Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2023 Tesla Model Y owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while his wife was driving in a parking lot, the vehicle independently accelerated as she depressed the brake pedal. The contact's wife crashed into another parked vehicle due to the failure. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's wife experienced mental trauma due to the accident but did not need medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with a safety feature known as "Sentry Mode", which recorded the movements of the vehicle. The contact stated that the feature recorded the movements except for the failure and the collision. The vehicle was towed to a Tesla service center where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the contact was not provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owned a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that a software update (2025.44.25.5) was performed on the vehicle, which was for a temporary free self-driving mode. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated sideways and crashed into the highway's concrete retaining wall. The air bags deployed upon impact. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance, where he was treated bruised left knee, cracked ribs, and several other bruises to various parts of his body. No property damage was reported. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent mechanic, where it was deemed a total loss. Neither the manufacturer nor the service center had been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,500.
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while making a right turn into a parking lot, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact steered the vehicle to the right and ran over two road barriers before he crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags deployed upon impact. The contact was temporarily trapped in the vehicle due to the driver's side door failing to open. The door eventually unlocked as the authorities arrived at the scene. The contact was taken to the hospital via an ambulance and was treated for bruises to his left hand. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to repaired. The failure mileage was 240.
The contact owned a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at 30-40 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the rear of a parked vehicle. The vehicle continued to accelerate and traveled across the street crashing into another parked vehicle. The vehicle continued to accelerate on its own forward and over a sidewalk and crashed into two street signs when it came to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. No injuries were sustained. No air nags deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an autobody center. The insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while reversing at 5 MPH, the parking sensor was inoperable, and the vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact stated that there was no damage to the other vehicle. The contact's rear bumper on the vehicle was dented. The contact stated that the parking sensor displayed an incorrect distance measurement and had not worked properly for the past eight months. The contact stated that he contacted Tesla several times in the past regarding the failure and was advised that an upgrade for the software would be forthcoming. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
The contact owned a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 15 MPH and making a right turn, the Auto-Pilot had engaged independently. As a result, the vehicle steered off the road, over the sidewalk, and into a resident's lawn. The vehicle went up the property's pavement stone and crashed into a tree where it came to a stop. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V051000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 4,400.
I was driving at a very slow speed of 1 mile per hr as I entered into the Kohls complex in Pleasanton ca. Then as I was pulling the car to a parking spot, all of a sudden I felt the car accelerated on me. My foot was always on the break and I pressed the break but the car still accelerated at a speed I had no control and it went over the parking bump and hit 2 cars that was parked opposite. I felt out of control and scary because the car was not doing as intended, to stop when pressed the break. I then pressed the park button. Then I also reversed because the car was not stopping. There was totally 4 cars damaged including my car. 2 opposite and 1 parked side of me. I could feel the sudden acceleration in the car and out of control feeling. Luckily there were no people in other car so no one was hurt. I was also not hurt. …
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and coming to a stop, the vehicle went into park unintendedly. The "Vehicle Automatically Parked to Prevent Roll Away" and "Automatic Emergency Braking Is Unavailable" messages were displayed. The contact was able to quickly veer to the right lane, where the vehicle stalled and remained for half an hour, nearly causing a crash. Additionally, Police officers arrived at the scene and shielded the vehicle from a potential crash. The manufacturer was contacted but was unable to correct the failure remotely. The vehicle was towed to the Tesla Service Center, where it was diagnosed that the driver's side body controller module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
COMPONENT/SYSTEM THAT FAILED: The service brakes failed to stop the vehicle. While reverse-parking at low (parking) speed, I applied the brake pedal and the vehicle did not stop as expected, resulting in contact with an object and vehicle damage. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request; it has been preserved and driven only minimally since the event. HOW SAFETY WAS PUT AT RISK: The brakes failed with no warning. Had a person been behind the vehicle, the failure to stop could have caused injury. This is the only vehicle for a family with three children who are regularly transported in it, and I no longer feel safe driving them. REPRODUCED/CONFIRMED BY A DEALER OR SERVICE CENTER: Not yet. INSPECTED BY MANUFACTURER/POLICE/INSURANCE/OTHERS: The insurer opened and then denied the claim and stated that no vehicle telemetry/data was available to preserve. …
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while dropping her son off at work, she placed the vehicle in drive(D) and the "Car Unable to Charge" message was displayed. The contact stated that the driver's side of the vehicle had no electric power. The contact stated that the passenger's side of the vehicle still had power. The contact stated that she could not open the driver's side door and used an emergency override switch to exit the vehicle. The contact stated that she was unable to close and secure the door afterwards. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The contact stated that the tow truck driver had to use a bungee cord to keep the driver's side door closed. However, during transporting the vehicle to the dealer, the driver's side window cracked and fell inside the door frame. …
Related recalls
Electrical system
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Tesla will also identify any vehicles that experienced a circuit board failure, or stress that may lead to a circuit board failure, and replace the…
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.
Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
Electrical system › ADAS › Driver monitoring › Software
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
NHTSA investigations
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening a Recall Query to assess the remedy adequacy of Recall 23V838. On December 12, 2023, Tesla filed a Defect Information Report (Recall 23V838) applicable to all Tesla models produced and equipped with any version of its Autopilot system, which Tesla described as an SAE Level 2 (L2) Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
The Office of Defects Investigation ("ODI") is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of FSD executing driving maneuvers that constitute tra c safety violations. This investigation concerns versions of FSD that Tesla has labeled as "FSD (Supervised)" and "FSD (Beta)." Tesla characterizes FSD as an SAE Level 2 partial automation system requiring a…
Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
On January 6, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation 24003 (PE24033) to investigate Actually Smart Summon (Summon) sessions resulting in crashes during active sessions. According to Tesla, Summon is a short-distance SAE Level 2 system, controlled by the user from a cell phone within a certain distance and intended for use in parking lots and on private property.
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
On October 17, 2024, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24031) of Tesla's Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) to assess: the ability of the FSD system to detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions; whether any other FSD crashes had occurred under degraded roadway visibility conditions that are…
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Engineering Analysis to evaluate Tesla's Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) degradation detection system. The focus of this investigation will be to assess the system's ability, when encountering reduced roadway visibility conditions, to detect degradation and alert the driver with sufficient time to respond.
Autopilot System Driver Controls
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded PE21020 to EA22002 on June 8, 2022, to extend work and deepen the PE21020 crash analysis, to supplement that analysis with additional data, and to perform vehicle evaluations to understand how Tesla's Autopilot system may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the driver's supervision.
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
The Office of Defects Investigation ("ODI") has identified numerous incident reports submitted by Tesla, Inc. ("Tesla") in response to Standing General Order 2021-01 (the "SGO"), in which the reported crashes occurred several months or more before the dates of the reports.
Electrical complaints in other Model Y years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2023 Tesla Model Y?
NHTSA has 124 complaints about the electrical system of the 2023 Tesla Model Y, 10% of the model year's 1,185 complaints. The component named most often is adas › autonomous/self driving (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2023 Tesla Model Y electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-002 (electrical system, Jan 6, 2025); NHTSA recall 24V-051 (instrument cluster/panel, Jan 30, 2024); NHTSA recall 23V-838 (software, Dec 12, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2023 Tesla Model Y electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 5,000 miles, and 85% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 24 crashes, 3 fires and 22 injuries to electrical system 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.