2021 Tesla Model Y transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 8, 2026GAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   The high-voltage battery failed unexpectedly shortly after the warranty expired (with only 9,000 miles past warranty). Tesla Service confirmed a main high-voltage battery defect and quoted a full battery replacement. A sudden high-voltage battery failure causes a complete loss of propulsion/power, creating a severe collision and safety hazard on public roads. There were no prior warnings until the system suddenly failed and rendered the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle is…

   NHTSA complaint #11755660 · source
2. Filed Jun 4, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle’s secondary Autopilot Processor / car computer is internally faulted and stuck in a continuous wake/shutdown loop. This causes severe standby battery drain (~20 miles of range lost per day while parked) and completely prevents all over-the-air software updates - including federally mandated safety recall remedies. On April 4, 2024, Tesla Service diagnosed the fault and linked it to the drain and inability to update. On the same visit, Tesla added two safety…

   NHTSA complaint #11742219 · source
3. Filed Dec 11, 2025CADriver Assistance & Safety TechSeats & Seat BeltsTransmission & Drivetrain

   In early Nov 2025 my Tesla Model Y began intermittently showing warnings about the forward collision warning system and multiple sensors being offline. Tesla service replaced a faulty connector on Nov 3. On Nov 15, 2025, about two weeks later, the car had a sudden drivetrain failure while I was parking on a steep hill. I heard a loud bang from the front of the car and the vehicle immediately lost drive power and had to be towed. Tesla diagnosed a failed front motor inverter…

   NHTSA complaint #11704381 · source
4. Filed Nov 19, 2025NCElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Detailed Description of the Defect: Friday Incident: While picking up my son from school, the vehicle abruptly disabled multiple safety and driver-assist features. The car rolled backward on a slight incline, failed to display any surrounding vehicles on the FSD visualization, and retained accelerator input even after I removed my foot from the pedal. The vehicle continued to speed up slightly in Drive and Reverse without my input. Soft resets did not resolve the issue.…

   NHTSA complaint #11700358 · source
5. Filed Aug 25, 2025CATransmission & Drivetrain

   Summary of Issue: The vehicle has experienced intermittent drive disconnections without warning. This occurred multiple times on August 9–10, 2025, during trips between Palo Alto and Monterey. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection? The suspected component is the drive unit (covered under Tesla’s 8-year Drive Unit & Battery warranty). The vehicle and its systems remain…

   NHTSA complaint #11683010 · source
6. Filed Jan 20, 2025FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   A year ago I went on a road trip from Florida to Iowa in the winter, temperatures were freezing or below freezing. I got an alert to maintenance powertrain, after driving to Tesla they informed me the oil pump on the rear motor was falling apart. It was replaced. A year later on a second road trip to the same location also in sub freezing conditions the exact same error pops up, in service mode it says rear oil pump error

   NHTSA complaint #11637075 · source
7. Filed Dec 14, 2024CAFireBody & StructureFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   ­•Unknown parts or system malfunctions; yes, an inspection can be issued •The car is parked very close to the house and continuously producing poisonous and harmful gas, battery liquid and glasses splattered more than 20ft away. •No, before the incident there was no issue observed. •No, but from the fire department report the cause of the fire was "failure of equipment". •No, there was no warnings from the app, or signs of malfunctions. the car functions normally.

   NHTSA complaint #11630674 · source
8. Filed May 14, 2024VAElectrical SystemSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   Steering disabled due to software update resulting in vehicle undriviable and having to be towed from driveway Tesla requiring customer to pay for hardware replacement due to software update failure costing $2,921.24 for the replacement, out of pocket. Required replacement of steering Rack (Dual Motor) Part - Steering Gear Left Hand Drive (1044832-00-A)

   NHTSA complaint #11588656 · source
9. Filed May 2, 2024TXElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The main screen on my Tesla Model Y flickers while driving, as well as charging. I have a video of it happening, if you slow the video down it completely shuts the screen down for a millisecond and then turns back on. I have sent this video to Tesla, as well as Tesla technicians has confirmed the issue happening when they had the vehicle. I have had the vehicle into Tesla 3 separate times for service, they don't know how to fix the issue and keep telling me to wait. I have…

   NHTSA complaint #11586653 · source
10. Filed Apr 1, 2024CTCrash1 injuredTowedBrakesSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

    I was driving on PA Turnpike in light rain . I never drive fast . Somehow my car start shifting from one side of the rd to another I slow down but I did not feel connection with sterling wheels car start spinning in circles and I crashed with 2 kids in the car.

    NHTSA complaint #11580562 · source
11. Filed Feb 13, 2024CAElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    When driving the car abruptly slows down. This also happened on the freeway. I get an error message that says “power limited” and a turtle symbol. This is the second time this issue has happened. Tesla service center has not been able to confidently diagnose this issue. They say it’s resolved and once I leave the service center and the problem comes back.

    NHTSA complaint #11571568 · source
12. Filed Feb 6, 2024ORSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

    The power steering went out and it was virtually impossible to turn the steering wheel. It was unsafe to drive because you were not able to turn the car unless you were very strong. Safety issue-unable to turn the car without possibly colliding with another car. Tesla replaced the drive train. Another incident happened while getting into the car and driving it. An alert came up on the screen saying that the power train needed immediate service and that I could not exceed 60…

    NHTSA complaint #11570374 · 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