2020 Tesla Model Y brakes problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V387000May 25, 20215,974 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:CRITICAL FASTENERS · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.

  Risk: Contact with the rim may cause a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and tighten, or replace the caliper bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-33-002.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 24, 2026VABrakesElectrical System

   2020 Model Y developed a parking-brake/braking system failure. Vehicle displayed "Steering & Braking - Parking brake functions degraded/parking brake may not apply or release." This resulted in the vehicle being unable to drive for extended periods of time. Tesla diagnosed a rear-right brake caliper failure and quoted approximately $886. Tesla acknowledged the condition is not normal wear and tear but declined coverage because the vehicle is outside of warranty and there is…

   NHTSA complaint #11766629 · source
2. Filed Apr 21, 2026COBrakesSuspensionWheels & Tires

   There was a grinding sound coming from the LF wheel. This was progressively getting worse. Car was shaking while driving so dropped it off with my mechanic due to safety concerns. Per the mechanic that fixed the issue: Inspection found LF wheel bearing is loose. A bolt backed out on inside rubbing through axel shaft. Allowed wheel bearing to damage to damaged from moving in place. Axle shaft damaged from rubbing on backed out bolt. Replace LF axle shaft and wheel bearing.…

   NHTSA complaint #11732866 · source
3. Filed Jun 13, 2024MDBrakes

   When I went to my local garage to have a wheel rotation and wheel alignment done, they discovered that my rear driver side break hose was leaking. They also discovered that the rear passenger side break hose was showing similar wear/damage. I had the car towed to Tesla repair center because the replacement parts were backordered for the local garage. At the Tesla repair center, I asked if this was a potential build quality issue or something else, which they couldn't answer.…

   NHTSA complaint #11594286 · source
4. Filed Mar 2, 2024NYBrakesOther / Unknown

   Tesla Model Y, loses control in snow and fish tails, making it unsafe. This has happened multiple time in winter and even in heavy rain. I follow standard recommendations for winter/snow driving, if you skid, ease off acceleration, and do not brake to avoid skidding. If we do this, the regenerative brakes kick in and brakes the car, causing the skid. Have had several narrow escapes in highways and even in regular roads. I hope Tesla will can give an option to turn of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11575038 · source
5. Filed Sep 25, 2023NJBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   We’re getting errors for traction control, reduced traction, control, disabled automatic emergency, braking is unavailable, ABS disabled. This is a manufactures defect, and Tesla is requiring us to pay.

   NHTSA complaint #11546449 · source
6. Filed Aug 30, 2023ORBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   While driving in cruise control mode, not auto steer, and with no vehicle in or obvious obstruction in front, the brakes will be applied without warning (phantom braking). It has happened multiple time in the years of ownership. It has happened once or twice with a vehicle following resulting in near rear-end collision. In one case this resulted in the follower reacting with "road rage," passing with horns blaring and braking in front of my vehicle. I have this recent…

   NHTSA complaint #11541770 · source
7. Filed Aug 21, 2023CABrakesOther / UnknownSteering

   I purchased our Tesla model Y 3 years ago. I intentionally disabled and did not subscribe to any autonomous driving features because I don’t trust them. I disabled all aspects of auto pilot functions. Despite this, my car still will automatically swerve at random times, slam on the brakes randomly with no reason to break, etc. It is terrifying when this happens unexpectedly and infuriating that I have disabled all these features, but it still does this. This is most common…

   NHTSA complaint #11539961 · source
8. Filed Jun 15, 2023MNBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   On the last road trip, my car emergently braked for no reason when using cruise control and autopilot causing safety issues for cars behind my vehicle. This happened at least 6 times on my 500-mile round trip. I reached out to Tesla service and was told there is no fix at this time. in my opinion this is a dangerous problem that needs addressing in an urgent manner.

   NHTSA complaint #11527150 · source
9. Filed Mar 22, 2023CA1 injuredBrakes

   Vehicle was on FSD and suddenly excessively braked almost to a stop when driving at 65mph causing occupants and cargo to fly forward and Injured our pet in the rear seat

   NHTSA complaint #11513139 · source
10. Filed Feb 15, 2023TXBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    Have had several issues with phantom braking. When in cruise control or auto drive there are times nothing is in the roadway but the vehicle will brake in middle of hwy. very dangerous

    NHTSA complaint #11507398 · source
11. Filed Jan 5, 20237,000 miGACrash3 injuredTowedBrakes

    The contact owned a 2020 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking space, the vehicle rolled back and crashed into a concrete wall. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. Additionally, on October 17, 2021, the contact slightly depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle accelerated abruptly and crashed…

    NHTSA complaint #11500280 · source
12. Filed Dec 3, 2022AZBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    While driving on highway using cruise control, the vehicle (without the driver's assistance) applied brakes to quickly slow the rate of speed. This occurred three times in the span of ten minutes. The weather was sunny and no other vehicles or objects were in the vicinity of my vehicle. After the third occurrence, I stopped using cruise control for the remainder of the trip.

    NHTSA complaint #11495898 · source

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. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology