NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
This page covers 22 recalls and 1014 owner complaints for the 2021 Tesla Model Y.
For the 2021 Model Y, the dominant complaint pattern by a wide margin centers on the forward collision avoidance and driver assistance systems. Owners frequently report Autopilot and Full Self-Driving disengaging unexpectedly while driving, sometimes accompanied by uncommanded steering inputs, loss of road visualization on the touchscreen, and cruise control becoming unavailable. Several reports describe the touchscreen going dark mid-drive alongside these failures. The electrical system is the next most-reported area, where owners describe 12-volt battery failures that cut power to the entire vehicle, preventing normal entry and operation. Lane departure system complaints follow a similar theme to the driver assistance reports, with owners noting sudden loss of lane-keeping functionality. A recurring electrical sub-pattern involves failures that appear or worsen after software updates, with owners noting the vehicle functioned normally beforehand.
1,014
Total Complaints
84
Crash-Related
6
Fire-Related
21
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Tesla Model Y has 22 recalls, the most serious involving front suspension fasteners that can loosen and allow a suspension link to separate, shifting wheel alignment and reducing vehicle stability.
Several other chassis issues round out the structural concerns: brake caliper bolts may be loose and allow the caliper to contact the wheel rim, potentially causing sudden tire pressure loss, and front and rear suspension knuckles can fracture and cause the suspension links to separate, also reducing stability and control.
On the software and driver assistance side, the Full Self-Driving Beta software carries two separate concerns: it can allow the vehicle to exceed speed limits or behave unpredictably at intersections, and a "rolling stop" feature may let the car pass through an all-way stop without halting. A camera wiring error can swap the views fed to automatic emergency braking and Autosteer, impairing their ability to detect objects and lane lines. A software bug can also cause the automatic emergency brakes to fire unexpectedly, and the Autosteer driver monitoring system may not adequately prompt an inattentive driver to take over. The hood latch sensor can fail to detect an unlatched hood, which can then fly open and block the driver's view.
Seatbelt anchor fasteners for both the second-row retractors and the front shoulder belts may not be properly secured, reducing the belts' ability to restrain occupants in a crash. Separately, the seatbelt warning chime may not sound when the driver is unbuckled.
A heat pump software fault can reduce defroster performance and
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may be delayed when you shift into reverse, affecting your ability to see behind the vehicle.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update to your vehicle over-the-air to fix the camera display delay.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure warning light may turn off between trips even when tire pressure is low, so you won't get alerted to underinflated tires.
What the fix does
Tesla sends a free software update to your vehicle that keeps the warning light on when tire pressure is low.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hood latch assembly may fail to sense when the hood is unlatched after being opened, potentially allowing the hood to open while driving.
What the fix does
Tesla released a free over-the-air software update to fix the latch detection system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt warning light and chime may not activate when the driver is unbelted, failing to alert the driver to fasten their seat belt.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a software update over the air to fix the warning system so it activates properly for unbelted drivers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A factory reset can silence the Pedestrian Warning System sounds, which alert pedestrians to the vehicle's presence. The vehicle then fails to meet federal sound requirements for electric vehicles.
What the fix does
Tesla releases a free software update (2023.44.30.14) over-the-air to restore the Pedestrian Warning System sounds.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System warning lights on the instrument panel display in an incorrect font size, which does not meet federal brake system safety standards.
What the fix does
Tesla is releasing a free over-the-air software update to correct the warning light font size display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Autosteer controls may not be prominent or clear enough to prevent drivers from misusing this advanced driver-assistance feature when it's engaged.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to improve how Autosteer controls are displayed and managed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The FSD Beta software may drive unsafely at intersections—going straight in turn-only lanes, not stopping at stop signs, or proceeding through yellow lights without caution. It may also not properly adjust for posted speed limits or account for driver speed changes above limits.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to fix the FSD Beta system's intersection and speed-limit handling.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate on certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles.
What the fix does
Tesla released a free over-the-air software update to fix the taillight illumination issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The automatic window reversal system may fail to stop the window when it detects an obstruction, potentially trapping or injuring occupants.
What the fix does
Tesla will update the automatic window reversal system software over-the-air at no cost to fix the detection and reversal response.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fisheye and narrow camera cable terminals in the harness connector were installed in swapped positions, causing camera views to display incorrectly.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will reposition the swapped terminals and recalibrate the cameras at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Boombox function can play sounds through an external speaker while driving, which may mask the Pedestrian Warning System sounds that alert nearby pedestrians.
What the fix does
A free software update will disable Boombox when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon features.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Boombox function plays audio through an external speaker while driving, which can mask the Pedestrian Warning System sounds that alert pedestrians to the vehicle's movement.
What the fix does
A free software update will disable Boombox when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse, restoring pedestrian warning sounds.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause a heat pump valve to open unintentionally, trapping refrigerant in the evaporator and reducing defrosting performance.
What the fix does
Tesla will install a free over-the-air software update to fix the valve control error.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The audible chime that alerts the driver to an unbuckled seat belt may not sound when the vehicle starts.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to restore the chime function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Full Self-Driving (Beta) software's rolling stop feature may allow the vehicle to pass through all-way stop intersections without fully stopping.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free over-the-air software update that disables the rolling stop functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front and rear suspension knuckles may crack, which could cause the suspension links to separate.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect your suspension knuckles and replace them if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software communication error may cause the forward-collision warning to activate falsely or trigger the automatic emergency brake system unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Tesla released a free over-the-air software update to fix the communication error.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, causing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fasteners securing the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached, affecting one or both sides.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect and repair both fasteners as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
One or both fasteners that secure the left and right second row seat belt retractors may not be properly attached.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect both fasteners and replace them if necessary, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the brake calipers may loosen, causing the caliper to separate and rub against the wheel rim.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect the caliper bolts and tighten or replace them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
