2025 Tesla Model Y Complaints

SEATS — Filed 07/06/2026

The left back seat actuator engaged twice in the same day and the seat back dropped down unexpectedly on the passenger. It’s done it to my grandchild twice and hurt him. No injuries but the surprise and shock of the seat coming down on him was painful. I've had this with other passengers in the same seat. Tesla inspected it for this problem, but found nothing at the time. The problem is intermittent.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/01/2026

Component/Issue Description: Following a recent over-the-air (OTA) software update to the vehicle's Full Self-Driving system, a dangerous user interface defect was introduced. Immediately upon an FSD disengagement—the critical transition window where the operator must resume manual driving control—the center touchscreen populates a mandatory, invasive feedback popup menu. This menu causes a severe driver distraction and creates an immediate safety hazard. The popup blocks vital driving visualizations and navigation data on the screen at a high-stress moment. Furthermore, the UI creates a functional touchscreen lockout, demanding manual and visual interaction from the driver to clear the box while the vehicle is actively in motion. Forcing a driver to divert their eyes from the roadway to navigate a touchscreen menu immediately following a system intervention creates an unreasonable and systemic risk of collision. The manufacturer has provided no setting to disable this dangerous distraction.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/19/2026

am reporting a serious safety concern involving a 2025 Tesla Model Y, VIN [XXX] . On [XXX], the vehicle was being driven on [XXX] in Columbus, Ohio while the driver was traveling to Columbus Preparatory Academy. During the trip, the steering reportedly stopped responding properly, and the driver struggled to control the vehicle. Witnesses at the scene reported that the driver appeared to be fighting with the steering and trying to stop the vehicle or prevent it from drifting. The vehicle then lost control, accelerated or continued moving uncontrollably, flipped/rolled over, and sustained major damage. A police report was created by the Columbus Police Department under report number [XXX]. The vehicle involved is a 2025 Tesla Model Y. This was a serious crash involving a possible steering malfunction, loss of control, and rollover. The vehicle is currently located at Pro-Cars, 400 Stimmel Rd, Columbus, OH 43223. Tesla was contacted after the incident, and the representative advised that the vehicle should be taken to a collision center. I am filing this complaint because the incident appears to involve a potential safety defect affecting steering control and vehicle control. I request that NHTSA review this matter as a possible vehicle safety defect. The vehicle has not yet been repaired, and I am attempting to preserve it for inspection. I have supporting materials including the police report, photos/videos, witness information if needed, towing/storage documentation, and communications regarding the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

VISIBILITY/WIPER,LANE DEPARTURE — Filed 06/02/2026

I am reporting a safety incident involving my 2025 Tesla Model Y and Full Self-Driving. While driving with Full Self-Driving engaged… latest update, the vehicle steered into an express-lane barrier/bar structure. The impact caused severe windshield damage and apparent body damage near the passenger-side A-pillar / windshield frame / roof rail area. The windshield is heavily cracked across the driver’s side and center area, and the vehicle is not safe to drive. I was able to get home safely and filed an insurance claim. I preserved TeslaCam footage and photos of the damage. The in-vehicle Tesla playback shows Full Self-Driving engaged during the incident. I also copied the TeslaCam files from the vehicle’s USB drive. The exported video file does not appear to show the same Full Self-Driving overlay that appears in the in-vehicle playback. I am reporting this as a potential safety issue involving Tesla Full Self-Driving steering behavior and impact with a fixed roadway/express-lane structure. No injuries occurred, but the vehicle sustained significant windshield damage and possible body/frame-area damage.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/30/2026

The persistent intervention-reason prompt (the black box that appears immediately after disengaging FSD and stays until answered) creates a safety-critical distraction exactly when the driver must regain full attention and control. It forces eyes off the road or interaction with the screen during the handover moment, increasing crash risk. It cannot be dismissed without input and has no timeout or “X” button. Request NHTSA investigate this as a potential defect in the driver-assistance system.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/18/2026

After the newest software update, the Tesla Model Y FSD now shows a pop-up menu every time you disengage full self-driving. The pop up menu is black, so it contrasts with the white screen and causes a visual distraction. Additionally, the pop up menu requires you to make a selection in order to make it disappear - there’s no way to swipe it away (which would still be problematic while driving). Because it’s mandatory, and it is located on top of the volume controls for music/podcasts/etc, you are unable to pause auditory stimulation such as music/podcasts. This happens at the exact moment you need to focus most: when a traffic situation is so dicey, disabling FSD is required to ensure safe driving. This is an absolute safety concern. I tried to disable the feature through Tesla’s support services, but that option is not available. This is a serious safety concern, and it’s frankly egregious that Tesla is allowed to do this. The pop-up menu does not benefit drivers in any way - it’s clearly there for Tesla to collect data to improve their FSD product. They need to find a way to collect that data without impacting the safety of the driver and other vehicles on the road. Furthermore, it’s not even good quality data collection - the variables they provide in the pop-up menu are vague and do not come with definitions. Their quality system needs tighter review.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 02/21/2026

MY FINGER WAS AMPUTATED BY THE DOOR.

STEERING,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 03/15/2026

Using Tesla FSD (full self-driving supervised) I drove home, approximately 120 miles, from a family visit. From previous experience with Tesla FSD, I knew that the navigation system would navigate into the incorrect of 2 driveways (left, instead of the correct driveway, right) leading to my parking space. Therefore, upon arriving at the building address I endeavored to take over full control by tapping break and manually turning to the right driveway, whereupon the steering wheel locked up completely and the car lurched forward crashing through the security gate and into a parked car directly in line with how the locked steering directed it. To the best of my knowledge, the car was removed to a salvage location where it was considered a total loss.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/02/2026

The radiator for the car gets fully clogged with debris very easily. There is no screen mesh to protect the radiator from all the debris. The radiator then becomes clogged with debris in the fins and stops cooling correctly. This is not a serviceable item that an owner could accomplish. This should not have to be brought to the Tesla repair centers and be charged for a design flaw that will cause the car to overheat. There needs to be a simple small holed mesh placed in the front grill that owners can simply wipe off with their hands. Tesla states this is a maintenance item, but for how much it cost, most owners are not taking their cars in. Most owners dont even know about the problem. Also, most owners are not getting down on their hands and knees to look at the radiator or to even think about checking it. Large leafs easily get stuck and block most of the radiator.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 02/21/2026

I was at full stop on [XXX] facing [XXX] at a red traffic signal at intersection. Then while still at light which was red the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated toward [XXX] on its even with feet on brake, I attempted to maneuver to avoid colliding with vehicles traveling on [XXX] , then made a sharp right turn on sidewalk of [XXX] drove striking a "Bee Line Bus" sign located in front of [XXX] . I was able to maneuver not hitting any pedestrians and crashing vehicle out a brush on sidewalk without putting passengers/family in car at risk of injury INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)