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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On October 24, between 8:45 and 9:05 am, I was traveling on the highway with cruise control on and the car suddenly braked going from 75 to 30 rapidly. It was only me pressing the accelerator that kept it from coming to a complete stop. Fortunately, there was no one close behind. There wasn’t any traffic around me. I was passing an exit. I reported this to Tesla and they remotely investigated but said that the related cruise software and hardware was operating normally. This is extremely dangerous! I’ve checked Tesla forums and this is a known problem that they don’t seem willing to address. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On September 23rd our vehicles cruise control stopped working. We submitted a service request to Tesla and they scheduled a service appt for October 16th. They later cancelled this appt saying that it is a known firmware issue that would be corrected in a future, undetermined, firmware update. On November 16th we took the car to a Tesla service center and they confirmed it is a firmware issue, but could not correct it. We have now been without the adaptive cruise control function on our car for over 2 months with no idea when or if this problem will be fixed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES | The process of the car losing control around 10:50am to 11:55am: We were driving on Woodgate Road and were making a U-turn. The car lost control just after the U-turn. The steering wheel spun and failed. The car sped up and the brakes did not work. The car hit the curb and the left tire burst. It went straight over. It was about 3 meters from the sidewalk to the hillside covered with weeds, and it was impossible to stop because the hillside was too steep. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was driving my car when the touch screen completely locked and would not respond to any touch input. I had the seat heaters on high and was unable to shut them off without rebooting the screen. It seemed safest to pull over to do the rebooting since it takes about a minute for the reboot to complete. I was able to safely pull over, reboot the touchscreen and then shut off the seat heater. Aside from being able to manage essential tasks from the touchscreen, I was thankful that I had physical control (stalks on the side of the steering wheel) that allowed me to park the vehicle without touchscreen control. My biggest concern coming out of this incident is that Tesla is delivering vehicles without the physical controls that may also be susceptible to the touchscreen lockup I experienced. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Tesla Model Y delivered six weeks ago, I engaged the "Auto Pilot" for the first time on my morning commute and it worked well for a few moments. Suddenly and without warning the vehicle applied full braking force from highway speed, so hard that it glazed the rotors. This happened on EB I-10 JWO I-15, an extremely busy interchange. With possibly divine intervention I was able to retake control of the vehicle, shut down the Auto Pilot and I swiftly returned the vehicle to speed, needing only a restroom on an emergency basis. Relevant factors could include low incident angle of the sun at dawn and being in a construction zone with lane markers not thoroughly scrubbed off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | I bought Tesla and tesla insurance which monitors driving of driver to provide safety score to driver. The safety score enables monthly premiums of tesla insurance. My complaint is related to safety score which provides financial incentives to drivers to not apply break. As part of safety score provided to drivers in tesla app(screen shot attached), one of the factors used is hard breaking to penalize drivers when break is applied, forcing the driver to use regenerative breaking instead of applying break. I have observed, even when I mildly apply break the safety score is impacted. The second factor in safety score that seems unreasonable is driving after 10pm. My daughter worked late shift and would return home after 10pm. Why is this even allowed as most of the emergency workers and many others work late hours. I have also observed safety score change from 99 to 98 when the car is parked overnight, even when I am not driving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While using cruise control on a recent road trip, the car braked suddenly for no apparent reason. This happened 7 times over a time frame of 11 days of driving. Each time it occured while traveling on a freeway (2 lanes each direction), large median, very light to no traffic, during the day, the car slammed on the brakes, without warning while traveling the speed limit (up to 75 mph). The first time it occured, I almost came to a stop before recovering and accelerating to normal speed. This happened on Oct 15. The second time it happened, was on Oct 16. After the 2nd time, I would not use cruise control unless there was no other traffic. There were four times of phantom braking on Oct 30 alone. I have not yet submitted a service request to the manufacturer. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When we use the traffic aware, cruise control, we experience, automatic braking, even though there is nothing in front of the car. It’s not clear what triggers, the automatic braking. But it could be a slight elevation change or visual detection of a bridge abutment. We feel that it is a hazard because the car can rapidly deaccelerate when you were traveling at speeds of 60-70 mph. This has happened to us numerous times since we purchased the car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Tesla's forward collision warning issued a false warning, bright daylight afternoon conditions at a no traffic road, no cars parked on the side of the road, very slow traffic (10mph), no car within 100ft, the incident took place: 1. 4:09 PM ET clear conditions, no rain, snow etc 2. Franklin Farm Road in Fairfax, VA 3. Very slow traffic 10mph 4. No cars in front for 100ft | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Tesla's false warning incident took place in the following conditions 1. on Nov 9, 2023 7:55 AM ET 2. VA-286N Fairfax County Pkwy 3. very favorable driving conditions, sunny 48F, no ice, snow, or fog 4. at 30mph gave a false forward collision | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | THE PEDESTRIAN WARNING SYSTEM ACCORDING TO TESLA IS SUPPOSED TO CREATE A UNIQUE SOUND BELOW 19 MPH THAT ALERTS PEDESTRIANS TO THE APPROACH OF AN EV. THE SYSTEM ON THIS CAR ONLY WORKS IN REVERSE. PLACING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE DOES NOT CREATE ANY DISCERNIBLE SOUND THAT COULD BE IDENTIFIED BY A PEDESTRIAN AS AN EV APPROACHING. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS OPERATING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. ACCORDING TO WHAT REGULATIONS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REVIEW, THE WARNING SYSTEM MUST BE ABLE TO ALERT THE PEDESTRIAN OF THE APPROACH OF AN EV. AS IT CURRENTLY FUNCTIONS, THE PWS ONLY ALERTS THE PEDESTRIAN WHEN THE CAR IS BACKING UP | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I read this news today and something very similar has happened to me on autopilot. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/tesla-crash-santa-clara-18365723.php The car suddenly speeds swerves to the right. Since I was alert I was able to pull it out of autopilot and assume control. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | STEERING | The car lost steering while driving. The wheel was super difficult to turn. The problem was confirmed by Tesla Service via phone call, the Tesla Service Center in Rochester and alerts on the screen. The car was towed to the service center. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving on the freeway at approximately 67 MPH using the advanced cruise control. There was no car immediately in front of me or directly beside me. All of a sudden, the car decelerated quickly, as if it slammed on the brakes. I was able to react quickly and override the deceleration, but had there been a car directly behind me, I very likely would have been rear-ended. It all happened so fast that I didn't stop to get all of the detail, but I'm guessing I dropped down to about 50 mph before being able to respond and override the breaking. It was terrifying, as I didn't know if I could override it at first. I later read other complaints about "phantom breaking" and realized there is a pervasive problem with the Tesla. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | I was driving November 6, 2023 at about 10:30 in the morning at approximately 25 to 30 mph on a neighborhood road when my car accelerated on me without me applying extra pressure. I was caught off guard and thought it must’ve been an anomaly. We have owned the car since August. But then on my way home, about 1 o’clock, I was again on the neighborhood street doing 25 to 30 mph and the car obviously accelerated on me so that I applied the brakes. My husband was in the car with me and really noticed it surging the second time. At the time, it concerned me so I looked on the Internet and saw that other people have been complaining of a similar issue. I want this on record because I know I did not apply pressure to that pedal. We have scheduled a service with Tesla Friday. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | STEERING | Power steering was not able to control. Can't control the handle. It was locked. My car got towed to service center on same day. I received a call and they said rat or squirrel bite electric line. And charged me over $800 for it. I just figured out there is lot of cases like me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | I purchased a Model Y Performance on October 31, 2023. I was driving the vehicle on 11/1 and I received an error that my rear motor was disabled and my top speed was reduced to 68 mph. This occurred on a high traffic highway. Took the car to the dealership and they replaced the rear motor inverter. Vehicle only had 130 miles on it. This should not occur in a brand new vehicle. I felt unsafe while driving it in this condition. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | STEERING | 1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? My 2023 Tesla Model Y's steering wheel was totally locked up. I was not able to control the vehicle at all. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? It happened when I parked, but I believe this could happen anytime, anywhere while I am driving. That could happen on the freeway which I do not even want to imagine. I am now scared of driving it. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I have a service appointment tomorrow, so I am not sure this could be addressed by the service center, but I can easily find articles talking about the same issue. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not yet. 5.Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No waring or alert popped up. I have a videoclip that I took when the incident took place, but I cannot upload it here because of its size. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | My Tesla Model Y has been braking while on autopilot out of nowhere and very, very hard. I have noticed this has been happening more when I am next to a semi truck or other large vehicle where the tesla will for whatever reason slam on the brakes even though there is no vehicle or objects in front of me and there is not a vehicle merging. This is a major safety issue and can lead to a loss of property and worst of all, life. Please do a recall on these vehicles and make Tesla fix these issues before it leads to further accidents and injuries/deaths. Thank you. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving my 2023 Tesla Model Y northbound on Interstate 69 in Indiana near the 219 mile marker. The time was around 9:30 P.M. My speed was approximately 70 MPH. I was using what Tesla calls "Traffic-Aware Cruise Control". All of a sudden and with warning, my vehicle braked extremely hard, slowing me down very fast. Luckily no one was behind me. I had no idea what was happening and looked all around for danger. After a few seconds, I accelerated and continued on. This phantom braking is very concerning to me. Had someone been behind me a horrible crash would have occurred. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | We have owned this car for a week and we have experienced unwarranted automatic breaking and rapid deceleration 1or 2 times on 5 out of the 7 days of driving. We are now considering returning the car due to overall safety concerns. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | STEERING | I took my wife to a doctors appointment and upon going back into the car to drive off the steering wheel became VERY stiff. I had to use a considerable amount of force to move the wheel. My wife couldn't move the steering wheel at all. Some errors appeared on the screen 'Power steering reduced', and UI_a020 Steering assist is disabled. Ultimately had to call Tesla and they had to tow it away to a Service center. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE | Autosteer mode, while generally helpful and which I use daily, abruptly brakes hard and/or pulls hard to the right when its computer program misinterprets a mere shadow as a threat. While I am sure your organization already knows this well. I believe this has strong potential to cause a driver to over-react and lose control of the vehicle. Addition of a radar sensor as an input to the existing algorithm similar to the Chevy Bolt for separately assessing/confirming this perceived threat could resolve the problem in milliseconds and preclude this risk. Understandably, Tesla management as judged this acceptable since adding this capability would raise its cost and reduce its market share in the increasingly competitive EV market. But as a former systems engineer and general manager manufacturing aviation autopilot computers, I strongly disagree and remain concerned about its potential to cause a serious/fatal crash. Thus, I offer another voice pressing for reconsideration by your public safety organization. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Consistent to the point that it can be predictable- Phantom braking along Virginia I-66 eastbound; everytime exactly after passing the gantry near exit 44. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While traveling on an open highway with no obstructions, the vehicle applied the brakes very hard causing all passengers to slide forward in their seats activating the seat belt locks. All cargo became airborne and flew forward. Had a car been following, it is highly likely that we would have been rear ended. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |