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 2022-01Related recalls
- 26V507000Aug 4, 2026Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum…Covers: Tesla Model Y 2020–2023, Model 3 2017–2023
- 22V844000Nov 15, 2022Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate.Covers: Tesla Model Y 2020–2023, Model 3 2023
Related service bulletins
- 10194273Apr 19, 2021On some Model Y vehicles, the color of the red band that surrounds the LH and RH taillights do not match because the vehicle has Revision D for the LH taillight (Figure 1) which…
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2021 Tesla Model Y
583 complaintsBrakes
181 complaintsVehicle speed control
162 complaintsElectrical system
152 complaintsOther or unknown
144 complaintsSteering
96 complaintsSuspension
80 complaintsLane departure
79 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
53 complaintsBody and structure
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsSeat 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