2025 Tesla Model Y problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS

I am reporting a driver-distraction safety concern involving Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD). When I disengage FSD and take manual control, Tesla immediately displays a persistent prompt requiring me to select why I intervened or provide voice feedback. The prompt does not automatically disappear and remains on the center display until I respond. I believe this creates a real safety risk. An FSD intervention can occur because the vehicle is not handling a traffic or road situation appropriately. This is exactly when the driver’s full attention should be on taking control, assessing the situation, and safely operating the vehicle. Instead, Tesla immediately presents a persistent interface requesting additional driver interaction. The prompt also blocks access to other functionality, including Grok in my experience, creating additional incentive to interact with the screen while driving. Tesla could eliminate this unnecessary distraction by allowing the prompt to time out, adding a “Dismiss” or “Not Now” option, or delaying the feedback request until the vehicle is stopped. I support collecting FSD intervention feedback, but requiring interaction immediately after the driver takes manual control creates an avoidable distraction during a potentially safety-critical transition.

NHTSA complaint #11763001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

The seatbelt broke spontaneously, and Tesla will not cover it under warranty.

NHTSA complaint #11762349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

On I95 by the Secaucus Train station there is something sending a signal to my Tesla and other Teslas to disable all of its ADAS systems. All of the functionality related to ADAS gets disabled thus making the car very unsafe to drive. Due to this disability it also disables the camera systems in the car. So if an accident were to occur there would be no way to record.

NHTSA complaint #11758746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

On I95 by the Secaucus Train station there is something sending a signal to my Tesla and other Teslas to disable all of its ADAS systems. All of the functionality related to ADAS gets disabled thus making the car very unsafe to drive. Due to this disability it also disables the camera systems in the car. So if an accident were to occur there would be no way to record.

NHTSA complaint #11758746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

On I95 by the Secaucus Train station there is something sending a signal to my Tesla and other Teslas to disable all of its ADAS systems. All of the functionality related to ADAS gets disabled thus making the car very unsafe to drive. Due to this disability it also disables the camera systems in the car. So if an accident were to occur there would be no way to record.

NHTSA complaint #11758746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

On XXX at approximately 8:10 PM CDT, my 2025 Tesla Model Y was operating with Full Self-Driving engaged when the vehicle descended a private boat launch at a marina in [XXX], and entered the river channel connecting Channel Lake and Lake Marie. Two occupants escaped through the windows. The vehicle was submerged and is a total loss. Lake County Sheriff report #XXX. The vehicle's incident data export confirms FSD was in an active state during the approach. The vehicle is preserved in storage pending inspection. An incident report has been filed with Tesla. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11758377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

On XXX at approximately 8:10 PM CDT, my 2025 Tesla Model Y was operating with Full Self-Driving engaged when the vehicle descended a private boat launch at a marina in [XXX], and entered the river channel connecting Channel Lake and Lake Marie. Two occupants escaped through the windows. The vehicle was submerged and is a total loss. Lake County Sheriff report #XXX. The vehicle's incident data export confirms FSD was in an active state during the approach. The vehicle is preserved in storage pending inspection. An incident report has been filed with Tesla. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11758377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

On XXX at approximately 8:10 PM CDT, my 2025 Tesla Model Y was operating with Full Self-Driving engaged when the vehicle descended a private boat launch at a marina in [XXX], and entered the river channel connecting Channel Lake and Lake Marie. Two occupants escaped through the windows. The vehicle was submerged and is a total loss. Lake County Sheriff report #XXX. The vehicle's incident data export confirms FSD was in an active state during the approach. The vehicle is preserved in storage pending inspection. An incident report has been filed with Tesla. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11758377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The exterior rear door handle on the driver’s side rear passenger door caught the occupant’s finger during normal use, tearing the fingernail partially out of the nail bed and causing bleeding and an exposed nail bed injury requiring medical treatment. The flush-mounted door handle pinched and trapped the finger while the door was being operated. The component is available for inspection upon request. No warning of any kind preceded the injury — the handle functioned as designed, which is the concern. The injury was treated at an urgent care facility. The problem has not been inspected by the manufacturer, dealer, police, or insurance to date. No warning lamps or messages are applicable. Cause: the flush-mounted rear door handle design creates a pinch point that can trap a finger during ordinary entry

NHTSA complaint #11757317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The Full Self Driving software does not allow the user to limit the maximum speed of the vehicle while in use. The car frequently drives 15-20 MPH over the actual limits in typical driving modes with no ability for the user to safely and precisely restrict its speed to a more safe and appropriate level. The car may begin a journey at an appropriate speed, and continue at that speed for miles, but for no reason that is apparent to the user, the system may begin to accelerate beyond a safe limit. This makes the driving experience while using this software less predictable and compromises the safety of the user and others on the road. The user controlled speed limiting feature was previously available, and worked well, but was removed as part of an update to version 14.x of the software. An alternative that is being used, which is much less safe, is that users can restrict the speed of the entire vehicle such that its speed may never pass a certain level, under any circumstance, even if the accelerator is fully depressed (by the user). Once enabled, this feature cannot be adjusted or disabled while driving. Users are using this vehicle speed restriction feature to more precisely restrict the excessive and unpredictable speeding of the automated system because they are not given the ability to do so safely and precisely via other means.

NHTSA complaint #11753209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

The Full Self Driving software does not allow the user to limit the maximum speed of the vehicle while in use. The car frequently drives 15-20 MPH over the actual limits in typical driving modes with no ability for the user to safely and precisely restrict its speed to a more safe and appropriate level. The car may begin a journey at an appropriate speed, and continue at that speed for miles, but for no reason that is apparent to the user, the system may begin to accelerate beyond a safe limit. This makes the driving experience while using this software less predictable and compromises the safety of the user and others on the road. The user controlled speed limiting feature was previously available, and worked well, but was removed as part of an update to version 14.x of the software. An alternative that is being used, which is much less safe, is that users can restrict the speed of the entire vehicle such that its speed may never pass a certain level, under any circumstance, even if the accelerator is fully depressed (by the user). Once enabled, this feature cannot be adjusted or disabled while driving. Users are using this vehicle speed restriction feature to more precisely restrict the excessive and unpredictable speeding of the automated system because they are not given the ability to do so safely and precisely via other means.

NHTSA complaint #11753209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

My 2025 Model Y with stalks creates an unsafe driving condition. Under current software, enabling FSD forces a single-pull lockout that completely disables standard Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC). (Advanced Driver Assistance Sytems) FSD routinely follows vehicles at less than a 1 second gap at 70-80 MPH and attempts unsafe merges with tractor-trailers. Drivers must be allowed to drop to TACC to maintain safe following distances without being forced to entirely disable FSD while parked. Because the software removes the single-pull/double-pull distinction, the driver cannot downgrade the system to standard cruise control on the fly to establish a safe following distance. To stop the dangerous FSD behavior, the driver must completely disengage the system to manual control, as switching the underlying autopilot modes requires pulling over and shifting into Park. Tesla customer support has refused to address this software-enforced safety hazard. Following too closely routinely happens on the interstate at Highway speeds while using FSD. This safety issue occurs consistently during highway driving on major interstates at speeds between 70-80. The inability to seamlessly select a safe cruise control mode increases the risk of a high speed rear end collision.

NHTSA complaint #11752724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

The left back seat actuator engaged twice in the same day and the seat back dropped down unexpectedly on the passenger. It’s done it to my grandchild twice and hurt him. No injuries but the surprise and shock of the seat coming down on him was painful. I've had this with other passengers in the same seat. Tesla inspected it for this problem, but found nothing at the time. The problem is intermittent.

NHTSA complaint #11749176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Component/Issue Description: Following a recent over-the-air (OTA) software update to the vehicle's Full Self-Driving system, a dangerous user interface defect was introduced. Immediately upon an FSD disengagement—the critical transition window where the operator must resume manual driving control—the center touchscreen populates a mandatory, invasive feedback popup menu. This menu causes a severe driver distraction and creates an immediate safety hazard. The popup blocks vital driving visualizations and navigation data on the screen at a high-stress moment. Furthermore, the UI creates a functional touchscreen lockout, demanding manual and visual interaction from the driver to clear the box while the vehicle is actively in motion. Forcing a driver to divert their eyes from the roadway to navigate a touchscreen menu immediately following a system intervention creates an unreasonable and systemic risk of collision. The manufacturer has provided no setting to disable this dangerous distraction.

NHTSA complaint #11743977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Component/Issue Description: Following a recent over-the-air (OTA) software update to the vehicle's Full Self-Driving system, a dangerous user interface defect was introduced. Immediately upon an FSD disengagement—the critical transition window where the operator must resume manual driving control—the center touchscreen populates a mandatory, invasive feedback popup menu. This menu causes a severe driver distraction and creates an immediate safety hazard. The popup blocks vital driving visualizations and navigation data on the screen at a high-stress moment. Furthermore, the UI creates a functional touchscreen lockout, demanding manual and visual interaction from the driver to clear the box while the vehicle is actively in motion. Forcing a driver to divert their eyes from the roadway to navigate a touchscreen menu immediately following a system intervention creates an unreasonable and systemic risk of collision. The manufacturer has provided no setting to disable this dangerous distraction.

NHTSA complaint #11743977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Component/Issue Description: Following a recent over-the-air (OTA) software update to the vehicle's Full Self-Driving system, a dangerous user interface defect was introduced. Immediately upon an FSD disengagement—the critical transition window where the operator must resume manual driving control—the center touchscreen populates a mandatory, invasive feedback popup menu. This menu causes a severe driver distraction and creates an immediate safety hazard. The popup blocks vital driving visualizations and navigation data on the screen at a high-stress moment. Furthermore, the UI creates a functional touchscreen lockout, demanding manual and visual interaction from the driver to clear the box while the vehicle is actively in motion. Forcing a driver to divert their eyes from the roadway to navigate a touchscreen menu immediately following a system intervention creates an unreasonable and systemic risk of collision. The manufacturer has provided no setting to disable this dangerous distraction.

NHTSA complaint #11743977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.