2026 Tesla Model Y problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (34) · Steering (28) · Structure:body (21)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Tesla Model Y model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
30 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (8)
Suspension:front 2026-08-31 · campaign 26V558000 · 19 vehicles
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y vehicles. One or more front suspension lateral link fasteners may not have been properly tightened, allowing the lateral link to loosen or separate from the sub-frame.
Risk: A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service will tighten or replace the fasteners and check wheel the alignment, free of charge. In addition, Tesla Service will replace any related parts that may have been damaged as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 30, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-31-004.
Air Bags:knee Bolster 2026-07-07 · campaign 26V445000 · 15 vehicles
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y and 2024 Model 3 vehicles. The vehicles were originally built for a foreign market and do not have knee air bags, may not be equipped with certain interior safety countermeasures, and may not have been tested for bumper impact resistance procedures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers, 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact," and
Risk: A noncompliant vehicle may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or resolutions@tesla.com. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-004.
Equipment:other:labels 2026-05-18 · campaign 26V315000 · 14,575 vehicles
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Model Y vehicles. The certification label may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 567, "Certification."
Risk: Missing weight information provided by the label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and install a certification label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-19-002.
Electrical System:propulsion System:fuses, Relays, Contacts, And Shunts 2025-10-10 · campaign 25V690000 · 12,963 vehicles
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles. The battery pack contactors may fail, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service will replace the battery pack contactors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-16-005.
Electrical System:wiring 2025-10-01 · campaign 25V658000 · 260 vehicles
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y vehicles. The reverse lights may fail to illuminate while the vehicle is in reverse, due to a defect in the wiring. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Reverse lights that fail to illuminate reduce visibility and may not alert pedestrians or other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service will replace the reverse lights and reverse facia harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 26, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-17-011.
Electrical System:horn 2025-07-28 · campaign 25V490000 · 6 vehicles
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y vehicles. The ring terminal of the horn ground wire may be improperly secured, allowing the circuit to open and preventing the horn from sounding.
Risk: An inoperable horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers as needed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla service will replace the steering wheel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were be mailed September 23, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-17-009.
Seats:critical Fasteners 2025-06-18 · campaign 25V410000 · 48 vehicles
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The fasteners attaching the seat back to the seat bottom may have been improperly tightened.
Risk: The seat may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service Centers will inspect and tighten or replace the seat assembly fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-13-003.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:linkages 2025-05-29 · campaign 25V359000 · 172 vehicles
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y vehicles. The hose connector may block the windshield washer nozzles, preventing washer fluid from reaching the windshield. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Risk: The inability to clean the windshield reduces the driver’s visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla service will inspect and replace the wiper arm elbow connector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.
Service bulletins (9)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-15 · SB-26-18-002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
on some model y vehicles built before february 28, 2026, the design of the hvac inlet duct may lead to water ingress into the air filter and/or vehicle interior. if the vehicle is brought into service for cabin air filter replacement due to a musty or moldy smell from the hvac system, water dripping
Seats 2026-06-04 · SB-26-13-005 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
on some vehicles, degraded or excessive glue under the front seat cushion(s) may cause creaking noises during cornering or when pressing on the seat cushion(s). upon customer complaint, inspect the vehicle for symptoms related to the condition. if symptoms are present, rework the front seat cushion(
Seats 2026-05-29 · SB-26-13-006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
on some vehicles, insufficient lubricant at the front seat recliner tube ends may cause creaking noises during weight shifting when the seat is occupied. upon customer complaint, inspect the vehicle for symptoms related to the condition. if symptoms are present, lubricate the front seat recliner tub
Suspension 2026-05-08 · SB-26-31-003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain model y vehicles may emit rattling or knocking noises when driving over bumps or rough road. the condition can be improved by replacing the front upper control arm mounts, replacing the front damper assemblies, and removing the wiper bracket pencil braces. this document is for vehicles that
Suspension 2026-05-08 · SB-25-31-005 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some model y vehicles may emit rattling or knocking noises when driving over bumps or rough road. the condition can be improved by replacing the front upper control arm mounts, replacing the front damper assemblies (model y premium and performance only), and removing the wiper bracket pencil braces.
Seats 2026-03-31 · SB-26-13-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
on some vehicles, the lh and/or rh front seat backrest blower(s) may emit a loud grinding noise in the shoulder area of the backrest when front seat cooling is enabled. inspect the vehicle for symptoms related to the condition. if symptoms are present, replace the lh and/or rh front seat backrest bl
Showing the 6 most recent of 9 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-29 · Unknown Or Other“the company markets the quick bandit license plate holder for the tesla model y 2026 juniper, stating it "does not obstruct autopilot front camera or sensors." after installing the holder, during fsd (self-driving mode), the tesla began stopping suddenly on roads and freeways. after stopping, the car will not move because the front camera is seein…”
2026-10-29 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“i am reporting a serious safety incident involving my 2026 tesla model y while using full self-driving (supervised). while my vehicle was making a left turn with fsd engaged, the system unexpectedly disengaged midway through the maneuver. instead of completing the left turn, the vehicle continued traveling straight toward a parked car. i immediate…”
2026-10-28 · Steering · 💥 crash“on october 28, 2026 at about 3:57 pm edt, my 2026 tesla model y (long range rwd) was operating on full self-driving (supervised) as it turned left into our residential driveway in watkinsville, ga. a family member's parked subaru forester was on the left side of the driveway with its right rear passenger door standing open. an adult was leaning int…”
2026-10-28 · Visibility/Wiper“on october 27, 2026, my 2026 tesla model y experienced a serious front hood safety incident. before the incident, the hood would not fully latch closed and could not be reopened using the touchscreen or tesla app. the vehicle displayed a hood warning and restricted acceleration. i contacted tesla roadside assistance but was informed that complime…”
2026-10-28 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“on october 20, 2026, at approximately 8:14 pm, i was starting a drive from a parked position in a parking garage. i engaged full self-driving (supervised), software version 14.3.10. within less than 2 seconds of engagement, the vehicle moved forward and struck a concrete support pillar. i was seated in the driver's seat and supervising, but the veh…”
2026-10-27 · Electrical System · 96,038 mi“the contact owns a 2026 tesla model y. the contact stated that while driving with the fsd engaged at approximately 2 mph, while approaching a stop sign, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. in addition, the nearby board patrol witnessed the event and was able to advise the contact to stop the vehicle. the brake pedal was depressed, and th…”
2026-10-27 · Seat Belts“the contact owns a 2026 tesla model y. the contact stated that for children or individuals with a small frame, the rear seat belt rode up across the neck instead of resting across the chest. the contact stated that the issue was a safety hazard and might cause a choking issue in the event of a crash. the dealer was contacted and stated there was no…”
2026-10-27 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“subject: suspected sudden unintended acceleration while reversing — tesla collision on october 25, 2026 on october 25, 2026, at approximately 11:00 am pacific time, i experienced an unexpected acceleration incident while reversing my tesla on my property. i was reversing slowly when the vehicle lightly contacted another car that i own. immediatel…”
2026-10-27 · Power Train“in regards to degradiation of driveway battery in my tesla model y i have lost 7.3 % of range vehicle now has 21,601 miles. the battery is at 90% health that the on board diagnosis has computed i’ve owned this teslafor 18 months normal driving 17 times at the supercharger hall charging at level two at home. i feel that this battery pack made by pan…”
2026-10-27 · Seats“driver seat frame, cushion and backrest moves from side to side during cornering. this issue has gradually gotten worse, to a point that just shifting my body weight on the seat is able to move it. tesla service center says it is within specification, but it does not feel safe.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.