Complaint volume
279 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
2026 Tesla Model Y Complaints
279 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2026 Tesla Model Y, grouped by component category.
279 Total complaints
53 Crash reports
1 Fire reports
13 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 unknown or other, electrical system, 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 53 crash reports, 1 fire report, 13 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 18 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 7,652 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to unknown or other, electrical system, 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 2026 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.
2026 Tesla Model Y
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2026 Tesla Model Y complaints?
53 Crash
1 Fire
13 Injury
0 Fatality
22 Towed
10 Medical attention
What are the most common 2026 Tesla Model Y complaint categories?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 65
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 16
SUSPENSION 15
STEERING 12
STRUCTURE 12
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL 10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING 7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6
279 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,EQUIPMENT | See attached document for complaint. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | SEAT BELTS | Right rear passenger seat belt malfunctioned after owning the vehicle for one month. When I called the service department to discuss the issue, they said the part would take 5 days to come in. They denied me a loaner car to drive while I waiting for the part. The malfunction was confirmed by the dealership the following week and required replacement. I still cannot believe that a company who values safety, expected me to continue to drive my children in a car that had a malfunctioning seatbelt, until the part came in. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Safety Defect: Uncommanded trunk actuation while the user was asleep inside the vehicle. The vehicle’s proximity-sensing system (Bluetooth Phone Key) triggered a full power-open cycle without any active user input. The system failed to recognize that the vehicle was occupied and failed to detect an external obstruction, resulting in a collision. This poses a severe risk of unauthorized vehicle access or personal injury while a user is sleeping or camping in the vehicle. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | LANE DEPARTURE | On multiple lane roads whe I am driving next to traffic in the same direction, if I try to give a large truck in the next lane plenty of room the lane keep assist activates and pushes me closer to the vehicle I am trying to avoid. When LCA first takes control it feels like it turns toward the line it's alerting about. Then it steers me towards the thing I was trying to avoid. The happens every drive and causes close calls with traffic, curbs, or large shrubs in the median. I have other older Tesla Model Ys that allow you to keep this setting off permanently. My new Model Y resets on every drive. It's several menu levels deep and distracting when I have to disable while driving. Please have them let me keep this dangerous option off permanently. Thank you | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | STEERING | On [XXX] 1512PM. Drive on [XXX] with auto pilot driving. Seen on construction and hit some object driver side by front bumper , fender, Side mirror,Door and Wheel. Couldn't avoid crash by control handle. There is none of airbag action. All deployed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | On March 23, 2026, my vehicle experienced a sudden and simultaneous failure of multiple critical safety systems without any prior warning. The alerts displayed included: Automatic Emergency Braking unavailable, traction control disabled, stability control disabled, and additional driver-assistance features becoming unavailable. This incident created a serious safety hazard, as the loss of these systems significantly reduces vehicle stability and braking assistance, increasing the risk of loss of control, especially at highway speeds or in adverse weather conditions. In addition, the front-facing camera exhibits fogging and reduced visibility during cloudy and rainy conditions, which further impacts the reliability of safety and driver-assistance systems. Based on my research, similar issues have been reported by other Tesla owners, suggesting this may not be an isolated incident but a potential pattern defect. I am concerned about the safety of operating this vehicle and request that this matter be investigated for potential defects affecting critical safety systems. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | With Full Self-Driving activated, while the vehicle was performing a maneuver to exit a parking space, it reversed directly into a stationary concrete pillar. The impact occurred on the rear driver’s side. There was no driver steering or pedal input during the reversal. The pillar was a large, high-contrast concrete structure, and there was insufficient time to intervene once the vehicle began reversing toward the pillar. Such defect in the Full Self-Driving system is dangerous for drivers and pedestrians alike. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST | The FSD system in my Model Y is hazardous. When I first purchased the car on 2/9/2026, they secretly loaded it with very outdated software, as follows: “Software” 2025.44.300 Full Self-Driving v13.2.9 I’ve already driven this car 9960 miles, about 85% of which was on FSD. I will itemize for you a list of events that have occurred with this car with me driving for which dash cam footage exists: 1. The car attempted to blow past a school bus picking up passengers at about 40 miles an hour without even slowing down. It was stacked with red and yellow lights everywhere and had two extended stop signs. 2. The car blows past police cars parked on the shoulder of the highway with their roof lights on without slowing down or making any attempt to move into the second lane. 3. While transitioning from one highway to another on an elevated single-lane overpass, on two occasions the car elected to depart the only travel lane and hug the concrete wall on the left side, driving in the dead zone. Both the yellow line and the white line were clear and bright. No traffic or obstacles present. 4. Right after exiting a hwy there were two lanes in my direction and one lane of opposing traffic separated by a clear and bright double yellow line. The car chose to drive in the lane intended for opposing traffic. I have dash of this as well. No traffic or obstacles were present. 5. Car made left turn into opposing traffic lanes. 6. When NOT on FSD, the lane departure avoidance and emerg. lane departure avoidance features are both HIGHLY defective. They read everything as a lane departure— from tire tracks in the snow, to cracks and seams in the concrete, lines of tar intended to prevent water ingress, shadows, etc. Car almost pulled me HARD towards construction workers, oncoming traffic, and nearby vehicles. Tesla refuses to disable. When I disable, it reenables every time I drive. 7. It ran over a curb on FSD, twice. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | STEERING | Component: Electric power steering system (steering column rack). Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: Loss of power steering assist renders the steering wheel virtually inoperable, creating an immediate risk of loss of vehicle control for the driver and danger to other road users. The vehicle required towing on November 27, 2025 — one month after purchase (October 25, 2025). Warning symptoms: Steering wheel stiffness and vibration when the easy-entry feature engaged. No warning lamps or messages preceded the failure. Dealer inspection and repair: Tesla service initially indicated the steering column rack required replacement. After five days, they instead applied lubricant as the sole fix. The issue was not resolved. On January 30, 2026, Tesla admitted they do not currently have an adequate solution to properly repair these known defects. Manufacturer acknowledgment: Tesla acknowledged the severity by agreeing a buyback was appropriate. On December 30, 2025, Tesla offered the full purchase price of $46,838.68 but withheld the $7,500 federal tax incentive without legal justification. While I was requesting documentation for this deduction, Tesla unilaterally declared I had withdrawn from the offer. I proposed a same-vehicle replacement as an alternative, but Tesla rejected this. Tesla will only offer a buyback minus the $7,500. Unanswered safety questions: I have repeatedly asked Tesla in writing whether the vehicle is safe to drive and requested disclosure of internal findings, including known safety risks and repair limitations. Tesla has not responded despite multiple requests. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | In under a year I have had to replace my windshield three times due to cracks from debris. The total cost would be greater than 4,000. I, nor my wife and family have ever had to replace a windshield on any previous car we had owned this many times in under one year or even at all. I suspect there is a defect in the build of the windshield or the design of the car that may be causing this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES | I've noticed periodically when the car is braking at start stop traffic in autopilot mode, the brake is very jerky and I can actually hear the pedal jerking and engaging. I wrote it off at the time in my head as normal operation of the car. I have brake pressure offset codes and brake booster mia codes. Sometimes I've noticed when I brake, randomly the pedal is super stiff and it feels like the car is driving on ice, as if the brakes aren't working or slowing me down at all, but I thought nothing of it at the time. Today on the 14th, I got into an accident at a relatively slow speed that in any other scenario I should have been able to stop. Yet I hit a parked car because as I was braking, I felt the pedal go very very stiff and unresponsive, and I carried the same speed as when I started braking right until impact, it seems as if I didn't slow down one bit. The brakes did not respond as they did mere seconds before and I hit a parked car. I understand teslas may throw codes left and right in service mode that may mean nothing, but I am worried about the brake booster code and wonder if maybe it caused the accident I was involved in. My friends told me they heard about tesla brake issues and that I should look into it and when I went to go check the codes hours later there they were. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | SUSPENSION | I am reporting a suspected defect involving the front suspension or steering system of my Tesla Model Y. The vehicle produces loud popping, knocking, and rattling noises from the front end when turning the steering wheel at low speeds, particularly as the steering approaches full lock in either direction. The noise appears to originate from the front suspension or steering components and occurs consistently during normal operation. This issue raises concerns about potential premature wear, component failure, or loss of steering control, which could pose a safety risk. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | STRUCTURE | Timeline of events: Day 1 – Delivery March 13, 2026 • Drove about 10 miles after delivery. • The driver-side window suddenly rolled fully down by itself while I was driving. • Returned immediately to the Tesla service center. They said they cleaned the window and recalibrated it. Later the same day • Drove another 10 miles. • The window dropped fully again while driving. • Returned to the service center a second time. • I was told a mechanical part would be replaced, but never provided documentation. Day 2 – Today, March 14, 2026 • Left home to go to the store. • Within about 5 minutes of driving, the window dropped fully again and would not close at all. • The wind noise was extremely loud and the vehicle was very difficult to operate safely. I contacted the service center and was told they cannot provide proof of the part replacement from yesterday. When I called another Tesla service location, the earliest appointment available to even investigate the issue is March 31, 2026, despite the fact that the vehicle is essentially undrivable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | SUSPENSION | I am filing a complaint regarding a suspension defect on my new Tesla Model Y Juniper. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, I began hearing a distinct knocking / clunking noise coming from the suspension when driving over small road imperfections and at low speeds. The noise is clearly abnormal for a new vehicle and sounds like loose or defective suspension components. I brought the vehicle to a Tesla service center, but the issue has not been resolved. Despite inspection and attempted repairs, the knocking noise continues to occur. This raises serious concerns about the quality and safety of the suspension system. Based on information from other Tesla owners, this appears to be a recurring issue affecting multiple Model Y Juniper vehicles. A persistent suspension defect on a new vehicle may pose a safety risk and should be investigated. I request that NHTSA review this issue and investigate whether there is a manufacturing or design defect affecting the suspension system of the Tesla Model Y Juniper. Vehicle Information: Model: Tesla Model Y (Juniper refresh) 7SAYGDEE9TF559226 Issue: Knocking / clunking noise from suspension Condition: Occurs at low speed and over small road bumps Status: Tesla service attempted repair but the problem persists (left and right front upper control arm replaced) This problem should not exist on a brand-new vehicle and requires proper investigation. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Dear Transportation Safety Board: On January 12, 2026, at noon, I was involved in a traffic accident while using Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) function on the [XXX] between [XXX] and [XXX] . I am the complainant's wife. The accident was caused by a malfunction of FSD, which has had a tremendous impact on my family and my husband. He suffered a head injury, followed by intracranial hemorrhage and hematoma, rendering him unable to work. The accident has resulted in frequent cramps in his hands and feet, dizziness, headaches, and drug allergies due to the need for long-term medication. I need your help. Tesla does not state in its app that the product cannot fully drive itself; instead, it advertises that its FSD can drive independently in various road conditions without human intervention. This has misled the driving habits of many Tesla owners and caused immense harm to me and my family. I earnestly request your assistance in helping this helpless woman resolve my husband's problem. Thank you very much. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | SUSPENSION | Brand new car and its widely reported of front suspension noise, particularly with the RWD models. My car is the RWD model and I have the distinct and noticeable front suspension noise at non highway speeds. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | Subject: Tesla Self-Driving / Autopilot Incorrect Maneuver at Intersection Vehicle: Tesla (model: ***Y_)Software: Full Self-Driving / Autopilot (specify which was active)Date: __[XXX]__Time: _[XXX]___Location: _***San Carlos, [XXX] ____ (city, intersection or street) Description of Incident: While the vehicle was operating with Tesla’s driver-assistance system engaged, the navigation indicated the car would turn right at an intersection. As the vehicle approached the intersection and began the maneuver, it unexpectedly continued straight instead of completing the right turn. This caused the vehicle to enter the intersection in front of other vehicles that were stopped at another traffic light. I had to intervene to ensure safety. There was no clear reason for the incorrect maneuver, and the system behavior was unexpected and potentially dangerous. Additional Information: •Weather conditions: ___good weather _clear__ •Traffic conditions: ___lot of traffic people getting off work___ •Driver intervention: Yes / No (explain briefly)yes heading straight to cars if I had not made a quick maneuver and turn the steering wheel. I would have crash hitting at least one or two cars. •Dashcam footage available: Yes / No NO I am submitting this report so the event can be reviewed for possible software or safety issues with the driver-assistance system. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | STEERING | After a 2 months of ownership, the motor that deploys the steering wheel to the driving position started a deep resistive noise. Took it to the service center in Bend, Oregon October 29, 2025. Their response, consumer education. ("This is normal") Second trip to Bend, Nov 4, 2025 they took the steering wheel off and adjusted the steering column. The problem persisted. The repair center ordered a new steering column. Another trip to Bend, Oregon, December 2, 2025, they replaced the steering column. Within a week, the grinding noise returned in the new steering column. If we activate it twice in succession, the deploying motor overheats and shuts down, leading to the driving wheel (and airbag) in the high and retracted position. Inquiring of the service manager at Bend, OR repair facility, he said Tesla is aware of the problem but does not have a replacement that itself will not have the same problem as the parts that are removed. (In other words, they cannot fix it.) Putting the Airbag in the wrong position while driving would deploy the driver's air bag too high to meet the safety standard under which it was tested and certified for a collision rating. Do I have a lemon? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | On [XXX] I pick up my New Tesla Y. On [XXX], while traveling at highway speeds on [XXX] with Autopilot "FSD" engaged, my 2026 Tesla Model Y experienced a sudden vehicle shutdown and start giving multiple alerts without warning. The vehicle displayed multiple critical alerts: "Vehicle Shutdown", "Pull Over Safely", "Stability Control Disabled." Upon the failure, Autopilot FSD disengaged, and the power steering immediately became extremely heavy ("hard"), making the vehicle difficult to steer. The car lost all propulsion. I had to manually maneuver the heavy, unpowered vehicle through active highway traffic to reach the shoulder, which created an immediate and severe safety risk. The vehicle was towed to a Tesla Service Center in Fort Lauderdale with only 130 miles on the odometer. Technicians confirmed a "major motor failure" of the rear drive unit requiring a full replacement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | SEATS | Since taking delivery of my 2026 Tesla Model Y, the driver's seat seatback rocks forward and backward during normal acceleration and braking. The movement is both audible (squeaking/creaking) and tactile — the seat physically shifts under the driver's weight during vehicle operation. This is not an intermittent or minor issue; it occurs consistently every time the vehicle accelerates from a stop or decelerates. A rocking driver's seat is a safety concern. The driver's seating position directly affects their ability to control the steering wheel, reach pedals accurately, and be properly restrained by the seatbelt and airbag system in the event of a collision. A seat that moves unexpectedly during normal driving undermines all of these functions. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether this defect is present across 2026 Model Y vehicles beyond the scope of recall SB-25-13-003, and whether Tesla's practice of charging diagnostic fees for safety-related warranty claims warrants further regulatory action." | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES | 1. There is a constant thunking noise coming from the front suspension when traveling on slightly bumpy roads at low speeds. 2. Both front seats squeak and squeal as if they are loose and not bolted in correctly. 3. Front brakes screach and squeal when coming to a stop in cold or wet weather, escpecially pronounced during cold weather. (This is an active service bulletin in all vehicles made in their Berlin factory but is happening in U.S. built vehicles as well. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | STRUCTURE:BODY | I am reporting a suspected defect involving the front suspension or steering system of my 2026 Tesla Model Y AWD. The vehicle produces loud popping, knocking, and rattling noises from the front end when turning the steering wheel at low speeds, particularly when the steering approaches full lock in either direction. The issue is most noticeable when entering or exiting uneven surfaces such as sloped driveways or parking lot entrances where the suspension is under load. During these conditions, the front suspension produces distinct mechanical popping or knocking sounds that appear to originate from the front wheel or suspension area. The noise does not occur while driving straight. It becomes significantly more noticeable when turning left or right at low speeds and worsens as the steering approaches full lock. In addition to the noise, a noticeable mechanical jolt or feedback can be felt through the steering wheel when the popping or knocking occurs. This issue began suddenly without any warning signs. One moment the vehicle was operating normally, and the next the popping and knocking noises began. Since that time the issue has continued consistently during turning maneuvers. The vehicle has not been involved in any collision and has been driven under normal conditions. Numerous other 2026 Tesla Model Y owners have reported similar front suspension symptoms, suggesting this may represent a broader pattern of potential suspension or steering component issues. Because the noise and feedback occur through the steering system while the suspension is under load, this raises concern that a suspension or steering component may be shifting, binding, or prematurely wearing. This condition raises safety concerns because abnormal movement or failure of steering or suspension components could affect vehicle control during turning or emergency maneuvers. I request that this issue be investigated for a possible defect trend affecting Tesla Model Y vehicles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | There was no incident, it is a safety feature that has been removed from Tesla Model Y's since October 2025 and the service center declined to add it in during a service request even at the expense of the owner. This feature being removed poses a safety concern for children or smaller people being trapped in the frunk (front trunk) compartment with no way of being able to get out of the compartment. It was removed for cost savings on the vehicle. I currently own a Tesla Model Y built February 2026 at the Austin Gigafactory. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | One only needs to google or ask an AI about "Tesla Model Y Juniper" front end suspension noises and you will find links to hundreds of complaints and at least two YouTube videos now. Based on reports from recent 2026 Tesla Model Y owners, particularly those with the Juniper refresh, the front-end noises over rough or bumpy roads at very slow speeds sound like a widespread suspension-related issue. It's often characterized as a clunk, rattle, or knocking from the front suspension, especially when the suspension compresses and unloads over uneven surfaces like driveways, speed bumps, or minor road imperfections. Youtube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECerCsSdEeI&list=WL&index=3 For the rubbing-type noises when turning the wheels all the way left/right (full lock), this is another frequently reported quirk in Model Ys, though less tied specifically to 2026 builds. It often presents as a grinding, scraping, or creaking sound. I had scheduled an appointment with Tesla Service, however, there are a lot of cases where the Service Center provides a repair or is supposedly removing the Pencil Braces. Based on all the repairs I've read, 1. The issues still remain. 2. Service Center's don't really seem to know how to provide repairs to fix the issues, and it seems different Service Centers are providing different repairs (they don't really have a fix). 3. There are many cases where supposedly, Tesla Service Technician's are informing customers that Tesla is aware of this widespread issue and their engineers are supposedly working on a permanent solution. I currently don't see any reason to have a Tesla Service Center tear apart my brand-new Tesla, simply to provide a temporary solution. And, if Tesla engineers are indeed working on these issues, I would rather wait. Finally, I am filling this complaint to 1. Notify NHTSA if they're currently unaware of this issue and 2. To have a record of my complaint, if it turns out I need to utilize the Lemon Law or a buy back. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Yesterday at about [XXX] I was driving using FSD. I was making a left turn on a green arrow turning from [XXX] onto [XXX] . My car hesitated, then accelerated and then abruptly braked nearly causing me to be rear ended by the SUV behind me who was angrily beeping at me. I had to rapidly accelerate to avoid being hit. The left turn signal was green before during and after my turn. I believe that the sun shining brightly on the traffic light made it difficult for my Tesla to accurately recognize that the turn signal was green. I felt this was very unsafe. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |