2021 TESLA MODEL Y Complaints

I own a 2021Tesla Model Y. I took possession of it on August 7, 2021, in Santa Barbara, Ca. Ever since, I have had numerous instances of abrupt automatic emergency braking (phantom braking) episodes while using cruise control or autopilot. On January 26, 2022, I had 47 episodes, in just a couple of hours. This is typical. Several of the phantom braking episodes occurred with vehicles tailgating me. This is a grave safety issue and requires immediate attention. My Tesla Model Y has been to the Tesla service center over 4 times regarding this problem without resolution. They say phantom braking is a software issue and only the engineers can fix it. I was assured soon after delivery that the software would be updated quickly, and it would fix the problem. The issue still exists. I am very disappointed with the vehicle and fear for my safety. Please require Tesla to remedy this very serious safety issue immediately.

I have an ongoing problem with the dashcam recording, which for me is a safety issue. The dashcam constantly records from several cameras what is happening around the vehicle. The dashcam icon will show a red “x,” indicating that the dashcam is not working. Probably 80% of the time I get in the car, the red x is there. The solution involves opening the glove box and pulling the drive, waiting for up to 20 seconds, then replacing it. If that doesn’t work, the usb drive needs to be formatted and all previous clips are lost, but probably 95% of the time the reformat fails. It was recommended by Tesla service that I purchase another usb drive ($45?), but that did not solve the problem. I’ve had my car into Tesla service for this issue or reported it through the app multiple times. For months, I’ve been told it will be addressed with a firmware update, but it has not happened. Other Tesla owners are also having this issue, but it was addressed with a firmware update and the problem was fixed. The owners who have the Full Self Driving Beta have NOT had a firmware update to address the issue. We are the owners who paid $10-15,000 extra for the full self driving feature. I have not been able to get any information from Tesla about an expected timeframe for this update. I ask, but I’m always told it will be a “future update.” I have asked if anyone is working on this issue, and they won’t answer that question either. I would like to know the status. I’ve been very patient, but since there is aggression in the areas where I drive against EV drivers, and Teslas in particular, I need this feature to be working. I have been harassed, had large pickup drivers tailgate or try to run me off the road, and I’ve been coal rolled. I’ve already used data from the dashcam to report aggressive drivers to the police.

Autopilot was on during a light rain event where I was traveling less than the posted speed limit on the I95 northbound Highway. The autopilot appeared to force the car to abruptly jolt the steering wheel/tires, causing a slip/ hydroplane of the front end which forced the car into a left/sideways slide across the highway. The car slid sideways for about 100 feet or so before going straight into the concrete divider along the Highway (front driver side initial impact, then rear driver side 2nd impact). Control could not be regained with the vehicle. Steering did not work (tried to correct the path), it felt as if brakes did not slow the vehicle as the car approached the divider. Autopilot was fully engaged and lane keeping was active… with at least one hand on the steering wheel and moderate level of attention to the road. I must say I had likely became over-reliant on the autopilot. No warning was provided to me as, prior to the incident. A similar hydroplane problem can also be seen on a YouTube video posted online for the same model car. I experienced the same outcome as the other vehicle except I hit a divider after crossing lanes. I am however very pleased with how well the car handled the impact and how well the airbags went off, although also unfortunate- I do feel like the car may have been partially responsible for the accident itself.I have experienced a few prior occurrences where the car will jerk the wheel when in autopilot to keep or find a lane, even with hands on the wheel and full attention facing forward.

multiple incidents of phantom braking well traveling on I 90. 5 documented incidents. Have requested vehicle service however previous service for this type of incident did not correct the issue. at one point the car slowed from 75 to 50 before i could react. there were no other vehicles near my vehicle when the events occurred.

The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Pro Contact, Tire Size: 255/45/R19, DOT Number: IVY0FBJJL. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH, the TPMS warning illuminated and the contact was advised to pull off the road. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side tire had disintegrated and the entire tread had separated from the side wall. The contact had the vehicle towed to a tire dealer and had the rear passenger’s side tire replaced; however, the failure reoccurred without warning light. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the tire was not inspected. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,926.

While driving cross country on interstate highways using cruise control my car would try to stop itself. During a 500+ mile day it would do this 10x per day. Most times hard enough to engage seat beats. There has been no inspection. Tesla is denying a problem. The danger is if someone is following too close they could resend me. I was never in traffic when this happens. Never anyone in front of me or next to me when this happens. On line they call the phantom braking. I can’t tell if it’s braking, or the cruise control disengages and the car is suddenly stopping because of one pedal driving mode.

My wife and I have owned the Tesla Model Y for one year. We have taken it on several long distance drives from our home in Moscow Idaho to the Oregon and Washington coasts, Vancouver BC and Seattle. During each of the trips we experienced phantom braking when the car was driven with cruise control engaged at highway speeds on 2 lane highways. Phantom braking has occurred when 1) there was no oncoming traffic during daylight hours 2) with oncoming traffic that was not in our lane 3) when there was a slight turn in the highway and no traffic. The most recent phantom braking events occurred 7-14-22 and 7-30-22 on Washington highway 26. When the phantom braking occurs it appears to be random. The car will very quickly drop from 65mph to 55mph causing us a scare. We do not use the cruise control feature anymore on the two lane highways. Its just too scary when it happens. We have complained to Tesla and have submitted service requests and was told they are aware of the problem but no corrective action has happened yet.

My wife was driving on the highway on 8/16/22 at around 9:50pm on the garden state south and all of the sudden the car by itself started swerving lanes and my wife tried to stop the car but to no avail the brakes weren’t working as well. After some time the car finally got back into control and she was able to pull over. The car seemed to be hacked. No explanation how this happened. We didn’t pay for the whole self drive option so I’m not sure how this happened. Very furious. That could’ve been my wife’s life on the line if there were cars.

Currently and noticing other reporting the inaccurate location of the GPS in the car. At times the car gpe will drift into areas not associated with the cars correct location. If the car is in adaptive cruse or teslas autopilot the car will maintain the posted speed limit for that GPS location or a delta of the users defined (+ - 10 or 15 mph). This cause a car to abruptly reduce the speed if not within the posted speed limit for that area. For example a car in autopilot or adaptive cruse going 70mph on the highway, the gps will start drifting into areas outside of you location and abruptly reduce the speed to assumed location. This is even more troublesome if autopilot is engaged where the car will try to change lanes as directed by the gps.

We experienced 3 phantom braking events while using the autopilot feature of the Tesla model Y on our trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco. While on autopilot on the 5 freeway northbound, the car just braked when the lanes in front of us are clear.