2021 TESLA MODEL Y Complaints

* What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? FSD. It is available upon request. * How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Over the course of the last two months since the last FSD update (currently on v12.6.4), at least 20 times the vehicle has not properly stayed in the lane under certain circumstances listed below. These circumstances are always the same and it is repeatable and dangerous as the vehicle would have crashed into the center median if I had not intervened. Repeatable conditions: * 79 MPH * Low curvature highway at highway speeds when turning to the right only. * FSD version 12.6.4 with software version 2026.14.6 is engaged and in Assertive mode. * Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Tesla wanted $1k in order to reproduce and diagnose the problem, so I declined. * Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Same as above; Tesla wanted $1k in order to reproduce and diagnose the problem, so I declined. * Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? None of the safety systems fired, including lane departure warning or steering correction. FSD would not have veered out of the way of the median.

2021 Tesla Model Y suffered a complete failure of the front lower lateral links, compliance links, and upper control arms at only 29,103 miles. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer. It is currently being repaired at my cost. There was no warning lights or messages. I had noticed a creaking sound upon turning, especially while in reverse. I believe this mirrors the exact mechanical failures seen in NHTSA Campaign 21V835000. However, my VIN number was not listed in this recall.

Backed-out LH Rear Lower Fore Link bolt causing structural elongation damage to the rear subframe mounting hole, requiring full subframe replacement. Vehicle had been serviced exclusively by Tesla. Tesla issued Service Bulletin SB-25-31-004 on April 17, 2026 covering this exact condition. Tesla declined to perform the repair under the bulletin citing out-of-warranty status. A touchscreen alert directing me to service was active at the time of denial.

We were trying to drive home and the middle seat belt, where my youngest child was sitting, would not latch. it would 'click' in, but if you pulled on it, it would pop out. This was terrifying because we had to drive home on a 2-lane highway with oncoming traffic. I checked online and found that many others have reported this issue because the seat belt latch sits rigidly upright in a divot in the seat, which acts as a funnel to direct any crumbs or dropped items to go into the seat belt latch, which then apparently causes the issue. This is a death trap design for children, because of course children drop things and make messes all the time, and applies to all three of the seat belt latches in the back. What is even worse about this issue is that as a parent I listen for the Click to know they have buckled, and I also check the seat belt indicator on the dash screen. Even when this model Y seatbelt latch isn't going to hold the seatbelt in place, it makes the Click sound and also shows as latched on the dash screen, giving parents a false sense of security. It looks like no children have been injured or killed yet because of this design flaw, but please do not wait for that to happen. Please make them fix this issue immediately before tragedy strikes a family. Please watch the video I linked to in the PDF to see how the seatbelt clicks into place, but then can be pulled free by a firm tug on the seatbelt.

I am submitting this complaint to request an investigation into a serious safety defect involving my Tesla vehicle. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has experienced a significant and unexpected loss of acceleration when I attempted to enter or cross intersections. Despite pressing the accelerator, the vehicle failed to respond as expected, leaving me unable to accelerate normally while entering active traffic. This is not a minor hesitation or inconvenience. It is a serious roadway safety hazard. Drivers rely on immediate acceleration when crossing intersections, turning across traffic, or merging. A vehicle that unexpectedly limits acceleration can place occupants directly in the path of oncoming vehicles, creating a substantial risk of a severe collision, serious injury, or death. I reported this issue to Tesla Service and provided multiple timestamps documenting the events. Tesla was unable to identify any fault codes or provide a diagnosis and indicated that because no fault was recorded, the issue could not be confirmed. Through independent research, I found numerous reports from other Tesla owners describing substantially similar acceleration limitation events. Many reports specifically reference Obstacle Aware Acceleration as a possible cause, and some owners report that disabling the feature resolved the issue. If a safety system can falsely detect an obstacle and reduce acceleration while a driver is actively entering an intersection, the system itself may create a greater danger than the one it is designed to prevent. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether Tesla vehicles are experiencing unexpected acceleration limitation or torque reduction during intersection entry and traffic merging situations, evaluate the role of Obstacle Aware Acceleration and related software systems, determine whether a broader pattern exists, and assess whether corrective action or a recall is warranted. This could cause serious injury or fatal crash

A 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced steering/suspension warnings followed shortly by a steering-assist reduction event. On or around May 21, 2026, the vehicle displayed: “Steering alignment service recommended — OK to drive, schedule service soon.” The vehicle was brought to Tesla because the owner was concerned the car had detected a steering, alignment, suspension, or safety-related condition. The Tesla invoice from that visit appears inconsistent. It states that “a wheel alignment check was completed,” but also states “No Labor Performed — Customer Did Not Authorize Repairs or Inspection,” with 0.00 labor hours and no charge. A documented steering/suspension diagnostic inspection, alignment report, alert-log review, or safety assessment was not performed by Tesla or inspected. The owner was advised to replace tires and return later. Approximately 90 miles later, during a low-speed three-point turn, the vehicle made a loud pop/clunk from the front area and displayed: “Steering assist reduced — Steering may require increased effort.” A related alert also stated Lane Departure Avoidance features were unavailable. This created a safety concern because steering effort may unexpectedly increase during low-speed turns or parking maneuvers. Tesla later inspected the vehicle and documented torn front lower lateral/compliance link bushings and vehicle log data showing steering gear alerts. Tesla replaced the front lower lateral links and front lower compliance links and performed alignment work. After those repairs, Tesla stated a steering gear alert was still present and recommended steering gear/steering rack replacement with additional alignment work. The concern is that a steering/alignment warning occurred shortly before the physical front-end failure and reduced steering-assist event, but the earlier Tesla visit does not clearly document that the warning was meaningfully inspected or safety-assessed. Vehicle is currently unsafe to drive and is in Teslas possession

The vehicle’s secondary Autopilot Processor / car computer is internally faulted and stuck in a continuous wake/shutdown loop. This causes severe standby battery drain (~20 miles of range lost per day while parked) and completely prevents all over-the-air software updates - including federally mandated safety recall remedies. On April 4, 2024, Tesla Service diagnosed the fault and linked it to the drain and inability to update. On the same visit, Tesla added two safety recalls (23V-838 Autosteer controls and 24V-051 Brake/Park/ABS indicators) to the work order. They then demanded ~$3,000 customer payment for computer replacement before the recalls could be performed. After I declined the paid repair, Tesla marked both recalls as “completed” via software update despite the same invoice stating the vehicle could not receive updates and remained on software version 2023.38.9 (which predates both remedy firmwares they claimed was installed). Tesla is effectively paywalling federally required safety recall remedies by requiring the customer to first pay for computer replacement first. Two additional recalls remain open (21V-389 seat belt fasteners and 24V-554 hood latch). The problem has been confirmed and documented multiple times by Tesla Service.

I purchased a 2021 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX] ) used directly from Tesla. I am the first retail owner outside of Tesla. I am currently experiencing a knocking noise from the driver side suspension. I have requested that Tesla inspect and complete the following federally mandated safety recalls and service bulletins, none of which appear in my vehicle’s service history: • NHTSA Recall 21V-835 / SB-21-31-003 — Front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen and separate from the sub-frame, causing instability and crash risk • NHTSA Recall 21V-912 — Suspension knuckles may fracture • SB-20-31-006 — Front upper control arm ball joint reseal Tesla service has refused to perform these repairs free of charge, citing expired warranty (warranty expired April 5, 2025). Tesla’s response does not address that these are federal safety recalls, not warranty repairs. Federal law requires recall repairs to be performed free of charge regardless of warranty status, age, or mileage. Tesla has also failed to provide written documentation confirming whether these recalls were completed prior to selling me the vehicle. Instead, I have been redirected to a self-service VIN lookup tool and a general data privacy request form — neither of which confirms when, where, or whether the recall work was actually performed. I am requesting NHTSA investigate Tesla’s failure to complete these safety recalls prior to selling this vehicle to a retail customer, and their refusal to honor federal recall obligations. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced a critical failure resulting in the vehicle displaying diagnostic code BMS_079. After the fault appeared, I was informed that the vehicle's High-Voltage (HV) Battery requires replacement at a cost exceeding $10,000. As a result of this failure, the vehicle is no longer drivable and has been effectively rendered unusable. The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Management System and/or HV battery pack failed, triggering Tesla diagnostic code BMS_079. The vehicle is currently unable to operate due to this fault. The vehicle and battery system are available for inspection upon request. The sudden failure of the HV battery system created a significant safety concern because the vehicle lost its ability to operate as intended. A battery failure can leave drivers stranded unexpectedly, potentially in unsafe locations such as highways, intersections, remote areas, or during adverse weather conditions. The inability to reliably operate the vehicle creates a safety risk for both occupants and other motorists. The fault code BMS_079 was diagnosed and confirmed through Tesla's service system. Tesla service personnel indicated that the HV battery requires replacement and that the vehicle cannot be driven safely until the repair is completed. Prior to the vehicle becoming inoperable, warning messages appeared on the vehicle display indicating a problem with the battery system. The BMS_079 fault code was displayed, and the vehicle subsequently restricted operation.no warning signs prior. I am concerned that a major HV battery failure requiring a repair exceeding $10,000 occurred on a 2021 Tesla Model Y. A failure of this magnitude on a relatively modern electric vehicle raises concerns regarding battery reliability, consumer cost burden, and potential safety implications when vehicles become unexpectedly disabled. I am requesting that this issue be investigated and that appropriate action be taken to address similar failures affecting Tesla owners.

Even after the recent recall for backup camera freezing, my backup camera froze again today. I took the car in, in the past, to report the problem and was told to reset the computer even after the technician witnessed the problem. Got charged $300 so haven't been back. Problem has been there for a couple of years. I had hoped the software update would fix it but no such luck.