147 of the
7,374 complaints filed about the Tesla Model Y
are about the body and structure —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2021.
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that the suspension on the undercarriage of the vehicle was separating from the vehicle. The contact stated that a year prior to the failure, the half shaft used to attach the wheel to the vehicle subframe was fractured and was falling off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a Tesla Service Center to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the battery was very heavy and was possibly the cause of the failure. The vehicle was being repaired out of pocket. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,811.
NHTSA complaint #11757712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The FSD failed when it back into garage; the back of passenger side of the car hit the wall of garage. There is no warning before. Beacuse the distance for parking into the garage is small, there is no time to take over the FSD to avoid it happen. It happen around 23:35 on August 07, 2026. We reported as a safety incident to Tesla an hour ago. We updated the the software on August 02, 2026. The car had been succesful back into the garage more than ten times before.
NHTSA complaint #11755589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2021 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX]) experienced a serious safety malfunction during a 12V low‑voltage failure. When the vehicle displayed the 12V alert, it became non‑functional. Upon entering, no systems were operating. When I pressed the brake pedal, the interior lights flashed and both front windows began moving up and down automatically without any input. This uncommanded movement caused both windows to shatter violently inside the cabin. The glass broke along the lower section of the window, consistent with internal mechanical stress caused by the window motor cycling during a fault. This was not external impact. I have photos documenting the breakage pattern. This is a safety defect. Automatic window movement during electrical failure poses a risk of injury. Additionally, even if a customer closes a door with the window raised, the glass should not shatter. Tesla vehicles are designed with automatic window indexing and motor resistance protection. The system should adjust the window position to prevent breakage. The fact that the glass shattered indicates a failure of Tesla’s safety logic and window indexing system. Tesla denied responsibility and claimed “misuse,” but could not provide system logs to support this claim. Tesla also stated customers must ensure windows are lowered before closing doors, but this requirement does not exist anywhere in Tesla’s manual. Tesla’s explanation does not address the automatic window movement that caused the breakage. This malfunction presents a clear safety hazard: unexpected window movement, glass shattering inside the cabin, and risk of injury to occupants. I request NHTSA investigate Tesla’s window indexing behavior during 12V failures, the failure of safety protections, and the risk of glass breakage caused by system‑initiated movement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11753908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car was parked in a residential neighborhood and when I was driving home on the evening of July 4th I noticed the windshield had a small line in it. The next day during daylight hours I went to inspect it further and concluded that the hood made contact with the windshield on both sides and there were two distinct impact areas that matched perfectly with small paint damage on the hood. I made an appointment with Tesla and waited about two weeks to get in, and they summized that this is not a defective part issue and that a wind so powerful came along, lifted the hood up, overpowered the gas struts, broke the windshield and closed itself perfectly. They denied any responsibility and refused to cover it under their manufacturers warranty. This is Tesla of Wilmington, DE
NHTSA complaint #11753846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving through normal rain with ordinary standing water on the roadway (NOT flood conditions), the rear bumper fascia detached from my Tesla Model Y. There was no impact, no collision, and no debris strike - there are no impact marks or scratches on the bumper. The fascia was pulled off by water drag, tearing a welded body mount bracket from the vehicle structure and damaging the underbody shield. This is a road safety hazard: a detached bumper fascia can drag on the roadway, separate completely, and become a large road obstacle for vehicles behind me. Tesla documented this exact failure mode in Service Bulletin SB-20-12-003 (rear fascia detachment when driving through standing water, with damage to harnesses and body fasteners/mounts), yet the defect persists in Model Y vehicles. Notably, another Tesla directly next to mine suffered the identical bumper detachment in the same rainfall at the same time - two identical failures in identical ordinary weather conditions, indicating a systemic design defect rather than driver error. Tesla Service denied warranty coverage, characterizing normal rain as 'flood water.'
NHTSA complaint #11752663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On XXX I retrieved my 2023 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX]) from Tesla Motors NV, Inc. ([XXX]) after their third attempt to correct a severe panel and component misalignment following a collision repair (Invoice #XXX). The facility replaced major front-end structural components, including the Front Bumper Beam (1687601-00-E), Front Subframe Crush Can (1109193-00-C), and Cast Front Underbody Left Hand Crush Can (1608453-00-D).Tesla's official guidelines require a mandatory 3D structural measurement test whenever these specific cast aluminum underbody and subframe parts are replaced. The repair facility verbally claimed the damage was minor/cosmetic and that only a manual tram measurement was performed. However, a manual tram gauge cannot detect 3D frame twists or height deviations in cast aluminum components, making it wholly insufficient.As a direct result of this unverified structural alignment, the vehicle's front end remains warped. After the first repair, the headlamp shifted and protruded on the right side. After subsequent attempts to fix it, the left headlamp is again protruding outward. Because the structural frame is misaligned, the forward-facing cameras are out of calibration. Under Autopilot, the vehicle exhibits dangerous behavior, including misidentifying a standard bike lane as an extended vehicle lane. Furthermore, the repair facility has since removed or hidden the conversation logs regarding these complaints, and I can no longer find the messages in the Tesla app. Operating a vehicle with unverified structural alignment and compromised driver-assist vision systems poses an immediate, severe safety risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11750709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On July 10, 2026, my 2024 Tesla Model Y (approx. 22,440 miles) lost all power (main/12V battery) while parked next to a Supercharger stall on Level 3 of the Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino parking garage, Maricopa, AZ. Ambient temperature was approximately 110F. My dog and cat were inside the vehicle. With the vehicle powered off, the key card, Tesla app, and interior door releases did not function, leaving no way to open the doors from outside or inside. Unable to find or access a working manual door release in time, we broke the rear quarter glass and damaged a door to physically extract the pets before they suffered heat-related harm. Maricopa Police Department and Ak-Chin Fire Department responded to the scene. This represents a serious safety defect: a loss of vehicle power should not eliminate all means of entry/egress, particularly when children or pets could be trapped in extreme heat. The vehicle, damaged door, and glass are available for inspection. Photos of the incident are available.
NHTSA complaint #11750529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased a used 2023 Tesla Model Y from Tesla in Austin, Texas. Upon and after delivery I discovered the following safety defects that were not disclosed to me prior to purchase: the front left door is completely off its hinges and scratching, the rear right door does not shut properly, the passenger side window is not seating correctly in its track, the front left tire is damaged, and both wheel rims have visible chipping and damage. Tesla's own delivery managers documented all of this in their system at the time of delivery. I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle. I have escalated to Tesla executive leadership and filed complaints with the BBB and Texas Attorney General.
NHTSA complaint #11749760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The rear hatch has shifted out of alignment, and has started to fall 5-10 inch's when opened intermittently. TESLA service can't fix the issue and pushing me to a body shop. There have been no accident or issues that would cause a body panel to shift over a quarter of an inch.
NHTSA complaint #11749101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On Saturday, [XXX] at around [XXX] going west on [XXX] toward [XXX] stopped at the intersection of [XXX]. While driving my 2022 Tesla Model Y, Performance, I was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green and I began accelerating normally through the intersection, both passenger-side doors unexpectedly unlatched at the same time. The windows on both passenger doors lowered slightly, and the vehicle displayed a warning indicating the doors were open and to drive carefully. This created an immediate safety hazard, as the doors opened while the vehicle was in motion without any intentional action from the occupants(there were 0 occupants there). This is the second time this exact issue has occurred under similar circumstances, with the previous incident also happening as I accelerated from a red light. The vehicle should not allow multiple doors to unlatch while driving. I have reported the issue to Tesla for inspection and request that this incident be documented and investigated as a potential safety defect. I was going less that 10 mph when this occurred. Thankfully, my toddler was not sitting in the back seat and there were no passengers in the car. No injuries. No crash. *Unable to upload any photos/screenshots at the moment, but can email or link a drive when need be. This website doesn't support any uploads at the moment. I'm on a Mac using Google Chrome. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11747051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
We just got our new Model Y today (6/21/2026) at Tesla Dealer in Plano. And I noticed the fabric liner in the center console/storage area is shedding fine fibers. The fibers adhere to skin and clothing and continue to release during normal vehicle usage. These fibers can inadvertently inhaled and I am concern that this issue might cause health hazard to me and my family whenever we are using the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11745524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After about 2 minutes from leaving a patients house, I was driving at approximately 25mph when my frunk(front trunk) of my Tesla flew open and hit my windshield. There was no alert through the Tesla app or in the car itself. I stopped the car stepped outside and the frunk would not close after when I tried to close by hand, it would stop at the latch. When I closed it from the Tesla app it was able to close properly
NHTSA complaint #11745234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When exiting the driver seat of the vehicle my left arm gets caught in the hinge of the back door. This has happen before. This time my arm was bruised bad and shoulder painfully wrenched. The pain was so bad I thought my arm was broken.
NHTSA complaint #11743272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On the evening of June 3, 2026, while driving on the I-575 Express Lanes in Cobb County, Georgia, the vehicle’s autopilot/driver assistance system malfunctioned and steered the vehicle into the express lane boom barrier. The boom bar struck the windshield, causing catastrophic windshield failure with glass imploding into the cabin. Glass shards covered the driver’s seat, floor, and dashboard. The driver sustained glass puncture wounds to both forearms and forehead, as well as neck, back, and right arm soft tissue injuries. Component failed: Autopilot/ADAS system. Vehicle is available for inspection. Tesla was notified directly at time of incident. Insurance company has been notified. SR-13 filed with Cobb County. No warning lamps or messages appeared prior to the autopilot malfunction. The root cause of the windshield damage was the autopilot system failure, not driver error or external road debris. Photographic documentation of vehicle damage and driver injuries exists.
NHTSA complaint #11742029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2026 Tesla model Y frunk (front hood) internal compartment doesn’t has safety release latch and light. And doesn’t has any mechanism to alert me if human or animal accidentally inside the frunk which concerns me so have to report this issue. Thanks
NHTSA complaint #11741088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. Failed Component/System: The failed system is the Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD - Supervised) software and its underlying vehicle control logic, specifically resulting in an uncommanded torque request (Sudden Unintended Acceleration). 2. Safety Risk: The vehicle engaged in Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) in reverse from a complete stop, without any driver pedal input. In a parking environment, this uncommanded acceleration poses an extreme and immediate threat to life safety. Had a pedestrian, child, or another moving vehicle been behind my car instead of a metal pillar, this software malfunction would have resulted in severe injury or a fatal collision. 3. Inspection Status: The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. I am intentionally securing the vehicle to preserve the crucial diagnostic logs and EDR data from being erased or reset during standard repair procedures, pending official data extraction. 4. Warnings/Symptoms: There were absolutely no warning lamps, error messages, or visual/audible symptoms prior to the failure. Furthermore, during the uncommanded acceleration, the system did not issue an FSD disengagement warning or chime. The dashcam footage confirms that the FSD visualization remained active and blue on the screen throughout the entire unintended acceleration event up until the impact.
NHTSA complaint #11741056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting two unresolved safety-related defects on my 2021 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX] ) that occurred following paid service at Tesla's League City Service Center on 04/16/2026 DEFECT 1 — COMPUTER AND SENSOR SYSTEM FAILURE: The vehicle's onboard computer cuts in and out intermittently. Sensors fail during operation and the problem worsens significantly in high-temperature conditions. Tesla vehicles rely on their computer and sensor systems for core safety functions including collision avoidance, autopilot, and driver assist features. Intermittent failure of these systems while operating the vehicle is a safety hazard to the driver and the public. DEFECT 2 — GLOVE BOX INOPERABLE: The glove box does not open following Tesla service. The glove box in Tesla vehicles houses key vehicle documentation and is integrated into the vehicle's locking and security system. I paid $2,497.50 for service on [06/16/2026]. Both defects were either caused or left unresolved by that service. I have notified Tesla service staff directly and followed up multiple times over more than four weeks. Tesla has not responded, has not scheduled any repair, and has not refunded my money. I am filing this complaint because (1) the sensor and computer failures present an active safety risk during operation, (2) Tesla has ignored all attempts to resolve this, and (3) public reviews indicate this is a pattern affecting multiple consumers. I request that NHTSA investigate and determine whether a safety defect investigation or recall is warranted. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11738762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11738462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.