What is the 2020-2021 Tesla Model Y Front Suspension Lateral Link Bolts Loose - Separation Risk (Recall 21V-835)?

On 2020-2021 Model Y built March 2020-June 2021, the two fasteners connecting the front lower control arm (lateral link) to the subframe were not torqued to spec at the factory. The bolts can back out over time, allowing the lateral link to separate from the subframe and causing… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2020-2022 Tesla Model Y Heat Pump / Octovalve Failure in Cold Weather (Loss of Cabin Heat and Defrost)?

On 2021-2022 Model Y, the heat pump's Electronic Expansion Valve (EXV) in the Octovalve supermanifold can stick open if controller communication is interrupted, causing total loss of cabin heat and defrost in sub-freezing temperatures (especially -10C/14F or colder). In severe ca… Repairs typically run $0-$5,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2021-2023 Tesla Model Y Model S / Model X First-Row Seat Belt Anchor Inspection Recall (23V-488)?

NHTSA recall 23V-488 covers approximately 15,869 Tesla Model S (2021-2023) and Model X (2021-2023) vehicles for first-row seat belts that may not have been properly reconnected to their pretensioner anchors after a prior repair. If the anchor connection is below spec, the seat be… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2024-2026 Tesla Model Y FSD Degraded-Visibility Detection Defect — NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA26002?

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation upgraded its Full Self-Driving probe to an Engineering Analysis (EA26002) on March 18, 2026, covering roughly 3.2 million FSD-equipped Teslas including 2020-2026 Model Y. The alleged defect is in the FSD degradation-detection system: when r… Severity: high.

What is the 2021-2022 Tesla Model Y Autopilot/TACC Phantom Braking on Highway (NHTSA PE22-002, 416k Model 3/Y)?

After Tesla moved to Vision-Only Autopilot in May 2021, 2021-2022 Model Y (and Model 3) owners reported hundreds of cases of the car suddenly applying brakes for no visible reason at highway speed while Autopilot or TACC is engaged. NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2020-2024 Tesla Model Y Sentry Mode and Cabin Overheat Protection Excessive Battery Drain (12V and HV)?

Leaving Sentry Mode and/or Cabin Overheat Protection enabled on 2020-2024 Model Y causes 7-14% HV pack drain per day plus accelerated 12V battery cycling, because the car keeps the HV system live, cameras recording, and the Autopilot computer processing video continuously. Owners… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: medium.

What is the 2020-2022 Tesla Model Y Early Model Y Rear Glass Cracking / Shattering?

Early-production (2020-2021) Model Y reports of the panoramic rear glass cracking, sometimes spontaneously, sometimes from minor flex. Owners reported cracks appearing during cold-weather closing of the trunk. Tesla covered most under warranty but did not recall. Issue largely re… Repairs typically run $0-$1,900. Severity: medium.

What is the 2020-2023 Tesla Model Y Liftgate Water Ingress Into Trunk and Subtrunk (Service Bulletin SB-23-10-003)?

2020-2023 Model Y crossovers built at Fremont and Giga Austin can leak water into the rear trunk and subtrunk through gaps around the liftgate lamp studs and connector, and through inadequate liftgate sealing. Owners report standing water in the spare-tire well, soaked carpet, an… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: medium.

What is the 2026 Tesla Model Y Refreshed (Juniper) Model Y Front Suspension Creak, Rattle and Knock Over Bumps?

Owners of the refreshed "Juniper" Model Y report creaking, rattling or knocking noises from the front suspension at low speed and over uneven pavement, broken pavement, speed bumps and driveway transitions. The noise is often present from delivery and is one of the most widely re… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.

What is the 2025-2026 Tesla Model Y Automatic Emergency Braking False Activation (Phantom Braking) That Cannot Be Permanently Disabled?

NHTSA complaints on the 2025 Model Y show a persistent cluster of forward-collision-avoidance failures separate from FSD steering behavior: the vehicle applies hard automatic braking on clear, open road with no obstacle present, most often near overpasses, shadows, oncoming traff… Severity: medium.

What is the 2026 Tesla Model Y Inoperative Reverse Lamps From Rear Fascia Harness Continuity Loss (Recall 25V658 / SB-25-17-011)?

Certain 2026 Model Y vehicles built between February 6, 2025 and July 26, 2025 were delivered with one or both reverse lamps inoperative. The root cause is a wiring defect in the rear fascia harness — an improperly seated terminal pin or connector produces a loss of continuity in… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.

What is the 2020-2024 Tesla Model Y Premature Rear Tire Wear From Aggressive Negative Camber?

2020-2024 Model Y (especially Performance trim, which sits ~10mm lower) is delivered with aggressive, non-adjustable rear negative camber that causes severe inner-edge wear on the rear tires. The factory rear camber cannot be changed via standard alignment — only toe is adjustabl… Repairs typically run $600-$1,800. Severity: medium.

What is the 2023-2025 Tesla Model Y Rearview/Backup Camera Image Loss From Shorted Computer Circuit Board (Recall 25V002 / SB-25-00-001)?

On certain 2023-2025 Model Y (and 2023-2025 Model X, 2024-2025 Model 3/S) vehicles, the vehicle's computer (infotainment/MCU) circuit board can short due to a reverse-current condition on startup. When this happens, the rearview camera image fails to appear when the driver shifts… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.

What is the 2021-2024 Tesla Model Y Windshield Cracking During Cabin Preconditioning / Defrost in Cold Weather?

Multiple Model Y owners report the windshield spontaneously cracking while using cabin preconditioning or the defrost function in cold weather. Owners describe a consistent crack pattern that appears as the heating system warms the cold glass, suggesting thermal stress on the win… Repairs typically run $400-$1,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2026 Tesla Model Y Blocked Windshield Washer Nozzles From Defective Wiper Arm Hose Elbow Connector (Recall 25V359)?

Approximately 170-172 2026 Model Y vehicles built in a narrow window between April 15 and April 20, 2025 left the factory with a defective wiper arm washer hose elbow connector. The connector can block the washer nozzles so that no washer fluid reaches the windshield when the dri… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: low.

What is the 2025-2026 Tesla Model Y Refreshed (Juniper) Model Y Turn-Signal Stalk Fails to Latch / Cancels Early?

The 2025-2026 'Juniper' refresh re-added a physical turn-signal stalk after the steering-wheel haptic buttons proved unpopular, but owners report the new stalk is unreliable. It frequently will not 'hold' a continuous signal — many drivers report only about three blink cycles bef… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: low.

Tesla · Known Issues

2020-2026 Tesla Model Y Problems: 21 Known Issues

2020-2026 model years · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026

Share:@au7o.io

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2020-2026 Tesla Model Y has 21 documented known issues, with 9 rated critical. The most serious are Front Suspension Lateral Link Bolts Loose - Separation Risk (Recall 21V-835) ($0-$0 repair), Heat Pump / Octovalve Failure in Cold Weather (Loss of Cabin Heat and Defrost) ($0-$5,000 repair), Model S / Model X First-Row Seat Belt Anchor Inspection Recall (23V-488) ($0-$0 repair), Hood Latch Switch Deformation — No 'Hood Open' Warning, Frunk Can Fly Open While Driving, FSD Degraded-Visibility Detection Defect — NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA26002, Battery Pack Contactor Opens Suddenly Causing Loss of Drive Power (Recall 25V690 / SB-25-13-001) ($0-$0 repair), Autopilot/TACC Phantom Braking on Highway (NHTSA PE22-002, 416k Model 3/Y) ($0-$0 repair), . at .

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Tesla Model Y problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2020-2026 Tesla Model Y has 21 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Front Suspension Lateral Link Bolts Loose - Separation Risk (Recall 21V-835), Heat Pump / Octovalve Failure in Cold Weather (Loss of Cabin Heat and Defrost), Model S / Model X First-Row Seat Belt Anchor Inspection Recall (23V-488). Of these, 9 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Tesla Model Y reliable?

The 2020-2026 Tesla Model Y has 21 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 9 issues are rated critical: Front Suspension Lateral Link Bolts Loose - Separation Risk (Recall 21V-835) and Heat Pump / Octovalve Failure in Cold Weather (Loss of Cabin Heat and Defrost) and Model S / Model X First-Row Seat Belt Anchor Inspection Recall (23V-488) and Hood Latch Switch Deformation — No 'Hood Open' Warning, Frunk Can Fly Open While Driving and FSD Degraded-Visibility Detection Defect — NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA26002 and Battery Pack Contactor Opens Suddenly Causing Loss of Drive Power (Recall 25V690 / SB-25-13-001) and Autopilot/TACC Phantom Braking on Highway (NHTSA PE22-002, 416k Model 3/Y) and Electronic Door Handles Inoperative on Low 12V Voltage — Occupants Trapped (NHTSA Investigation PE25-010) and Electronic Power Steering Assist Loss From Overstressed Circuit Board (Recall 25V092 / SB-25-00-004). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Tesla Model Y problems?

Repair costs for known Tesla Model Y issues range from $0 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Front Suspension Lateral Link Bolts Loose - Separation Risk (Recall 21V-835), typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Tesla Model Y is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Tesla Model Y. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2020-2026 Tesla Model Y with 21 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.

All 21 Known Issues

Other Tesla Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Tesla Model Y problems?

Is the Tesla Model Y reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Tesla Model Y problems?

What year Tesla Model Y is the most reliable?

Model S / Model X First-Row Seat Belt Anchor Inspection Recall (23V-488)#

FSD Degraded-Visibility Detection Defect — NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA26002#

Autopilot/TACC Phantom Braking on Highway (NHTSA PE22-002, 416k Model 3/Y)#

Electronic Door Handles Inoperative on Low 12V Voltage — Occupants Trapped (NHTSA Investigation PE25-010)#

Automatic Emergency Braking False Activation (Phantom Braking) That Cannot Be Permanently Disabled#

TPMS Warning Light Resets Between Drives, Failing to Warn of Low Tire Pressure (Recall 24V935)#

Front Suspension Lateral Link Bolts Loose - Separation Risk (Recall 21V-835)#

Refreshed (Juniper) Model Y Front Suspension Creak, Rattle and Knock Over Bumps#

Premature Rear Tire Wear From Aggressive Negative Camber#

Hood Latch Switch Deformation — No 'Hood Open' Warning, Frunk Can Fly Open While Driving#

Early Model Y Rear Glass Cracking / Shattering#

Liftgate Water Ingress Into Trunk and Subtrunk (Service Bulletin SB-23-10-003)#

Heat Pump / Octovalve Failure in Cold Weather (Loss of Cabin Heat and Defrost)#

Battery Pack Contactor Opens Suddenly Causing Loss of Drive Power (Recall 25V690 / SB-25-13-001)#

Electronic Power Steering Assist Loss From Overstressed Circuit Board (Recall 25V092 / SB-25-00-004)#

Sentry Mode and Cabin Overheat Protection Excessive Battery Drain (12V and HV)#

Inoperative Reverse Lamps From Rear Fascia Harness Continuity Loss (Recall 25V658 / SB-25-17-011)#

Rearview/Backup Camera Image Loss From Shorted Computer Circuit Board (Recall 25V002 / SB-25-00-001)#

Refreshed (Juniper) Model Y Turn-Signal Stalk Fails to Latch / Cancels Early#

Windshield Cracking During Cabin Preconditioning / Defrost in Cold Weather#

Blocked Windshield Washer Nozzles From Defective Wiper Arm Hose Elbow Connector (Recall 25V359)#