2023 TESLA MODEL Y Complaints

Incident Date,March 07, 2026] Current Mileage, 31625 miles ? I am reporting a catastrophic structural failure of a safety-critical suspension component on my Tesla Model Y. ?Upon inspection, I discovered that one of the bolts securing the driver-side lower control arm has completely detached and fallen off. A second bolt is approximately 50% loose. This has caused a significant safety hazard, as the control arm is no longer properly secured to the subframe, leading to a high risk of total steering loss and wheel detachment while driving. ?Furthermore, when I contacted Tesla Service, they demonstrated extreme negligence by instructing me to drive the vehicle in this lethal condition to their service center. They also initially refused to cover the towing and repair costs, claiming it was not a factory defect despite the clear evidence of fastener failure (improper torque or thread locker application during manufacturing). ?This is a clear manufacturing defect that poses an immediate threat to the driver, passengers, and other road users. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate this batch of Model Y vehicles for suspension fastener integrity issues to prevent potential fatal accidents.

This is my 10th report; it relates to 2 issues I have reported before 1. The "phantom breaking" on cruise control that I have reported a few times previously has apparently been fixed on a software update, but we were not notified. I went in to Santa Fe Tesla where I took delivery of my vehicle and got into a discussion about my disappointments with this car, specifically the tires (see #2). I mentioned my past problems, including the phantom breaking. The man was dismissive and a bit defensive and asked if I'd made an appointment. I said I'd been told several times they hadn't figured out a software fix (and even Tesla employees were simply refraining from using cruise control, which is what I did). He said they "fixed it a while ago" and he's not had complaints since then. I tried cruise control on my 45 minute freeway drive and indeed, the problem did not occur. Interesting that they knew it was an ongoing problem, didn't deal with it, and didn't announce when they finally did fix it. I do not yet know if it is an ongoing safety problem for me but I'm planning to gradually increase my use of cruise control, since most of my driving is high-speed freeway driving. 2. I asked about getting warranty rebate for my original tires that have failed at 38K miles. He said I would have to pursue that through the distributor (American Tire?) and that he'd only had 2-3 customers ever do that. He said most customers just pay for better tires. He offered to sell me another Continental tire in the $400 range and implied that I could find tires through a tire store. I went to Discount tire who can get me a rebate on only 1 of the 4 tires because it's down to 4/32" tread. The other 3 can't be warrantied until they reach 4/32"...and I've already hydroplaned/slid on the freeway in a sleet storm with wet roads. The company knowingly provides inadequate tires and does not stand behind them. This is an unacceptable safety risk and a moral outrage.

In approximately August 2023 — approximately seven months after purchase — the vehicle’s battery stalled completely while I was driving a few miles from my house on a surface road. The vehicle lost all drive power without warning. I was fortunate that no vehicle was following me or they might have slammed into the vehicle’s rear if they were unable to suddenly quickly stop. I turned on the emergency flasher lights, and after waiting a few minutes, the vehicle restarted and I decided to just drive the car home. I did not continue on my planned destination.

I was driving on the freeway and suddenly my care start moving to the right and screen shows me the message steering alignment service recommended ok to drive. When i stopped the vehicle one of the bolts fell off from underneath of the car and I was no longer able to turn the wheels. I towed the car to Tesla Burlingame dealership, and they told me that I have to replace front lateral link assembly, nut and washer, half shaft assembly front. Even though tesla stuff confirmed my issue i the same as previous recall but because my vin number not in the list and this is wearable parts I have to pay 2000.00

Catastrophic Axle Failure, I was driving out from my driveway when this happened. Just the day before my wife was driving on the highway, and I was driving with my two boys. I have video of the complete failure of the left driver's side axle. The vehicle was towed by the dealer and is at the dealer as we speak. There has been no inspection by the police or insurance representative. We had reported it to Tesla at our last appointment but they said they could not recreate the noise.

Rear seat belt latch won't latch. This becomes a problem because dirt and debris fall into the seat belt latch since the seat belts latches are lower than the seat cushions. Child eats something with crumbs and the crumbs fall into the seat belt latch. Over time these build up to the point the seat belt won't click in.

On February 23, 2026, I was driving my 2023 Tesla Model Y under normal city conditions. While parallel parking at very low speed, I suddenly heard a loud metallic bang from the driver’s side of the vehicle. Immediately afterward, the vehicle lost mobility and the steering wheel became unresponsive and would not turn. I exited the vehicle and observed a detached metal suspension component and a bolt on the ground underneath the driver’s side. The vehicle was not drivable and required towing. I contacted Tesla Roadside Assistance through the Tesla app, and the vehicle was towed to Tesla Service Center in Coral Gables, Florida. At the time of the incident, there had been no collision, no impact with a pothole, curb, or road debris, and no prior warning signs or noises indicating a developing issue. The failure occurred suddenly during a low-speed maneuver. Tesla Service initially indicated that the vehicle was under warranty and that repairs would be covered if no external impact was found. However, after inspection, Tesla attributed the failure to an alleged “external impact” and declined warranty coverage, providing an estimate of approximately $4,000. After involving my insurance company, the vehicle was inspected by a Tesla-certified repair facility, which found significantly more extensive damage to the suspension system, estimating repairs at approximately $11,000. This incident represents a sudden and complete failure of suspension components resulting in immediate loss of steering control. Such a failure poses a serious safety risk, particularly if it were to occur at higher speeds, as it could lead to loss of vehicle control and a crash. I am reporting this issue as a potential safety defect involving suspension component separation and steering loss in a 2023 Tesla Model Y.

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's side seat belt retractor unit detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,581.

This is my 9th report about my defective Tesla. When I wrote last month (Complaint Number: XXX, submitted electronically to NHTSA on 2/27/2026, 8:06:19 PM) I forgot to mention the significant safety issue I had with my tires: I arrived into Albuquerque airport in early December 2025 during a storm. I'd planned to drive at least to [XXX] on my way home further north, but a friend in [XXX] said it was still snowing there and I shouldn't attempt it. I made a reservation at the Motel 6 in [XXX] . It was dark, and the rain had stopped, but the roads were wet. Driving north on I-25 I encountered the snow/sleet storm. All of a sudden I found myself hydroplaning...or sliding...in the poor visibility and there was no nearby exit. I white-knuckled to the motel, and only later realized that my low-quality, already-worn tires were the likely problem. Yesterday I was shopping for new tires and learned that the factory-installed Continental ProContact RX 255/45R19 is not electric-vehicle rated, is a "passenger touring" tire and is not recommended for the weight of an EV. Additionally, it has a 55K mile warranty...I am at ~32K miles, and not even due for my next tire rotation, which is when I thought I would have to buy new tires. My local tire dealer, private in a small town, is not able to access the Continental warranty until the tire is down to a tread of 2/32". Discount Tire will not let me drive away if the tread is below 4/32"...and at 5/32 (I think) last tire rotation they weren't sure I'd even make it to my next rotation...clearly I haven't, even though I'm below the 8K interval for rotation. The price of the now-discontinued Continental ProContact RX was $211. I must now spend over $300/tire for a suitable replacement. Tesla knowingly installed a low-quality tire on my $53K car, further compromising my safety and that of other drivers and persons in the vicinity of moving Teslas. In addition to all the other safety problems on this former top INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Worn or broken Bushings control arm is under warranty but Tesla service declined to cover it under warranty I have checked all reviews and feedback This issue is under warranty and free of charge by Tesla service