The Tesla Model Y is the American EV manufacturer‘s most popular vehicle, accounting for over 60% of Tesla‘s sales in 2022. As a compact electric crossover SUV built on Tesla’s mass-market Model 3 platform, the Model Y combines affordability, practicality, and impressive tech features that speak to today‘s modern families and young professionals.
However, no car is perfect – even one engineered to be as futuristic and innovative as a Tesla. Based on reviews from Consumer Reports and forums like Reddit, as well as NHTSA defect investigation reports, here are the 9 most commonly cited Model Y issues owners and test drivers have experienced:
1. Steering Wheel Detaching
Easily the most alarming complaint about the Model Y is when the steering wheel literally detached from the steering column when driving. In January 2023, a new Model Y owner was driving on the highway when, to his shock and horror, the steering wheel came clean off, leaving him to awkwardly park the now-unsteerable vehicle along the highway shoulder.
Thankfully the owner was not injured, but the implications of such a failure at high speeds are obviously terrifying from a safety perspective. While Tesla claimed this to be an isolated incident attributed to a missing bolt during assembly, NHTSA has launched an official defect investigation into 14 similar complaints of steering wheels detaching across 2021-2023 Model Y vehicles. Let’s hope Tesla can get to the root cause and prevent any further occurrences – a steering wheel spontaneously detaching even once is unacceptable for any car in my opinion, let alone 14 times.
2. Touchscreen Failure
Another common gripe across Tesla models, including the Model Y, is blanking or crashing of the vehicles‘ central touchscreen while driving. As Teslas lack traditional dashboard clusters and route most basic vehicle controls through the center touch display, any failure of this screen cripples drivers’ ability to monitor speed, change wiper settings, check charge status – critical functions for safe driving.
While Tesla has worked to improve the reliability of its new MCU3 computer and reduce the incidence of reboots in recent model years, the touchscreen remains a single point of failure vulnerability. Owners report blank touchscreens occurring because of buggy software, unplugging USB devices, overheating, and faulty 12V batteries failing to power the main computer. Workarounds require hard-resetting the screen or overriding Automatic Emergency Braking when the screen crashes, neither of which inspires much driver confidence.
3. Phantom Braking
Widely reported in Tesla forums and the subject of a recent class action lawsuit, “phantom braking” refers to when a Tesla vehicle suddenly slows down for no apparent reason while Adaptive Cruise Control or Autopilot driver assistance features are activated. Many owners theorize the radar and camera-based Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system is mistaking overhead signs, bridges, shadows etc. for obstacles and needlessly activating emergency collision procedures.
Whatever the cause, phantom braking events range from mildly annoying to downright terrifying and dangerous when high-speed traffic is forced to react suddenly to a Tesla unpredictably braking. While Tesla has tuned the systems to reduce phantom braking events in recent Model Y vehicles, the only foolproof fix seems to be avoiding the use of Autopilot and adaptive cruise functions altogether according to most owner accounts. Not exactly acceptable for what’s supposed to be cutting edge self-driving tech.
4. Suspension and Ride Quality Issues
For a larger crossover riding on 20” standard wheels, the Tesla Model Y’s ride quality falls surprisingly short according to many reviewers. Between a firm, crashy suspension tune and multiple mechanical defects requiring suspension repairs, the Model Y fails to deliver the smooth comfortable ride one would expect from a modern luxury SUV.
In terms of mechanical issues, Teslas have issued multiple recalls since 2020 addressing suspension components like control arms and knuckles prematurely cracking or loosening. While quality control hopefully improves over time, the basic suspension tune favors sporty handling over ride comfort according to owners upgrading from softer crossovers or minivans. So expectations should be set accordingly – the Model Y prioritizes precision in corners, not wafting over potholes.
5. Charging Issues
As an electric vehicle, reliable and convenient charging is paramount to a satisfactory ownership experience. And yet a number of Model Y owners have reported defects causing failures to charge or supercharge their vehicles. Most common root causes seem to stem from software glitches, physical damage or obstructions in the charge port, and general electrical faults preventing the battery from taking on juice.
Resolutions range from checking for debris or obstructions in the charge port to rebooting the battery management computer to (as a last resort) scheduling service center repairs. As Tesla continues rolling out its industry-leading Supercharger network, let’s hope charging infrastructure keeps pace with any battery or charging port defects that leave drivers stranded.
6. Overly-Sensitive Sentry Mode
One of the Tesla’s signature security features, Sentry Mode uses exterior cameras and sensors to monitor suspicious activity when the vehicle is parked. If threats detected, Sentry Mode automatically triggers an alarm, alerts the owner’s phone, and stores video clips recorded both inside and outside of the car.
Unfortunately Sentry Mode’s motion and impact detection system tend to have a hair trigger according to Model Y owners, activating loudly for minor disturbances like loud thunder, vibrations from the HVAC system, or other cars parking/pulling into nearby spaces. While admirably security conscious, false alarms are both a nuisance and security risk if they condition owners to ignore actual break-in attempts flagged by Sentry Mode. Most owners learn to manually disable Sentry Mode to avoid embarrassing public disturbances when unavoidable.
7. Foggy Headlights and Taillights
Yet another widely cited trivial-but-annoying issue with the latest Model Ys – persistent fogging and condensation forming inside the headlights and taillights. While most evaporate eventually after the car warms up, any moisture or humid air intrusion into sensitive lighting electrical components risks corrosion, shorts, and untimely failures down the road.
Tesla does seem aware of the issue, judging by reduced complaints on newer 2022+ models. But for earlier vehicles still exhibiting persistent fogging, scheduling a service visit to seal any light housings allowing air/water ingress seems the prudent course of action. No one wants to discover brake lights or turn indicators stopped working only after being pulled over for non-functioning lighting.
8. Build Quality and Panel Gaps
Build quality and panel gaps – perennial sore spots for the EV automaker across all Tesla models really, though complaints remain common amongst Model Y owners as well. For a vehicle starting at nearly $60k, visible defects like uneven body panels, overspray paint, and misaligned trim reflect poorly on Tesla’s quality control and manufacturing precision relative to established luxury automakers like Audi or BMW.
While gap fillers and post-purchase adjustments at Service Centers can remedy minor alignment issues, some problems like rippled glass, adhesive leaks onto painted surfaces, and other interior fit issues require extensive repairs or part replacements. Persistent quality control issues continue plaguing Tesla year after year, though one hopes improvements come sooner rather than later.
9. Steep Learning Curve
Finally, while not strictly a “defect”, many new Tesla buyers underestimate the steep learning curve adjusting to features lacking analog equivalents in gas cars. Between the huge central touchscreen controlling nearly all vehicle settings, absence of any gauge cluster or dashboard, and heavy reliance on phone apps for remote access/control, Teslas require quite a bit more technical familiarity than typical cars on the market.
Likewise for buyers accustomed to smartphone integration standards like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto – neither are supported natively so remembering trips or exporting commute logs relies fully on Tesla’s imperfect phone synchronization. These modern touches undoubtedly appeal to technophile early adopters. But more mainstream buyers migrating from their familiar Hondas or Toyotas need factor in additional learning time to smoothly transition into full EV ownership.
The Bottom Line
The Tesla Model Y represents the exciting future of electric cars – proving battery-powered vehicles can blend futuristic interfaces with down-to-earth utility in an affordable and popular family-sized package. However, the documented issues covered above illustrate Tesla still has progress yet to make on fundamentals like reliability, quality, and safety before matching more established luxury automakers.
Hopefully, Tesla takes complaints around defects and oversights seriously rather than dismissing criticisms from owners and reviewers. Embedded sensors capturing granular vehicle usage data in real-world situations provides phenomenal feedback for engineering teams to continuously improve subsequent model years. But only if the right priorities around quality, refinement and safety come first – before racing ahead to the next big feature announcement or self-imposed production milestone.
For prospective buyers on the fence considering Tesla ownership, test-driving alternatives like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 or Volkswagen ID.4 could prove enlightening. As capable and enticing as the Made-in-America Tesla Model Y remains, buyers should weigh options before committing to live with any vehicle’s compromises for 5+ years to come.
