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Exterior lightingPart report

2021 Tesla Model Y Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
1%of 1,095 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2021 Tesla Model Y, 1% of the 1,095 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The Tesla’s operating system on the center screen froze. I was unable to view speed. I was also unable to turn on wipers, blinkers, or switch headlight beam setting. The operating system had to be rebooted while driving. This has happened twice. The first time was 2/11/2022, on I40 W in TN. The second time, noted below, was on I65 S in AL.”

NHTSA complaint #11458427, filed 2022-03

“I often experience significant lag for rearview camera and the turn signal indicator lights. Sometimes it takes up to 10 seconds for the rearview camera view to come up. It's dangerous because it's hard to tell if the car is in reverse or not. Sometimes it takes multiple attempts to change gear. I have similar experience with the turn signal indicators. It takes multiple attempts for the signals to come up, or there is often significant delay on when I turn on the signal and when the lights actually come on.”

NHTSA complaint #11573549, filed 2024-02

“The purpose of this missive is to complain about how blindingly bright the Tesla Model Y's headlights shine into the eyes of on-coming traffic and pedestrian. The Model 3's headlights are marginally less blinding (probably only because they are a few inches lower than the Model Y's) and there seems to be no similar problem with the Model S and Model X headlights. I have no issue with bright headlights in general, but they should not be focused into the eyes of on-coming traffic and innocent pedestrian. To be clear, I do not own this Model Y represented by this VIN. Thanks! …”

NHTSA complaint #11566742, filed 2024-01

“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Dashboard and yes. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? car display has unexpectedly rebooted while I was driving, my display rebooted. It crashed when my passenger was attempting to read the release notes while I was driving. It was night, and after it rebooted, the part of the screen that shows the car and road flashed white, blinding me while driving. I lost the ability to signal or determine if it's signaling, no speed indicator no anything, not even a signal sound. …”

NHTSA complaint #11438233, filed 2021-10

“Hello, Tesla has released an update that will turn on the side camera when the blinker is activated. At night, the blinker can blind the camera making it difficult if not impossible to see any object. I'm concerned that this can cause the driver to turn into another car at night. The picture attached is with the hazard lights on and you can see how one camera works correctly and the other has a massive glare.”

NHTSA complaint #11449481, filed 2022-01

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026215%
202511%
2024134%
2023222%
2022162%
202191%
202093%

Other parts of the 2021 Tesla Model Y

Forward collision avoidance
583 complaints
Brakes
181 complaints
Vehicle speed control
162 complaints
Electrical system
152 complaints
Other or unknown
144 complaints
Steering
96 complaints
Suspension
80 complaints
Lane departure
79 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
53 complaints
Body and structure
34 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
33 complaints
Seat belts
27 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Tesla Model Y

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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