general problems of the 2026 Tesla Model Y

The high volatage heat pumps stopped working after 3 months and they left me without a loaner or credit for transportation.

While driving my 2026 Tesla Model Y in June 2026, the vehicle suddenly applied steering input on its own and began swerving left and right even though there were no obstacles in the road. I was driving on a straight section of roadway, centered in my lane, when the steering wheel started moving by itself as if the lane keeping system and steering were confused. I had to fight the wheel in both directions to keep the car from veering toward the curb and toward the adjacent lane. It felt like struggling against another person at the wheel. Fortunately there were no vehicles directly beside me at that moment, so I was able to avoid a collision, but this behavior could easily cause an accident for a typical driver. This incident is part of an ongoing pattern of safety issues with this vehicle. Since late 2025, I have experienced multiple events where the car fails to respond to the accelerator after shifting into drive and behaves as if it is in neutral until I shift back to park and then into drive again including a complete loss of propulsion while driving in moderate traffic. Tesla has already performed recall repairs on the battery/battery contactors and multiple diagnostic visits for intermittent loss of propulsion and steering concerns, but the problems continue. I am filing this complaint because I believe there is a serious defect involving the steering, propulsion system, and lane keeping driver assist systems that could cause loss of control and a crash.

This is reference my existing odi number 11742309. On June 4, 2026, while driving slowly into a parking space, the vehicle experienced a sudden and unintended acceleration. I applied the brake, but the vehicle did not respond as commanded, resulting in a collision. The vehicle was approximately 3 months old at the time of this incident.

On xxx at approximately 9:30am, my 2026 Tesla Model Y suddenly accelerated without driver input while parking at the center at [xxx], [xxx]. Vehicle surged forward unexpectedly. I immediately applied brakes. No warning messages appeared before or during the incident. Vehicle struck parking lot curb. Police responded and vehicle was towed. Physical evidence including tire drag marks and vehicle debris remain at scene. Requesting full edr data log preservation. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I purchased a new 2026 Tesla Model Y standard and took delivery on approximately 30 may 2026. Within the first week of ownership, the vehicle displayed multiple safety-related warnings, including: * steering assist reduced * power braking assist reduced * automatic emergency braking unavailable * lane departure avoidance features unavailable * automatic vehicle hold disabled the warnings have occurred more than once. They initially disappeared and then returned on a later drive. Both incidents occurred while the vehicle was operating with full self-driving (fsd) engaged. During the most recent occurrence, while parking at less than 3 mph, the vehicle’s braking assistance appeared reduced and the brake pedal required significantly more effort than normal. As a result, I nearly struck a curb because the vehicle did not slow as expected. The warnings indicated that increased steering and braking effort may be required. Because the vehicle is brand new and these warnings involve steering, braking, and collision-avoidance systems, I believe this creates a significant safety risk. I no longer feel the vehicle is safe to drive until it is inspected and repaired. Tesla has been notified and a service request has been initiated.

The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, with the autopilot feature engaged, the vehicle approached a lane closure as big, metal arrow road signs where on the road indicating the road closure. The contact, who was distracted at the time, expected the vehicle to acknowledge the road closure and switch lanes. The vehicle failed to recognize the chevron barricade lights on the highway and the vehicle ran through the road signs without warning. The contact was forced to take over and stop the vehicle due to the failure. Due to the failure, the front, driver side mirror detached from the vehicle. The contact exited the highway and inspected the damage to the vehicle. Despite the failure, the contact managed to drive the vehicle home. The service center was notified of the failure and an appointment was made to have the damages repaired. The cause of the failure had yet to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

Tesla 2026 Model Y was involved in a severe motor vehicle accident directly caused by a critical software and/or hardware malfunction of Tesla’s full self-driving (fsd) system. At the time of the incident, the vehicle’s full self-driving (supervised) software suite was actively engaged and driving the vehicle. While navigating, the system suffered an abrupt and uncommented control malfunction. Despite prompt attention, the autonomous system executed an erratic, uncorrectable maneuver that overrode human intervention thresholds, completely failed to respond safely to the immediate driving environment, and directly caused a collision.

I am reporting a recurring and unresolved electrical/safety issue with my new Tesla Model Y. The issue has occurred 5 times within the past 4 weeks and affects multiple systems simultaneously. When the issue occurs: * the air conditioning stops working completely. * the driver-side front and rear windows cannot be rolled down or up. * the driver seat adjustment may not function properly. The problem appears intermittently. It may disappear temporarily and then return hours or days later. Tesla service has inspected the vehicle multiple times, but the issue continues to recur. This creates a significant safety concern because: * the driver window may not function during rain or emergencies. * the ac may fail during extremely hot weather. * the driver seat may not adjust properly, potentially affecting safe vehicle operation and driver visibility. * the intermittent nature of the failure makes the vehicle unpredictable and unreliable to operate safely. The issue has not been permanently resolved despite repeated service visits. I am concerned there may be a broader electrical or control system defect affecting vehicle safety.

I took delivery of a brand new Tesla Model Y today in austin, texas. Within less than two hours of delivery, the vehicle experienced two separate and serious failures while driving. During the first incident, the vehicle suddenly stopped in the middle of the road without any warning while I was driving. The vehicle became completely unresponsive and came to a stop in active traffic. I immediately contacted Tesla service for assistance. The representative advised me not to worry and stated that the vehicle likely came to a safe stop location and that there appeared to be no issue since the system had recovered. I was told the vehicle was safe to continue driving. However, this information did not reflect what actually occurred. The vehicle had stopped in the middle of an active roadway, not in a safe location. After the system temporarily became operable again, I continued driving as instructed. However, during a second drive shortly after, the exact same issue occurred again within approximately 10–15 minutes, this time on a much larger and heavily trafficked road. When the vehicle stopped both times, it became completely electronically controlled and unresponsive. There was no manual way to move or safely reposition the vehicle. I was stranded in the middle of moving traffic on a major road, unable to control or move the car in any way. I felt that my life was in danger due to the inability to regain control or remove the vehicle from traffic. Both incidents occurred on the same day of delivery within a very short time frame, making the vehicle completely unreliable and unsafe to operate. At least one of the incidents occurred while using self-driving features. Due to the repeated failures, the severe safety risk, and the incorrect reassurance provided during the first incident, I no longer feel safe operating this vehicle. I am requesting a buyback or refund rather than repair, as this issue occurred immediately after delivery and represents a critical safety conce.

I am reporting multiple safety-related failures with my Tesla Model Y, purchased December 18, 2025. Within four months of ownership, the vehicle has experienced escalating issues: on April 19, 2026, while driving approximately 70 mph on a freeway in heavy rain, the vehicle suddenly lost power and decelerated to approximately 20 mph. Multiple safety systems became unavailable simultaneously, including automatic emergency braking, traction control, stability control, and vehicle hold. I was able to pull to the side of the road, but the vehicle would not restart and required towing. This created a dangerous situation and significantly compromised my ability to safely control the vehicle. On April 9, 2026, a rear seatbelt unlatched under braking while in use. This is a serious safety concern, as the passenger was not properly restrained and had to brace themselves. On February 10, 2026, the vehicle experienced repeated software failures causing lockouts. In one incident, I was locked out while my [xxx] child was inside the vehicle. On January 2, 2026, the vehicle required service for a cracked window shortly after delivery. The vehicle has been taken in for service multiple times, and although repairs were performed, new and increasingly serious failures have continued to occur. I am concerned about the safety of operating this vehicle, particularly due to the loss of power at highway speed and failure of safety systems. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Upon delivery of the vehicle the passenger door would not open from the outside. Multiple vehicle settings were reviewed, and a repair was scheduled to fix the issue.

On March 23, 2026, my vehicle experienced a sudden and simultaneous failure of multiple critical safety systems without any prior warning. The alerts displayed included: automatic emergency braking unavailable, traction control disabled, stability control disabled, and additional driver-assistance features becoming unavailable. This incident created a serious safety hazard, as the loss of these systems significantly reduces vehicle stability and braking assistance, increasing the risk of loss of control, especially at highway speeds or in adverse weather conditions. In addition, the front-facing camera exhibits fogging and reduced visibility during cloudy and rainy conditions, which further impacts the reliability of safety and driver-assistance systems. Based on my research, similar issues have been reported by other Tesla owners, suggesting this may not be an isolated incident but a potential pattern defect. I am concerned about the safety of operating this vehicle and request that this matter be investigated for potential defects affecting critical safety systems.

I am writing to bring to your immediate attention a serious safety incident involving our brand?new 2026 Tesla Model Y (juniper), equipped with fsd version 14. 2. 2. 5 and software version 2025. 45. 10. We purchased this vehicle as our dream car, and for nearly six months it delivered exactly what we hoped for—innovation, safety, and an exceptional driving experience. That trust was the foundation of our decision to choose Tesla. On [xxx], at approximately [xxx] in frisco, TX, that trust was shaken by a sudden and alarming event. After coming to a stop and while making a routine right turn at under 10 mph, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated on its own, causing an immediate loss of control. The entire incident unfolded in seconds, leaving no opportunity to react or correct the vehicle’s behavior. The incident happened at the intersection of [xxx]. The "autopilot" feature in Tesla was on at the time of the incident. The impact was severe. The airbags deployed, the vehicle was declared a total loss by insurance, and first responders—including the frisco police department—were required to clear the wreckage. My wife sustained injuries in the crash and continues to recover. Witnesses at the scene confirmed that the acceleration was abrupt and not driver?initiated. The emotional and physical toll has been significant. More importantly, the nature of this incident raises serious concerns about a potential safety issue that could affect other Tesla owners. We feel compelled to ensure this incident is thoroughly examined. If there is a systemic issue—software?related or otherwise—it is critical that it be identified and addressed to protect other drivers and uphold the integrity of the Tesla name. We truly miss our vehicle and the confidence we once had in it. We hope Tesla will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and provide a transparent path forward. Thank you for your time, attention, and commitment to safety. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

On [xxx] I pick up my new Tesla y. On [xxx], while traveling at highway speeds on [xxx] with autopilot "fsd" engaged, my 2026 Tesla Model Y experienced a sudden vehicle shutdown and start giving multiple alerts without warning. The vehicle displayed multiple critical alerts: "vehicle shutdown", "pull over safely", "stability control disabled. " upon the failure, autopilot fsd disengaged, and the power steering immediately became extremely heavy ("hard"), making the vehicle difficult to steer. The car lost all propulsion. I had to manually maneuver the heavy, unpowered vehicle through active highway traffic to reach the shoulder, which created an immediate and severe safety risk. The vehicle was towed to a Tesla service center in fort lauderdale with only 130 miles on the odometer. Technicians confirmed a "major motor failure" of the rear drive unit requiring a full replacement. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that the Model Year was advertised with a front trunk emergency release and interior lighting. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, the contact became aware that the vehicle was not designed with the front trunk emergency release or interior lighting, which the contact considered a safety issue and a violation of fmvss no. 401. The Tesla service center was contacted and confirmed that the Model Year and other vehicles were no longer designed with the missing parts. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 570.

Urgent safety defect – child injury 2026 Model Y, rear right window. While a child was entering the vehicle and the door was closing, the power window trapped the child’s fingers. Pinch protection failed to reverse. The vehicle locked and the windows closed while the child’s fingers were trapped. Injury occurred. Request immediate safety investigation, preservation of vehicle logs, and written findings. Vehicle must not be altered prior to inspection.

Tesla decided to remove the safety unlock illuminated button from its front trunk (frunk) sometime in mid 2025. This can be a safety issue which was present in earlier models and against the federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 401, mandating an interior release mechanism for enclosed trunks to prevent entrapment. I contacted Tesla and they told me that my vehicle was made after Tesla decided to remove this safety feature.

Date of incident: December 8, 2025 mileage at failure: approx. 580 miles vehicle status: at Tesla service center since December 9, 2025 (no repairs started; status shows “preparing”) failure summary while driving 40–45 mph on a busy three-lane road in California, approaching a signalized intersection, the vehicle suddenly displayed multiple red warnings, a “reduced speed” alert, and numerous fault messages. Within 3–5 seconds, propulsion was completely lost. Incident details using residual momentum, I steered across two lanes into a nearby retail parking lot. The vehicle stopped at an angle, partially obstructing traffic. Towing delay & safety risk the vehicle remained stranded for ~4 hours. A flatbed tow arrived ~2 hours later but could not load the vehicle due to inoperative tow mode. A second dolly-equipped tow truck was required, adding ~90 minutes. During this time, the vehicle continued to block traffic and posed a safety hazard. Component/system failure complete propulsion loss and failure of major electrical/control systems, including doors, frunk, trunk, tow mode, and non-responsive key card and phone key. Vehicle remains inoperable. Safety hazard sudden shutdown in a center lane near a major intersection left almost no opportunity to maneuver safely. Extended roadside immobilization and inoperative tow mode further increased risk. Warning prior to failure none, except 3–5 seconds of simultaneous red warnings and fault messages. Problem status ongoing and unresolved. Tesla has not diagnosed or repaired the vehicle and continues to delay the estimated repair date. Inspections vehicle is under evaluation at Tesla service center. No repairs, police, or insurance inspections have been conducted.

Approximately one month after purchasing a new vehicle, the steering system suddenly failed without any warning. While the car was parked at home and started normally, the steering wheel became extremely heavy, hot, and then completely locked. The vehicle could not be steered at all and became entirely non-drivable. Multiple warning messages appeared, including warnings related to reduced steering assist effectiveness and lane departure avoidance being unavailable. This occurred at approximately 1,000 miles. The failure happened suddenly with no prior symptoms. This defect created a serious safety risk. If this had occurred while driving, it could have resulted in loss of vehicle control and a potential crash. The vehicle was not drivable and had to be towed to a Tesla service center. The issue has been reported to Tesla and is currently under inspection. The exact cause of the failure is unknown at this time. A sudden and complete loss of steering control on a nearly new vehicle is extremely dangerous and indicates a potential defect in the steering system or related electrical components.

Tesla removed the lighted emergency frunk (front trunk) release button and its wiring from this vehicle and other similar newer builds. The elimination of this key safety feature is a clear violation of the u. S. Federal motor vehicle safety standard fmvss 401 for interior trunk release; requiring all new passenger cars with trunk compartments (rear and front) to have a way for someone trapped inside to escape. There is currently no method to open a latched front trunk cover from inside this new vehicle.

In my 2026 Tesla Model Y long range, there is no emergency release in the frunk (front trunk). I do believe there is a law that requires this. What if the unthinkable happens and someone gets stuck inside of it? I have seen others post about not having it as well, so it is definitely not limited to a small number of vehicles. I do not even see the harness for the emergency release inside of the panel. This is a huge safety issue.

Full self driving disengage with no warning and won’t start up again. Unsafe.

The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact observed a 2026 Tesla Model Y robotaxi that had unexpectedly stopped in active traffic. The contact stated that while driving in the right lane, the contact became aware that the vehicle in the left lane remained stopped at a green light. The contact expressed concern that the issue posed a serious safety hazard and could have resulted in a more severe situation with ongoing traffic. The contact was concerned that the issue could be especially dangerous in a school zone with children nearby. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.

What happened?while driving at 20 mph on [xxx] sunny without any prior “hood ajar” warning, the hood suddenly popped open and smashed the windshield. The vehicle became undrivable. Safety risk?obstructed forward visibility; near-miss crash. When/where?[xxx], sunnyvale, CA 94086, California vehicle info?2025 Tesla Model Y evidence?teslacam (front cam) [xxx] (skip to 0:25 in the video. ) [xxx] (skip to 0:33 in the video. ) [xxx] (skip to 0:01 in the video. ) information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Vehicle information: 2026 Tesla Model Y mileage: ~2,700 miles purchased: July 2025 complaint description: I purchased a brand new 2026 Tesla Model Y in July 2025. At only 6 miles, the car already had an antenna issue that required a week in service. Now, at just 2,700 miles, the air conditioning has completely failed — no airflow at all. This failure occurred suddenly and without warning. The Tesla tampa service center offered no immediate assistance, only an appointment in 4 days, with no loaner or alternative support. This situation creates a serious safety hazard, especially in florida where summer temperatures routinely exceed 95°f. Driving or sitting in a vehicle without functional air conditioning in such heat places both the driver and passengers at risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, or heat stroke, particularly for children. It is unacceptable for a brand-new vehicle at this price point to experience such a critical failure so early. The lack of timely support from Tesla’s service department further compounds the danger. Safety concern: loss of air conditioning in high-heat environments like florida represents a direct safety risk to occupants and should be investigated as a potential defect. Desired outcome: I request that NHTSA investigate whether similar failures are occurring in other Tesla Model Y vehicles and determine if this is a wider defect that warrants corrective action or a recall.

Our new Model Y with only 302 miles lost driving power, reported a high voltage problem, and shutdown in the middle of the street. Within an hour Tesla towed it to the repair center. The next day we picked up a loaner. Throughout the ordeal the Tesla staff have been very friendly. They only needed two days to make the repair. Here is what the technician wrote in the Tesla app. With the vehicle on site found it unresponsive and unable to drive. Towed the vehicle in and pulled vehicle data. Found numerous alerts for contactor power supply being undervoltage. Performed and exhaustive inspection of the right main harness. Found the contactor power supply wire to have a short to ground in the harness. Continued inspection and found the harness to have rubbed through the harness at the right rear c pillar area. Removed the wires and rerouted to prevent damage. Rewrapped the harness and added foam to prevent the issues from returning. Performed a test drive and verified the vehicle is back to working order with no alerts or issues.

Bought a brand new Model Y and I less than a week I received the below two error message warnings and the airbag light comes on. Cabin occupancy radar obstructed. Front passenger safety restraint system issue. Also to engage the fsd, I have to double tab 2-3 times in order for it to engage.

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the fan-driven cabin temperature sensor located behind the small service panel beneath the center touchscreen produces a persistent tonal hum/buzz. The vehicle and component are available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? the tonal noise is prominent in Tesla’s otherwise quiet cabin, especially at rest and at low speeds. It is distracting and draws attention toward the center dash area while driving, which can reduce situational awareness and contribute to fatigue on longer trips. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? confirmed by Tesla service as abnormal; replacement performed, but issue still persists. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? inspected by Tesla service on Aug 5 were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no warning lamps/messages. Symptom is an audible tonal hum/buzz from the panel below the screen with hvac off. In a closed garage with hvac off and the vehicle otherwise quiet, there is a steady tonal hum/buzz localized to the small service panel beneath the center screen.

My 2026 Model Y won't stop on the road when I released the gas paddle and even I felt it speeded up a little bit at 35 miles. It put me, my [xxx] daughter and other's safety at risk. I hit on the brake and feel need to hit harder abnormally to slow the car not even mention to stop the car. It took me long way to stop the car. At once I stopped the car, it tried to speed up and I hit the paddle again. Right after, then it tried to rocking back and forth and vibrated finally stopped. I tried serval time to repeat the issue it still exits. And I called Tesla customer service. They haven't look at it yet. But I in the service mode here is the some components are malfunctioned. 1. Rgenerative braking backfill, braking pedal torque is unavailable. 2. Traction control setting is unavailable. 3. Di_brake torque is invalid. Di is drive interface. 4. Hold stopping mode is unavailable. There is no any warning showed in the console before and after the issue happened. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I leased this brand new but demo car with 1850 miles, 2 months old from Tesla seattle. This is a brand new total redesign-2026 Model Y. I was assured that they do multiple point testing before delivery and I had to trust their process. Unlike any other car dealers, I was not allowed to test drive this car before I sign the lease. The car was not in great condition (in addition to the expected wear and tear as a demo car). A) it's charged to only 60% battery rather than the full 80%. B) the stains all over suggest that apparently no one did any finish work as expected. I have pic proofs available upon request. The delivery manager jill manually wiped off some stains when I pointed them out. C) there was a dent of 2-3 inches on the hood which indicates a possible past accident. After driving the car home, serious issues were identified (because no test drive was allowed before I take the lease of the car). 1) the driver's car seatbelt does not lock upon a sudden pull, mimicking the situation in a crash. This is a completely recall issue as it could cause ppl to die, and myself as a mom of a small child included. It locks about 3 out of 10 times. My previous cars- mercedes, Toyota, Hyundai and BMW all lock on each sudden pull! 2) the passenger seatbelt has the same problem. 3) the backseat seatbelts are much better, and locks much more often than driver's and passenger's. It locks about 8 out of 10 times. I went to Tesla lynnwood wa on Jun 6 and the service manager cayla and tech said there is no issues despite that my seatbelt performs so much worse than (1) other two 2026 Model Y, one of which is a newer demo (2) older Model Y, 2025 and prior, locks on each sudden pull as well! (3) all 3 new 2026 Model Ys all have much less reactive seatbelts! another issue I had which makes me needing to have this car replaced under lemon law is, (a)my phone key gets disconnected randomly and I had to use card key all the time (b)my 2nd card key can't open the car at all!.