2023 Tesla Model Y

1,168 complaints on file, page 1 of 59.

1. Filed Oct 1, 2026Failure Oct 1, 2026Murrieta, CAUnknown or other, Wheels

   This is a brand new car when I bought it in 2023. I found the arm controls are damaged when replacing my tires.

   NHTSA complaint 11768333
2. Filed Sep 30, 2026Failure Sep 24, 2026San Jose, CASuspension

   I am reporting a front suspension mechanical failure on my 2023 Tesla Model Y. The vehicle developed a clunking/clicking noise from the left-front/front suspension area, most noticeable when turning the steering wheel at low speeds or while stationary. The noise was first noticed around December 2025. It was intermittent, more pronounced in colder temperatures and after the vehicle had been parked for an extended period. It sometimes also occurred during larger steering inputs after driving straight for a while. The vehicle had previously needed wheel alignment correction, including abnormal left-front alignment values. I took the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center. A Tesla technician reproduced the noise and inspected the front suspension. The final repair record states: "Technician verified a clunk from the front when steering back and forth at low speeds. Inspection of the front suspension indicated loose lateral links or worn bushings, and subframe nuts were broken." Tesla replaced the following parts under the Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty at no charge: - Front subframe assembly (P/N 1044531-00-C) - Front lower lateral link assembly, pair (P/N 1188341-00-C) - Front lower compliance link assembly, RH (P/N 2188359-10-B) and LH (P/N 2188354-10-B) - Associated bolts and nuts Tesla also checked and adjusted the four-wheel alignment, followed by a post-repair validation test drive. This was not a subjective noise complaint. The fault was physically reproduced by the technician and confirmed by disassembly and inspection, which found broken subframe nuts and loose/worn lateral link bushings, requiring replacement of the entire front subframe and both front lower suspension link pairs. No crash, fire, injury, or component separation occurred. I am concerned that had this connection continued to deteriorate, it could have affected front suspension geometry and vehicle control. I request that NHTSA include this case in any related safety defect investigation.

   NHTSA complaint 11768167
3. Filed Sep 27, 2026Failure Sep 26, 2026Sunnyvale, CASuspension

   During a highway drive, I heard a loud noise from the front of the car, as if something had fallen off. It turned out that the fasteners for the front suspension lateral link had loosened and fallen off. I was really scared and went to dealer service center right away. Technician found the front lower lateral link bolts on the passenger side have become unsecured and required updated hardware with thread lock applied to bolts. Recommending replacement of lower lateral link and hardware. This was really scary moment in my life.

   NHTSA complaint 11767311
4. Filed Sep 27, 2026Failure Sep 2, 2026Katy, TXSuspension

   At approximately 62,600 miles, my 2023 Tesla Model Y developed a creaking noise from the front suspension during low-speed turning, especially when turning right. Tesla inspected the vehicle and found that the front suspension bushings were cracked and torn. Tesla recommended and performed replacement of the front lower lateral links and front lower compliance links. The vehicle was repaired at my expense. Tesla advised that the worn suspension components could have been the source of the noise.

   NHTSA complaint 11767232
5. Filed Sep 27, 2026Failure Aug 18, 2025Princeton Junction, NJUnknown or other

   When the Tesla Model Y 2023 was drove on highway during heavy rain, the bumper came out and the driver unnoticed till the public warned that bumper came out. There is no indication and caused $2000 to fix as the insurance company claimed that it is a natural cause and driver has to pay the repair price.

   NHTSA complaint 11767226
6. Filed Sep 23, 2026Failure May 15, 20249,149 milesWestwood, NJElectrical system, Steering

   The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was determined that the front lateral link assembly and full body suspension needed to be replaced. While a USB cord was connected to the USB port, the USB cord overheated and almost burned out due to a battery surcharge, and the air was leaking into the front passenger’s side door. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left turn at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff and failed to turn as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the trunk door latch was rusted and the front windshield wipers activated independently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,149.

   NHTSA complaint 11766380
7. Filed Sep 23, 2026Failure Aug 27, 2026Stockton, CADoor, Interior, Windshield

   See attached document for complaint.

   NHTSA complaint 11766342
8. Filed Sep 23, 2026Failure Sep 23, 2026Dawsonville, GASteering, Suspension

   While driving and making a left turn the wheels pulled hard to the left and a major grinding noise started and at the same time the steering wheel locked up. I was just shy of crashing into a curb area and sitting in oncoming traffic lane. I pulled on the steering wheel and it broke free but still had a grinding noise and this happens a handful of times. I took to Tesla service and they said the lower steering link was completely hanging free. No advance notice just major failure.

   NHTSA complaint 11766338
9. Filed Sep 22, 2026Failure Sep 22, 2026Fulshear, TXAir bags, Seat belts

   Recurring 'Front passenger safety restraint system fault' warning on 2023 Tesla Model Y. The fault has appeared 5 times: July 2024, November 2024, December 2024, August 2025, and September 2026. The vehicle was serviced by Tesla after each of the earlier occurrences, but the fault keeps returning. This is a safety concern because the front passenger restraint system (airbag/seat belt) may not function correctly in a crash.

   NHTSA complaint 11766257
10. Filed Sep 22, 2026Failure Sep 13, 2026Leander, TXElectrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes

    On September 13, 2026, my 2023 Tesla Model Y (13,300 miles) displayed a High Voltage System alert stating the vehicle may not restart and service was required. I brought the vehicle to the Tesla Service Center for diagnosis. The technician found the alert occurred when the brake pedal was applied and identified electromagnetic interference affecting signal integrity in that circuit. On September 17, 2026, a ferrite suppressor was installed to address the interference, and the technician noted the alert cleared. He advised that if the concern returned, replacement of the CHMSL (Center High Mount Stop Lamp) may be required. The same day I picked up the vehicle after this repair, the High Voltage System alert recurred. Both occurrences happened while the vehicle was operating under Full Self-Driving (FSD), not under manual braking. My foot was not on the brake pedal either time. This detail was not accounted for in the original diagnosis, which was based on manual pedal actuation as the trigger. I have raised this discrepancy with Tesla and requested a re-diagnosis based on FSD-commanded brake actuation, including review of vehicle logs for both incident timestamps. My safety concern is that the alert explicitly warns the vehicle may not restart, and the underlying cause has not yet been correctly identified, since the initial repair did not resolve the issue and failed the same day. The vehicle and its diagnostic logs are available for inspection upon request. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the Tesla Service Center (two visits, same fault). It has not been inspected by NHTSA, police, or insurance. No warning lamps or symptoms were noted prior to the first occurrence on September 13, 2026.

    NHTSA complaint 11766118
11. Filed Sep 21, 2026Failure Sep 21, 2026Orlando, FLAssist

    I run FSD 96% of the time. It’s so good that I get somewhat complacent. That’s not a character flaw. That’s what a reliable system does to people. The failure mode is simple. Car is holding a curve. Foot accidently brushes the brake. Autosteer disengages. Assist steering torque goes to zero. Wheel unloads. At speed the path goes straight, worst cases, into barrier, pole, or oncoming lane. A heavy Tesla in that geometry is ugly. Tesla’s answer is always the same: the driver disengaged, so it’s not on us. The accident is losing lateral control because of another control (braking) that should only change speed. Brake pedal grazes are easy and inevitable. I can recover a braking event. But I may not recover an instant straight-line on a bend if my hands weren’t on the wheel. Simple fix: Disengage traction but don’t have FSD disengage AutoSteer until I force the wheel. That way FSD knows I have control instead of only assuming that. I love FSD but always feel there is a suicide/killer stick just inches away from my feet. To answer your question, there is no component failure and safety risk is obvious. I can reproduce the scenario by simply tapping the brake on a curve and feel the wheel try to jerk out of my hands. Tesla acknowledges that this is the way the system was designed: complete instant manual takeover. The normal FSD disengagement tone rings. But that is too little, too late for a surprised driver.

    NHTSA complaint 11765779
12. Filed Sep 21, 2026Failure Sep 14, 2026Alpharetta, GAWarnings, Visibility/wiper

    The windshield fogs up in front of the front facing camera. It can get dirty such that it is not just a matter of waiting for it to defog. During this time the self driving feature is impaired. The camera should be sealed to the window such that it can not fog up on the inside. The date of incident is the day tesla technician cleaned my camera and I learned how fragile this system is.

    NHTSA complaint 11765732
13. Filed Sep 20, 2026Failure Sep 18, 2026Winchester, MASteering

    On September 18, 2026, at approximately 7:30 PM, I was driving a 2023 Tesla Model Y with approximately 31,187 miles. While traveling at low speed and making a slow right-hand turn on a winding, heavily trafficked, single-lane section of roadway, the steering suddenly became functionally unusable and I could no longer safely steer the vehicle. At the same time, multiple active warning messages appeared on the vehicle display. They included: GTW_w075 – “Steering assist reduced – Steering may require increased effort” GTW_w074 – “Steering assist reduced – Steering may require increased effort” APP_w264 – Lane Departure Avoidance features unavailable DI_a246 – Automatic vehicle hold disabled APP_w009 – Automatic Emergency Braking is unavailable. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop. I then powered the vehicle down, waited several minutes, and restarted it in an attempt to restore normal steering. The steering problem did not resolve and the vehicle remained unsafe to drive. This was not a brief or temporary issue. The vehicle could not be safely driven and ultimately had to be towed by Tesla Roadside Assistance to a Tesla Service Center. I am reporting this incident because the sudden loss or substantial reduction of usable steering assistance while the vehicle was being driven created a serious safety risk. Had the same failure occurred at highway speed, during a lane change, or in circumstances where the vehicle could not be safely stopped, the consequences could have been much more serious.

    NHTSA complaint 11765617
14. Filed Sep 19, 2026Failure Sep 13, 2026West haven, CTAir bags, Body, Unknown or otherCrashFire1 injured

    The Autopilot/Active Safety sensor system and automated emergency braking (AEB) component failed. The vehicle experienced an uncommanded, severe "phantom braking" event and simultaneous steering lock. The vehicle is currently [State if it is at a tow yard, repair shop, or totaled, e.g., at an insurance-designated salvage yard] and is available for inspection upon request.

    NHTSA complaint 11765505
15. Filed Sep 15, 2026Failure Sep 5, 202675,000 milesSomerset, NJAutonomous/self driving

    The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged, fog and mist obstructed the cameras, causing the FSD feature to disengage. A message to "Take Full Control of the Vehicle" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure was recurring. The contact expressed concern that the cameras required heating technology to prevent fog and mist obstruction. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11764357
16. Filed Sep 15, 2026Failure Sep 13, 2026Seattle, WAAdaptive cruise control, Vehicle speed control

    Tesla cruise control removed the speed limit functionality as part of its cruise control. I cannot set a maximum speed for the car. Nor can I set a minimum speed for the car. Tesla removed these features through a software update with their autopilot V14. I believe the vehicle is unsafe for myself and others as it does not allow me to set the speed using Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC). Tesla is intentionally removing this feature.

    NHTSA complaint 11764319
17. Filed Sep 14, 2026Failure Sep 10, 2026Baltimore, MDElectrical system, Adaptive cruise control, Assist

    2023 Tesla Model Y – HW3 Autopilot computer/camera system failure My 2023 Tesla Model Y has approximately 54,000 miles and is equipped with the Tesla Hardware 3 (HW3) Autopilot computer. After receiving Tesla's FSD v14 Lite software, the vehicle began intermittently losing camera-based driver-assistance functionality. I observed an APP_w141 ECU Thermal Issue alert. The vehicle subsequently experienced APS_w134_appMia and APS_w135_appCritical alerts indicating that the Autopilot Processor Secondary was losing communication with and detecting a malfunction of the Autopilot Processor Primary. When the problem occurs, camera/vision functions and driving visualization become unavailable or degraded, and the vehicle has reported Self-Driving Features Limited, Cruise Control Unavailable, Adaptive Headlight Features Unavailable, and other driver-assistance limitations. In Tesla Service Mode I have documented the primary Autopilot processor repeatedly changing between INIT, CRITICAL and COREBOOT while the secondary processor remains NOMINAL. A DAS reset can temporarily restore communication, but the failure returns. Tesla has proposed replacing the entire HW3 car computer at a cost of approximately $3,120. I am concerned that this may represent a safety-related HW3 computer failure, particularly because I observed an ECU thermal alert and because the failure removes multiple camera-based driver-assistance and safety functions. I have photographs documenting the alerts and processor states and have an open Tesla service case.

    NHTSA complaint 11764244
18. Filed Sep 13, 2026Failure Sep 2, 2026flower mound, TXSuspension

    The driver's side lower lateral link assembly and half shaft failed and made the car undrivable. The front driver's side wheel turned in and would not straighten out. My wife drove the car on the highway where she could have seriously injured herself or someone else when the car started to show signs of distress. The Tesla dealer confirmed this problem and fixed the hazard. The car has only 52, 327 miles at the time so Tesla refused to cover the failure. I know this is a known issue and Tesla didn't help with the expense. There was zero warning messages prior to failure. The car started to make a knocking sound in the late afternoon and finally broke down that same night.

    NHTSA complaint 11763886
19. Filed Sep 13, 2026Failure Aug 22, 2026Ashburn, VAUnknown or other

    My Tesla Y/2023 with approximately 43462 miles, developed a center-touchscreen crack that meets the lower edge without any known impact or misuse . Visibility is not affected and screen remains functional. I noticed it on Aug 22 2026. I am concerned about further cracking and possible loss of access to vehicle information or controls. I request review for a potential safety-related defect. The cause has not been determined. Tesla initially provided a $0 warranty estimate, later revised the replacement to customer-pay, and requested a $235 diagnostic authorization. I request that NHTSA review whether this could indicate a glass, mounting or manufacturing-related safety defect affecting other vehicles.

    NHTSA complaint 11763881
20. Filed Sep 12, 2026Failure Aug 21, 2026Lafayette, CAWheels

    Three of my TPM batteries went out so I had all 4 replaced. The tires were almost brand new with absolutely no issues besides the warning light from the faulty TPM’s. When I got my car back, all 4 tires were leaking air and caused me to have to refill them daily. I have been trying for 3 weeks to have Tesla fix it and they only give me excuses and pass blame. My car is now unsafe to drive when it was fine before I brought it in.

    NHTSA complaint 11763811