CarRecallWatchThe 2021 Tesla Model Y has 23 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 1,096 complaints with NHTSA, including 90 crashes, 6 fires, 26 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Forward Collision Avoidance (854 reports).
2021 Tesla Model Y recalls
Headlights Too Bright, Can Dazzle Oncoming Drivers
Certain Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may have low beam headlights that are brighter than federal limits allow.
Delayed Rearview Camera Image Raises Backover Crash Risk
Certain Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles running software version 2026.8.6 may show the rearview camera image late after the vehicle is shifted into reverse.
Tire Pressure Warning May Not Stay On, Hiding Low Tire Pressure
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not stay lit between drive cycles.
Hood May Open While Driving, Blocking View
Certain Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles may have a hood latch assembly that fails to detect when the hood has not been fully latched after being opened.
Seat belt warning may not sound for unbelted driver
Some Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may have a seat belt warning light and chime that do not activate as intended when the driver is unbelted.
Muted pedestrian alert sounds can raise crash risk
A factory reset can mute the Pedestrian Warning System sounds on certain Tesla Model S, Model 3, and Model X vehicles.
Dashboard brake and ABS warning text too small to read easily
The instrument panel on these Tesla vehicles displays the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights in an incorrect font size.
Driver Misuse Risk With Autosteer Driver-Assist Feature
This recall covers vehicles with Autosteer, an SAE Level 2 driver-assistance feature.
Software may let vehicle run intersections or exceed speed limits
Certain Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta software, or with that software pending installation, may act unsafely around intersections.
Taillights May Intermittently Fail to Light Up
Certain 2020-2023 Tesla Model Y and 2023 Model 3 vehicles may have one or both taillights that intermittently fail to illuminate.
Power Windows May Pinch Occupants and Injure Them
Certain Tesla vehicles may have a power window automatic reversal system that does not react correctly after detecting an obstruction.
Cameras May Miss Objects, Raising Crash Risk
Some cameras in these vehicles were wired incorrectly at the factory.
External speaker can drown out pedestrian warning sounds
Certain Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles from model years 2017 through 2022 have a Boombox feature that can play sounds through the external speaker while the vehicle is moving.
External speaker can drown out EV pedestrian warning sounds
Certain Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles have a Boombox feature that can play sound through an external speaker while the car is moving.
Software glitch may reduce windshield defrosting and visibility
A software error can cause a heat pump valve to open unintentionally, trapping refrigerant inside the evaporator.
Seat Belt Chime May Not Sound, Raising Injury Risk
Certain Tesla vehicles may not sound the audible seat belt reminder chime when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt.
Vehicles May Roll Through All-Way Stops, Raising Crash Risk
Certain Tesla vehicles equipped with the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the "rolling stop" function to take the vehicle through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a complete stop.
Suspension Knuckles May Crack, Causing Loss of Control
Certain 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles may have front or rear suspension knuckles that can fracture.
False Braking Alerts Could Cause Sudden Stops
Some Tesla vehicles from 2017 to 2019 may have a communication error in their forward collision avoidance system.
Front suspension bolts may loosen, risking crash
Certain Tesla vehicles may have front suspension lateral link fasteners that loosen over time.
Loose Brake Caliper Bolts Can Damage Tires and Raise Crash Risk
Some Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may have loose brake caliper bolts.
Rear Seat Belts May Not Hold Properly in a Crash
Some 2019-2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles may have one or both fasteners that secure the left and right second-row seat belt retractors improperly attached.
Front seat belt fasteners may be loose, raising injury risk
Some Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may have one or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the B-pillar improperly attached.
Most common 2021 Tesla Model Y problems
Problem areas named in the 1,096 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 854 |
| Service Brakes | 177 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 162 |
| Electrical System | 154 |
| Unknown Or Other | 141 |
| Lane Departure | 98 |
| Steering | 97 |
| Suspension | 81 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 45 |
| Structure | 34 |
What owners report
On XXX (4:59 PM and 5:47 PM) and XXX (7:49 AM), while driving, my 2021 Tesla Model Y (approx. 41,500 miles) displayed "Steering assist reduced" (UI_a020), each followed within about a minute by "Lane Departure Avoidance unavailable" (APP_w264). [Add if true: The steering felt noticeably heavier when the alert appeared.] The vehicle's 12V system tested healthy in Service Mode (13.32 V, DC-DC output normal). Tesla Service ([XXX]; service SV02F94980) diagnosed an Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) rack motor control error with limited power output from overheat or overload protection. On XXX, at 41,788 miles, Tesla replaced the steering gear (part 1188832-00-B), along with the front low
My 2021 Tesla Model Y (Autopilot Hardware 3) had a malfunction of its camera system and automatic windshield wipers after an over-the-air software update. The update was version 2026.38.5.1, which included FSD (Supervised) v14.3 Lite, and it installed on Oct 17. The vehicle had no problems with these systems before the update. After the update, the rearview camera did not display when shifting into reverse, the passenger side rear camera feeds stopped working, the automatic wipers did not activate in rain. Teslaâs automatic wipers depend on the vehicleâs cameras rather than a separate rain sensor, so both failures point to the camera or Autopilot computer system. Safety risk: Without a
On [XXX], between approximately [XXX] and [XXX] AM, I was driving my 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range (VIN: [XXX]) with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) engaged, software version v14.3 Lite, on the southbound [XXX] frontage road at [XXX]. The road has five lanes in my direction, and only the leftmost lane is a left-turn lane. I was in the third lane from the left, and the navigation route required a left turn onto [XXX] at the upcoming intersection. FSD waited until the last moment to change lanes. The light turned red before it could complete the lane change, and the vehicle stopped straddling two lanes, still not in the left-turn lane. I expected FSD to continue straight and reroute. Instead,
On XXX, at approximately 10:21 PM, my wife was driving our 2021 Tesla Model Y at low speed (about 7 mph) through the front roundabout of a school in [XXX]. She reports that the vehicle then accelerated rapidly on its own to approximately 35 mph and struck a fence and a tree. She states she did not command this acceleration and attempted to slow the vehicle. The airbags deployed and the vehicle was totaled. She was evaluated at an emergency room and released with no serious injuries. We obtained Tesla's Incident Data Report for the crash. Tesla's data indicates the accelerator pedal was applied up to 100% in the final seconds, which the driver disputes. The data also shows the accelerator re
Subject: Front suspension failure and wheel detachment â 2021 Tesla Model Y Vehicle: 2021 Tesla Model Y VIN: [XXX] My wife's 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced a serious failure involving the front-right suspension, resulting in the wheel detaching from the vehicle. Following the incident, we observed a disconnected suspension arm at its mounting point and recovered a loose fastener. We understand that another fastener associated with the connection was already missing. We have photographs documenting the detached suspension connection and the recovered fastener. We are concerned that this failure may involve a safety-related defect in the front suspension mounting hardware. We request tha
2021 Tesla Model Y questions
Does the 2021 Tesla Model Y have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 23 safety recalls for the 2021 Tesla Model Y: Headlights Too Bright, Can Dazzle Oncoming Drivers; Delayed Rearview Camera Image Raises Backover Crash Risk; Tire Pressure Warning May Not Stay On, Hiding Low Tire Pressure; Hood May Open While Driving, Blocking View; Seat belt warning may not sound for unbelted driver. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
Based on 1,096 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Forward Collision Avoidance (854), Service Brakes (177), Vehicle Speed Control (162).
How do I check if a recall on my 2021 Tesla Model Y has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.