2021 Tesla Model Y problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 1,076 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Tesla Model Y, filed between 2020-11-25 and 2026-09-24. The most common problem areas are the forward collision avoidance (577, 54%), service brakes (177, 16%) and vehicle speed control (161, 15%). Owners reported 87 crashes, 6 fires, 25 injuries and 4 deaths in these complaints. NHTSA lists 23 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2021 Tesla Model Y complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 577 | 54% | 31 | 2 | 5 |
| Service brakes | 177 | 16% | 17 | 0 | 10 |
| Vehicle speed control | 161 | 15% | 19 | 1 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 146 | 14% | 13 | 2 | 11 |
| Unknown or other | 136 | 13% | 20 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 93 | 9% | 10 | 1 | 6 |
| Suspension | 75 | 7% | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 74 | 7% | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 42 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 32 | 3% | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Power train | 30 | 3% | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 27 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back over prevention | 26 | 2% | 9 | 1 | 2 |
| Air bags | 23 | 2% | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| Seats | 20 | 2% | 1 | 0 | 1 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Forward collision avoidance: 577 complaints
- 577 complaints of 1,076 (54%) name the forward collision avoidance — forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
- 129 of them also name the service brakes; owners reported 31 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries and 2 deaths in these complaints.
- 3 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2021 Tesla Model Y; the latest, campaign 24V153000, says: “A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.”
Service brakes: 177 complaints
- 177 complaints of 1,076 (16%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 129 of them also name the forward collision avoidance; owners reported 17 crashes and 10 injuries in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2021 Tesla Model Y; the recall, campaign 21V387000, says: “The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.”
Vehicle speed control: 161 complaints
- 161 complaints of 1,076 (15%) name the vehicle speed control — cruise control and accelerator/throttle control.
- 129 of them also name the forward collision avoidance; owners reported 19 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Tesla Model Y covers this system.
Electrical system: 146 complaints
- 146 complaints of 1,076 (14%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 21 of them also name the forward collision avoidance; owners reported 13 crashes, 2 fires, 11 injuries and 1 death in these complaints.
- 7 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2021 Tesla Model Y; the latest, campaign 24V051000, says: “An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.”
Steering: 93 complaints
- 93 complaints of 1,076 (9%) name the steering — the steering wheel, column, gear and power-steering assist.
- 24 of them also name the suspension; owners reported 10 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2021 Tesla Model Y; the recall, campaign 23V085000, says: “The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled…”
Suspension: 75 complaints
- 75 complaints of 1,076 (7%) name the suspension — springs, shocks and struts, control arms and ball joints.
- 24 of them also name the steering; owners reported 5 crashes and 1 fire in these complaints.
- 2 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2021 Tesla Model Y; the latest, campaign 21V912000, says: “The front and rear suspension knuckles may fracture, causing the suspension links to separate.”
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 131 |
| 2022 | 488 |
| 2023 | 170 |
| 2024 | 93 |
| 2025 | 91 |
| 2026 | 97 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names MODEL Y, MODEL Y 5-SEAT, MODEL Y 5-SEAT, MODEL Y 7-SEAT, model year 2021. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2021 Tesla Model Y recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2021 Tesla Model Y's most common problem areas are the forward collision avoidance (577 of 1,076 complaints), service brakes (177 of 1,076 complaints) and vehicle speed control (161 of 1,076 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2021 Tesla Model Y have?
NHTSA has 1,076 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Tesla Model Y, including 87 reported crashes and 6 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Tesla Model Y's problems?
NHTSA lists 23 recalls for the 2021 Tesla Model Y; 5 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.