2026 Tesla Model Y body & structure problems

Related recalls

• Recall 26V445000Jul 7, 202615 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER · STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y and 2024 Model 3 vehicles. 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 procedures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers, 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact," and Part 581, "Bumper Standards."

  Risk: A noncompliant vehicle may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

  Remedy: Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or [email protected]. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-004.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 1, 202617,000 miTXTowedBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the driver's side rear wheel. The failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured rear subframe. The contact was informed that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11768284 · source
2. Filed Sep 28, 2026TX1 injuredBody & Structure

   On September 26, 2026, the automatic rear liftgate of my 2026 Tesla Model Y struck me on the head while it was closing. I was not manually pulling, pushing, or holding the liftgate at the time. The liftgate made contact with my head, causing a cut and bleeding, and then stopped. I sought emergency medical treatment following the incident and was diagnosed with a mild concussion. I am concerned that the liftgate's obstruction detection/anti-pinch system did not detect the…

   NHTSA complaint #11767318 · source
3. Filed Sep 16, 2026CA1 injuredBody & Structure

   Safety Complaint and Incident Report: Severe Injury Caused by Unprotected Sharp Metal Edge. I am writing to formally lodge a safety complaint regarding a serious design/manufacturing hazard on my Tesla vehicle. While washing the vehicle and wiping down the area near the liftgate/trunk strut, my finger was severely cut by an exposed, unshielded metal sheet edge. This area is extremely sharp and lacks any protective trim, warning labels, or factory finishing, presenting an…

   NHTSA complaint #11764852 · source
4. Filed Aug 26, 2026MABody & Structure

   On August 26, 2026, I sustained a significant injury when the door of my Tesla closed while my thumb was in the door area. The door caught my thumb and forcibly lifted/tore off most of my thumbnail, causing immediate bleeding and leaving the nail bed exposed. I am reporting this because I am concerned about the safety of the vehicle’s door closing mechanism and its ability to prevent this type of injury when a hand or finger is obstructing the door. The force of the closing…

   NHTSA complaint #11759824 · source
5. Filed Jul 30, 2026DEBody & Structure

   My car was parked in a residential neighborhood and when I was driving home on the evening of July 4th I noticed the windshield had a small line in it. The next day during daylight hours I went to inspect it further and concluded that the hood made contact with the windshield on both sides and there were two distinct impact areas that matched perfectly with small paint damage on the hood. I made an appointment with Tesla and waited about two weeks to get in, and they…

   NHTSA complaint #11753846 · source
6. Filed Jun 27, 2026WACrashTowedBody & StructureLightingWheels & Tires

   Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) — control handover protocol. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. WHAT HAPPENED: On June 25, 2026 at approximately 4:17 PM, the vehicle was operating under Full Self-Driving (FSD) navigating into a residential driveway. The driver pressed the gas pedal to take manual control. At the exact moment FSD transferred control, vehicle telemetry confirms the steering wheel was at −299° (nearly 3 full turns of hard left lock). No warning was…

   NHTSA complaint #11746963 · source
7. Filed Jun 21, 2026TXBody & Structure

   We just got our new Model Y today (6/21/2026) at Tesla Dealer in Plano. And I noticed the fabric liner in the center console/storage area is shedding fine fibers. The fibers adhere to skin and clothing and continue to release during normal vehicle usage. These fibers can inadvertently inhaled and I am concern that this issue might cause health hazard to me and my family whenever we are using the vehicle.

   NHTSA complaint #11745524 · source
8. Filed May 31, 2026WABody & Structure

   My 2026 Tesla model Y frunk (front hood) internal compartment doesn’t has safety release latch and light. And doesn’t has any mechanism to alert me if human or animal accidentally inside the frunk which concerns me so have to report this issue. Thanks

   NHTSA complaint #11741088 · source
9. Filed May 18, 2026GABody & StructureElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   I am reporting a recurring and unresolved electrical/safety issue with my new Tesla Model Y. The issue has occurred 5 times within the past 4 weeks and affects multiple systems simultaneously. When the issue occurs: * The air conditioning stops working completely. * The driver-side front and rear windows cannot be rolled down or up. * The driver seat adjustment may not function properly. The problem appears intermittently. It may disappear temporarily and then return hours…

   NHTSA complaint #11738462 · source
10. Filed Apr 28, 2026CACrashBody & Structure

    What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Make/Model: Tesla [Y] Rear Body got significant dent While attempting to reverse into a parking space at a Tesla Supercharger station, the vehicle—operating with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged—collided with a stationary pole located behind the designated parking spot. FSD failed to detect the tesla supercharger and tried to park in EVgo charging station despite of plenty of…

    NHTSA complaint #11734205 · source
11. Filed Apr 23, 20266,000 miFLBody & Structure

    The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, while other vehicles were driving beside the vehicle, or when the wind was blowing, the vehicle unexpectedly moved to the left or right. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle operated as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the…

    NHTSA complaint #11733248 · source
12. Filed Apr 20, 2026VACrash2 injuredTowedBody & StructureBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    On April 11 2026, I was involved in a serious accident involving my 2026 Tesla Model Y. At the time of the incident, I was returning home from my daughter’s event in downtown and had just entered my residential driveway. As I approached the driveway, I applied the brakes and slowed the vehicle. While momentarily stationary or near-stationary, I spoke to my wife, who was seated in the front passenger seat, advising her to secure the food she was holding due to the uneven…

    NHTSA complaint #11732416 · 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