2026 Tesla Model Y problems
The 2026 Tesla Model Y has 713 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (23%) concerns forward collision avoidance. After that come lane departure (9%) and electrical system (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 713 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Forward collision avoidance 23% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 180 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 56 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 5,000 miles 36 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 33 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 0 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 36 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 5,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 180 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 56 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 85% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2026 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 7 model years of the Tesla Model Y with enough data (713 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 8 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
The contact owned a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle made a left turn independently onto oncoming traffic while on autopilot, causing her to collide with another vehicle, and the vehicle caught fire during the incident. The contact stated that air bags deployed.
I was using FSD the whole time without any issues. As I approached an intersection, I wanted to go straight, but the FSD intended to make a right turn, so I switched to manual mode. After driving halfway through the intersection, I switched back to FSD, and the car suddenly made a sharp right turn, crashing directly into the traffic light.
Incident Date: July 12, 2025 Approximate Time: 1:30 PM Vehicle: 2026 Tesla Model Y Location: I‑75 South express lane toward I‑285 East, Marietta, GA Event Summary: While Autopilot was engaged, the vehicle was entering the exit ramp to I‑285 East when it abruptly veered left into the I‑285 West entrance ramp, against traffic, crashing through two “no entry” security gates. I was able to safely bring the vehicle to a stop before entering oncoming traffic. Crash Details: • The vehicle struck two barrier gates.
The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a loud pop coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the glass on the passenger’s side had shattered, and glass had fallen inside the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that there was no impact on the glass to cause it to shatter. The contact returned to the residence and parked the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with Self-Driving assist deactivated, the steering system became unresponsive. The vehicle unexpectedly accelerated and passed another vehicle on the right. The contact noted that with autonomous driving features turned off, the steering wheel continued to apply automated pressure.