Tesla Model Y Structure Problems
Owners have filed 163 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the Tesla Model Y across 7 model years. The 2021 model year has the most (34). The words owners use most often: “service center” (12% of reports).
- 163structure complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 35mention a crash
- 16mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 35%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Service center: mentioned in 19 of 163 complaints (12%)
- Door open: mentioned in 10 of 163 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 15 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 163 complaints, 35 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 16 an injury.
Tesla Model Y structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Model Y | 31 | 8% | 13,000 |
| 2025 Model Y | 4 | 4% | — |
| 2024 Model Y | 17 | 5% | — |
| 2023 Model Y | 32 | 3% | 7,251 |
| 2022 Model Y | 31 | 4% | 21,000 |
| 2021 Model Y | 34 | 3% | 32,668 |
| 2020 Model Y | 14 | 5% | 990 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Air bags:knee bolster; structure:body:bumpers
Model years: 2026
Problem: 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."
Risk: A noncompliant vehicle may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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 [email protected]. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-004.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On XXX, I was driving my 2026 Tesla Model Y All-Wheel Drive northbound on [XXX] toward the [XXX] exit in [XXX]. Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) was engaged as the vehicle entered a single-lane exit ramp with a curve. The FSD system did not slow the vehicle sufficiently for the curve. I intervened by…
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious front suspension failure involving my 2021 Tesla Model Y. Vehicle Information: â¢Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc. â¢Model: Model Y â¢Model Year: 2021 â¢VIN: [XXX] â¢Mileage: 92,515 miles â¢Tesla Service Inspection Date: XXX â¢Service Location: Tesla…
Subject: Formal Safety Complaint â Tesla FSD Failure and Missing Video Evidence Vehicle: 2024 Tesla Model Y Long Range VIN: [XXX] FSD Version: FSD (Supervised) v14.3.10 Incident Date: October 9, 2026 Location: [XXX] Dear NHTSA, I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a suspected failure…
On XXX, my 2021 Tesla Model Y displayed a low-voltage warning. Approximately 15 minutes later, the vehicle became completely inoperable and we could not open its doors. Our children's car seats were inside and inaccessible. We were stranded with two young children, ages [XXX].[XXX] and [XXX]. My…
On October 1, 2026, at approximately 5:40 p.m. in the Marina Square Center parking lot in San Leandro, California, the powered rear trunk of my 2025 Tesla Model Y popped up slightly but failed to fully open. I repeatedly attempted to open it using both the touchscreen and the physical trunk button…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Tesla Model Ys have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 163 owner complaints about structure for the Tesla Model Y. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Tesla Model Y structure?
Yes: 1 safety recall list structure. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about structure problems on the Tesla Model Y?
The most frequent phrase is “service center”, in 19 of 163 complaints, followed by “door open” (10).
Other Tesla Model Y problems
See all Tesla Model Y problems.