2023 Tesla Model Y acceleration & cruise control problems
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
167 owners have reported acceleration & cruise control problems with the 2023 Tesla Model Y, 14% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 5,000 mi.
- Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints
- 167
- Crashes
- 35
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 15
- Related recalls
- 0
- Median mileage
- 5,000 mi
Specific components reported
Acceleration & Cruise Control covers: unintended acceleration, throttle, cruise control.
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 164 |
| Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal | 3 |
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints across Tesla Model Y years
Mileage when the problem appeared
Related recalls
No recalls on file.
What owners say
- Filed Sep 15, 2026WADriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control
Tesla cruise control removed the speed limit functionality as part of its cruise control. I cannot set a maximum speed for the car. Nor can I set a minimum speed for the car. Tesla removed these features through a software update with their autopilot V14. I believe the vehicle is unsafe for myself and others as it does not allow me to set the speed using Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC). Tesla is intentionally removing this feature.
NHTSA complaint #11764319 · source - Filed Aug 16, 2026CACrashElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
COMPONENT/SYSTEM THAT FAILED: The service brakes failed to stop the vehicle. While reverse-parking at low (parking) speed, I applied the brake pedal and the vehicle did not stop as expected, resulting in contact with an object and vehicle damage. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request; it has been preserved and driven only minimally since the event. HOW SAFETY WAS PUT AT RISK: The brakes failed with no warning. Had a person been behind the vehicle, the failure…
NHTSA complaint #11757226 · source - Filed Jul 29, 2026CACrashTowedBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control
On February 17, 2026, around 4:20 pm, as I was departing my agency's parking garage structure, my 2023 Tesla Y uncontrollably and un-prompted accelerated at a very high speed. I applied the brake and it would not stop. I nearly killed the security guard at the garage who was trying to direct my vehicle to the correct exit lane. The vehicle ran across a sidewalk adjacent to the garage, ran across a street, hit a street parking meter, ran across another sidewalk, ran across…
NHTSA complaint #11753605 · source - Filed Jun 9, 2026FLCrashTowedBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering
I was driving my Tesla in self drive mode, and ibecause it started raining. I reduce the speed to standard. I had a notification on the screen, an alert in red. That the tesla reached the maximum speed in that mode “standard”. I was surprised and decided ti canceled the FSD feature and took control of the vehicle. Then when I was driving in the expressway very close to my exit on the right lane, the car accelerated by itself and turn to the left unexpectedly. I tried to…
NHTSA complaint #11743089 · source - Filed Jun 8, 2026CAAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteeringWheels & Tires
On 05/31/2026, while Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) was actively engaged, the vehicle was taking the La Brea Avenue entrance ramp onto the I-10 freeway in Los Angeles, CA. FSD suddenly accelerated aggressively and the vehicle drifted hard to the left without any driver steering input. The driver was forced to hit the brakes and manually override steering to prevent a serious accident. The behavior felt like a system glitch. Both driver-side wheels sustained severe impact…
NHTSA complaint #11742814 · source - Filed May 25, 2026PACrash3 injuredTowedEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
UPDATE to previous complaint – Reference Number: [XXX] VIN: [XXX]a [XXX] UPDATE to my previous NHTSA complaint regarding sudden unintended acceleration in my Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX] ) I previ[XXX]sudden acceleration incident on [XXX], at [XXX] 4 parking garage ramp. Tesla has now provided the Vehicle Data Report and EDR data (Case # [XXX]). The data shows accelerator pedal position increasing to 100%, with brake input occurring late. However, I am 100% certain that I did…
NHTSA complaint #11739880 · source - Filed May 19, 2026PACrash3 injuredTowedEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering
On Saturday 16th Oct 2026 around 10 AM EST, while driving down the ramp from Parking Floor 2 to Parking Floor 1 in the JFK Terminal 4 Short Term Parking garage (John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York), the Tesla vehicle suddenly accelerated forward very fast on its own without any input on the accelerator pedal. Either I was not pressing the gas pedal at the time, or I was slowing pressing as the car was going down on ramp. The car surged ahead with significant…
NHTSA complaint #11738920 · source - Filed May 4, 2026CODriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control
Safety Defect Complaint – Tesla Model Y FSD v14.2.2.5 I am reporting unsafe speed behavior in Tesla Model Y Full Self-Driving (FSD) software v14.2.2.5. FSD uses selectable driving profiles (Sloth, Chill, Standard, Hurry, Mad Max) to control speed, but provides no definition of how these profiles affect speed or limits. Tesla also removed the ability to manually adjust speed incrementally, reducing driver control. While in Standard mode, the vehicle exceeded the speed limit…
NHTSA complaint #11735554 · source - Filed Apr 26, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
### Summary: Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) from a stationary position. ### Vehicle Configuration: 2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD. Battery Type: NMC. ### Incident Details: On April 19, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., the vehicle was stationary on a flat surface at 6722 Vista Del Mar Ave, San Diego. I was in the driver's seat with the vehicle "On" but stopped, conversing with two witnesses. My feet were completely clear of both the accelerator and brake pedals.…
NHTSA complaint #11733914 · source - Filed Mar 24, 2026NMDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control
This is my 10th report; it relates to 2 issues I have reported before 1. The "phantom breaking" on cruise control that I have reported a few times previously has apparently been fixed on a software update, but we were not notified. I went in to Santa Fe Tesla where I took delivery of my vehicle and got into a discussion about my disappointments with this car, specifically the tires (see #2). I mentioned my past problems, including the phantom breaking. The man was dismissive…
NHTSA complaint #11726883 · source - Filed Mar 12, 2026MACrash1 injuredDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control
Client was severely injured (traumatic brain injury, fractured skull bone and ankle with ongoing cognitve and physical symptoms, probably permanent) as a pedestrian when crossing Rt 28 in Chatham, MA. He was struck by a 2023 Tesla Model Y in reduced roadway visibility conditions due to sun/shade conditions. The auto braking system failed to activate in time to avoid the collision. This appears to be directly related to NHTSA investigation PE24031.
NHTSA complaint #11723935 · source - Filed Mar 3, 202635,000 miCAElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that on two occasions while stopped in self-driving mode, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated into oncoming traffic. The brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stopped after driving a foot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #11721717 · source
Other 2023 Tesla Model Y problem areas
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (539)
- Steering (213)
- Other / Unknown (157)
- Brakes (154)
- Suspension (131)
- Electrical System (121)
- Visibility & Wipers (63)
- Wheels & Tires (60)
- Seats & Seat Belts (45)
- Airbags (39)
- Body & Structure (33)
- Transmission & Drivetrain (29)
- Lighting (21)
- Engine (20)
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (9)
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