FaultScore

2026 Tesla Model Y wheel problems

10 of the 557 complaints about the 2026 Tesla Model Y are about the wheels — 2% of everything reported for this model year.

F

10

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Wheels 10 100.0%

Wheels across every Tesla Model Y year

2020 11 11.1%
2021 15 15.2%
2022 15 15.2%
2023 48 48.5%
2026 10 10.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Van Alstyne, TX

WHEELS

Tesla was in FSD and had the latest software update installed on 8/6/28 which included the new FSD version released. On 8/7/28 on the way to work that my wife takes every time she goes to work the FSD ran over a large pot hole which it had never done before on the previous FSD version. The car started having rattling of the steering wheel and a rattling noise from over the rear driver wheel area. The next available Tesla service appointment was on 8/27 but we walked in and Tesla offered to do an alignment and found that the driver front and rear rims were bent from the pothole and we had to be pay close to 1800$. Thereafter, the rattling over the rear wheel well is louder but Tesla has not accommodated us with an earlier service appointment and refused to make any accommodations for the FSD update resulting in this damage.

NHTSA complaint #11755680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Raleigh, NC

WHEELS

Steering wheel vibration occurs at highway speeds between 70 and 75 mph on a 2026 Model Y with under 1,000 miles at time of complaint. The vibration was reported to the dealer, who performed a tire balance and alignment check and confirmed both were within specification. The vehicle was tested by the dealer during a service ride-along and no vibration was detected by the technician. However, vibration was independently confirmed by the owner in a same-model loaner vehicle on the same road, suggesting the issue may not be isolated to a single vehicle or tire set. Similar vibration issues have been reported by other owners of the same model year in online owner forums, with no documented fix currently available. Safety concern: reduced steering feedback at highway speeds. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA complaint #11747655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bellevue, WA Crash

WHEELS

Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) — control handover protocol. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. WHAT HAPPENED: On June 25, 2026 at approximately 4:17 PM, the vehicle was operating under Full Self-Driving (FSD) navigating into a residential driveway. The driver pressed the gas pedal to take manual control. At the exact moment FSD transferred control, vehicle telemetry confirms the steering wheel was at −299° (nearly 3 full turns of hard left lock). No warning was given. With a ~13:1 steering ratio, approximately 300° of wheel rotation was required before driver input would affect the front wheels — taking 0.4–0.5 seconds during which the front wheels remained pointed left despite the driver turning right. The vehicle struck a tree at approximately 13–15 kph. Secondary failure: FSD re-engaged once during the first override attempt, requiring a second override before full control was obtained, further delaying driver response. Telemetry confirmed: factory crash algorithm (RCM_CRASH_ALGO_WAKEUP_EVENT_ACTIVE), Electronic Stability Control, and Traction Control all activated at impact. Post-impact speed registered −1.67 kph (backward bounce), confirming direct collision. SAFETY RISK: FSD handed off control mid-maneuver at extreme steering lock with no warning, creating an unrecoverable situation in a confined residential driveway. PRIOR WARNINGS: None. No warning lamps, messages, or alerts before or during handover. INSPECTION STATUS: Vehicle photographed. Insurance inspection pending. Not yet inspected by Tesla or dealer. Independently confirmed via vehicle telemetry export (85,776 rows, 300 sensor channels).

NHTSA complaint #11746963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Worth, TX

WHEELS

The right rear aluminum rim on my 2026 Tesla Model Y (Juniper trim) has a crack in it, causing a slow air leak. I discovered this issue approximately 2 weeks ago when I noticed the tire was repeatedly losing pressure. I have had to refill air in the tire every 2-3 days. The crack is located on the rim itself, at the sidewall area between the rim and the tire, where air bubbles can be observed escaping when submerged or sprayed with soapy water. I have no recollection of hitting any potholes or curbs that would have caused this damage. The rim appears to be defective from the factory. The vehicle component (rim) is available for inspection. No crash, fire, or injuries have occurred at this time, but continued driving poses a safety risk due to the potential for a sudden tire blowout. Photos and a short video documenting the crack and escaping air are available.

NHTSA complaint #11744709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Boston, MA Crash

WHEELS

INCIDENT INVOLVING FSD (SUPERVISED) v14.2.2.4. On February 15, 2026, while the vehicle was operating under Full Self-Driving (Supervised) v14.2.2.4, the system failed to detect a stationary curb. The vehicle initiated a trajectory that resulted in a collision, causing a structural gouge in the passenger-side rear tire sidewall. Per MA 540 CMR 4.04, this damage renders the vehicle unroadworthy. I have saved Dashcam/Sentry video footage as proof of the system's failure to navigate the obstacle.

NHTSA complaint #11719682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Valparaiso, IN

WHEELS

Went for a tire rotation. Service tech noticed the following- THE PASSENGER REAR CONTROL ARM HAD A BOLT THAT WAS BACKING OUT OF IT & THE NUT WAS MISSING. THE BOLT HAD RUBBED THROUGH THE WHEEL WEIGHT ON THE WHEEL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ON THE RIGHT REAR. Photo is included of the rear control arm bolts for both sides of the car. Only the right rear had a problem.

NHTSA complaint #11716052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Irvine, CA

WHEELS

The model Y performance wheels make it really hard to remove the valve stem caps on the tires. Similarly, trying to unscrew the air pump form the valve stem is difficult due to very small clearance between the wheel cover hole. I see this as a safety related issue. Having a hard time doing this while on the side of the road is the last thing you want to happen when you're repairing a flat.

NHTSA complaint #11707010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Little Rock, AR Crash

WHEELS

On November 4, 2025, I believe my New Tesla (only 2 month old) had just updated to a new software version. That morning, when I tried to start the car to drive to Walgreens Pharmacy, the vehicle did not start — the screen was locked. I pressed the brake pedal several times, but there was no response. Then I pressed the accelerator and the brake again, and the car finally started. I believe i turned on the Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode as usual. The car backed out of my garage and moved only about ten houses down our street when I suddenly felt it was out of control, and within seconds, it hit a stationary vehicle on our street. I did not hear Forward Collision Warning or feel the Automatic Braking system engage. The tesla report told me that the collision warning failure and the Safety systems are affected, and the passage side (front right) tire shows 0 psi) . The The damage was highly unusual — although I was driving slowly, approximately 10 to 15 miles per hour on my street, the front wheel became completely detached from the suspension, the suspension itself was severely damaged, However, the rest of the car’s body sustained with minimal impact. I had hard time to find Tesla service to help me, so I contacted Allstate and they had a towing company to transport the vehicle to Gwatney Collision Center, the only Tesla-certified body shop in our area.

NHTSA complaint #11698425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brownsville, TX

WHEELS

Issue: A consistent rattling noise, noticeable while driving at speeds of 10-40 mph over bumpy roads or pot holes.

NHTSA complaint #11675071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sicklerville, NJ

WHEELS

After doing multiple search online came across multiple user complaints about new Tesla model y juniper 2026 Lr awd you can feel vibration from steering wheel at highway speeds it is really specific at 80mph this is not a normal behavior especially vibrations took it to the service center and was told it was the wheels are not balanced properly so they fixed it apparently but is still doing it. I truly believe there is something Tesla knows but is not acknowledging it.

NHTSA complaint #11670595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2026 Tesla Model Y problems

← Full 2026 Tesla Model Y report