Tesla Model Y problems by model year
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
NHTSA has 4,230 owner complaints and 43 recalls on file for the Tesla Model Y (2019–2026). The 2022 Model Y has the most serious complaints, most often about driver assistance & safety tech.
- Complaints
- 4,230
- Recalls
- 43
- Model years
- 8
- Worst year
- 2022
Complaints by model year
Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.
Worst Tesla Model Y years to buy
Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).
- 2022 Tesla Model Y — 867 complaints, 90 crashes, 8 fires; top problem: Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
- 2023 Tesla Model Y — 1,172 complaints, 152 crashes, 4 fires; top problem: Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
- 2021 Tesla Model Y — 1,085 complaints, 88 crashes, 6 fires; top problem: Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
- 2024 Tesla Model Y — 326 complaints, 72 crashes, 4 fires; top problem: Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
- 2026 Tesla Model Y — 397 complaints, 84 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2019 (0 complaints).
Every Tesla Model Y model year
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Recalls | Top problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Model Y | 397 | 84 | 1 | 33 | 8 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2025 Model Y | 104 | 32 | 3 | 14 | 3 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2024 Model Y | 326 | 72 | 4 | 58 | 5 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2023 Model Y | 1,172 | 152 | 4 | 87 | 17 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2022 Model Y | 867 | 90 | 8 | 152 | 20 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2021 Model Y | 1,085 | 88 | 6 | 25 | 23 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2020 Model Y | 279 | 47 | 0 | 25 | 24 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2019 Model Y | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | — |
Most common Tesla Model Y problem areas (all years)
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech2,195 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control584 complaints
- Brakes573 complaints
- Electrical System554 complaints
- Steering471 complaints
- Suspension316 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers195 complaints
- Body & Structure182 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts170 complaints
- Wheels & Tires138 complaints
Complaint trend
Tesla Model Y recalls
Risk: A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A noncompliant vehicle may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Risk: Missing weight information provided by the label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Risk: Reverse lights that fail to illuminate reduce visibility and may not alert pedestrians or other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: An inoperable horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers as needed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: The seat may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Risk: The inability to clean the windshield reduces the driver’s visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
Risk: The seat back frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Risk: Safety features that are unavailable without any warning to the driver may increase the risk of a crash.
Risk: A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury.
Risk: A loose fastener may allow the steering wheel to disconnect from the steering column, which can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
Risk: A loose seat frame bolt may reduce the seat belt system's performance, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Risk: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Other Tesla models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology