2023 TESLA MODEL Y Complaints

Incident Details: • Date/Time: [XXX]. • Location: [XXX] • Event: While driving, the front left wheel partially detached without warning, causing an immediate loss of steering control. Findings (third-party technician at the scene): • The wheel/control arm/linkage had come loose/detached. • Two major suspension bolts were extremely loose or had detached. • A rotor screw detached easily during inspection. • Photos, videos, and witness statements are available upon request. Current status: Tesla has not provided a failure analysis or demonstrated that the issue is resolved. Similar failures have been reported on social media, and recalls between 2021–2023 addressed front suspension lateral link fasteners that could loosen or detach. “A 2021 recall (NHTSA Recall #21V835) affected Model 3s from January 2019-April 2021 and Model Ys from March 2020-June 2021. A 2022 recall (NHTSA #22V895) was for certain 2023 Model Ys with issues on the left-hand lateral link. “ My vehicle has not been included in any such recall, and I received no prior notification. Supporting documentation (emails, service records, publications) is available upon request. Risk Level: Extremely high. This defect creates a severe danger to drivers, passengers, and the public. Tesla’s lack of corrective action leaves many customers at risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Tesla has a bug with their basic Autopilot software that they refuse to fix and that I believe is causing a safety issue. They advertise Autopilot as standard on all Tesla's as an active safety feature that helps reduce driver stress and improve safety on the road. Here is the issue. Basic Autopilot has a feature built into it that limits the speed to 5 mph over the speed limit. This is a great idea! However, since a software update that was released early last summer, the car struggles to read the proper speed limit. For instance, many roads in my area are posted at 65 mph. The car doesn't read these and defaults the speed limit to 50 mph, meaning I can only use Autopilot at 55 mph max. When most people are driving 70 mph, this causes a safety issue. Tesla is aware of the problem. I have filed MANY bug reports, and even contacted a service center about the issue. The service center claims to be aware of it, and said that they escalated the problem to the software team, but no fix has been issued in over a year. Either they just don't care about this issue and are too busy trying to work on FSD and Robotaxi to fix it, or they are purposely not fixing it to force people to subscribe to FSD as FSD doesn't have this issue.

Statement of Facts Regarding Tesla Accident [XXX] On [XXX], I was involved in an accident with a Tesla that I had rented directly from Tesla’s rental program. The vehicle was equipped with Tesla’s full software capabilities, including AutoDrive and the Smart Summon feature. At no time during the rental process was I given warnings, training, or any overview about how these features work, the risks they pose, or the long history of reported incidents involving Teslas colliding with stationary objects while operating under self-driving or summoning functions. On [XXX], I used the Summon feature for the first time in the parking lot of my business at [XXX] . The car was parked in spot [XXX], where I regularly park. I attempted to use Summon while standing in full view of the vehicle, but the software repeatedly displayed “lost connection.” After disabling Wi-Fi, I held the Summon button again and the car successfully pulled out of the spot, drove forward, and arrived directly in front of me. This demonstrated the feature was functioning properly on that day. On [XXX], while again parked in the same spot, I attempted to demonstrate Summon to my wife. I was standing in clear view, approximately 50–75 feet away, near the complex entrance. As before, the software repeatedly displayed “lost connection.” I attempted to reengage by hitting the summon button to reconnect the command. That did not work. When I walked up to the vehicle, I discovered that the front quarter panel near the wheel had come into contact with the covered parking pole. At no time was I aware that the car had hit anything, nor did the system provide any alert that it had engaged with an object. This stands in stark contrast to the way Tesla’s software consistently warns when the car is being manually driven — giving constant alerts when drifting out of a lane or approaching another vehicle. The absence of such a warning during Summon demonstrates a failure of the software’s sa INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5

While driving a Tesla Model Y on a freeway in Arkansas, the vehicle was operating in Autopilot mode (Tesla's driver-assistance system). During a highway merge, the vehicle followed a state trooper's car too closely and failed to slow down appropriately. The trooper had to apply his brakes to avoid a collision. After stopping the vehicle, the trooper issued a written warning, explicitly attributing the issue to equipment failure and advising immediate correction. This issue appears to involve a failure of the adaptive cruise control and forward collision detection system while Autopilot was engaged. No collision occurred, but the situation posed a clear safety risk to both the trooper and my vehicle. This was not the first issue with the vehicle's automation. In a previous incident (November 2024), the vehicle exceeded the posted speed limit while on Autopilot, resulting in a traffic citation. Tesla has been notified, and a service request is open. Diagnostic review is pending. There were no warning lights or alerts from the vehicle before the incident. The vehicle remains available for further inspection if required.

According to TESLA service, my two "lateral links" for the front wheels need to be replaced. They sent us photos of the issue and it looks like one of the fasteners for one of the lateral links was missing (1 of two fasteners) If the other fastener failed/fell out the car could easily steer out of control. The problem of the lateral links was confirmed by Tesla servicing. They are repairing it under warranty. It was only been inspected by the manufacturer, Tesla. There were no warning lamps. The only indication was the thumping sound during turns.

The vehicle went into Turtle mode and there was a warning sign that power was reduced. The car eventually stopped moving on the highway seconds later. The warning time was minimal and I was on a two lane highway when the car stopped in one of the lanes during rush hour. This is the third time I have had this warning since February 2025 and I started leasing the vehicle December 2024. The first time, the service replaced the accelerator pedal. The second time, the rear motor. This third time, they are saying it's the accelerator pedal again. Each time there is no warning or signs that there is an issue and it is unacceptable for a vehicle that is only one year old.

Front wipers stoped during use on windscreen, returned to functionality and then minutes later shut down. No ability to manually or via rain sense to get arms to move. Performed soft, hard, and thired suggested Tesla reboot. Not resolved. Service scheduled for 15 days rendering vehicle unsafe to drive.

2nd Seat belt does not latch and cannot be secured. This poses a serious safety risk while driving.

Driving on I 880 south on the fast lane. The car suddenly braked for no reason and began to shutdown. It warned me to pull over before complete shutdown. Luckily there was space on my left and I was able to rolling stop. Nothing on the screen was working. Turned on hazard light. Got out of car with my phone. Accessed Tesla app and ran battery check. After couple mins the error went away. Tried to slowly move with hazard light on. It appeared to have fixed itself. Slowly merged back into freeway when it was safe. Attached notification when I tried to schedule service request.

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel, and the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 20,000.