Tesla Model Y reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 4,230 complaints about the Tesla Model Y with NHTSA since 2020, most often about automatic emergency braking and collision warning and other or unspecified. Tesla has filed 0 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns for it, and there are 43 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Tesla Model Y? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Model Y a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2020 on.
- Owner complaints
- 4,230
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 0
- Filed by Tesla
- Service campaigns
- 0
- Filed by Tesla
- Safety recalls
- 43
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Model Y with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 397 | Other or unspecified (30%) | 8 | 0 |
| 2025 | 104 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (46%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 | 326 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (38%) | 5 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1,172 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (41%) | 17 | 0 |
| 2022 | 867 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (57%) | 20 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1,085 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (54%) | 23 | 0 |
| 2020 | 279 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (38%) | 24 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Model Y model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Tesla
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Tesla filed with NHTSA for the Model Y, in its own words. A warranty extension means Tesla pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
No warranty extension or service campaign on file for the Model Y.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Model Y model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Automatic emergency braking and collision warning1,949 (46%)
- Other or unspecified661 (16%)
- Cruise control and speed control584 (14%)
- Electrical system554 (13%)
- Brakes535 (13%)
- Steering471 (11%)
- Lane keeping372 (9%)
- Suspension306 (7%)
Safety recalls
43 recalls cover at least one Model Y model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
One or more front suspension lateral link fasteners may not have been properly tightened, allowing the lateral link to loosen or separate from the sub-frame.
The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output.
The vehicles were originally built for a foreign market and do not have knee air bags, may not be equipped with certain interior safety countermeasures, and may not have been tested for bumper impact resistance…
The certification label may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 567, "Certification.
The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.
The battery pack contactors may fail, causing a loss of drive power.
The reverse lights may fail to illuminate while the vehicle is in reverse, due to a defect in the wiring.
The ring terminal of the horn ground wire may be improperly secured, allowing the circuit to open and preventing the horn from sounding.
The fasteners attaching the seat back to the seat bottom may have been improperly tightened.
The hose connector may block the windshield washer nozzles, preventing washer fluid from reaching the windshield.
The printed circuit board for the electronic power steering assist may experience an overstress condition, causing a loss of power steering assist when the vehicle reaches a stop and then accelerates again.
The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image.
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure.
The weld attaching the seat recliner mechanism to the front seat backs may fail.
The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
And 28 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- PE26006Preliminary evaluation· opened Jul 2026, still open· Suspension· model years 2021–2023
Lower Lateral Link detachment
- EA26002Engineering analysis· opened Mar 2026, still open· Electrical system· model years 2020–2026
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
- PE25012Preliminary evaluation· opened Oct 2025, still open· Electrical system· model years 2020–2026
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
- PE25010Preliminary evaluation· opened Sep 2025, still open· Electrical system· model years 2021
Electronic door handles become inoperative
- AQ25002Audit query· opened Aug 2025, still open· Electrical system· model years 2020–2026
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
- PE24033Preliminary evaluation· opened Jan 2025, closed Apr 2026· Electrical system· model years 2020–2026
Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
- PE24031Preliminary evaluation· opened Oct 2024, closed Mar 2026· Electrical system· model years 2020–2024
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
- RQ24009Recall query· opened Apr 2024, still open· Electrical system· model years 2020–2024
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
- EA24001Engineering analysis· opened Feb 2024, closed Jun 2026· Steering· model years 2023
Loss of steering control
Led to recall 25V092.
- PE23014Preliminary evaluation· opened Jul 2023, closed Feb 2024· Steering· model years 2023
Loss of steering control
- DP23002Defect petition· opened Jun 2023, still open· Cruise control and speed control· model years 2019–2023
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
- DP23001Defect petition· opened Apr 2023, closed Mar 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2019–2023
Defect Petition Interlock Request
- PE23003Preliminary evaluation· opened Mar 2023, closed Apr 2026· Steering· model years 2023
Steering Wheel Detachment
- DP22005Defect petition· opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023· Electrical system· model years 2020–2022
Pedestrian alert sounds
Led to recall 22V063000.
- EA22002Engineering analysis· opened Jun 2022, closed Apr 2024· Electrical system· model years 2020–2023
Autopilot System Driver Controls
Led to recall 23V085.
- PE22002Preliminary evaluation· opened Feb 2022, closed Jun 2026· Automatic emergency braking and collision warning· model years 2021–2024
Unexpected Brake Activation
- PE21023Preliminary evaluation· opened Dec 2021, closed May 2023· Equipment and accessories· model years 2019–2022
Tesla Passenger Play
- PE21020Preliminary evaluation· opened Aug 2021, closed Jun 2022· Electrical system· model years 2019–2022
Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Tesla Model Y has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Tesla Model Y reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2020 on: 4,230 owner complaints, 0 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns Tesla filed, and 43 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2023 (1,172), 2021 (1,085), 2022 (867). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Tesla Model Y?
Across every model year since 2020, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name automatic emergency braking and collision warning (46%), other or unspecified (16%), cruise control and speed control (14%). Tesla has filed no warranty extension for the Model Y with NHTSA.
Which Model Y model years have the most complaints?
2023 (1,172), 2021 (1,085), 2022 (867). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Model Y with each other rather than with other models.
Has Tesla extended the warranty on the Model Y?
Tesla has filed no warranty extension for the Model Y with NHTSA in the years we hold.
How do I check recalls on a Model Y?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 43 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.