2020 Tesla Model Y: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 473 complaints
473
Total Complaints
3,000mi
Median Mileage
Adaptive Cruise Control
Top Issue
90
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
1,000
25th Percentile
3,000
Median Mileage
12,500
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Adaptive Cruise Control
69
Unknown Or Other
50
Automatic Emergency Braking
44
Vehicle Speed Control
35
Service Brakes
34
Suspension
27
Steering
25
Electrical System
24
Warnings
19
Air Bags
17
Severity Assessment
90
Crashes
0
Fires
40
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"SECONDARY FRONT HOOD SAFETY LATCH FAILED CAUSING MY HOOD TO OPEN WHILE ON HIGHWAY"
"SINCE MY WIFE AND I TOOK DELIVERY OF OUR NEW MODEL Y, WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WHICH HAVE REQUIRED SERVICING. THESE ISSUES RANGE FROM WIRES HANGING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE TO WINDOW ALIGNMENTS TO OUR TURN SIGNAL NOTE WORKING AND MANY OTHER ISSUES. LATELY THE ISSUES HAVE BECOME A HAZARD T..."
"PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE USED THE VIN OF A JUNKYARD MODEL Y TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. THIS COMPLAINT AFFECTS EVERY MODEL Y ON THE ROADS. HERE IS A DISCUSSION THREAD IN WHICH SEVERAL OWNERS REPORT THAT VITAL NUTS ON THE SUSPENSIONS ARE VIBRATING LOOSE AND FALLING OFF. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TM..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Adaptive Cruise Control
69 complaints
25th: 3,000 mi
Median: 4,000 mi
75th: 12,600 mi
Unknown Or Other
50 complaints
25th: 1,550 mi
Median: 3,000 mi
75th: 5,400 mi
Automatic Emergency Braking
44 complaints
Median: 1,400 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
35 complaints
25th: 450 mi
Median: 800 mi
75th: 1,575 mi
Service Brakes
34 complaints
25th: 1,500 mi
Median: 3,000 mi
75th: 4,932 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 127
FL: 26
TX: 26
IL: 26
CO: 21
MD: 21
NY: 20
NJ: 18
OR: 16
WA: 16
Who Files Complaints?
1.1%
Original Owners
98.9%
Second+ Owners
Tesla Model Y — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (22)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Software
Campaign 22V037000 | 27/01/2022
Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
Suspension
Campaign 21V912000 | 21/11/2021
Suspension links that separate can reduce vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla Service will inspect and replace the knuckles as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-31-004.
Critical Fasteners
Campaign 21V835000 | 25/10/2021
A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-31-003.
Software
Campaign 22V045000 | 01/02/2022
The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 20V609000 | 30/09/2020
Trailer brake lights that fail to illuminate during braking increase the risk of a crash.
Tesla will notify owners, and has released the firmware update over-the-air (OTA) to vehicles as of September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-20-00-002.
Seat Belts
Campaign 21V389000 | 25/05/2021
An improperly attached fastener may prevent the seat belt system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
Tesla Service will inspect and repair both fasteners if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for
Retractor
Campaign 21V388000 | 25/05/2021
Improperly attached fasteners may prevent the seat belt retention system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
Tesla Service will inspect and replace both fasteners if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for
Caliper
Campaign 21V387000 | 25/05/2021
Contact with the rim may cause a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla Service will inspect and tighten, or replace the caliper bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tes
Camera
Campaign 21V846000 | 29/10/2021
Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
Control Arm
Campaign 20V709000 | 17/11/2020
A detached upper control arm can cause the wheels to lean in or out, decreasing the driver's ability to steer and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, tighten the bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 15, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-20-31-012.
Software
Campaign 22V050000 | 02/02/2022
Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.
Software
Campaign 22V063000 | 04/02/2022
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3
Software
Campaign 22V235000 | 12/04/2022
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer se
Power Window Devices And Controls
Campaign 22V702000 | 19/09/2022
A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.
Tail Lights
Campaign 22V844000 | 15/11/2022
A taillight that fails to illuminate may reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-016.
Automated/Adaptive Steering
Campaign 23V085000 | 15/02/2023
FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
Software
Campaign 23V838000 | 12/12/2023
In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
Instrument Cluster/Panel
Campaign 24V051000 | 30/01/2024
Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
External/Pedestrian Alert
Campaign 24V153000 | 27/02/2024
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
Warning Light/Devices
Campaign 24V376000 | 28/05/2024
A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
Latch
Campaign 24V554000 | 24/07/2024
An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Campaign 24V935000 | 17/12/2024
Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-018.
General Vehicle Maintenance
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual
- Don't ignore warning lights — early diagnosis prevents expensive repairs
- Keep records of all maintenance and repairs
- Use OEM or equivalent-quality parts for repairs
- Address unusual noises, vibrations, or smells promptly
Vehicle Rankings
Looking for a replacement?
Based on the data above, here are relevant options.
Affiliate link
Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28