Skip to content
MotorFiable

Tesla cars

Tesla Model Y problems (2021–today)

The only engine of the Tesla Model Y that we have documented, the Tesla Model 3 / Model Y, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the versions it is fitted to: «Buy».[1][2][3][4][5]

Outside the engine: The Model Y shares the 2021 recall for the suspension arm mounting with the Model 3, and has had others of its own for the front wheel bearing (2022) and incomplete seat welds (2022-2024). Hardware 4.1 computers (2023-2025) can short-circuit, leaving the rear camera without an image. Together with the Model 3, it also tops Kwik Fit's UK tyre wear ranking.[2][6]

Tesla Model Y (2021–today)
Photo: © M 93 · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468106.3out of 10

Tesla Model Y rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 7 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Electric motor7.63 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension5.72 faults
  • Brakes10.0No documented faults
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering10.0No documented faults
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights10.0No documented faults
  • Electronics and infotainment8.61 fault
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior10.0No documented faults
  • Airbags and safety7.11 fault

Ranked 22 of 64 among the Mid-size SUVs with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Tesla Model Y

  1. 1Critical severity: Recall for insufficient mounting of the front suspension arms (built 2020-2021)Suspension
  2. 2Critical severity: Recall for possible breakage of the front wheel hub assembly (built 2020-2021)Suspension
  3. 3Critical severity: Recall for incomplete welds in the seat structure (built 2022-2024)Airbags and safety
  4. 4Critical severity: Total failure of the traction battery in the Tesla Model 3 and Model YTesla Model 3 / Model Y engine · repair €14,000
  5. 5Medium severity: Failure of the on-board charger or charging port on the Tesla Model 3 and Model YTesla Model 3 / Model Y engine

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

4 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Software update and, where appropriate, replacement of the central computer board (Hardware 4.1). See the campaigns for the Tesla Model Y

8 sourcesHow we work

Tesla Model 3 / Model Y

Tesla Model 3 and Model Y: motor síncrono de reluctancia con imanes permanentes and baterías de 60 a 84 kWh · Electrical

In the Model Y
since 2021[2][7]
Names
Model Y Propulsión · Model Y Gran Autonomía · Model Y Performance
Faults that affect it
3 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
24
Low risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

Faults that affect the Model Y

  1. Critical severityFrequency: RareTraction batteryTotal failure of the traction battery in the Tesla Model 3 and Model YThere are isolated cases of a traction battery being beyond repair in the Model 3: fiches-auto.fr cites a Long Range with 70,000 km and a little over four years old whose battery, valued at around €14,000, was replaced under warranty. Aviloo's measurements show normal degradation in the vast majority of units.Repair: €14,000
  2. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalChargingFailure of the on-board charger or charging port on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Yfiches-auto.fr records owners of the Model 3 and Model Y reporting on-board AC charger faults, mobile charging cable faults or port locking that prevent charging, sometimes from the day the car was delivered. It is a minority problem, not a widespread one.
  3. High severityFrequency: RareElectric motor and reduction gearFailure of the electric motor or traction unit on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y that immobilises the carElectric motor faults on the Model 3 and Model Y are rare: fiches-auto.fr records one case of a motor defect that left a dual-motor Model 3 Long Range immobilised, and ADAC places the Model 3 among the electric cars with the fewest faults.

Model Y Tesla Model 3 / Model Y pageAll versions and faults of the Tesla Model 3 / Model Y

Faults of the Tesla Model Y outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

Checklist for buying a used Tesla Model Y

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the Tesla Model 3 / Model Y (since 2021)

Total failure of the traction battery in the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y

Critical severity

Failure of the on-board charger or charging port on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y

Medium severity

Failure of the electric motor or traction unit on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y that immobilises the car

High severity

Wear parts for the Tesla Model Y

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Tesla Model Y?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Own a Tesla Model Y? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Tesla Model Y reliable?

The only engine of the Tesla Model Y that we have documented, the Tesla Model 3 / Model Y, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the versions it is fitted to: «Buy». The Model Y shares the 2021 recall for the suspension arm mounting with the Model 3, and has had others of its own for the front wheel bearing (2022) and incomplete seat welds (2022-2024). Hardware 4.1 computers (2023-2025) can short-circuit, leaving the rear camera without an image. Together with the Model 3, it also tops Kwik Fit's UK tyre wear ranking.

What problems does the Tesla Model Y have apart from the engine?

The Model Y shares the 2021 recall for the suspension arm mounting with the Model 3, and has had others of its own for the front wheel bearing (2022) and incomplete seat welds (2022-2024). Hardware 4.1 computers (2023-2025) can short-circuit, leaving the rear camera without an image. Together with the Model 3, it also tops Kwik Fit's UK tyre wear ranking. The most important documented faults are: recall for insufficient mounting of the front suspension arms (built 2020-2021) (suspension, critical severity), recall for possible breakage of the front wheel hub assembly (built 2020-2021) (suspension, critical severity), recall for incomplete welds in the seat structure (built 2022-2024) (airbags and safety, critical severity) and risk of a short circuit in the central computer (Hardware 4.1) that can leave the reversing camera without an image (electronics and infotainment, medium severity).[2][6]

What faults does the Tesla Model Y have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: total failure of the traction battery in the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y (Tesla Model 3 / Model Y, critical severity), failure of the on-board charger or charging port on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y (Tesla Model 3 / Model Y, medium severity) and failure of the electric motor or traction unit on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y that immobilises the car (Tesla Model 3 / Model Y, high severity).

What is the best year to buy a Tesla Model Y?

According to our rating by year, the best is 2026 (8.8/10); the worst rated is 2021 (6.6/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Tesla Model Y have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 4 campaigns for the Tesla Model Y, such as software update and, where appropriate, replacement of the central computer board (Hardware 4.1) (2025). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiabilité Tesla Model 3 (2018-2023): 63 témoignages, problèmes connus et rappelsfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Tesla Model Y (2021-2025): 19 témoignages, problèmes connus et rappelsfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  3. ADAC-Pannenstatistik 2026: Die Patienten werden immer älterMotor1 Deutschland · Motoring press · published 23 April 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  4. Tesla Model 3 und Model Y: Akku-Degradation nach 150.000 kmelektroquatsch.de · Motoring press · published 25 September 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  5. Tesla delaying Model Y Performance deliveries from Giga Berlin over drive unit issuesDrive Tesla Canada · Motoring press · published 25 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026
  6. Estos son los coches que más neumáticos gastan del mercado: una ruina en ruedas nuevasAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 1 April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Tesla Model YWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  8. Ni un solo eléctrico baja del 86 % de batería: 500.000 tests miden la degradación de 20 modelos a los 150.000 kmtestcoches.es · Motoring press · published 4 September 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish