2021 TESLA MODEL Y Complaints

The software was updated and I am no longer able to access control for the window defoggers or windshield wipers with one button press. This creates a hazardous driving situation when I need to focus on driving the car. Additionally, the seat will automatically adjust itself to other driver profiles and I am unable to quickly control it, once again creating potentially dangerous conditions.

The backup warning system did not work when I backed out of a driveway on a dark night. I knew there was a black car (sedan I believe) parked along the curb across from the driveway, and could partly see it in the backup camera when the tail lights would turn on (i.e., when I stepped off the drive pedal), but was unable to tell exactly how close I was to the car. There were no beeps from my car to warn me. My car stopped abruptly as the edge of my trunk lid hit what I guess was the corner of the other car. All damage appears to have been to my car - a dent in the trunk lid. I reported all of this to Tesla through their service app, and received a list of places from which I can get an estimate to repair the damage, but never received an explanation from them of their evaluation of the car's records I want to point out that I believe my Tesla includes all camera sensors - a change they apparently made over the summer. My car was ordered in June 2021 for September delivery.

With Tesla’s new software version 11.0 (Firmware 2021.44.25.2), the enabling of the front and rear window defogger is not readily accessible (they are buried in a menu). In the previous version of the software, there was a dedicated button on the screen to enable each of them. This is a safety issue because of the following scenario that happened to me today, comparing to my experience just the day before: I was driving in the mountains of Colorado, where it was below freezing and snowing. On the 22nd of December, BEFORE the software update, my front window started fogging up VERY quickly. I was able to turn on the front and back window defoggers with one tap. Today, I was driving back and the same thing happened — the window started fogging up. With the new software you had to tap twice, taking away your attention from the road in order to locate the defrost ON button. This is incredibly dangerous. I opted to move to the side and put my flashers on while I did that.

Tesla recently overhauled the firmware to their vehicles, however the newest update removes much of the ease and functionality. They have removed defogger buttons into the background, and other settings as well, causing the user to have to use multiple touches to work something that previously was quick. I believe this to be a safety issue. Drivers are now unaware where certain settings are and causes drivers to become distracted from the road to a degree that is unsafe while driving.

Traffic Aware Cruise Control is just about useless on 2 lane highways. Once enabled it is plagued by frequent decelerations for absolutely no obvious reason. What is more concerning is the application of emergency braking when meeting an oncoming truck, even on a well marked highway where the truck is centered in it’s lane. Fortunately this has not happened to me while I was being followed by a vehicle, but it is highly likely that a large truck or inattentive driver would have rear ended me in this scenario. Tesla service has looked at my car, and told me that everything was working properly, that it was a common complaint and they did not have a fix.

When driving on a two lane road and approaching an oncoming 18 wheeler the cruise control consistently slams on the brakes and I am concerned about the well-being of my 5 and 4 year old in the back seat. It whips them forward. I am also concerned about cars following me and getting rear ended with the force it is applying this phantom braking. I called Tesla and they said this is expected behavior and it might be fixed in a future firmware but no guarantees. I think this is an unacceptable answer regarding the safety of my family.

When cruise control or Autopilot systems are active, the car will often slam on the brakes and sound an alarm as if there going to be an imminent collision, even thought the lane is clear in front of the car. This happens most likely often when cresting small hills or on curves. There may be a car in coming in the opposing lane, but there is no danger as the opposing car is fully in their lane. The adapative cruise control or Autopilot system decreases the speed very quickly, often reducing the speed by 10-20mph within seconds. This causes panic for the driver and any cars behind us have to suddenly slam on their brakes, creating a dangerous situation. I own both a 2021 Tesla Model Y and a 2021 Model 3 that both have the Tesla Vision Camera based cruise/Autopilot/collision detection system. This problem has gotten worse as Tesla has released new firmware updates in recent months. Many Tesla owners are reporting that they are having the same issues recently. Tesla's response is that the systems are under development and that they will improve over time. The problem is that this is a safety issue NOW! They seem to be overly focused on developing and testing their full self driving systems that they are ignoring a huge safety flaw in their current cruise control and Autopilot systems.

On Monday November 22 at around 6:15 PM CST, I was driving my model Y and had Tesla's Full Self Driving Beta software engaged. A right banked curve on a two lane road in a rural area came up with a vehicle coming around the curve the opposite direction. The Model Y slowed slightly and began making the turn properly and without cause for concern. Suddenly, about 40% of the way through the turn, the Model Y straightened the wheel and crossed over the center line into the direct path of the oncoming vehicle. I reacted as quickly as I could, trying to pull the vehicle back into the lane. I really did not have a lot of time to react, so chose to override FSD by turning the steering wheel since my hands were already on the wheel and I felt this would be the fastest way to avoid a front overlap collision with the oncoming vehicle. When I attempted to pull the vehicle back into my lane, I lost control and skidded off into a ditch and through the woods, causing significant damage to the vehicle. I was able to retrieve the dashcam footage of this incident and it is attached here. I did analyze the footage myself briefly. You can see the vehicle leave the lane, and within about 10 frames, I had already begun pulling back into the lane before losing control and skidding off the road. Since this video is recorded at about 36 FPS, this would mean I reacted within 360ms of the lane departure. I understand it is my responsibility to pay attention and maintain control of the vehicle, which I agreed to when I enrolled in FSD beta. I was paying attention, but human reaction does not get much faster than this and I am not sure how I could have otherwise avoided this incident. I am thankful this was the outcome rather than a front overlap collision with the oncoming vehicle, which would have likely resulted in bodily injury. Tesla has confirmed that FSD beta was engaged, per the attached correspondence, but insists that this incident and the resulting accident are my responsibility.

I am experiencing phantom braking when using both the features listed below * Adaptive Cruise Control * Tesla Auto-Pilot I have experienced this safety issue when 1. I would be crusing on the road using either of these featuers. All of a sudden, and without warning, the car has applied brakes, even when there's no object / human in the same lane or attempting to come to the lane. 2. I'm cruising in the middle lane of a 3 lane highway, with no vehicles around. This has happened even when vehicles are following behind my car. 3. In both daylight and at night.

While driving my Tesla Model Y using cruise control, the vehicle will continuously brake suddenly for unknown reasons. In several instances, I was worried that the car following me would either hit my car or be forced to take other actions, possibly causing an accident. The system is dangerous and useless. When I contacted Tesla regarding my concern, they said something about the software program evolving…no fix available. I have had my Tesla Model Y in their service center three times and have had numerous phone conversations with them and their customer service department regarding this issue. They said they simply cannot do anything about it. Again, the cruise control system is extremely dangerous. Please require Tesla to resolve this problem immediately. Thank you.