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

I purchased my Tesla Model Y in January of this year. Tesla removed all ultrasonic sensors from the car, and is instead relying only on "Tesla Vision". However, 9 months later and I still don't have several safety features Tesla promises. Rear Cross Traffic Warning and Blind Spot warning don't work at all. The Lane Departure warning only works over the solid outside line, and doesn't warn at all when crossing between lanes (ie a dotted line). In addition, the Adaptive cruise control randomly brakes dramatically for no apparent reason. This is extremely dangerous, as drivers behind don't expect you to quickly decelerate in the middle of the highway for no reason.

NHTSA ODI 11552639

One month latest Tesla Model-Y owner. Tried all means in last 3 days to submit several concerns, but tesla had made it impossible to file written complains. 1. Automatic Emergency braking was applied with kids in back eat to school on an internal 35mph road in broad day light with a solid cement divider in left and no vehicle around anywhere. Everyone was hurt someway or other due to this phantom braking and would have been much worse on highway as there are many trucks on this side. Seems accelerator was also not working for few seconds. A software fliker is seen, seconds before this, in video. Not sure a hack, bug or intentional. Major safety issue, have video from dashcam. 2. The FSD is not ready, whatever Tesla says, it doesn’t care about road condition, speed or other surroundings. Drives like aggressive kid who just learned driving & doesn’t care about anyone or anything. Thats the reason have stopped using it. 3.The automatic lane departure assistance is very dangerous at the as it takes control of vehicle and tries to move away from lane as soon as you are around the border, without considering speed, other vehicles in side lanes, road condition or road hazards and due to this, several time it happened like tug of war, where other vehicles were too close like a truck in there lane left & right, hence was trying to be on edge of lane and this system was yanking to go away from line, causing shaking & was about to hit other vehicles. This may have caused accidents, had to turn this off as well. 4. The estimated range is so wrong and off my 70-100 miles and this could cause safety issues for family in night or cold getting stuck or anxiety that can cause emotional trauma and safety issues. 5. Other small stuff- Wiper turn on without rain or water, sentry mode don't work if charge is below 65 miles, which could be a security risk, fandom door open notification, bluetooth issue, car don't unlock, costly super charger etc. Sorry but had no other way.

NHTSA ODI 11552002

During the week of October 09 2023, I started receiving two failure alerts on my 2023 Model Y. The first is that lane keeping assist was unavailable. In spite of this alert, the system continued to function properly. The second warning was a Steering Assist Reduced warning. At first, this also seemed to not corollate to a noticeable issue with the vehicle. On the evening October 15, when leaving a supercharger station, I noticed a momentary stutter in the steering wheel that accompanied the above mentioned alert. No other issue was observed. On the afternoon of October 16, when leaving from work, after putting the vehicle in gear, I had no steering ability at all, it was a similar feeling to the steering wheel lock on older vehicles. The wheel would move approximately 1" in either direction. I immediately shut the vehicle down and performed a reset by holding in both scroll wheels on the steering wheel. This did not clear the code, but did return steering ability. Since I could not predict when the steering might go out again, I contacted Tesla and had the vehicle towed to the nearest service center.

NHTSA ODI 11550317

Vehicle visualizations degrade over a few days following a firmware update and eventually show nothing on screen. Features such as auto wipers, traffic-aware cruise control, auto turn signals and blind spot indicators do not function. There is no warning to the driver in the car that these items are not working. While driving I am unaware if other safety features are not working (emergency braking for example). Manufacturer admits this is a firmware bug and has promised a repair multiple times. The service team has provided a temporary fix to manually reset the self driving computer each time this happens (approximately every 3 days) which requires a recalibration of the cameras rendering these features useless.

NHTSA ODI 11545261

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist activated, the vehicle experienced phantom braking and decelerated to 50 MPH before releasing. The contact stated that he was overtaking an 18-wheeler at the time of the failure. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 450.

NHTSA ODI 11541155

While I was driving my car earlier today, my Tesla Model Y experienced an unexpected steering freeze right in the middle of the freeway. This incident occurred while I was accompanied by my 2-year-old son. Initially, I was quite alarmed and attempted to exert force to guide the car towards the slower lane, but unfortunately, the steering remained unresponsive. After trying the brakes a few times and executing forceful maneuvers, I was fortunate that the steering finally began to respond. Thanks to these actions, both my son and I are safe and well today. It's worth considering the safety implications of Tesla vehicles on the road, and some individuals believe that the NHTSA should intervene by imposing fines and addressing the use of the autopilot feature promptly. Thanks Dr. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11539271

While driving in the city on under construction road, the car started showing notifications that the steering power will be reduced. 30 sec. later the steering wheel froze and the car was drivable only forward and backwards. This safety system malfunction put me and my family at risk while in active driving mode, luckily there was no much traffic and i was able to reset the car in order to be able to drive it again. Bumpy road shouldn’t cause the system to malfunction and limit the driving capability, especially not while active driving. I wasnt using any cruise control or auto pilot features.

NHTSA ODI 11538050

Vehicle was parked on the street. Put car in Drive, loud noise came from steering column, and warning message shows steering assist reduced and lane departure avoidance features unavailable and at that point the car had no power steering. Car was reset 4 times. Every time the vehicle was reset, loud noise came from steering column, both warning messages appeared, and no power steering. On 4th reset, power steering came back, but both warning messages still appeared.

NHTSA ODI 11536591

Summary: Loss of power steering/inability to steer the vehicle occurred twice (7/16/23 & 7/29/23). Issue appears consistent with Investigation PE 23-014. Other functionality was also lost on each occurrence. Details: 7/16/23 - Driver entered the car and immediately received several alerts including Steering assist reduced, stability controlled disabled, traction control disabled, Lane departure avoidance features unavailable, and Vehicle hold disabled. Steering wheel could not be turned and regenerative braking was not functioning. A video of the issue was created and is available upon request as it could not be loaded in its current format. Tesla was contacted on 7/17/23. They stated that a firmware update failed on the evening of 7/15/23. The vehicle was towed to service center and firmware was updated. the invoice from the service center as also attached. 7/29/23 - Driver entered the car and immediately received several alerts including Steering assist reduced and Lane departure avoidance features unavailable. The steering wheel could not be turned, but only with extreme force. There was no firmware update at this time. I was able to drive the car 3 miles to my home at very slow speeds. 2 videos of the issue were created and are available upon request as they could not be loaded in their current format. Tesla was contacted on 7/30/23. The vehicle was towed to service center where they determined that the steering rack needs to be replaced. The vehicle remains at the service center for repair. Background: Car was just received on 6/30/2023. I have had other issues as well. Upon receipt, the electronic seat mechanism was not working and my cameras do not appear to be measuring distances properly.

NHTSA ODI 11536101

The cruise control for keeping the car in the lane never worked correctly . The car had to be towed to 1805 N Pepper Ln, Liberty Lake, WA 99019. Tesla had our new Tesla for two days and fixed the problem. When the car steering when out I was in restaurant parking lot and only drove less than a mile to our Spokane hotel . Waiting two extra days in Spokane was a major pain and loss of two days of work .

NHTSA ODI 11535699

The steering wheel on my 2023 Tesla Model Y, brand new with only 800 miles on it, kept on locking up out of nowhere, in the middle of the drive, and even on the highway, posing a major safety concern for me and everyone driving around me. My safety was put at risk since I could not steer my vehicle off the road and into a safe area, posing a risk-prone of a severe accident through rear-ending. The problem was notified to Tesla Service, which responded super late to this incident where I had to call them and wait on hold for 1 hour to speak to a representative who then followed up and told me to drive it to the closest service center, which I declined since the steering wheel locking up at random is a major safety. Tesla stated that I would need a new steering rack installed on my brand new 2023 Model Y. I don't understand how these vehicles are inspected and pass quality control on such a major issue. This issue is not just about a broken part but a LIFE or DEATH SITUATION and should be dealt which severely. I got multiple lights and messages when the failure occurred while driving, with steering assist required being the last notification which I have attached in the pictures.

NHTSA ODI 11535787

I was in Tesla charging station when I noticed this steering issue happened. I wasn’t be able to turn the steering as usual and had to make call to Tesla and had it towed to their repair shope. It took four days to replace the rack and pinion. I am not happy having just three month and this happened. Shape on Tesla. Thank God I was not in the free way.

NHTSA ODI 11533252

Backing up in a parking lot with direct sun behind the car, lost sight via the mirrors, dashboard camera and parking assist and collided with parking bollard approximately 3' high causing extensive damage to the left, rear quarter panel and wheel well. Parking assist didn't beep, blare or other as it does and has for our yard waste bins and garden cart at the edges of our driveway (backing up in the dark). I believe the fact that cameras only and sun exposure is a bad mix and was sure glad we weren't in FSD and going forward. I think that removing the radar function via software and or removing the connector plug (at a service visit) is both unsafe and a fraud against the purchaser of such a vehicle and radar systems should be reinstated for the consideration of safety whether going backwards or forwards. Wanted to make the complaint first as we also can't get a service appointment for this incident until the end of July. Happy with the overall vehicle but this safety function is fallible and unsafe.

NHTSA ODI 11530567

While driving on the freeway at a speed of 72 MPH thr speed limit was 75 MPH used cruse control no vehicles are onfront of me and it did a sudden brake and went to 0 luckily escaped from life threat behind me other vehicle was their that driver handled well if not it would have effected worse. Happend couple of time since I was new Tesla I thought I was not handling properly serious life threat issue scared to drive

NHTSA ODI 11530274

Tesla purposely disabled sensors to warn when close to objects (curb, other vehicles, garage door opening & wall). I wasn’t informed that there will be no parking assist feature indefinitely when I spoke to sakes dept.Tesla says it is still developing cameras to replace sensors. I had a 2015 tesla, which had these warnings. Before that I had a2002 Jaguar with park sensors. It is not new. Because of lack of reliable sensors, I am afraid to use any of Tesla’s driver assistance features. I was told by service manager that sensors only “see” a few feet, while cameras can see infinitely. This is doubtful. But at this point, I have neither. In fact, when parking in tight places, “infinite” camera vision would be useless. Seeing that I’m inches away from an obstacle is useful.I have been told that when a car comes in for Tesla service and still has sensors, the sensors are removed without the owner’s knowledge.

NHTSA ODI 11521901

On two separate trips on 5/5 and 5/7, multiple times the adaptive cruise control initiated a hard braking response for no reason. There were no cars, objects, animal, etc in front of me. Some of these incidents occurred when the road turned or there were rolling hills. However there were at lease two occasions where the road was straight and level. One of these times the hard braking incident almost caused a rear end collision with the person behind me. Additionally the lane keep assistance violently tried to over correct when the car couldn't determine where the road was during a slight turn.

NHTSA ODI 11520924

The Lane Departure Avoidance system fails to trigger consistently when crossing over the lane markings. In the rare instances when the system does trigger, neither of the 2 available modes: steering correction or alert, give a significant enough input to be made aware or correct the problem. Another issue is when the Lane Departure Avoidance system is triggered for an extended amount of time (~10s-ish or more when driving near the lane markings), the system is completely disabled for the powercycle of the car. Thus, this system is not just unreliable and useless when it does work, but also completely disabled after driving near the edge of the road for a little while without any way to re-enable it. Tesla service responded that they won't fix or correct this problem. There are no system failure notices displayed by the car. Vehicle has not been inspect by manufacturer or other.

NHTSA ODI 11520435

Tesla autopilot made a turn into oncoming traffic without warning and caused a collision.

NHTSA ODI 11518309

Bought 2023 Tesla Model Y on 29-Dec-2022. Noticed that when I am backing up the car, even when there is another car right behind, or any pedestrian crossing there was no warning. At first I thought some settings is turned off. Later, when I was changing lanes in freeway, no lane departure alert. Also no blind spot chime came on even though that option was turned on in settings. Almost I was about to crash into another car which was in my blind spot. I started googling and learnt that Tesla has removed ultrasonic sensors from Oct2022 onwards and they are working on Tesla Vision which is a camera based system. But Tesla vision is not ready as of 08-Mar-2023 when I am writing this. How is the 2023 Model Y manufactured without ultrasonic sensors and no Tesla vision passed basic safety test? I feel threatened every moment I drive the car without these basic safety features like rear object detection while backing up, lane departure alert, curb sensor alert, blind spot warning. I feel like I am driving a 2000 model old car which doesn't have any of these features. How does NHTSA deem Tesla cars manufactured after Oct22 safe on roads? I will be at financial burden and stress and risk of death without these basic features in a 70k+ car. Why is Tesla even allowed to make such low standard cars without any of the basic safety features? Attached screenshots of my chat with Tesla service also attaching the link Tesla support gave me as ref - https://www.tesla.com/en_eu/support/transitioning-tesla-vision Please investigate this issue and stop Tesla from making and selling unsafe cars for huge price and making profits but doesn't have the basic ethics to care about customer safety. Thanks

NHTSA ODI 11510908

The Tesla Model Y Blind Spot warning system does not accurately detect the position of cars in the lanes next to the car. The display shows the car as behind the vehicle while it is actually at the rear quarter panel. There is only an audio warning if the turn signal is activated. The car is in the blind spot yet the system does not warn the driver. I took the car in for an adjustment to cameras and Tesla said they are functioning as designed. Tesla removed the radar sensors that aid in parking at low speeds. This was intended to be replaced with Tesla Vision. Tesla Vision functionality is not yet available. Although a low-speed collision with an object may not result in injury to a person, it is a safety feature that has been removed. The windshield wiper's speed cannot be adjusted or even started on the stock. To change speed or turn on the wipers you must look away from the road, locate the control panel and then select the desired speed. This clearly is a safety hazzard.

NHTSA ODI 11509855

This 2023 model Y has no collision warning. This was not what I expected when I purchased.

NHTSA ODI 11508675

Car braked aggressively and unexpectedly on highway in full traffic with autopilot (lane keeping cruise control) for no reason. Car in front was over 10 car lengths away and not slowing. Almost caused collision with car behind me but I took control immediately and hit accelerator. Night time driving - approximately 530pm on route 64/1 headed west in Raleigh nc. My car is “vision only”. Extremely unsafe.

NHTSA ODI 11506818

On the freeway with auto steer and adaptive cruise control on. I experienced 3 phantom breaking incidents over the last two weeks. The car suddenly drops in speed about 10-20 mph before I can catch it and turn off cruise control and accelerate back to the right speed. It’s super dangerous. We live in WA where it rains a lot and our car was delivered without any ultra sonic sensors. This was a big issue for me because we didn’t get a lot of the features I was expecting and they told me it would be fixed with full vision eventually. I think it’s false advertising since the test drives and a lot of things that sold me on the car were not there when I got mine. The breaking problem could easily cause crashes for us and is a big safety risk.

NHTSA ODI 11504174

When I purchased this vehicle, I was told that all ADAS features would be available once the cameras calibrated (approximately 50 miles). After 100 miles my wife bumped into a wall in our garage. I opened a ticket and Tesla said the ADAS features are unavailable until a software update is sent. The sales person who I spoke to were not aware of this. This is EXTREMELY dangerous. Drivers are reliant on warnings from features like this and to have the features off without a warning could get someone run over.

NHTSA ODI 11498819