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2021 Tesla Model Y problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2021 Tesla Model Y has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 9, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 1,098owner complaints
- 90crash reports
- 6fire reports
- 26injuries reported
1,098 complaints, against an average of 402 for the other 7 Tesla Model Y model years.
Every Tesla Model Y model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
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What goes wrong with the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
The components named most often in the 1,098 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2021 Tesla Model Y owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 1,098 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2021 Tesla Model Y been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2021 Tesla Model Y as of November 9, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2021 Tesla Model Y recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAUpdate vehicle software to correct TPMS behaviour
Risk: On affected vehicles upon detection of a malfunction with the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) the TPMS tell tale does not persist between drive cycles where the vehicle is off or asleep between the drive cycles. Therefore the driver may not be adequately warned of potential under-inflation of the tyres increasing the risk of a collision.
Fix: Install modified software via an Over the Air (OTA) wireless update.
UK DVSAA loss of low voltage system support may cause the audio subsystem to be unavailable
Risk: On certain vehicles that are running firmware release 2022.8 and that experience a loss of low voltage system support the audio subsystem may become unavailable including the use of eCall functionality.
Fix: Firmware release 2022.12.3 or later reverses the power management process introduced in firmware release 2022.8 and maintains eCall audio functionality.
UK DVSAThe front suspension lateral link may be insufficiently torqued
Risk: The front suspension lateral link may be insufficiently torqued.
Fix: Inspect the connection of both front suspension lateral links to the sub-frame. Replace any related damaged components and ensure correct torque of fastening bolts.
EU Safety GateIncorrectly manufactured steering knuckles may break or become deformed or break and the suspension arms could become detached from them,…Incorrectly manufactured steering knuckles may break or become deformed or break and the suspension arms could become detached from them, resulting in reduced driving stability and loss of control and increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe lateral control arm of the front suspension is attached to the sub-frame by means of two fasteners.If a fastener gets loose enough or detaches from the sub-frame, this can cause the wheel alignment to change. This cause instability, which could have a negative effect on vehicle control and increase the risk of a collision.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe seat belt mounts may be defective.This could result in increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe fastening elements that secure the brake calipers to the stub axles may not have been tightened to the correct torque.As a result, the movement of the wheels can be restricted and subsequently the tyres may lose pressure, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2021 Tesla Model Y owners report?
12 of the 1,098 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
I own a 2021 Tesla Model Y Performance with approximately 42,000 miles. On November 5, 2026, Tesla Service identified a suspension defect described in its official repair estimate as “lateral bushings torn out.” Tesla determined that both front lower lateral link assemblies require replacement. The estimated repair cost is $782.40. The vehicle has previously experienced persistent alignment problems, including pulling to the right and abnormal tire wear. A wheel alignment was performed approximately six weeks before this diagnosis. Tesla Service stated that the bushings would have been…
On XXX (4:59 PM and 5:47 PM) and XXX (7:49 AM), while driving, my 2021 Tesla Model Y (approx. 41,500 miles) displayed "Steering assist reduced" (UI_a020), each followed within about a minute by "Lane Departure Avoidance unavailable" (APP_w264). [Add if true: The steering felt noticeably heavier when the alert appeared.] The vehicle's 12V system tested healthy in Service Mode (13.32 V, DC-DC output normal). Tesla Service ([XXX]; service SV02F94980) diagnosed an Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) rack motor control error with limited power output from overheat or overload protection. On…
My 2021 Tesla Model Y (Autopilot Hardware 3) had a malfunction of its camera system and automatic windshield wipers after an over-the-air software update. The update was version 2026.38.5.1, which included FSD (Supervised) v14.3 Lite, and it installed on Oct 17. The vehicle had no problems with these systems before the update. After the update, the rearview camera did not display when shifting into reverse, the passenger side rear camera feeds stopped working, the automatic wipers did not activate in rain. Tesla’s automatic wipers depend on the vehicle’s cameras rather than a separate rain…
On XXX, at approximately 10:21 PM, my wife was driving our 2021 Tesla Model Y at low speed (about 7 mph) through the front roundabout of a school in [XXX]. She reports that the vehicle then accelerated rapidly on its own to approximately 35 mph and struck a fence and a tree. She states she did not command this acceleration and attempted to slow the vehicle. The airbags deployed and the vehicle was totaled. She was evaluated at an emergency room and released with no serious injuries. We obtained Tesla's Incident Data Report for the crash. Tesla's data indicates the accelerator pedal was applied…
On [XXX], between approximately [XXX] and [XXX] AM, I was driving my 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range (VIN: [XXX]) with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) engaged, software version v14.3 Lite, on the southbound [XXX] frontage road at [XXX]. The road has five lanes in my direction, and only the leftmost lane is a left-turn lane. I was in the third lane from the left, and the navigation route required a left turn onto [XXX] at the upcoming intersection. FSD waited until the last moment to change lanes. The light turned red before it could complete the lane change, and the vehicle stopped straddling two…
This vehicle presents a safety risk because it can lose power unexpectedly while driving in traffic. The 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range currently displays alert BMS_a074 and will not charge above approximately 32%. This is a recurring high-voltage battery failure. The car has already required two battery replacements under warranty (June 2025 at 90,707 miles and February 2026 at 92,077 miles). Only months after the second replacement, the same issue returned. Tesla Service has quoted $17,550.18 for a fourth battery and has not offered further investigation into the root cause, despite three…
While driving my Tesla on FSD mode, my Tesla had critical error and warn me to take over. My navigation and GPS froze. I did several reboot and power cycle and nothing worked. I reach out to Tesla and they stated that I will need a new computer hardware replacement. My Tesla was working fine until they push the new FSD lite software version 14.1 to Tesla vehicle with an incomparable hardware spec.
On October 1, 2026 at approximately 7:55 PM, I was driving my 2021 Tesla Model Y with Autopilot/driver-assistance engaged. The vehicle struck a fixed support pole of the canopy at my driveway. The pole was stationary, but the vehicle did not avoid it. The collision caused significant damage to the vehicle and canopy/pole. I am concerned that the Tesla driver-assistance system failed to detect and/or respond appropriately to a stationary object while engaged. I am not aware of any warning or intervention that prevented the collision. I preserved the available TeslaCam/USB data and made a…
On October 1, 2026, immediately after my 2021 Tesla Model Y installed Tesla software update 2026.32.7, the driver-assist computer entered a continuous boot loop. All eight vehicle cameras went black (confirmed in the vehicle's Service Mode), the rear camera displays 'camera temporarily unavailable,' Autosteer will not engage, and the vehicle shows alert UI_a114 for degraded driving visualization. All camera-dependent driver-assist and safety features are inoperative. The vehicle had zero driver-assist or camera issues before the update. I performed a scroll-wheel reboot, a driver-assist system…
On September 23, 2026, the vehicle was being driven at low speed when the driver experienced sudden and unexpected acceleration. The vehicle rapidly accelerated and a collision occurred. The driver reports that she did not intentionally accelerate the vehicle to this degree. Vehicle data and the Event Data Recorder (EDR) were subsequently obtained. The data records the vehicle accelerating from approximately 0 mph to approximately 35 mph in about four seconds, with the recorded accelerator-pedal-position signal reaching 100%. The EDR does not record brake application before the first crash…
Phantom brake incident today,5/26/26. Traveling 35mph, brakes slammed on for no apparent reason. Seatbelt tightened and my head launched forward. Neck is very strained.
I was entering the on-ramp to [XXX] , from [XXX] , to merge onto the freeway east bound towards [XXX] , when my Tesla suddenly lost all power, the brakes did not work and the power steering completely failed making it feel like it was locked up. I was traveling approximately 40-50 mph at the time nearing the gore point to merge onto the freeway. Fortunately I was in the inside lane and I rolled to a stop away from other vehicles. I could not steer at all. Had I been completely on the freeway, I could have been rear ended badly. I had my two young boys in the vehicle with me, both [XXX] and…
2021 Tesla Model Y: questions owners ask
Is the 2021 Tesla Model Y reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 1,098 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Tesla Model Y; the most common categories were forward collision avoidance (583, 53.1%), service brakes (181, 16.5%), vehicle speed control (162, 14.8%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 90 complaints mention a crash, 6 mention a fire, 26 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
Across 1,098 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are forward collision avoidance (53.1% of complaints), service brakes (16.5% of complaints), vehicle speed control (14.8% of complaints), electrical system (13.9% of complaints), steering (8.8% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2021 Tesla Model Y have any recalls?
As of November 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2021 Tesla Model Y. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2021 Tesla Model Y brake suddenly for no reason?
246 of the 1,098 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Tesla Model Y (22.4%) describe sudden, unexpected automatic braking ("phantom braking"). One owner wrote: "Phantom brake incident today,5/26/26. Traveling 35mph, brakes slammed on for no apparent reason. Seatbelt tightened and my head launched forward. Neck is very strained." (NHTSA complaint 11740161, May 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does adaptive cruise control not work properly on my 2021 Tesla Model Y?
168 of the 1,098 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Tesla Model Y (15.3%) describe adaptive cruise control disengaging, braking or not working. One owner wrote: "The Tesla will randomly when the Adaptive Cruise Control is engaged brake from highway speeds down to 30mph. This happens when you go by off ramps and at some intersections on the highway." (NHTSA complaint 11764813, September 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Model Y
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 9, 2026. Model year 2021 only; combines NHTSA's entries for MODEL Y 5-SEAT and MODEL Y 7-SEAT. How these reports are made.
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