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#BS-2021-TESMOD-48D12021 Tesla Model Y
Based on reports from 1,000 owners and 21 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 1,000 complaints, 101 crashes, 10 fires, and 21 recalls. Complaint rate is 4.1x the class average. This is the worst model year for this vehicle.
Top reported problems
12v lead-acid battery fails prematurely
1 complaints • Severity 6/10
12v lead acid battery premature failure
1 complaints • Severity 6/10
car wont connect to server to wake from sleep mode
1 complaints • Severity 8/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
224 owners reported forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control issues — failures commonly reported around 1K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (101 reports) • Median: 1K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control (224 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2021 Tesla Model Y: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control Issues
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control complaints account for 22% of all reports filed for the 2021 Tesla Model Y, with 224 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 1,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 1K-mile mark.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking Issues
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking complaints account for 20% of all reports filed for the 2021 Tesla Model Y, with 204 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Collision Avoidance Issues
Collision Avoidance complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2021 Tesla Model Y, with 81 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to collision avoidance-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Speed Control Issues
Speed Control complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2021 Tesla Model Y, with 77 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to speed control-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2021 Tesla Model Y. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (21 recalls)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Tesla, 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.
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Tesla, 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.
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Tesla, 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.
SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Tesla, 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.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Tesla, 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 (AEB) system.
+ 16 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
This is the worst model year for the Tesla Model Y according to owner complaint data. The biggest problem area is electrical.
2021 Tesla Model Y vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD)
This vehicle
1,000
Class avg
247
4.1x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical small sport utility vehicle 4wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 1,000 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 21 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
2021 Tesla Model Y: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
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Does the 2021 Tesla Model Y have any recalls?
What mileage do Tesla Model Y problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
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Get the Full 2021 Tesla Model Y Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 1,000 owner reports. Know before you buy.