2022 Tesla MODEL Y problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
856 owner complaints analyzed
20 distinct recall campaigns
9,350 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2022 model year. Data snapshot: . 76 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 340 of 856 complaints (39.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 393 | 45.9% |
| Steering behavior | 78 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 41 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 0.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 340 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 275 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 136 |
| Service Brakes | 130 |
| Unknown Or Other | 118 |
| Electrical System | 93 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 73 |
| Steering | 56 |
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 340; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 275; Vehicle Speed Control: 136; Service Brakes: 130; Unknown Or Other: 118; Electrical System: 93; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 73; Steering: 56
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 53 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 53; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (53). 780 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 390 |
| 2023 | 206 |
| 2024 | 94 |
| 2025 | 77 |
| 2026 | 85 |
2021: 4; 2022: 390; 2023: 206; 2024: 94; 2025: 77; 2026: 85
Pattern summary
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 393 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 78 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 41 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11441393 · 2021-11-22 (November 22, 2021)
When using cruise control on normal two way traffic roads during the day or at night: the car will brake aggressively because of proper oncoming traffic from the other lane. The system has been very poorly designed such that it only works on wide separated highways and there is no way to switch off this feature. I have already had two near accidents where the vehicle behind me didn’t expect my car to slow down so quickly for no reason. This is extremely dangerous.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441393 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441587 · 2021-11-24 (November 24, 2021)
While on cruise control the car brakes aggressively with oncoming traffic and when passing large vehicles on the highway. No way to disable this feature to use a standard cruise control. This seems to be a problem mostly with large vehicles on the road.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11447511 · 2022-01-14 (January 14, 2022)
2022 Tesla Model Y Long Range frequently experiences "phantom braking" and false emergency braking. Even without the use of "autopilot," the vehicle will abruptly slow down or even hard brake. No warnings, no messages, nothing. Each time, there is nothing in front of the vehicle, no curves, clear weather, etc. In another scenario, such as driving down a neighborhood street with curves, it thinks you are going to hit a parked car, and slams on the brakes as well. At least here you do get an alert indicating what the car was thinking. Even thou…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11447511 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11450030 · 2022-02-02 (February 2, 2022)
Phantom Braking is real and out of control… I have owned this car only 6 weeks and the cruise control is DANGEROUS. The car has slammed on the brakes numerous times for NO reason ! Last week, driving down interstate, TACC on. Nothing near me. Relaxed, happy, enjoying the car…….WHAM! it slammed on the brakes so hard my wife and I were pushed into our seat belts, my hands came off the steering wheel and our heads were thrown forward. Almost instantly the brakes released, the car surges forward and our heads are flung back. A nerve was pinched i…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11450030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448397 · 2022-01-21 (January 21, 2022)
On January 19th, around 9:35-9:40am, while driving on Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon, the car jerked as if someone rear-ended it and then stopped abruptly in the middle of a busy road. The information screen displayed various error messages regarding battery and drive system. The stop was abrupt and we could have been seriously injured in busy traffic. This was a scary experience. The car had 260 miles range in the battery and no prior warnings/ messages indicating any problem. We called 911 and Tesla roadside assistance for help. San Ramo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11451486 · 2022-02-11 (February 11, 2022)
Phantom breaking. While on traffic aware cruise control, we have experienced several episodes of sudden hard breaking for no reason. Fortunately, no one was following closely. The car is available for inspection. Hard sudden unexplained breaking increases risk of rear end collision. No inspections have been performed. But I did discuss it with a Tesla mechanic. He was familiar with the problem and stated that even tho my vehicle does not have radar, it has the bracket and the wiring so it can be installed later. Supply chain issues was mentione…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11451486 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11452890 · 2022-02-18 (February 18, 2022)
The driver reported while slowly turning right into a parking stall, the vehicle accelerated and collided into a building despite efforts to stop the vehicle. The driver stated she was applying the brakes as the vehicle accelerated.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11452890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11494368 · 2022-11-21 (November 21, 2022)
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, he experienced "phantom braking" and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a computer failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11494368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11460861 · 2022-04-15 (April 15, 2022)
There is no sound warning to switch gears. For example from forward to reverse. I was trying to go forward and I was actually in reverse. The gear change is on the steering stalk and doesn’t make any warning sound when switching. As the drivers eyes are looking forward, and not looking at the screen feedback, it makes it difficult to remember which gear you are in. Forward or reverse. I assumed I was going to move forward, but the car was actually in reverse. I hit the car that was parked behind me and did damage to my car. I’m feel that most…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11460861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11475356 · 2022-07-22 (July 22, 2022)
Front trunk (hood) flew open while driving at approximately 40mph. The front trunk lid/hood opened completely and smashed into the windshield, completely blocking driver visibility and breaking the glass. It is unclear as to how the front trunk became unlocked, but in the event it was unlocked while the car was in park, the car should not have been able to shift into gear. Tesla Model Y's Owners Manual states: "If the front trunk is not closed, a message displays on the touchscreen that you cannot shift the vehicle out of Park until the fr…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11475356 at NHTSA ↗