general problems of the 2021 Tesla Model Y - part 1

I am filing this complaint regarding a serious front suspension failure involving my 2021 Tesla Model Y. Vehicle information: •manufacturer: Tesla, inc. •model: Model Y •model year: 2021 •VIN: [xxx] •mileage: 92,515 miles •Tesla service inspection date: xxx •service location: Tesla service center, [xxx] description of safety defect: my 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced a serious failure involving the front driver’s side lower control arm/lateral link assembly. The inner mounting bolt backed out and the lower control arm detached from its mounting point on the front subframe. The control arm bushing was torn, and the suspension arm became loose, rendering the vehicle unsafe and undrivable. The vehicle was taken to the Tesla service center in [xxx], where the issue was documented in the service estimate dated xxx. Tesla proposed replacing the front lower lateral links, front subframe assembly, left front lower compliance link, and right front halfshaft, along with performing a four-wheel alignment. Safety concerns: I am extremely concerned that a critical suspension mounting bolt could back out and allow the lower control arm to separate from the vehicle’s subframe. A failure of this nature could result in loss of steering control, wheel misalignment, or a serious accident, particularly if it occurs at highway speeds. This is not a routine suspension wear issue. It involves the separation of a critical suspension component that is essential for maintaining vehicle stability and steering control. Potential related recalls and investigation: I requested that Tesla review whether my vehicle is affected by the following recall or investigation references: •NHTSA recall 21v-835 •NHTSA recall 23v-235 •NHTSA recall 26v558 •Tesla service bulletin sb-26-31-004 •NHTSA investigation pe26006 see more info in attachment. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I was using my cars fsd program and it nearly turned me in front of an oncoming semi truck. This was after it hesitated to turn the car when it had a safer opportunity. I thought it would wait but then it started to turn and I had to stop it, which left me slightly out of my lane which was scary too, with a giant truck coming head on.

I brought the vehicle to a Tesla service center for a front suspension noise. During the alignment portion of that repair, the technician found a crack in the left side of the rear subframe casting, the structural member that locates the rear suspension links and supports the rear drive unit. The subframe required full replacement. There was no impact event. The vehicle has never struck a curb, pothole, or object, and Tesla's own written finding confirmed there was no evidence of any side impact. Tesla attributed the crack to stress transmitted from failed front lower control arm bushings, which were replaced at the same visit. The front lower lateral links and their subframe fasteners were also replaced during this repair. The Tesla technician stated he had not seen this subframe crack so severely at this mileage, and that he normally sees this failure only on vehicles over 100,000 miles, or vehicles that have hit severe potholes or fallen off steep curbs, none of which applies here. A rear subframe cracking under normal driving loads at 68,000 miles is a structural failure with safety implications. The subframe controls rear wheel alignment and retains the drive unit. Progressive or sudden failure could cause loss of alignment, instability, or loss of vehicle control. I am reporting this so NHTSA can determine whether premature rear subframe cracking, potentially linked to front suspension link failure, represents a defect trend on these vehicles.

My passenger rear door is completely broken and unsafe. While I am driving down the road, the car suddenly thinks the door is wide open (ajar) because the window won't roll up all the way. It triggers the car alarm to blast violently while I am actively driving, which is terrifying and distracting. When parked, the car won't lock, leaving it totally unsecured. I have paid Tesla $500 over three separate visits to fix this safety hazard, but their technicians have completely failed to fix it, and it keeps happening while the vehicle is in motion. I was told this is a known issue, but they still cannot fix it, there should be a recall in place for anyone else with this issue and Tesla should fix it without billing their customers.

I have a Tesla Model Y 2021 still under manufactures warranty. I received holes in radiator for cooling system from road debris ( small pebbles and dirt. ). This put a hole in my radiator and Tesla stated at an [xxx] Tesla service center the warranty does not cover road debris. I told them this is unreasonable because the design of the vents front of car are too big allowing small pebbles to hit the radiator. This is a design issue. Also I googled other Tesla owner"s having the same issue- yes- thousands of reports from individuals not from Tesla. Also, another issue the problem burned up 3 cooling system pumps and nerver recieved an alert of overheating stop car do not drive. The alert was car will reduce some features but still safe to drive. Service center was no help - just thats Tesla policy- bs. Now at this time on the new Tesla "s they are putting a mesh in front of radiator to protect from road debris. I searched for 3rd party grill for protection of my new radiator. Amazon has the s. S. Grill that just pops in front of existing grill $35. Oo. So Tesla knew they had problems long time ago and never recalled or repaired radiators for customers especially car under warranty. So in short Tesla did not fix a design issue - so third party designed grill to go over existing grill. Third party spent the time and money to design a Tesla design issue and they have sold thousands of them according to stores that sell the 3rd party grill. Also the software should of shut the car down before any damaged occured from overheating or at least said overheating alert! I am requesting that Tesla should have to make all customers whole for repairs on road debris on radiators and a recall to install the new type of grill over existing grill and update software to alert overheating. The radiator was inspected by Tesla service center and the 3 pumps. I still have the old parts in my possession after car was repaired. Tesla Model Y information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(.

I purchased a 2021 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [xxx] ) used directly from Tesla. I am the first retail owner outside of Tesla. I am currently experiencing a knocking noise from the driver side suspension. I have requested that Tesla inspect and complete the following federally mandated safety recalls and service bulletins, none of which appear in my vehicle’s service history: • NHTSA recall 21v-835 / sb-21-31-003 — front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen and separate from the sub-frame, causing instability and crash risk • NHTSA recall 21v-912 — suspension knuckles may fracture • sb-20-31-006 — front upper control arm ball joint reseal Tesla service has refused to perform these repairs free of charge, citing expired warranty (warranty expired April 5, 2025). Tesla’s response does not address that these are federal safety recalls, not warranty repairs. Federal law requires recall repairs to be performed free of charge regardless of warranty status, age, or mileage. Tesla has also failed to provide written documentation confirming whether these recalls were completed prior to selling me the vehicle. Instead, I have been redirected to a self-service VIN lookup tool and a general data privacy request form — neither of which confirms when, where, or whether the recall work was actually performed. I am requesting NHTSA investigate Tesla’s failure to complete these safety recalls prior to selling this vehicle to a retail customer, and their refusal to honor federal recall obligations. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Even after the recent recall for backup camera freezing, my backup camera froze again today. I took the car in, in the past, to report the problem and was told to reset the computer even after the technician witnessed the problem. Got charged $300 so haven't been back. Problem has been there for a couple of years. I had hoped the software update would fix it but no such luck.

This incident is related to full self driving feature in my Model Y. It abruptly stopped on the road even when there was no obstacle. Luckily there were no vehicles behind my car which would otherwise resulted in accident and injuries to myself and my family.

While my vehicle was operating under fsd, it ran a red light at the above intersection, resulting in an accident.

Incident date: April 11, 2026 approximate time: 6:30 pm component(s): unknown (suspected: electronic stability control, steering, adas) description of incident: on April 11, 2026, at approximately 6:30 pm, I was operating my Tesla Model Y on a highway with a self-driving mode engaged. I experienced what appeared to be a sudden, unintended acceleration combined with an erratic "zig-zag" steering pattern across multiple lanes. I am not certain of the technical cause, but the vehicle’s behavior felt like a loss of system control that was not initiated by me or the road conditions. I had to intervene immediately to prevent an accident. Post-incident actions and manufacturer contact: I have since contacted Tesla service, and while they confirmed that data for that date exists, my formal "privacy data" requests for those specific logs have come back empty or missing the relevant timeframe. Summary of concern: I am reporting this because I suspect a serious software or hardware malfunction occurred, though I do not have the technical diagnostic to confirm which system failed. The combination of the vehicle’s erratic movement and the subsequent difficulty in obtaining the data logs for this specific window of time leads me to believe there is a potential safety defect that requires investigation.

The rear camera has failed posing a safety issue when reversing the vehicle.

I own a 2021 Tesla Model Y with approximately 46,500 miles. The vehicle is currently displaying battery error code bms_a079, and the battery will only charge to approximately 30%, which severely limits the driving range and makes the vehicle unreliable for normal use. I reported this issue to Tesla on March 6, but the earliest service appointment available to me is March 17 at the Tesla service center in fayetteville, georgia. Because Tesla service centers are not widely available, I must travel to another city to have the vehicle inspected. The limited battery charge creates a difficult situation because I must determine how to get the vehicle safely to the service center with very restricted range. I may have to arrange towing or attempt to drive a vehicle that cannot fully charge. This issue has also created a hardship for my household. I have a toddler and normal daily responsibilities, including errands and transportation needs, but the vehicle cannot reliably be used due to the charging limitation. Being without dependable transportation for an extended period of time places families like mine in a very difficult position. This problem appears to be related to the vehicle’s battery management system and is not the result of driver misuse. Consumers should not be placed in situations where a major battery fault leaves them with limited transportation options while waiting extended periods for service, especially when service centers are not easily accessible.

Picked up car from Tesla service on 12/30/2025. On [xxx] at around [xxx] I had pressed the car break and suddenly accelerated and lead to crashing into the pole. I am concerned about the safety and if it is drivable. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Tesla's full self driving (fsd) stopped my car on trolley tracks today, and would have stayed on the tracks for a minute if I hadn't taken control and driven off the tracks. This occurred in downtown san diego, where the trolley (light rail) has many level street crossings. They are well marked. You are not supposed to enter the zone around the tracks until the vehicle ahead of you has moved far enough for you to be able to cross the tracks and get safely past them. I was using fsd. It drove my Tesla onto the tracks before the car ahead of me had given me room to get off the tracks. The line of traffic was stopped for a red light. I would not have been able to drive forward until the light changed, perhaps over a minute. So, I took over and manually drove the car into the adjacent lane, which luckily was empty, and off the tracks. If a train had come while fsd was still in control, this would have killed me, and perhaps other nearby people. There was no warning message or other indicator.

I parked my Tesla vehicle in a friend’s driveway. When I returned and opened the driver’s door, I entered the vehicle and attempted to put it into drive. At that point, the vehicle display went completely blank and the vehicle became inoperable. I then attempted to open the door from inside the vehicle, but the door would not open and I was unable to exit the car. I was effectively locked inside the vehicle. I contacted Tesla customer support and remained on the call for approximately 1. 5 hours before receiving assistance. Tesla customer support confirmed that the issue was caused by failure of the 12-volt battery. At the time of the incident, the outside temperature was below 0 degrees centigrade. The incident occurred in cedar rapids, iowa. There was no prior warning or notification from the vehicle or the Tesla mobile app indicating that the 12-volt battery was at risk of failure. The failure resulted in loss of vehicle function and inability to exit the vehicle, creating a serious safety concern.

I dropped my kids to school and started reversing the car without seatbelts. Thinking that I will get out of the parking lot and then put the seatbelt on. Car will stop and goes into park mode. Somehow I came out of the parking lot and about to put and drive again same thing. Car will go into park mode. Somehow I started coming out of the parking lot and took a pause. Same thing again car stops and goes into park mode. It was almost the car behind me about to hit. I guess this is a bug of the “hold” mode.

I am reporting a safety issue involving my 2021 Tesla Model Y. The vehicle recently displayed a “parking brake function degraded” warning. The car has only 91,000 miles and is approximately four years old, which is far too soon for a failure of a critical safety component such as the electronic parking brake. Please investigate whether this issue is part of a wider defect affecting Tesla Model Y vehicles. This should not occur on a relatively new car with moderate mileage.

?? immediate escalation: safety-related hv drive-system concern / diagnostic fee dispute / no loaner – urgent review needed VIN [xxx] I am requesting immediate escalation of a safety-related concern involving my 2021 Model Y (approx. 90,000 miles) currently assigned to the Tesla wilmington service center. The advisors (shelly & amanda) has stated the diagnostic fee will not be covered until after inspection, but the earliest inspection is October 22, and I’m being asked to drop off the vehicle now with no loaner or transportation support. This is a high-voltage drive-system concern that may fall under the drive unit limited warranty (valid through Feb 2029). The local team refuses to classify the case under warranty review or confirm transportation support, leaving me without safe mobility for weeks. Please escalate this to a corporate service manager or hv warranty specialist today and confirm: 1. That the diagnostic will be covered pending warranty review, and 2. That loaner or transportation support will be provided. I’ve been going back and forth with the wilmington team for a week, and this matter has not been resolved. Despite this being a safety concern and issue . I was told that that o would have to wait weeks to get this issue resolved. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Rear cameras and side cameras suddenly failed resulting in low visibility and severe blind spots increasing the chances of collision with other vehicles, people, etc. It is reproducible at the dealer and they are trying to fix the problem by replacing the computer. It can be inspected until dealer repairs the issue. The vehicle has only been inspected by the dealer. There was a warning on the screen starting that cameras are temporarily unavailable but camera function did not return after a week and brought to the dealer for repair.

- open rear passenger door and secured child in car seat. - try to open driver side rear passenger door - which would not open. - tried to open rear passenger door where child was in, and the door would not open. - car was powered off and none of the doors opened. - after approximately 5 minutes, front passenger door opened, and child was removed form the car through the front door. - requested roadside assistance with the diagnosis of 12v battery failure. - no warning that 12v battery was near end of life - software updated the previous night.

I was driving on the highway with my 2021 Model Y Tesla when control arm detached from the frame. Tesla said they could not confirm if it was covered on the warranty over the phone.

The main vehicle computer (mcu) failed. The problem first appeared in may 2024 with intermittent rear camera malfunctions. It has since worsened. Most recently (08/28/25), the center display went completely black and the vehicle became inoperable — I could not start or move it. This left me stranded in a dangerous neighborhood late at night and required the car to be towed. When the display fails, I lose access to the rear camera, climate controls (including defrost), and turn signal indicators. These are safety-critical systems, and in this case the failure also disabled the ability to drive the vehicle entirely. The problem has been reported to Tesla. They inspected the vehicle but claimed the earlier camera malfunction was unrelated to the current computer failure. No independent mechanic has inspected it. The failures are ongoing and reproducible. No warning lights or alerts appeared before the system shut down. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Being that this issue originally arose back in may, 2024- it should fall under Tesla’s warranty which expired in December 2024.

I noticed the windshield washer nozzle on the passenger side isn't either working or not there. I reached out to Tesla, and also stopped by a local dealership and they told me that it would cost me out of pocket, since it's out of warranty. Secondly, the left side driver repeater camera has a glare when turned at night time only. Which is quite dangerous due to very less visibility due to the glare of the turn signal light that causes the repeater camera to function properly. This is a on going known problem. I have reached out to Tesla for this matter. And I was advised that it would not be covered since it's not under warranty. This issue should be a recall that Tesla should fix. This isn't an issue caused by normal wear and tear it's a manufacturer defect.

After 4 years of ownership, the hv battery has failed. This has put the car at risk it stopped charging and without charging the car was no longer drivable. The battery was overheating the car was very hot the ac stopped working. This put the car at risk when drive the battery dropped significantly while driving. Yes we got it inspected they said that the battery is failing and needs to be replaced. I have a quote about the replacment parts. There was a message at the end that the battery was unable to charge.

Brake line failed at the left rear tire. Corroded line. The line is corroded on the right rear also. These are my observations. The brakes failed when driving locally at lower speeds so the car was able to eventually stop due to the regenerative braking. Will be towed to the dealer for inspection/repair. Inspection/repair will occur on sept. 15, 2025. No warning until after the failure.

There is a latch sensor open kept coming on. I have been to the Tesla dealership twice and nothing has been resolved.

Vehicle: 2021 Tesla Model Y VIN: 5yjygdee4mf122832 date of incident: 06/29/2025 on the afternoon of Sunday 06/29/2025, while my Tesla Model Y was parked at home and charged to approximately 80%, both my wife and I attempted to enter the vehicle to attend an important appointment. Upon approach, we found the car completely unresponsive — no power, no screen activity, and we were unable to start the vehicle or release the charging cable. Despite this, both front doors could still be manually opened. However, the frameless windows did not automatically lower as they normally would when opening and closing the doors, as a result, when we attempted to close the doors, both front door windows shattered, as the glass was unable to lower and collided with the door frame. This incident clearly resulted from a critical system failure that disabled essential safety and design functions. The vehicle was not damaged prior to this event, and there was no impact or external force involved. This malfunction rendered the vehicle inoperable and directly caused costly damage. I am requesting the following: a full investigation into the root cause of the power system failure immediate replacement of both shattered front windows at no cost a written explanation of what caused the vehicle to become unresponsive this issue raises serious concerns about vehicle safety and reliability, especially when essential functions like glass auto-drop are disabled without any warning, leaving the glass vulnerable to breakage. Hani amin.

I was driving slowly at a parking lot of a supermarket and preparing to park on my right. When I saw a car on my left front backing up, I pressed on the brake pedal immediately and turned the wheel slightly to the right. All of a sudden, the Tesla accelerated on its own with a very strong force and high speed, with the wheel turned sharply on its own toward the right. The Tesla then run through the steel fence of the parking lot, flying past the sidewalk, and finally settled on top of a big rock on the ground (which is placed there to protect the supermarket building). All of these happened so fast with such a strong force and all in an unintended manner. I was not injured and luckily no other persons or vehicles were involved. However, the vehicle was totalled and there were damage of the supermarket property.

The bolts connecting the front upper control arm and steering knuckle may not have been tightened properly, potentially leading to detachment.   this causes the car to have squeaky, leaking noises when going over bumps and making turns.

[xxx] , my [xxx] son, was strapped in his car seat, wide-eyed and confused, as we sat trapped in our Tesla for thirty agonizing minutes. The battery had died without warning, leaving us locked inside our own garage. No power, no way to open the doors. I tried to keep [xxx] calm, singing his favorite songs, but my heart raced as I called for help. A tow truck finally arrived and jumped the car—not enough juice to start the engine, but just enough to unlock the doors. Freedom at last. Tesla’s response? no roadside service; they insisted the car be towed to their service center. Easier said than done—the tow truck couldn’t maneuver it out of the garage. Frustration mounted as I realized I’d have to miss work. Days later, I drove to the service center, where they replaced the battery. But the ordeal wasn’t over. The trim was damaged during the chaos, and now every drive is accompanied by relentless wind noise, a constant reminder of that day. [xxx] still talks about being “stuck in the car,” and I can’t help but feel let down by a system that left us stranded. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

In may 2025, Tesla pushed an over-the-air (ota) software update overnight while the vehicle was parked. When the vehicle was started the following morning, the update had failed mid-process and stalled at approximately 50%. Immediately upon startup, the backup camera and navigation/maps stopped functioning. The vehicle has been unable to complete subsequent software updates since. Tesla service later inspected the vehicle and indicated that the main computer/ecu was stuck in a loop and required replacement. The backup camera and navigation loss occurred immediately following the ota update and persisted for several months despite multiple service attempts. Due to the vehicle’s rear design and limited rear window visibility, operating the vehicle in reverse without a functioning backup camera significantly impairs visibility. Even when using mirrors or physically turning to look backward, rearward visibility is restricted. As a result, the loss of backup camera functionality presents an ongoing, daily safety hazard during normal vehicle operation.

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the 12v battery failed unexpectedly, causing a complete shutdown of the vehicle. The car became fully inoperable—doors, windows, touchscreen, and manual override systems were unresponsive. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? my young child was inside the car at the time of the failure. Due to the system lockout, I was unable to open the doors or remove them from the vehicle. Emergency responders were called and had to break windows to safely extract my child. This situation posed a serious risk of heat exposure, panic, and injury. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? the failure has been documented and attributed to a dead 12v battery, though Tesla has not formally inspected the vehicle as of this writing. I am working to have it evaluated by a qualified technician to confirm the cause. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? the vehicle was not inspected by Tesla at the time of the incident. Emergency responders did assess the situation on site. I plan to notify my insurance provider, and will make the vehicle available for inspection. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no. There were no alerts, notifications, or warning lights indicating the 12v battery was low or nearing failure. The malfunction occurred without warning.

Tesla refuses to clear this recall, despite the software having been rolled out via over-the-air updates years ago. I now have to sell my vehicle because I'm unable to import it to canada.

The heat pump stopped working twice, which requires a trip to the service center and the repair to restore function is a minimum of $3,000. The vehical has no heat at all, no defrost, no cabin heat nothing! this defect happens in the coldest parts of winter and leaves the owner stranded wherever this occurs. The first time was at 52,000 miles. It wouldn't turn on. The heat pump seized. The second time was on a trip, it blow out all the freon and stopped working in waterloo, iowa. I was 4 hours from home and it was -4f outside. The car had 136,000 miles. Many others have had heat pumps go out in the same situation. . . Dead of winter. The repair is $3,000 to get heat back into the car. The heat pumpscare clearly defective or not big enough and are destroying themselves every other winter in minnesota. This is 1. Dangerous because you can't defrost your windshield. 2. You cold freeze to death in very cold conditions. 3. A very expensive repair pn a part that should last mire than a 1 or 2 years. Home heat pumpsvlast 10- 24 years!!.

The pedestrian warning system and horn are speakers in newer Tesla's. The speaker is in the front right ahead of the wheel facing down towards the road. When it is raining or snowing, rain or snow get lodged into the speaker and it is completely inaudible. I stood 4 feet away from my vehicle and had someone honk the horn and couldn't hear anything at all. This is very dangerous. The pedestrian warning system is complexly inaudible also. Issue persists for approx. 2 days after rain. If it continues to rain for several days, the horn does not work the entire time. I have contacted Tesla support and they state there is nothing they can do to fix it since it is how it was designed.