What 1,087 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 Tesla Model Y

The falcon braking system kicks in automatically, and the windshield wiper does not turn on automatically as it would in any basic car now a days. The available autopilot/ adaptive cruise control only gives unteliable cruise control. There were times where in the middle of a freeway the cruise control starts braking, luckily there were no vehicle behind us so there were no collisions so far. The price tag on this car and the way it keeps fluctuating is un-acceptable so i ended up paying a lot for the car than the actual value from tesla directly and the basic features like auto wiper and cruise control is a huge disappointment

NHTSA ODI 11578600

I have been trying more than 4 times with TESLA to get this open recall fixed but failed.

NHTSA ODI 11573801

Auto setting on windshield wiper does not activate wipers. It happens in a downpour and moderate rain. Other times it activates in a sunny day or with minimal water on window. When it fails, I have to manually turn on wiper which requires taking my eyes off the road to look at the screen to set the speed. This is very dangerous at one of the worst times when I need my eyes on the wet road and traffic. Tesla has refused to look at the sensors and claims there is no issue. I have contacted them twice about this and gotten a “it’s a firmware issue. We’ll send an update soon.”The problem has persisted for several months. I have attached screen shots of the messages from Tesla.

NHTSA ODI 11573358

Auto Wipers either don't work when it's raining or will always come on randomly when it's dry. Manuel wipers work fine

NHTSA ODI 11571143

Tesla's auto-wipers do NOT detect rain on the windshield and are dangerous to drive with enabled. During heavy rain with the windshield covered and unable to see the auto wipers would not enable and clean the windshield. I was forced to "wake-up" the wipers with a manual swipe, but even then the auto-wipers failed to keep the windshield clear while only occasionally/intermittently cleaning the windshield. Tesla's auto-wipers are dangerously ineffective.

NHTSA ODI 11569748

To Whom It May Concern at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), I am writing to urgently express my concerns about the latest software update for the Tesla Model Y’s autopilot system, which, in my view, significantly compromises safety. As a Model Y owner, I have generally found the vehicle and its features to be reliable and safe. However, the recent update has introduced an overly stringent hands-on-wheel detection mechanism that is not only inconvenient but also potentially hazardous. The new update requires frequent and often forceful interaction with the steering wheel to assure the system of driver presence. This change is drastically different from my previous experience, where I received only one hands-on-wheel violation in two years. The current sensitivity of the system disrupts the smooth operation of the autopilot, leading to frequent and abrupt disengagements. I have found myself struggling to maintain the system’s activation, inadvertently causing the vehicle to exit autopilot mode multiple times. This issue goes beyond mere inconvenience; it actively detracts from driving safety. The need for constant and sometimes aggressive adjustments to satisfy the system’s requirements is distracting and can lead to erratic vehicle behavior. The irony is stark: a system designed to enhance driving safety and ease is now a source of potential danger and stress. The unpredictability and over-sensitivity of the updated system could lead to dangerous situations, especially on highways or in heavy traffic, where sudden disengagement of the autopilot can be particularly risky. As a driver, I now find myself more focused on keeping the autopilot engaged than on the actual driving conditions and surroundings, which is surely contrary to the feature’s intended purpose. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this issue as a matter of urgency.

NHTSA ODI 11568696

Tesla wipers doesn't work in “automatic settings” this is quite dangerous and warrant a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11564423

The Auto Wiper system doesn't work properly. Sometimes, The wiper blade start running randomly at the sunny day. That wouldn't be a big concern but they fail to run when it is raining. I have to manually override them when it is almost impossible to see anything through the windshield. After manual "push" they appears to be working reasonably for a some time but than start running at the max speed when it is barley raining. I complained to Tesla but they gave me a generic answer that this is a Beta version of the new technology and will be improved. My old vehicles don't have this problems with the old technologies. I think this is a safety concern as changing wipers speed can be done on the screen and for that the driver has to take their eyes off the road.

NHTSA ODI 11562923

The backup camera failed to display any image, even with a vehicle restart by pushing the 2 buttons on the steering wheel to force a vehicle restart. I cannot see the back of the vehicle without the camera as the rearview window is so up high that it creates blind spots that I cannot see to safely get in or out of a parking spot and this creates a huge safety risk. Warnings that displayed was emergency braking unavailable and park assist unavailable. Also, the headlights on this vehicle is too bright that other drivers are flashing their high beam at me believing that I had the high beam on when I only have the low beam on. This creates a safety risk as the lights blind other drivers on the road and the same make and model of the vehicle can also create visibility problems when traveling in the opposite direction as it can also blind me. Those matrix headlight that can dim certain areas and not blind other drivers should be standard and enabled by default on all vehicles, including this one.

NHTSA ODI 11561722

The automatic windshield wipers run when it is dry, and they do not run when it is pouring rain. They cannot be disabled when using autopilot or adaptive cruise control. One must stop looking at the road and look at the screen in order to correct the wipers. If one disengages cruise control, the automatic wipers stay on, and must be manually turned off. There are no manual controls one can use while maintaining a view of the road. The problem has been confirmed by Tesla service and they are unable to repair it. They have told me to wait for it to be improved with a future software update. They are aware it is a widespread problem, and have verbally told me so.

NHTSA ODI 11560899

While using adaptive cruise, Tesla requires that the beta automatic windshield wiper function be enabled. When this function is active, the windshield can quickly become smeared due to false positive detections, or even during accurate moisture detection though the driver’s vision is not impaired enough to warrant wiper usage. The driver has no ability to disable this feature in favor of their own judgment for determining when the windshield should be safely cleared. Even having put only 7000 miles on my 2023 Tesla Model Y, I have been in multiple situations where the wipers turn on unexpectedly and smear the windshield. Situations which are especially dangerous are when driving directly into sunlight, and in cold weather conditions when the wipers smear freezing moisture in my field of view. When these dangerous situations occur, my view of the roadway and surrounding vehicles is impaired for a few seconds while I manually activate the windshield fluid cleaning system. I have raised this issue with Tesla‘s service department twice and both times have been told there is no way to disable the automatic windshield wiper function while using adaptive cruise control, and that their developers are both aware of and working on the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11560977

The problem here is the cruise control or autopilot. It first appeared when I bought the car. It continues to appear when driving on cruise control or autopilot. The car brakes harsh or suddenly stops. No messages or warning. Sometimes when driving under a ramp or sometimes when nothing is there it stops. I went to the Tesla shop many time and they can’t find any issue. I can’t drive using the auto pilot or cruise control. It’s not safe and my passengers. The other issue is the wipers start working when no rain but when you have auto or autopilot on. Please fix this issue. It has become a problem for me. I have taken it many times to the shop and they can’t find issue. No messages or warning. Another issue occurred two weeks. It’s regarding TPMS. A warning sign appeared on the dash state faulty. I took it to the shop 4x and they’ve tried to fix it but it continues to show up. The tech repaired tpsi, warning goes away but after some driving it comes up as right passenger side issue. I rotated the tires from left to right and vice versa. Same issue on the right side.

NHTSA ODI 11560229

Was passing a 18 wheeler truck that was on my right and behind a second 18 wheeler truck. Light rain but a lot of water spraying up from the road. Probably 1/8 inches of water streaming on front windshield. Wiper speed was set to III, but the wipers would not turn on. Finally issued a voice command and the wipers finally started. TACC, autosteer and fsd we’re not on. Autosteer was the mode that was enabled. A week prior I parked the vehicle in the shade headed in to a stucco building and the wipers would not turn off. No rain whatsoever. The camera system thought the bumbs on the wall were rain drops. But a window so full of water you can’t see is not water to be removed.

NHTSA ODI 11558476

These are observations over the past couple of months that I have owned the car. They have been consistently observed and have occurred at speed between 35-70 mph. There are four main issues I’m having with my tesla. 1) I cannot use cruise control because it requires automatic windshield wipers. The automatic windshield wipers cannot sense when it’s raining and just turns on randomly when it’s not raining. 2). The car breaks on its own randomly on both the highway and city streets. I have almost been rear ended several times because of this. 3) the car thought another car was coming in my lane on interstate 95 and violently switched lanes without warning causing me to oversteer and almost wreck. I had my family in the car with me and it was terrifying. 4). The two times I used full self driving the car actually accelerated to make it through a yellow light. I know these are all beta features of the car but in my opinion they are all dangerous to use on the roads and should be disabled until they are ready for prime time

NHTSA ODI 11557377

Auto-wiper settings does not work. They are required to be turned on, while on Autopilot/cruise control, but they actively wipe the windshield, even when no rain (clear blue skies). When there is rain - they do not turn on frequently enough. It's a danger in the first scenario, because it's a huge distraction to the driver (wipers intermittently turning on when not raining). In the second scenario, it's very unsafe to not turn on when it's raining. Fussing with them in both scenarios is a huge distraction and very frustrating.

NHTSA ODI 11556861

When wipers are in auto mode they do not start until well after visibility is at a dangerous level.

NHTSA ODI 11552685

Windshield cracked while driving on the highway The vehicle is not available for inspection as we have taken it to Tesla Service center to replace the windshield The cracked appeared in the top center. if it had happened on the driver side it could have resulted in an accident. The manufacturer is denying faulty product. The warning signs were there all along. About a few weeks back we could hear the cracking sound from the windshield. Since we could not pin-point the location we didn't think it was a faulty windshield.

NHTSA ODI 11549203

Brand new vehicle, the vehicle cameras do not seem to be conveying the correct information to the control systems resulting in all related safety features like forward collision, parking assist, lane departure, automatic wipers, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, green light chime, etc are not working. In the last few months these features have not been operational for more than a few days. This is a major safety flaw with this vehicle and the local dealer is unable or unwilling to help.

NHTSA ODI 11543933

1. Wireless charging extremely slow., connected charging is also slow. 2. Safety Issue (Camera): driving side left camera and blind spot monitoring camera specially sometimes stopped working automatically during driving in the highway or city, it’s pretty dangerous Specially in the highway driving. During my long drive over July 4th weekend between 3-7 July happened several times, it caused auto steer mode forced disengage 3 times. occurrence 8/8 between 12-3 am it happened about 6 times. It happens on and off almost everyday in some part of drive. 3. Safety Issue Phantom Braking, in Auto steer, brakes are suddenly getting applied when even are no objects in the front of car for no reason. Aug 4, it happened about 4 times between 7-9 am.(around 7:30-7:40)Due to this big accident in the highway could have happened with Truck, as Truck was in normal speed 65 mph and due to sudden brake, vehicle speed came down to 35-40 mph, took control and move car out of road avoiding accident. This happened earlier instances as well during driving in the highways. But this time, I avoided death but got injuries. I need this car fixed for good OR a Replacement new car (preferably)OR a refund. Enough, I’m scared of driving this car afterwards, as I’m concerned about security and life risk all the time. Aug 12 braking issues happened on around 6:40 and 7:30 PST. Aug 15 braking issue happened on the highway around 7:45 and 8:15 am pst Hard to get a hold of customer service. they try to avoid Physical Service by Service Center by telling I need to provide exact timestamp and other nonsense remote debug and worst experience with the servicing. I asked for refund, no customer support no way to reach to discuss. 4. Range: Promised range for model Y is 330 m, get only 150-200 max, numbers are bloated and wrong. They tells it’s based on driving pattern and this range is based on 60-65 m/hr drive on a Flat surface, which was not told or advertised in website or during purchas.

NHTSA ODI 11538870

When driving 60+ mph, the driver side view mirror vibrates. This causes the mirror to show a blurry image and impacts the safety of seeing vehicles on the left side/rear. There isn’t a current issue with passenger side view mirror. I brought this to the dealer and they acknowledge that it is an issue they are aware of, but there is no fix.

NHTSA ODI 11537320

Steering got locked and stiffened in middle of the road in traffic.had to call 911 to help me to move my car.this was scary as it could have lead to crash or accident.some time front wiper is automatically wiping in dry summer days which is sometimes blocks the view while driving. Had to switch off the auto mode for wiper.

NHTSA ODI 11536021

The auto wiper system of the Tesla Y failed miserably in a torrential downpour while traveling on a major highway on the east coast. The wipers were working fine but after the downpour they simply stopped working. Fortunately, we were able to pull to the side of the road, get on the touchscreen and manually turn them on. We did not use the “auto” mode of the wipers again on our trip. There is a serious defect on the auto mode on our Y!

NHTSA ODI 11530280

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? — Driver’s side rear view mirror. Mirror vibrates to a point where rear view is blurred and no longer clearly visible to driver. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? No event, however I have been unable to clearly see traffic behind me when traveling 60mph+ due this defect. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, I have taken it to the Tesla dealership in Raleigh, NC 3 times for the same issue. They have openly acknowledged the defect across all Model Y’s and have no fix. The team tightened the mirror, replaced the mirror, added padding behind without any luck. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, I drove the vehicle with a Tesla mechanic at the Tesla dealer in Raleigh, NC— he acknowledged the defect. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? This is a Day 0 manufacturing issue since I purchased the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11526692

Repetitive phantom braking. Happens quite often. Three time today on the intestate. I had cruise control set at 71mph and without any vehicle or obstacles in the area the car hard breaked from 71 down to 40. I have it on video.

NHTSA ODI 11524260

I bought this car on March 2023. The windshield blades won't stop running on auto. I kept it turned off, but when I engage the adaptive cruise control, it goes back on and I can't turn it off. I made a service request on May 10 and Tesla cancelled the appointment saying the issue was resolved because it was a software issue, not a hardward issue. I was advised that wait for over the air update. I have had 3 over the air updates and the issues continuous. This is no my first tesla and this was never a software problem with my previous car. I also have another tesla Y 2021 that doesn't have the problem either. I have contacted Tesla again and they don't have a solution. One of the main reason I keep buying teslas is because I have problems with my arms and need to use the adaptive cruise control with lane centring to easy my arm pain. It is a feature I bought and it has to work otherwise I don't want this car. what seems to be easy it is become a problem. I always happen to get disconnected when talking to people at tesla. They must really have phone problems.

NHTSA ODI 11523534