2021 Tesla Model Y Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 152about this part
- Share
- 14%of 1,093 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 152 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Tesla Model Y, 14% of the 1,093 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,500 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 6 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I talk to specialist they said I have cooling system failure, and guy from Tesla fitzgerald who remotely connected to my car before my appointment with you , also said I had cooling system failure not rodent problem... Tesla rodent damage excuse is scam and fraud not to use my warranty but profit by making me to pay directly for damages that its not my fault and thats illegal and unfair”
NHTSA complaint #11416580, filed 2021-05, 2,500 miles“I am reaching out to say that I saw the model s and x recall for touchscreen glitches. I have a Model Y 2021 and I'm experiencing many of the same concerns and issues with loss of safety features like back up camera, proximity censors, land change, and more. This tends to happen when I enter the car and start moving. It won't resolve itself till I leave the car, walk away, and reenter the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11387972, filed 2021-01, 2,000 miles“On multiple occasions we have lost communications with the vehicle through the Tesla phone app. The problem exists for three different phones of two different models. We have usually been able to re-establish communications through the Tesla procedures, but not always. On all but one of those occasions the vehicle was stationary and we were able to use a key card to continue. But on one occasion, while making a u-turn on a side street, the car just stopped moving, partially blocking the street. We had lost communications with the phone app. …”
NHTSA complaint #11406321, filed 2021-04, 870 miles“We picked up out new Model Y on 2/13/2021 from minneapolis, due to living in iowa and that being the closest store. After leaving minneapolis, the interior heat quit working. We messed with the controls all we could and it would not start again. The exterior temperature was in the negative teens. At one point on the 2 hour 45 minute drive home the interior cabin temperature was in the single didgets. It continues to not work correctly from the interior controls. I was unable to get ahold of anyone at Tesla to find a better solution other than just getting home. …”
NHTSA complaint #11396163, filed 2021-02, 20 miles“I received delivery of my 2021 Model Y on monday, march 29th. After 12 days of ownership and driving approx. 400 miles, on saturday, april 10th, the vehicle shut down while driving, leaving me stranded in a lane of traffic at night. The following error message appeared on the monitor: 'vehicle shutting down ' pull over safely'. I was not successful in completely pulling over, since I had very little time (approx. 5 seconds) to respond before the car shook and stopped entirely. I had no ability to place it in neutral to move it to a safer location. I was able to put my hazard lights on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11412799, filed 2021-04, 440 milesRelated recalls
- 24V554000Jul 24, 2024Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an…Covers: Tesla Model Y 2020–2024, Model S 2021–2024, Model 3 2021–2024 +1 more
- 24V153000Feb 27, 2024Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted…Covers: Tesla Model Y 2020–2022, Model S 2013, 2018–2021, Model 3 2018–2022 +1 more
- 24V051000Jan 30, 2024Tesla, 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…Covers: Tesla Model Y 2019–2024, Model S 2012–2023, Model X 2016–2024 +2 more
- 23V838000Dec 12, 2023Tesla, 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…Covers: Tesla Model Y 2020–2023, Model S 2012–2023, Model X 2016–2023 +1 more
- 22V235000Apr 12, 2022Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played…Covers: Tesla Model Y 2020–2022, Model 3 2017–2022, Model X 2020–2022 +1 more
- 22V050000Feb 2, 2022Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat…Covers: Tesla Model Y 2020–2022, Model S 2021–2022, Model 3 2021–2022 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11017591Apr 3, 2025On certain Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles, the interior camera requires replacement to mitigate reduced driver attentiveness detection performance in low-light conditions.
- 11013482Jan 16, 2025On certain Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles, the interior camera requires replacement to mitigate reduced driver attentiveness detection performance in low-light conditions.
- 11008822Sep 20, 2024On certain Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles, the interior camera requires replacement to mitigate reduced driver attentiveness detection performance in low-light conditions.
- 11008798Sep 20, 2024On certain Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles, the interior camera requires replacement to mitigate reduced driver attentiveness detection performance in low-light conditions.
- 11008774Sep 20, 2024On certain Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles, the interior camera requires replacement to mitigate reduced driver attentiveness detection performance in low-light conditions.
- 10226577Aug 17, 2022Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may be equipped with refrigerant pressure/temperature (P/T) sensors in the heat pump that can fault over time.
- 10214118Apr 29, 2022Some Model Y vehicles were built without a hydraulic control unit (HCU) wake-up wire, and in rare circumstances, braking and stability control related alerts may appear on the…
- 10214117Apr 29, 2022Some Model Y vehicles were built without a hydraulic control unit (HCU) wake-up wire, and in rare circumstances, braking and stability control related alerts may appear on the…
- 10208324Dec 7, 2021Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles were manufactured with high voltage (HV) batteries having cell separators that do not meet Tesla?s internal standards of quality, potentially…
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2021 Tesla Model Y
582 complaintsBrakes
181 complaintsVehicle speed control
162 complaintsOther or unknown
143 complaintsSteering
95 complaintsSuspension
80 complaintsLane departure
77 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
52 complaintsBody and structure
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsSeat belts
27 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
26 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Tesla Model Y
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology