONLY when it is plugged into a tow vehicle, and it gets its recharging current from the 12 volt auxiliary power pin which Tesla has delivered without any power whatsoever being supplied. The hazard: Anyone using a Tesla Model Y or 3 to tow a trailer with electric brakes will NEVER be getting the trailer's battery recharged. Once the trailer battery goes flat there will be NO EMERGENCY BRAKE ACTIVATION if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle. My understanding is that when Tesla switched from a standard 12v lead-acid battery to a 16 volt lithium battery it became necessary to include an electrical component to reduce the voltage to 12 volts which has been the automotive standard for decades. Tesla did NOT provide this component to provide 12 volts to the trailer outlet's Auxiliary Power pin - instead, they just left it dead. Tesla made this change in the spring of 2022. People immediately noticed and asked for a fix, to which Tesla replied that it would be coming "soon". My August 2023 build Model Y has the dead Aux Power pin, and when I submitted a warranty claim they replied that the fix for it would be available "soon". Tesla has been selling this incomplete, hazardous tow package for a year and a half with the promised fix nowhere in sight. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving in left lane of highway at night with cruise control engaged, traveling 70mph. Autopilot was NOT engaged - only the Traffic-Aware Cruise Control. I turned on my right turn signal to change lanes. At the same time a car came up behind me in the left lane and was tailgating me. As I began my lane change, my Tesla did a hard brake that slowed it down considerably and was not initiated by me. I had to accelerate hard to recover, and don’t know how the car behind me didn’t rear end me. There were no cars close ahead of me in any of the lanes. There was no warning displayed or sounded by my car. This vehicle had done the same thing more than once in the days prior to this incident, but in less dangerous situations and in the daytime. The car has not been seen by any service center, but I will be reporting the malfunction to Tesla. The car is new and had been on the road 12 days when this incident occurred. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I am reporting a false/phantom Tesla forward collision warning took place on Dec 13, 2023 at midday at 12:22 PM ET, clear road conditions with no rain, snow or ice, clear visibility without any fog, while I was driving on Alder Woods Dr. at Fairfax, VA. Tesla's forward collision warning system issued a warning for a legally parked car on the street which didn't pose any safety threat. The system mistaken the parked car with a moving car on the road and issued a warning which caused a lot of anxiety and distraction on me and my passengers traveling with me in the car. I passed the parked car without any problem, so did many other drivers ahead and behind me. This incident clearly shows that Tesla's forward collision system is not accurate and it is creating a lot of problems. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I am writing to express my serious concerns regarding the safety of my Tesla vehicle following the latest software update 2023.44.30 after I learned that the changes imposed were after the campaign #23V-838. Prior to these alterations, I felt that my vehicle was safer, and the recent modifications have raised apprehensions about its overall safety performance. I have noticed that since the recent update, the frequency of beeping noises while driving and engaging auto pilot (the free built-in adaptive cruise control) has significantly increased during routine tasks such as adjusting the volume, changing music, or even turning the heat on or off. This heightened beeping is not only distracting but also induces stress and anxiety, creating an unnerving driving experience. It is my belief that the increased frequency of these beeping sounds may contribute to a less safe driving environment. I urge you to thoroughly investigate the impact of these audible alerts on driver concentration and overall safety. Your attention to both the safety features and the auditory aspects of these changes is crucial. I appreciate your prompt consideration and investigation into these issues for the well-being of Tesla vehicle owners. Sincerely, | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My car drove forward despite me selecting reverse gear. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Phantom breaking multiple times in one trip, car will break on empty road no obstruction or any reason for breaking almost caused an accident on highway | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | We pulled over on a street to unload our car and a system update started. Our car was unable to move for over an hour. We were in a traffic lane. We reached out to tesla and the said that this was expected behavior and there was nothing they could or would do. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |