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2026 Tesla Model Y Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Ethan Miller

Complaint Summary

The 2026 Tesla Model Y has 215 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve unknown or other and forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

5.0/ 10

Based on 215 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

41 19.1%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

23 10.7%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

18 8.4%

STEERING

18 8.4%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

12 5.6%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, accounting for 19.1% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 29 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2026 Tesla Model Y

The 2026 Tesla Model Y has 215 owner complaints in this dataset. UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the most common complaint category, representing about 19% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2026 Tesla Model Y are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (41), FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (23), FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (18).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 61 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2026 Tesla Model Y?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2025 Model Y complaints2024 Model Y complaints2023 Model Y complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 29 of 29 systems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

41 Reports19% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Hello, I am not sure if it is related or not, but I updated to the latest FSD software overnight 2025.14.6 This happened this morning during my first FSD after the update. When at the traffic light to turn left onto the highway my car suddenly did a 90 degree turn and entered the highway on the completely wrong side, directly into oncoming traffic. This happened this morning at approximately 450-500am PST. It turned and made such a sharp left that I had to grab the wheel and take over. But it was too late, it was already on the WRONG SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY heading directly into oncoming head on traffic... It happened so fast that I hit the button somehow and canceled the ability to submit my report on why I took over. This happened heading south on [XXX] in Brentwood CA. It turned left onto the wrong side of [XXX]. My car has never had any issued like this until this morning. This is so bad that I am now scared to even drive the car. I am hoping you might still be able to access the drive and see what happened. Thanks, [XXX] [XXX] VIN: [XXX] Tesla Model Y Launch INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

5/16/2025

I leased this brand new but demo car with 1850 miles, 2 months old from Tesla Seattle. This is a brand new total redesign-2026 Model Y. I was assured that they do multiple point testing before delivery and I had to trust their process. Unlike any other car dealers, I was NOT allowed to test drive this car before I sign the lease. The car was not in great condition (in addition to the expected wear and tear as a demo car). a) It's charged to only 60% battery rather than the full 80%. b) The stains all over suggest that apparently no one did any finish work as expected. I have pic proofs available upon request. The delivery manager Jill manually wiped off some stains when I pointed them out. c) There was a dent of 2-3 inches on the hood which indicates a possible past accident. After driving the car home, SERIOUS ISSUES were identified (because no test drive was allowed before I take the lease of the car). 1) The driver's car seatbelt does NOT LOCK upon a sudden pull, mimicking the situation in a crash. THIS IS A COMPLETELY RECALL ISSUE AS IT COULD CAUSE PPL TO DIE, AND MYSELF AS A MOM OF A SMALL CHILD INCLUDED. It locks about 3 out of 10 times. My previous cars- Mercedes, Toyota, Hyundai and BMW all lock on EACH sudden pull! 2) The passenger seatbelt has the same problem. 3) The backseat seatbelts are much better, and locks much more often than driver's and passenger's. It locks about 8 out of 10 times. I went to Tesla Lynnwood WA on Jun 6 and the service manager Cayla and tech said there is no issues despite that MY seatbelt performs so much worse than (1) other two 2026 Model Y, one of which is a newer demo (2) older Model Y, 2025 and prior, locks on EACH sudden pull as well! (3) ALL 3 new 2026 model Ys ALL have much less reactive seatbelts! Another issue I had which makes me needing to have this car replaced under LEMON LAW is, (A)My phone key gets disconnected randomly and I had to use card key all the time (B)My 2nd card key can't open the car at all!

6/8/2025

39 more complaints are available in this category.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

23 Reports11% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The incident occurred on [XXX] around [XXX] (from the dashcam footages) in a highway (don't know the place, but I have a police report). I was driving my Tesla model Y 2026 with Full Self-Driving (FSD v13.2.8) Beta engaged when the vehicle suddenly off the road and hit the fence on shoulder. I retrieved dashcam footage from the incident, including footage leading up to and during the accident. the FSD system malfunctioned, the car is in a body shop and is available for inspection upon request if done quickly; Huge risk to myself and others because no way know when the FSD failed; from this link, same issue: [XXX] the vehicle has not inspected by others no any warnings, the fsd had been working properly in the firt 300 miles trip; but all of sudden, swerved to the roadside with full speed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

5/27/2025

I was driving with FSD on [XXX] and had to intervene to take control when a bumper showed up on the road. When FSD was driving in standard mode, it was driving at 72 miles/ hr and was too close to the prior car. When the prior car quickly dodged the bumper my car was already too close to the bumper and needed to make a quick turn. The car almost rolled over. Dashcam video: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

7/13/2025

21 more complaints are available in this category.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

18 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I was driving my 2026 Tesla Model Y when another vehicle pulled out from a driveway and struck the front/side of my car. The Tesla failed to initiate Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and no airbags deployed. This raises serious concerns about the functionality of Tesla’s safety systems in real-world scenarios. The vehicle has not been modified in any way and was in standard driving mode. I have contacted Tesla Support requesting a diagnostic and explanation, but I believe this incident should also be reviewed as a potential safety defect.

5/5/2025

The incident occurred on [XXX] around [XXX] (from the dashcam footages) in a highway (don't know the place, but I have a police report). I was driving my Tesla model Y 2026 with Full Self-Driving (FSD v13.2.8) Beta engaged when the vehicle suddenly off the road and hit the fence on shoulder. I retrieved dashcam footage from the incident, including footage leading up to and during the accident. the FSD system malfunctioned, the car is in a body shop and is available for inspection upon request if done quickly; Huge risk to myself and others because no way know when the FSD failed; from this link, same issue: [XXX] the vehicle has not inspected by others no any warnings, the fsd had been working properly in the firt 300 miles trip; but all of sudden, swerved to the roadside with full speed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

5/27/2025

16 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

18 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I owned the vehicle less than a month, using full supervised drive, FSD. Today 6/22/2025 1:45 PM almost had an accident. The vehicle was in the right made a left turn crossing a yellow line, then made a turn in a white line, in front of the vehicle behind me. I took control of the vehicle to proceed in the correct lane. On another occasion it made a right turn, corrected itself to the left lane as it should have done. I am hearing impaired, focus on the road, cannot look at the screen monitor while driving. The vehicle stopped, advised me FSD was inoperable, had to manual drive to my destination. There is no warning, alerts for the hearing impaired. Other issues driving in the wrong lane, then at the last minute changes to the correct lane, I am certain cutting off drivers. UNKNOWN

6/22/2025

After doing multiple search online came across multiple user complaints about new Tesla model y juniper 2026 Lr awd you can feel vibration from steering wheel at highway speeds it is really specific at 80mph this is not a normal behavior especially vibrations took it to the service center and was told it was the wheels are not balanced properly so they fixed it apparently but is still doing it. I truly believe there is something Tesla knows but is not acknowledging it.

7/1/2025

16 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

12 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

While driving along a few roads using Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC) or AutoPilot (AP), the car will suddenly brake for no reason at all. Speeds reduced from 75 to 50 in 2 seconds. Had there been a car close behind me, we may have collided. I am able to reproduce this on several other roads as well. I have not yet reported this to the manufacturer, but a review of internet forums shows this to be a relatively common occurrence among owners. They refer to this as Phantom Braking.

7/15/2025

The Curvature Assist function activates and applies the brakes automatically on straight and level sections of freeways with no observable obstacles or curves, requiring driver to resume acceleration to override the brakes.

8/29/2025

10 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

11 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I was driving my 2026 Tesla Model Y when another vehicle pulled out from a driveway and struck the front/side of my car. The Tesla failed to initiate Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and no airbags deployed. This raises serious concerns about the functionality of Tesla’s safety systems in real-world scenarios. The vehicle has not been modified in any way and was in standard driving mode. I have contacted Tesla Support requesting a diagnostic and explanation, but I believe this incident should also be reviewed as a potential safety defect.

5/5/2025

My 2026 model Y won't stop on the road when I released the gas paddle and even i felt it speeded up a little bit at 35 miles.it put me, my [XXX] daughter and other's safety at risk. I hit on the brake and feel need to hit harder abnormally to slow the car not even mention to stop the car. It took me long way to stop the car. At Once I stopped the car, it tried to speed up and I hit the paddle again. right after, then it tried to rocking back and forth and vibrated finally stopped. I tried serval time to repeat the issue it still exits. and I called Tesla customer service. they haven't look at it yet. but I in the service mode here is the some components are malfunctioned. 1. Rgenerative braking backfill, braking pedal torque is unavailable. 2. Traction control setting is unavailable. 3. DI_Brake torque is invalid. DI is Drive interface. 4. HOLD stopping mode is unavailable. there is no any warning showed in the console before and after the issue happened. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

6/4/2025

9 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

11 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

My 2026 model Y won't stop on the road when I released the gas paddle and even i felt it speeded up a little bit at 35 miles.it put me, my [XXX] daughter and other's safety at risk. I hit on the brake and feel need to hit harder abnormally to slow the car not even mention to stop the car. It took me long way to stop the car. At Once I stopped the car, it tried to speed up and I hit the paddle again. right after, then it tried to rocking back and forth and vibrated finally stopped. I tried serval time to repeat the issue it still exits. and I called Tesla customer service. they haven't look at it yet. but I in the service mode here is the some components are malfunctioned. 1. Rgenerative braking backfill, braking pedal torque is unavailable. 2. Traction control setting is unavailable. 3. DI_Brake torque is invalid. DI is Drive interface. 4. HOLD stopping mode is unavailable. there is no any warning showed in the console before and after the issue happened. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

6/4/2025

I leased this brand new but demo car with 1850 miles, 2 months old from Tesla Seattle. This is a brand new total redesign-2026 Model Y. I was assured that they do multiple point testing before delivery and I had to trust their process. Unlike any other car dealers, I was NOT allowed to test drive this car before I sign the lease. The car was not in great condition (in addition to the expected wear and tear as a demo car). a) It's charged to only 60% battery rather than the full 80%. b) The stains all over suggest that apparently no one did any finish work as expected. I have pic proofs available upon request. The delivery manager Jill manually wiped off some stains when I pointed them out. c) There was a dent of 2-3 inches on the hood which indicates a possible past accident. After driving the car home, SERIOUS ISSUES were identified (because no test drive was allowed before I take the lease of the car). 1) The driver's car seatbelt does NOT LOCK upon a sudden pull, mimicking the situation in a crash. THIS IS A COMPLETELY RECALL ISSUE AS IT COULD CAUSE PPL TO DIE, AND MYSELF AS A MOM OF A SMALL CHILD INCLUDED. It locks about 3 out of 10 times. My previous cars- Mercedes, Toyota, Hyundai and BMW all lock on EACH sudden pull! 2) The passenger seatbelt has the same problem. 3) The backseat seatbelts are much better, and locks much more often than driver's and passenger's. It locks about 8 out of 10 times. I went to Tesla Lynnwood WA on Jun 6 and the service manager Cayla and tech said there is no issues despite that MY seatbelt performs so much worse than (1) other two 2026 Model Y, one of which is a newer demo (2) older Model Y, 2025 and prior, locks on EACH sudden pull as well! (3) ALL 3 new 2026 model Ys ALL have much less reactive seatbelts! Another issue I had which makes me needing to have this car replaced under LEMON LAW is, (A)My phone key gets disconnected randomly and I had to use card key all the time (B)My 2nd card key can't open the car at all!

6/8/2025

9 more complaints are available in this category.

SUSPENSION

11 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

After doing multiple search online came across multiple user complaints about new Tesla model y juniper 2026 Lr awd you can feel vibration from steering wheel at highway speeds it is really specific at 80mph this is not a normal behavior especially vibrations took it to the service center and was told it was the wheels are not balanced properly so they fixed it apparently but is still doing it. I truly believe there is something Tesla knows but is not acknowledging it.

7/1/2025

Issue: A consistent rattling noise, noticeable while driving at speeds of 10-40 mph over bumpy roads or pot holes.

7/21/2025

9 more complaints are available in this category.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

10 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The incident occurred on [XXX] around [XXX] (from the dashcam footages) in a highway (don't know the place, but I have a police report). I was driving my Tesla model Y 2026 with Full Self-Driving (FSD v13.2.8) Beta engaged when the vehicle suddenly off the road and hit the fence on shoulder. I retrieved dashcam footage from the incident, including footage leading up to and during the accident. the FSD system malfunctioned, the car is in a body shop and is available for inspection upon request if done quickly; Huge risk to myself and others because no way know when the FSD failed; from this link, same issue: [XXX] the vehicle has not inspected by others no any warnings, the fsd had been working properly in the firt 300 miles trip; but all of sudden, swerved to the roadside with full speed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

5/27/2025

I was driving with FSD on [XXX] and had to intervene to take control when a bumper showed up on the road. When FSD was driving in standard mode, it was driving at 72 miles/ hr and was too close to the prior car. When the prior car quickly dodged the bumper my car was already too close to the bumper and needed to make a quick turn. The car almost rolled over. Dashcam video: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

7/13/2025

8 more complaints are available in this category.

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

9 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I owned the vehicle less than a month, using full supervised drive, FSD. Today 6/22/2025 1:45 PM almost had an accident. The vehicle was in the right made a left turn crossing a yellow line, then made a turn in a white line, in front of the vehicle behind me. I took control of the vehicle to proceed in the correct lane. On another occasion it made a right turn, corrected itself to the left lane as it should have done. I am hearing impaired, focus on the road, cannot look at the screen monitor while driving. The vehicle stopped, advised me FSD was inoperable, had to manual drive to my destination. There is no warning, alerts for the hearing impaired. Other issues driving in the wrong lane, then at the last minute changes to the correct lane, I am certain cutting off drivers. UNKNOWN

6/22/2025

I was driving with FSD on [XXX] and had to intervene to take control when a bumper showed up on the road. When FSD was driving in standard mode, it was driving at 72 miles/ hr and was too close to the prior car. When the prior car quickly dodged the bumper my car was already too close to the bumper and needed to make a quick turn. The car almost rolled over. Dashcam video: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

7/13/2025

7 more complaints are available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

8 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

This is a proactive step to report that the headlights on Model Y Juniper 2026 are not projecting seamlessly onto the road. The low beam shows patchy lights and also has a blocked-out grey patch on the right-hand side of the car. This patch is not due to any wreckage of the headlights. The high beam is also not precise and feels as if it is a column of light, which is not very clear to drive in. I took my car to Tesla's dealership, and according to them, that is how the lights project, even on their demo car. I think the headlights should project a clear light onto the road, and these are not. This could cause an accident due to a lack of clarity.

6/3/2025

The rear light bar is extremely unsafe, it is especially undercarriage lighting which is illegal to have on while the vehicle is in motion. Not visible enough during inclement weather conditions, and can cause glare issues for other drivers while the roads are wet, due to its downward shining. The light can easily be obscured by hauling things such as bike racks. People are wrapping the plastic panel u deer the light which can alter performance. The light does not illuminate the full width of the car giving drivers behind a false sense of the car’s width. This has to be the most unsafe light on any car on the market

6/5/2025

6 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

6 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The Hood paint thickness looks too thin and painting quality so bad. As soon as it got the stone chip, it makes the body metal part exposed to the air. This defect has hazard of corrosion the Hood metal and it makes that metal get brittle. When the driver get the accident after corrosion, it makes passenger in death or severe danger.

6/3/2025

On June 6, 2025, at 5:30 PM MST, I was scheduled to take delivery of a Tesla Model Y at Tesla’s Aurora, CO Delivery Center. Upon inspection, I found visible rear paint damage. Tesla staff verbally acknowledged the defect but refused to provide any written documentation of the issue or the repair plan. I declined delivery due to the defect and the lack of formal repair documentation. I was then told by Tesla staff that if I refused a second delivery — even if the issue remained — I would forfeit my $250 deposit. This was framed as non-refundable and used to pressure acceptance. I also attempted to trade in my leased vehicle (financed by Santander Consumer USA). Tesla and Santander gave me conflicting information about the lease structure, trade-in value, and ownership responsibilities. No formal documentation was offered to clarify. I contacted Tesla’s lease return department, requested written confirmation of the defect, and later filed complaints with the BBB and the Colorado Attorney General. I am seeking CFPB support to investigate Tesla’s and Santander’s leasing practices, use of deposit threats, and lack of transparency in trade-in and vehicle condition handling.

6/8/2025

4 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

My 2026 model Y won't stop on the road when I released the gas paddle and even i felt it speeded up a little bit at 35 miles.it put me, my [XXX] daughter and other's safety at risk. I hit on the brake and feel need to hit harder abnormally to slow the car not even mention to stop the car. It took me long way to stop the car. At Once I stopped the car, it tried to speed up and I hit the paddle again. right after, then it tried to rocking back and forth and vibrated finally stopped. I tried serval time to repeat the issue it still exits. and I called Tesla customer service. they haven't look at it yet. but I in the service mode here is the some components are malfunctioned. 1. Rgenerative braking backfill, braking pedal torque is unavailable. 2. Traction control setting is unavailable. 3. DI_Brake torque is invalid. DI is Drive interface. 4. HOLD stopping mode is unavailable. there is no any warning showed in the console before and after the issue happened. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

6/4/2025

Our new Model Y with only 302 miles lost driving power, reported a high voltage problem, and shutdown in the middle of the street. Within an hour Tesla towed it to the repair center. The next day we picked up a loaner. Throughout the ordeal the Tesla staff have been very friendly. They only needed two days to make the repair. Here is what the technician wrote in the Tesla app. With the vehicle on site found it unresponsive and unable to drive. Towed the vehicle in and pulled vehicle data. Found numerous alerts for contactor power supply being undervoltage. Performed and exhaustive inspection of the right main harness. Found the contactor power supply wire to have a short to ground in the harness. Continued inspection and found the harness to have rubbed through the harness at the right rear c pillar area. Removed the wires and rerouted to prevent damage. Rewrapped the harness and added foam to prevent the issues from returning. Performed a test drive and verified the vehicle is back to working order with no alerts or issues.

9/30/2025

3 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I was driving my 2026 Tesla Model Y when another vehicle pulled out from a driveway and struck the front/side of my car. The Tesla failed to initiate Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and no airbags deployed. This raises serious concerns about the functionality of Tesla’s safety systems in real-world scenarios. The vehicle has not been modified in any way and was in standard driving mode. I have contacted Tesla Support requesting a diagnostic and explanation, but I believe this incident should also be reviewed as a potential safety defect.

5/5/2025

24 hour after taking delivery, operating on Full Self Driving on a residential street at 25-30 mph, the car struck a landscaping trailer parked on the right.The tailgate of the trailer was down and the car struck the left rear upright post of the trailer causing significant damage to my car. No automatic breaking occurred: the car struck the trailer at full speed. The collision alarm sounded just as the vehicle struck the trailer, not before. I requested vehicle status info form Tesla, but the video stops well before the collision and I can't decipher the rest. But I can send it to you if it would be helpful,.

9/15/2025

2 more complaints are available in this category.

WHEELS

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

After doing multiple search online came across multiple user complaints about new Tesla model y juniper 2026 Lr awd you can feel vibration from steering wheel at highway speeds it is really specific at 80mph this is not a normal behavior especially vibrations took it to the service center and was told it was the wheels are not balanced properly so they fixed it apparently but is still doing it. I truly believe there is something Tesla knows but is not acknowledging it.

7/1/2025

Issue: A consistent rattling noise, noticeable while driving at speeds of 10-40 mph over bumpy roads or pot holes.

7/21/2025

1 more complaint is available in this category.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Vehicle Make/Model/Year: 2026 Tesla Model Y (Launch Series) Incident Date: [XXX] Incident Location: [XXX] System/Component Involved: Automated driving systems / Autopilot / Steering What Happened: While driving my new 2026 Tesla Model Y on Autopilot, the vehicle suddenly turned off the main road near [XXX] , and steered toward the curb. I immediately pressed the brake, but due to the vehicle’s speed, it still hit the curb, causing damage to the front right tire, wheel well liner, and triggering multiple system error messages. Shortly after, I witnessed another Tesla Model 3, also using Autopilot, make the exact same wrong turn at the same location and crash into the curb. No injuries occurred, but this appears to be a mapping or Autopilot software issue that can cause vehicles to leave the roadway unexpectedly, creating a serious safety hazard. Tesla is preparing the incident data, but this report is being filed to alert NHTSA of a potential Autopilot safety defect in this area. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

7/24/2025

I was in a parking lot and activated Autopilot while the car was next to a stationary pillar near a parking space. Immediately after activation, the vehicle failed to detect the pillar and drove directly into it. The impact happened so quickly that there was no practical opportunity for human intervention to avoid the collision. There may or may not have been a warning, but even if a warning was displayed, it occurred too late to allow the driver to react before the impact. The system did not provide effective parking collision warning or apply automatic emergency braking. This incident caused damage to the driver-side door and mirror. My safety and the safety of others were at risk because the system failed to prevent a collision with a fixed obstacle. No inspection has yet been performed by Tesla service.

8/24/2025

1 more complaint is available in this category.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

There are distortions, that makes looking through the windshield wavy/rippling. Minor distortion at the top of the windshield at the angle you look at top portion of cars in front of you and traffic lights. Major distortion when looking at the right side of the windshield from the driver seat, covering around 30% of the windshield. When driving it will become significantly noticeable and causes dizziness sometime.

8/5/2025

We were coming home from a local restaurant and a rain storm started and the wipers would not come on. We were able to pull in to a parking lot and went through all Tesla reset procedures and could not get them to work. There were no error codes and it was scary trying to find a safe place to stop when we could hardly see.During a break in the rain we were able to make it home. We are over 100 miles from the nearest service center and tried to schedule an appointment but the closest opening was 22 days away. We called and spoke to Teslas customer service and after much checking they said there was nothing they could do and told me to call the service center Monday morning. We have a trip scheduled starting Monday and I do not feel safe driving a car with no wipers Some of the other electronics would not work. The lights were on bright and would not dim and could not adjust temperature. The car is a few months old with 2901 miles.

11/22/2025

1 more complaint is available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I am writing to report a concerning incident involving the Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature on my 2026 Tesla Model Y. The incident occurred on Saturday, [XXX], at approximately [XXX] EDT at the intersection of [XXX] . My wife and I were traveling from Safety Harbor, FL to Foxtail Coffee on [XXX] , a trip of approximately two hours. The FSD system performed well for 98% of the journey. However, at the aforementioned intersection, the vehicle was stopped at a red light in the left lane, first position, for approximately 45 seconds. Suddenly, without warning, the car accelerated and ran the red light. Thankfully, there was no cross traffic, and no collision occurred, but this was a frightening experience that significantly undermined our confidence in the FSD system. Even though we love the vehicle, we felt the need to report the incident INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

6/2/2025

The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds in Autopilot Mode, the vehicle misread nearby road signs. The contact stated that a road sign in Illinois marked 83 and 60 was misread by the software (V12 2025.22.6E575ED98D527), while in Autopilot, with 60 being the Speed Limit, and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated or decelerated to 60 MPH. While driving on a road with a slight ramp with the Speed Limit of 40 MPH or 45 MPH, once the vehicle was on the ramp, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to approximately 50 - 55 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated during the failures. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 40 - 45 MPH while driving on other roadways. The vehicle failed to maintain the desired speed during each failure without a warning light being illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 400.

10/16/2025

SEATS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I picked up a new model Y Juniper. I have an issue with the driver's side seat. The seat bottom is shifting and popping when turning. They replaced the seat with a brand new one. I still have the same issue.

6/7/2025

During normal driving, the driver’s seat shifts/moves during turns. This is distracting and raises concerns about the seat’s ability to hold position in the event of a collision. I brought the vehicle to Tesla Service to address this problem. However, the service center dismissed the concern without properly diagnosing it. Specifically, Tesla did not perform a test drive to replicate the issue. My wife reviewed the trip/route history for the vehicle after the service visit and confirmed that no test drive occurred. Despite failing to properly inspect or repair the car, Tesla has now marked the issue as “resolved” in their records and has warned me that I will be charged $225 for the next visit if I continue to pursue the matter. This effectively penalizes me for their failure to perform a proper diagnostic in the first place. In summary: •The seat continues to move while driving. •Tesla did not test-drive the car to replicate the issue. •The problem was dismissed without resolution. •I have now been told I will be charged $225 if I bring the car in again. This combination of (1) an unresolved safety defect, (2) failure to properly diagnose, and (3) a threat to charge me for follow-up raises serious concerns. I request NHTSA investigate and ensure Tesla properly addresses this seat defect without penalizing owners.

8/27/2025

SEAT BELTS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I leased this brand new but demo car with 1850 miles, 2 months old from Tesla Seattle. This is a brand new total redesign-2026 Model Y. I was assured that they do multiple point testing before delivery and I had to trust their process. Unlike any other car dealers, I was NOT allowed to test drive this car before I sign the lease. The car was not in great condition (in addition to the expected wear and tear as a demo car). a) It's charged to only 60% battery rather than the full 80%. b) The stains all over suggest that apparently no one did any finish work as expected. I have pic proofs available upon request. The delivery manager Jill manually wiped off some stains when I pointed them out. c) There was a dent of 2-3 inches on the hood which indicates a possible past accident. After driving the car home, SERIOUS ISSUES were identified (because no test drive was allowed before I take the lease of the car). 1) The driver's car seatbelt does NOT LOCK upon a sudden pull, mimicking the situation in a crash. THIS IS A COMPLETELY RECALL ISSUE AS IT COULD CAUSE PPL TO DIE, AND MYSELF AS A MOM OF A SMALL CHILD INCLUDED. It locks about 3 out of 10 times. My previous cars- Mercedes, Toyota, Hyundai and BMW all lock on EACH sudden pull! 2) The passenger seatbelt has the same problem. 3) The backseat seatbelts are much better, and locks much more often than driver's and passenger's. It locks about 8 out of 10 times. I went to Tesla Lynnwood WA on Jun 6 and the service manager Cayla and tech said there is no issues despite that MY seatbelt performs so much worse than (1) other two 2026 Model Y, one of which is a newer demo (2) older Model Y, 2025 and prior, locks on EACH sudden pull as well! (3) ALL 3 new 2026 model Ys ALL have much less reactive seatbelts! Another issue I had which makes me needing to have this car replaced under LEMON LAW is, (A)My phone key gets disconnected randomly and I had to use card key all the time (B)My 2nd card key can't open the car at all!

6/8/2025

1) FULL SUPERVISED DRIVINGD ENTERED 3 LANES OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. A TRUCK AVOIDED BROAD SIDING THE DRIVERS DOOR OF MY VEHICLE BY ENTERING ON COMING TRAFFIC DRIVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. LUCKILY THE ON COMING TRAFFIC STOPPED FOR THE TRUCK. THE NAVAGATION SYSTEM SEEMED TO BE LOST AS WELL. 2) THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ALERT ALARM BEGAN TO CONTINUALLY GO ON STATING THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT FASTENED. IT WAS BROUGHT INTO THE SHOP TWICE FOR REPAIR. THE SEAT WAS REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT ALERT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING WITH NO ONE OR OBJECTS ON THE SEAT. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE SHOP. 3) UPON DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE THE LOW WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID WARNING CAME ON. I SUPPLIED MORE FLUID TWICE WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE SHOP REPLACED A FAULTY HOSE AND RESERVOIR. THE WINDSHIELD WASHER CONTROL COULD HARDLY AND BARELY SPRAY ANY FLUID OMTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE SHOP ADJUSTED THE PRESSURE WHICH HAS QUICKY FAILED. A TECHNICIAN DETERMINED IT IS A NEW DESIGN AND IS WORKING FINE. A TECHNICIAN VERIFIED TO ME THAT THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID DOES CLEAN THE CAMERA'S FOR SUPERVISED DRIVING. I DO NOT USE THE FSD DUE TO THE FLAW IN THIS SUPPOSED NEW DESIGN. THE SHOP STATED THAT THEY HAD DIFFICULTY REPRODUCING THE SEAT BELT ISSUE AND KEPT THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS TWICE IN ORDER TO REPRODUCE THE RANDOM OCCURANCES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED AT 2 SERVICE SHOP LOCATIONS. NO POLICE OR INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. IN REGARD TO THE SEAT BELT ISSUES THERE WERE MESSAGES, WARNING LAMPS AND SIREN ALERTS IN SOME CASES FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR EVERY FEW SECONDS WHILE DRIVING. IN REGARD TO THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON AS SOON AS I PICKED UP THE BRAND NEW CAR ON AUGUST 27, 2025 THE SEAT BELT ISSUES SEEM TO BE RESOLVED THUS FAR, THE WINDSIELD WASHER FLUID IS ONGOING.

12/9/2025

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Incident Date: July 12, 2025 Approximate Time: 1:30 PM Vehicle: 2026 Tesla Model Y Location: I‑75 South express lane toward I‑285 East, Marietta, GA Event Summary: While Autopilot was engaged, the vehicle was entering the exit ramp to I‑285 East when it abruptly veered left into the I‑285 West entrance ramp, against traffic, crashing through two “no entry” security gates. I was able to safely bring the vehicle to a stop before entering oncoming traffic. Crash Details: • The vehicle struck two barrier gates. • Impact shattered the windshield, spraying glass across the cabin. • Both my son and I sustained small cuts from glass shards. • Vehicle was rendered undrivable and had to be towed by authorities to a secure facility.

7/14/2025

Yesterday on October 1st I was driving car recently last few days my car usually go more right side but I thought this may be due to keep in lane car feature or something so I didn’t bother much but yesterday when I was driving at around 11:13 am I didn’t know I reciived notifications in car about 1.automatic vehicle hold disabled 2.tracking control disabled 3. Stability control disabled 4.break pedal regenerative breaking unavailable 5.lane departure avoidance feature unavailable 6. Automatic emergency breaking unavailable And I see from y car pe drive vidio recording in 11:14 minute one my car hit curb and it damages my both side wheel and tire so badly damaged and broke like out of both pieces came off but didn’t flat my tire and when this happens I was trying it break but it didn’t break instead in lost all function so it was kind going fast and lost all control and with lot of work my car wind on side and then completely turn to other side this all happened in few seconds and was very scary I wasn’t far from tesla service centre and I have wheel protection and tire protection plan so I took straight to tesla service centre and I ask them about using my that plan and after some time they said based on damage and they check video they said this is collision and at that time I wasn’t aware what to do and this and that and I wasn’t fighting and I didn’t know about video or notifications all untill they show me and ask me to file insurence claim for collision and luckily I took picture of notification picture in car at that time and then I end up following insurence claim process in hour of something it took me and then went in car to take tesla flash drive and my stuff I saw they put vehicle in service mode and all notifications were cleared and I even tell them luckily there wasn’t car near by or highways and no one on street and it avoided big incident but all this failure due to impact or this impact due to failure I want investigation because I suspect

10/2/2025

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Our new Model Y with only 302 miles lost driving power, reported a high voltage problem, and shutdown in the middle of the street. Within an hour Tesla towed it to the repair center. The next day we picked up a loaner. Throughout the ordeal the Tesla staff have been very friendly. They only needed two days to make the repair. Here is what the technician wrote in the Tesla app. With the vehicle on site found it unresponsive and unable to drive. Towed the vehicle in and pulled vehicle data. Found numerous alerts for contactor power supply being undervoltage. Performed and exhaustive inspection of the right main harness. Found the contactor power supply wire to have a short to ground in the harness. Continued inspection and found the harness to have rubbed through the harness at the right rear c pillar area. Removed the wires and rerouted to prevent damage. Rewrapped the harness and added foam to prevent the issues from returning. Performed a test drive and verified the vehicle is back to working order with no alerts or issues.

9/30/2025

I am genuinely concerned about the risk of my 2026 Tesla Y catching fire and/or being trapped inside the vehicle leading to death. In the past 30 days, have seen several accidents in Tesla products leading to fires with people trapped inside ultimately perishing. This includes the North Miami crash on 10/01/2025. No one in my family will travel inside this 2026 Tesla Y due to the fires. They have begged me to stop driving. I purchased this vehicle based on the published safety records including by Tesla. My wife just started cancer treatment and the intention purchasing was for a safe vehicle. Due to my very real concerns, I cannot risk my children being orphaned.

10/8/2025

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The car gives a false alert that the front frunk is open. Drivers seat slides back and car slows to 15 mph.

10/5/2025

What happened:While driving at 20 mph on [XXX] Sunny without any prior “Hood Ajar” warning, the hood suddenly popped open and smashed the windshield. The vehicle became undrivable. Safety risk:Obstructed forward visibility; near-miss crash. When/where:[XXX], Sunnyvale, CA 94086, California Vehicle info:2025 Tesla Model Y Evidence:TeslaCam (Front cam) [XXX] (skip to 0:25 in the video.) [XXX] (skip to 0:33 in the video.) [XXX] (skip to 0:01 in the video.) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

10/8/2025

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH:EMERGENCY MECHANICAL RELEASE

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Description of the problem: The front trunk (“frunk”) of my 2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper is missing the interior emergency release button and light. This component, which was present in earlier Model Y versions, allows a person trapped inside the frunk to open it from the inside. In my vehicle, there is no visible button, glow-in-the-dark handle, or wiring harness for this feature. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The malfunction involves the frunk emergency release mechanism (illumination and release button assembly). The component appears to have been omitted during manufacturing. The frunk and all relevant panels are available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Without an interior release, a person—especially a child—could become trapped in the front trunk with no way to exit, posing a risk of suffocation or heat-related injury. The frunk is large enough for a small child to enter and can be closed from outside the vehicle. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue was confirmed by Tesla Service, which stated the vehicle was “built as designed” without the interior emergency release. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Yes. The vehicle was inspected by a Tesla Service Center representative. No other inspections have been performed. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. There were no warning lights or error messages. The absence of the emergency release was discovered immediately after delivery. Assessment: The removal of this safety mechanism may violate the intent of FMVSS 401and presents a potential safety hazard.

10/28/2025

There is no safety frunk release to open the hood from inside if a child is trapped inside.

11/3/2025

TIRES

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Owned car for only a week with 470 miles on odometer. At appromately 10am CST on June 26 while on an exit ramp the tire sidewall failed catastrophically causing extraneous damage to fender well liner and molding. Car was stopped immediately as emergency services police and towbtruck were called. Weather was clear and there was np obstructions on the road. There was also no indication of low tire pressure until the failure happened. All tires were at the recommended 42 PSI per Tesla vehicle data. The failure was a complete total circumferential separation of the inner bead /sidewall from the rest of the tire. All tires were replaced by owner with Michelins due to lack of trust in the manufacturing quality of the pirelli tires. Tesla and Pirelli are not acknowledging any responsibility for this failure. This is a major safety related incident which could have caused a lot more damage if the car was traveling at a higher rate of speed. On an exit ramp the speed was not more than 45 mph.

6/27/2025

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in the Standard Mode or in Cruise Mode, depressing the brake pedal, there was a delay with the brake lights illuminating. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the taillights were functioning properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

7/18/2025

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Passenger Left rear passenger door, Right Driver Side door, Right passenger door, Trunk door would not open..rebooted car still did not open. Open car door intrenally front right..closed would not open. Same with all other doors mentioned, Tesla app show vehicle was unlocked when it was not.

8/16/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:BLINDSPOT:SENSORS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owned a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle made a left turn independently onto oncoming traffic while on autopilot, causing her to collide with another vehicle, and the vehicle caught fire during the incident. The contact stated that air bags deployed. The contact stated his wife sustained major injuries to the spine and spleen, causing her to have surgery, a right shoulder fracture, and multiple fractures to the right side of her face, a concussion to the head, right eye laceration, and both arms, a fractured nose. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to Owens Body Shop. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire on the scene. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact mentioned the seat belt had retracted during the impact. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed the contact about a USB drive in the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown.

10/27/2025

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

On the day of the incident, I drove my vehicle into the charging station and activated the Tesla FSD autonomous driving and automatic parking functions. During the automatic parking attempt by the vehicle, the system exhibited the following severe loss of control behaviors: 1. The vehicle automatically collided with the vehicle in front without any human operation. 2. It paused for about 1 second after the collision. 3. Then, the vehicle suddenly accelerated in reverse at high speed, again without any driver operation. 4. It directly hit another Tesla that was charging behind my vehicle. The entire process is fully executed automatically by the vehicle system. I cannot intervene or stop the system through the steering wheel or brakes. II. Severe Security Risks When the accident happened, my friend was sitting in the passenger seat. If the vehicle had moved a few more inches, it could have caused serious injury or even a life-threatening situation. This system failure is a combination of Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) and the loss of control in autonomous driving decision-making, posing a significant systemic risk to public traffic safety. I immediately contacted Tesla and sent a complaint letter to the North Carolina Consumer Center. They accepted my complaint and sent an email to Tesla, but it has been over twenty days and I have not received a response from Tesla.

11/25/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2026 Tesla Model Y?

The most reported complaint category for the 2026 Tesla Model Y is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, with 41 owner reports. That is about 19% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING.

Are complaints about the 2026 Tesla Model Y a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 61 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2026 Tesla Model Y?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2026 Tesla Model Y severe?

61 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Tesla Model Y: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

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Complaint entries
215
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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