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
    - Juneau, AK

    While driving, suddenly power steering failed. Impossible to steer for my wife who was driving, I am barely able to steer it. Shut off the veh and let it sit for a couple of hours and it started working. Have had it happen 3 times. Scared to drive it. Extremely hazardous situation.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - El Prado, NM

    I have experienced phantom braking numerous times with this car so I plugged in an arbitrary date below. Fortunately it has generally been on rural, open roads where there was nobody close behind me, but there have been at least a couple of times where there were cars behind me and the braking came close to causing accidents. It is also terrifying when it does happen and has nearly caused me to lose control of the car more than once as I attempted to compensate for the abrupt braking. I understand that you are already investigating this issue with these cars so you know the details. Generally it happens when I am on 2-lane roads that don't have good dividers. The cruse control seems to mistake oncoming cars in the opposite lane as being cars in my lane and it will slam on the brakes. It also seems to be triggered by highway mirages and shadows. I have managed to capture the issue on video at least once.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Raleigh, NC

    In a rainy day I drove Tesla Model Y (AWD) on highway 1 in the Raleigh NC area. The highway 1 is under construction. There are only two lanes open with cement barriers on both sides. While I was driving on the left lane, the car suddenly lost control and slide to the right. I tried to hit break and turn left to avoid the SUV on the right lane, but my car end up turning 180 degree and driver side rear-end hit the cement barrier. Fortunately no injury and no other vehicles involved in the collation. It was raining but not hard. I don't understand why the AWD Tesla would suddenly lost control and slide to right. I can't remember if autopilot was on or off. I tried to request data from Tesla but was denied. Their email indicates only California registrant can request data. I believe the Teals driving and EDR data can really help to confirm if it was a weather issue or not. I have dashcam video ready to upload.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - LAYTON, UT

    Regarding a Tesla Y, 2021with 10,000 miles; Durging a recent cold spell, winter driving conditions, the A/C Compressor/Heat Pump failed causing the windshield defrost to cease functioning, causing the visiblity to become poor to none at all, requiring that the vehicle not be driven on the roads until the weather cleared and even then, the driver or pasenger (if avalailbe) has to wipe down the wet windshield from inside to acceptable visibility standards. We did not get in an accident as we quickly abandoned the Tesla Model Y and obtained a ride from another vehicle that had a working windshield defroster. We understand that this has been a problem in Canada and is the subject of a Canadian recall. We contacted Tesla, sent them the computer code "VC front-a447 Cabin Climate Control Issues-requires service" and were advised that they were familiar with this problem and scheduled a repair which included the removal and replacement of the A/C Compressor/Heat Pump and the 'Supermanifold' at a cost of $1,993.55. We were advised that no 'Recall' was associated with this pariticular VIN and nor was there any warranty but this would be a 'customer pay' repair. After exhausting all efforts at writing and calling in an attempt to have a clear defect leading to a safety violation addressed voluntarily by the manufacturer we feel we are left with no alternative but to ask the Goverment to look into this issue for the safety of others who may drive a Tesla with a heat pump in cold weather and very dependant on the proper operation of a windshield defroster (which the heat pump does) for safe visiblity, crucial to proper operations of a motor vehicle, on the public highways. Thanks in advance for looking into this.

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

    The contact owns a 2021Tesla Model Y. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V702000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact was stated that the driver’s side window would independently roll down while turning the steering wheel. A technician from Tesla reset the computer however, the contact was unsure if the repair addressed the failure stated in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Homosassa, FL

    Tesla "Traffic Aware Cruise Control" occasionally unnecessarily applies brakes aggressively for no apparent reason when cruise control is in use. This presents a hazard to other driver's who may be behind the Tesla. This phenomena is well known to Tesla owners who have repeatedly posted about it in Tesla's Owners Forum. It is often referred to as "phantom braking". There is no option for the Tesla owner to disable the "Traffic Aware" aspect of Tesla's cruise control I believe Tesla could resolve this problem with a simple software update which would allow the Tesla owner to use cruise control normally without the "Traffic Aware" feature. The "Traffic Aware" feature is part of Tesla's problematic "Auto Pilot" feature. However, my Tesla is not equipped with "Auto Pilot". My Tesla is available for inspection upon request.

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

    I was driving on the freeway, no one was near me (I had full control of the car, it wasn’t on autopilot) and the car’s brakes deadlocked while I was traveling high way speed and then made a sharp left turn which caused me to crash into the center divide and then hydroplane across the entire freeway uncontrollably

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Andover, MA

    11/29/23: vehicle begins to flash warning alerts (e.g., traction control disabled, lane departure warning unavailable), then power steering stopped working, and brakes pulsed violently when used (almost like ABS was active). Software update was available shortly thereafter, assumed this would remedy the situation. 12/5/23: same problems recur (loss of power steering, odd braking behavior, vehicle alerts). Vehicle was towed to Tesla for service. Tesla was able to ID the alerts in the vehicle history but could not identify the root cause. Took the vehicle one extended test drives, but was unable to cause the problems to recur. Tesla is unable to identify any further actions to prevent recurrence.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Quincy, MA

    I had the adaptive cruise control (Autopilot) engaged on I95 and had it set to 60 MPH. Twice between a minute, the Model Y lowered the cruise speed to either 40 MPH and 25 MPH while on the interstate. No obstacles were in front of me to affect the cruise control system.

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

    While in autopilot, the Tesla has been phantom braking repeaters. We noticed many time while driving at high speeds on the freeway, the Tesla model y will slam on the brakes for no apparent reason. There are no police reports

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE