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U.S. public vehicle records

2026 Tesla MODEL Y: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

343 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

4,950 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2026 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 107 of 343 complaints (31.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior7923.0%
Steering behavior5616.3%
Electrical and battery issues113.2%
Transmission and shifting61.7%
Engine operation41.2%

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.

Unknown Or Other
107
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
54
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
49
Steering
42
Electrical System
33
Suspension
29
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
28
Vehicle Speed Control
27
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Unknown Or Other107
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control54
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking49
Steering42
Electrical System33
Suspension29
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings28
Vehicle Speed Control27

Unknown Or Other: 107; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 54; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 49; Steering: 42; Electrical System: 33; Suspension: 29; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 28; Vehicle Speed Control: 27

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
26
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00026
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 317 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.

2025
129
2026
214
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
2025129
2026214

2025: 129; 2026: 214

Pattern summary

Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 79 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 56 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11658970 · 2025-05-05 (May 5, 2025)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11658970 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11661437 · 2025-05-16 (May 16, 2025)

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11661437 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11663292 · 2025-05-27 (May 27, 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 bec…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11663292 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11664345 · 2025-06-02 (June 2, 2025)

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, with…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11664345 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11664691 · 2025-06-03 (June 3, 2025)

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 proj…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11664691 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11664727 · 2025-06-03 (June 3, 2025)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11664727 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11664977 · 2025-06-04 (June 4, 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…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11664977 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11665184 · 2025-06-05 (June 5, 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 t…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11665184 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

25V359000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages

Reported: 2025-05-29 (May 29, 2025)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y vehicles. The hose connector may block the windshield washer nozzles, preventing washer fluid from reaching the windshield. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."

Consequence: The inability to clean the windshield reduces the driver’s visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla service will inspect and replace the wiper arm elbow connector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V410000 · Seats:Critical Fasteners

Reported: 2025-06-18 (June 18, 2025)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The fasteners attaching the seat back to the seat bottom may have been improperly tightened.

Consequence: The seat may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Tesla Service Centers will inspect and tighten or replace the seat assembly fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-13-003.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V490000 · Electrical System:Horn

Reported: 2025-07-28 (July 28, 2025)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y vehicles. The ring terminal of the horn ground wire may be improperly secured, allowing the circuit to open and preventing the horn from sounding.

Consequence: An inoperable horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers as needed, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla service will replace the steering wheel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were be mailed September 23, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-17-009.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V658000 · Electrical System:Wiring | Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights

Reported: 2025-10-01 (October 1, 2025)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y vehicles. The reverse lights may fail to illuminate while the vehicle is in reverse, due to a defect in the wiring. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: Reverse lights that fail to illuminate reduce visibility and may not alert pedestrians or other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the reverse lights and reverse facia harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 26, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-17-011.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V690000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Fuses, Relays, Contacts, And Shunts

Reported: 2025-10-10 (October 10, 2025)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles. The battery pack contactors may fail, causing a loss of drive power.

Consequence: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the battery pack contactors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-16-005.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
26V315000 · Equipment:Other:Labels

Reported: 2026-05-18 (May 18, 2026)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Model Y vehicles. The certification label may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence: Missing weight information provided by the label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and install a certification label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-19-002.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
26V445000 · Air Bags:Knee Bolster | Structure:Body:Bumpers

Reported: 2026-07-07 (July 7, 2026)

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."

Consequence: 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 resolutions@tesla.com. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-004.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
26V558000 · Suspension:Critical Fasteners | Suspension:Front

Reported: 2026-08-31 (August 31, 2026)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y vehicles. One or more front suspension lateral link fasteners may not have been properly tightened, allowing the lateral link to loosen or separate from the sub-frame.

Consequence: A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla Service will tighten or replace the fasteners and check wheel the alignment, free of charge. In addition, Tesla Service will replace any related parts that may have been damaged as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 30, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-31-004.

NHTSA campaign record ↗