Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Tesla Model Y owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Sudden acceleration while stopped. Car was stopped in the driveway of my home while waiting for the garage door to open. Suddenly the car bolted forward, crashed through the rising garage door and then through the side of the garage and into the front steps of my home. The car is equiped with auto pilot, but it was not engaged. While reviewing other incidents of this type on your website, I noticed that other people mentioned their Tesla's having the autopilot feature but I saw no mention of the Model Y. Although extensive damage happened to the car and my home, no one was injured. However if this had happened while at a stop light or at a crosswalk someone could have been killed or injured. My Insurance Co. did not seem interested in investigating this event, haven't heard back from Tesla.
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that the suspension on the undercarriage of the vehicle was separating from the vehicle. The contact stated that a year prior to the failure, the half shaft used to attach the wheel to the vehicle subframe was fractured and was falling off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a Tesla Service Center to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the battery was very heavy and was possibly the cause of the failure. The vehicle was being repaired out of pocket. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,811.
Unknown parts or system malfunctions; yes, an inspection can be issued The car is parked very close to the house and continuously producing poisonous and harmful gas, battery liquid and glasses splattered more than 20ft away. No, before the incident there was no issue observed. No, but from the fire department report the cause of the fire was "failure of equipment". No, there was no warnings from the app, or signs of malfunctions. the car functions normally.
Car was summoned and turned a sharp right directly hitting the car parked next to it while pulling out. The location was the parking lot of [redacted] on [redacted] . I have a full video of this which shows the car pulling forward then taking a sharp right impacting the vehicle parked next to it.
Unspecific event. I hope this report, without my having an incident myself is looked into enough to apply a standard across all manufacturers to make sure the public aren't so unknowingly put at risk. All because of an ill thought through design. My vehicle has no easy access to exit rear seats if there is any kind of electrical failure. My rear passengers will not be able to exit the vehicle. Manual override of electronic door controls are hidden beneath door panels and trims. With no mechanical connection on the outer handle, even if the driver uses the front manual release, they cannot rescue rear passengers. The outside door handles are electronic ONLY. Imagine a fire like Vancouver happening, when a child is in a car seat or has less mobile passengers like seniors. Neither can be expected to climb to the front or out a side window to reach safety. …
On July 5, 2025, I entered my vehicle parked in my home garage and the door latched shut. Upon putting my foot on the brake. Center screen was blank (did not power on). I attempted to press the unlock button on the door and there was no sound from the motor to open the door. The door was still locked from the inside of the vehicle and I was locked inside. I waited around 5 minutes (after attempting to call my wife to try to let me out of car and tried the open the drivers door again by pressing the exit button. The door unlatched by normally the window rolls down partially to exit. This time the window did not move and I have to force the door open by pressing my shoulder hard against the interior door panel. I hear a popping sound from inside the door and the window would not roll up. …
On [redacted], after placing my young child in my Tesla and closing the door, the 12V battery failed suddenly and the vehicle became inaccessible. I was unable to unlock or enter the car. I did not receive any warning or alert that the 12V battery was about to fail. The vehicle was in my garage, and the window automatically cracked, which allowed me to monitor my child while I sought help. I called Tesla Roadside Assistance at 8:59 AM. During the call, the representative reassured me that help was being dispatched and at times described the service provider as "on the way" (timing details such as "within ~45 minutes" and the length of the initial call are my best estimates). After continued waiting with my child confined inside the vehicle, I contacted emergency services due to the safety risk. I called 911 at 10:03 AM. I later had the 12V battery replaced at my own expense. …
I brought the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center for a front suspension noise. During the alignment portion of that repair, the technician found a crack in the left side of the rear subframe casting, the structural member that locates the rear suspension links and supports the rear drive unit. The subframe required full replacement. There was no impact event. The vehicle has never struck a curb, pothole, or object, and Tesla's own written finding confirmed there was no evidence of any side impact. Tesla attributed the crack to stress transmitted from failed front lower control arm bushings, which were replaced at the same visit. The front lower lateral links and their subframe fasteners were also replaced during this repair. …
The incident occurred after a rainstorm and there was some debris laid out across the road. We were travelling in the morning before sunrise at 20 mph and we felt a small branch or object hit the underside of our car. We took it out to drive again at noon time and it warned us that the coolant was low and that car may not start up once shut down. We towed it to tesla service center in Paramus NJ and they informed us of the condition. They informed us that the coolant pipe was punctured and the coolant spread onto the battery. They explained to us that the branch hit an area and caused the coolant to leak inside the battery and there is no plate to protect it at the underside of the car. They also informed us that there could have been a fire accident if we put it on charge after the underside collision. They also informed us that the coolant pipe was plastic. …
The rear hatch can be opened while the car is in drive or reverse from a remote input from the app. On several occasion my hatch has opened from a remote input while in traffic while stopped at red lights. Tesla says this is normal behavior. So what is possible is someone can open the hatch from a remote input from anywhere without being able to see the car. My concern is when this has happened item could have fallen from my trunk into traffic resulting in damage or vehicles behind me. To close the hatch you must place the car in park first. Having a vehicle in park in traffic could result in a collision. You can not move the vehicle while the hatch is closing or it stops closing it takes several seconds to open or close the hatch and additional time to realize you must place the vehicle in park to close it. …
Body complaints in other Model Y years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the body & structure of the 2021 Tesla Model Y, 3% of the model year's 1,091 complaints. The component named most often is body (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Tesla Model Y body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2021 Tesla Model Y, though it has 23 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2021 Tesla Model Y body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.