2020 Tesla Model Y problems and recalls

Owners have filed 275 complaints on the 2020 Tesla Model Y, and NHTSA has issued 24 recalls. The most cited component is the Forward Collision Avoidance (105 complaints).

275
Complaints
24
Recalls
47
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
25
Injuries
119.7
Severity index

Severity index 119.7 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 119.7p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 4 of 103 by severity index among 2020 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 96% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2020 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 105 complaints (38.2%)105 38%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 54 complaints (19.6%)54 20%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 37 complaints (13.5%)37 13%Service BrakesService Brakes: 35 complaints (12.7%)35 13%SuspensionSuspension: 30 complaints (10.9%)30 11%Lane DepartureLane Departure: 29 complaints (10.5%)29 11%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 26 complaints (9.5%)26 9%SteeringSteering: 26 complaints (9.5%)26 9%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE10538.2%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5419.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3713.5%
SERVICE BRAKES3512.7%
SUSPENSION3010.9%
LANE DEPARTURE2910.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM269.5%
STEERING269.5%

Complaints filed per year

048952020: 252021: 282022: 952023: 512024: 402025: 232026: 13 (partial year)2021229523242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
202025
202128
202295
202351
202440
202523
2026 (year to date)13
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (114 against 148).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
22V03700027/01/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersec
21V91200021/11/2021SUSPENSIONTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The front and rear suspension knuckles may fracture, causing the suspension links to separate.
21V83500025/10/2021SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
22V04500001/02/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the
20V60900030/09/2020EXTERIOR LIGHTINGTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020 Model Y vehicles equipped with a global rear lamp and tow package configuration. A software error prevents the illumination of trailer brake lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehic
21V38900025/05/2021SEAT BELTSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached.
21V38800025/05/2021SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTORTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the left and right second row seat belt retractors may not be properly attached.
21V38700025/05/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPERTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.
21V84600029/10/2021FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERATesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (A
20V70900017/11/2020SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARMTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020 Model Y vehicles. The bolts connecting the front upper control arm and steering knuckle may have not been properly tightened, allowing the upper control arm to detach from the steering knuckle.
22V05000002/02/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance
22V06300004/02/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
22V23500012/04/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
22V70200019/09/2022VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements o
22V84400015/11/2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate.
23V08500015/02/2023STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERINGTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation.  The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections,
23V83800012/12/2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the
24V05100030/01/2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANELTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As
24V15300027/02/2024FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERTTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Moto
24V37600028/05/2024SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICESTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comp
24V55400024/07/2024LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCHTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
24V93500017/12/2024TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. As such, these
26V28300005/05/2026BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and Model X vehicles operating software version 2026.8.6. The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply
26V50700005/08/2026EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)

Other Tesla Model Y model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 3 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-05. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.