2021 TESLA MODEL Y Complaints

View complaints related to 2021 TESLA MODEL Y. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 1,040 complaints submitted for the 2021 TESLA MODEL Y. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - VISTA, CA

    The vehicle's primary Autopilot processor randomly and completely failed while in active use on February 10th, causing the vehicle to immediately change course towards a highway barrier at high speed. Since that moment, every time the Autopilot DAS computer is reset, the primary processor refuses to transition from the INIT state to the NOMINAL state and instead transitions to CRITICAL state. The vehicle had software update 2023.44.30.8 for recall campaign #23V-838, recall number SB-23-00-008 applied 1 month ago, which was supposed to decrease the probable misuse of the DAS system. However, many individuals reported that the recall immediately and irreversibly damaged their DAS computer, so Tesla offered them a free replacement without hassle. However, I have been struggling to work with Tesla's Carlsbad, California service center for over a week to get the DAS computer replaced at no cost, since the computer was damaged after an update caused the computer to become irreversibly damaged after their software update was installed -- a software update which was supposed to have made the Autopilot system safer, but which has instead unfortunately irreversibly damaged the Autopilot computer, and caused my vehicle to randomly and immediately weave towards a highway barrier at high speed. I am wrongfully being asked to pay in excess of $2500 for a replacement computer as a result of the update damaging the DAS computer. They claim the catch-all diagnosis of a "short circuit" internal to the DAS computer caused the damage which would be out of warranty, except the computer has never been opened by myself. They confirmed to me that they chose that diagnosis after a process of elimination without actually probing the electrical system within the computer. The Carlsbad service center refuses to give me an accurate estimate for any further engineering analysis, claiming it could take multiple hrs/days at $245/hr. This is extremely unreasonable and presents unlimited risk.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Mission, TX

    On 6/25/22 our 2021 Tesla Model Y with 16,163 miles had a sudden unintended acceleration, it didn't responded to the breaks and within seconds hit a parked car and finally stopped when it crashed to a large tree. It was a "Total Lost" by the insurance. Around 1pm on a clear sky day, driving out of a small gated residential community, before exiting I pulled over the side of the road for a few minutes, when I resumed the car suddenly accelerated to what felt like full speed. While I stopped by the side of the road the car remained in "D" mode, when I resumed I forgot that it was already on "D" and pushed the shift level down; we think the car went to Cruise Control to the last used speed which was probably a highway speed. The breaks didn't stopped the car and didn't cancel the accelaration. It traveled out of control less than 150 feet before it crashed to a large tree. For some "unknown" reason, the footage of the 4 cameras got erased from my usb memory stick. The only video left was the front camera and that video was cut a couple of seconds before the first crash. Tesla took almost a year on their "investigation" and the result was a long technical BS indicating that they didn't found anything abnormal. Driver airbag deployed.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Oxnard, CA

    When driving the car abruptly slows down. This also happened on the freeway. I get an error message that says “power limited” and a turtle symbol. This is the second time this issue has happened. Tesla service center has not been able to confidently diagnose this issue. They say it’s resolved and once I leave the service center and the problem comes back.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Seal Beach, CA

    The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that all the windows in the vehicle had become distorted, cloudy, bubbly, and delaminated, creating a visibility hazard while driving. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 18,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Verdi, NV

    I was driving to work this morning, February 7th, 2024 driving at freeway speeds. My Tesla touchscreen dropped out and went completely dark. The reset process is to press and hold for about 30 seconds and another 30 seconds for the full restart. I attempted this twice and proceeded to pull off the highway. During this period, I could not see how fast I was driving, whether my brake lights, turn signals, or headlights worked at this time to safely transit through traffic to get off the road. I put my hazard lights on, but again did not know if these worked or not. The screen finally came back online and seemed fine until I could get to work, this was an extremely scary experience and a perfect example as to why all cars should have a cluster driver screen mandatory, I will be getting rid of this car as soon as possible.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Portland , OR

    The power steering went out and it was virtually impossible to turn the steering wheel. It was unsafe to drive because you were not able to turn the car unless you were very strong. Safety issue-unable to turn the car without possibly colliding with another car. Tesla replaced the drive train. Another incident happened while getting into the car and driving it. An alert came up on the screen saying that the power train needed immediate service and that I could not exceed 60 mph. I was driving at the time. As I continued to drive to my destination the alert kept coming on with different speeds I could not drive at. It eventually got down to 53 mph and it physically would not drive over that speed and it was on the freeway and dangerous because the car kept slowing down. Tesla replaced the oil pump in the back battery. I have had this car for 3 years and it has been in the shop 15 times.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Costa Mesa, CA

    As the window starts to fog up, I turn on the defrost. The defrost does not come on for 2 to 3 minutes. However, there is some air that comes out that causes the window to fog up more. It reduces the visibility and I have to pull over because I can’t see. This happens every time I turn on the defroster. There is some delay of 2 to 3 minutes before the hot air actually blows out. I went to Tesla to see if this is a recall and they said my car did not qualify but it seems there are other test ones that have the same problem. It is dangerous when I am driving and the car windows if I turn the defroster on, it’ll cause me to lose complete visibility within seconds, and then it takes 2 to 3 minutes for the hot air to kick out.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Orangevale, CA

    Rear ultra sonic sensors (USS) sliding into the vehicle. No impact or cause for rear sensors to move. Two of the four rear USS pieces are moving back in their housing and are no longer flush with the bumper.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - San Jose, CA

    Since installing the update for 23V-838; TC2023-657 compliance, you guys have absolutely ruined autopilot. Your regulatory overreach has resulted in my task workload increasing while using any ADAS systems Tesla supplies, and multiple times I have reached task saturation from the number of nags, alerts, and prompts that have appeared since applying the 23V-838; TC2023-657 update. In some cases I have engaged autopilot, been nagged, wiggled the wheel which disengaged, re-engaged, been nagged, wiggled the wheel which disengaged, re-engaged, 3 times in a row. I have benchmarked almost every other ADAS system on the market and you [XXX] have somehow regulated tesla auto pilot into a place where it has literally the most frequent nags, alerts, prompts, and annoyances of anything on the market. Ask yourselves whether you honestly think nags that audibly prompt and distract the driver for merely glancing at the autopilot set speed, briefly adjusting the map, or even daring to adjust vent position are really a wise tradeoff, or just something you cooked up because you have an axe to grind. Here's another one - as petty bureaucrats, would you rather have Autopilot or FSD on the road, or a hypothetically drunk driver? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Franklin , TN

    The most recent recall and modifications to Autopilot have dramatically reduced subjective safety. I am more distracted by warnings and interventions by the system. The system is less able to adapt to changing conditions. It seemed to be far more effective from a safety standpoint prior to the recall. People were and are the problem with autopilot, not autopilot. As with people, it made/makes mistakes. But an attentive driver easily corrects. Full Self Drive is different, but if any driver has ever been under the illusion that autopilot does not require full attention, it is the driver's fault.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE