Tesla Model Y Problems by Year
NHTSA has 4,252 owner complaints and 43 safety recalls on file for the Tesla Model Y, across 8 model years (2019–2026). The 2023 model year has the most complaints (1,179). The most reported problem area overall is forward collision avoidance.
_%E2%80%93_f_05052026.jpg){kind=link}
Tesla Model Y years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Model Y year: 2021, 2022, 2023. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2023 Model Y: 1,179 complaints, 17 recalls
- 2021 Model Y: 1,089 complaints, 23 recalls
- 2022 Model Y: 868 complaints, 20 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2025 Model Y: 105 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2020 Model Y: 282 complaints, 24 recalls
- 2024 Model Y: 326 complaints, 5 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Tesla Model Y problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance problems | 1,957 | 7 | 219 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 585 | 7 | 112 |
| Service Brakes problems | 561 | 7 | 98 |
| Electrical System problems | 557 | 7 | 75 |
| Steering problems | 473 | 7 | 89 |
| Lane Departure problems | 377 | 7 | 75 |
| Suspension problems | 318 | 7 | 18 |
| Back Over Prevention problems | 193 | 7 | 68 |
| Visibility/wiper problems | 170 | 7 | 4 |
| Structure problems | 161 | 7 | 33 |
| Air Bags problems | 121 | 7 | 67 |
| Seat Belts problems | 119 | 7 | 5 |
| Wheels problems | 116 | 7 | 23 |
| Power Train | 97 | 7 | 15 |
| Exterior Lighting | 90 | 7 | 4 |
| Seats | 69 | 7 | 1 |
| Engine | 57 | 7 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 42 | 7 | 10 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 38 | 7 | 1 |
| Visibility | 26 | 6 | 1 |
| Tires | 22 | 5 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 | 5 | 5 |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Carry Handle, Shell, Base | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Other/i Am Not Sure | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat or Vehicle) | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Insert, Padding | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Tesla Model Y problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2026: forward collision avoidance (122) · electrical system (56)
- 2024: forward collision avoidance (124) · back over prevention (61) · electrical system (61)
- 2023: forward collision avoidance (478) · steering (214) · vehicle speed control (167) · service brakes (151) · suspension (131) · electrical system (123) · lane departure (81) · visibility/wiper (60) · wheels (52)
- 2022: forward collision avoidance (496) · vehicle speed control (140) · service brakes (131) · electrical system (120) · lane departure (70) · steering (58)
- 2021: forward collision avoidance (582) · service brakes (177) · vehicle speed control (161) · electrical system (151) · steering (94) · suspension (78) · lane departure (77)
- 2020: forward collision avoidance (107)
All Tesla Model Y model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Model Y | 403 | 8 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2025 Model Y | 105 | 3 | 5★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 Model Y | 326 | 5 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 Model Y | 1,179 | 17 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2022 Model Y | 868 | 20 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2021 Model Y | 1,089 | 23 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2020 Model Y | 282 | 24 | 5★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2019 Model Y | 0 | 3 | — | — |
More from Tesla: all Tesla models · Tesla VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Tesla Model Y years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2021 (1,089), 2022 (868), 2023 (1,179) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Model Y year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Tesla Model Y?
Forward Collision Avoidance, with 1,957 complaints across 7 model years.
How many recalls does the Tesla Model Y have?
43 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.