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Forward collision avoidancePart report

2021 Tesla Model Y Forward collision avoidance Problems

Complaints
582about this part
Share
53%of 1,093 total for the year
Median mileage
3,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 582 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2021 Tesla Model Y, 53% of the 1,093 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,500 miles. 32 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 3 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.

“Adaptive cruise control did not detect a stationary object on the highway while on autopilot the car was traveling straight within the lanes of the highway with no other obstructions or obstacles and crashed right into the object resulting in damage to the front bumper. Videos and images available”

NHTSA complaint #11414621, filed 2021-04, 4,000 miles

“Vehicle made a sudden right turn when it was on auto pilot and because of that there are minor cosmetic damages to wheel and tire. Manufacturer doesn't accept any fault when it was humanly impossible to control the vehicle because of sudden turn.”

NHTSA complaint #11396221, filed 2021-02, 100 miles

“1.screen froze. When rebooted while driving by pressing both scroll buttons, the screen went black and could not access any information or functions on the screen. Put the car into park to fix the issue but then could not change to drive for a minute because the gear change lever wouldn't respond. 2. The car does not stay in its lane when using autopilot during the daytime on a well marked freeway with clear lane markings. The car kept on crossing lane markers.”

NHTSA complaint #11406627, filed 2021-04, 200 miles

“This is the 2nd Tesla my mom owned, she drove a model 3 without any problems for many months. She picks up this Model Y on november 19 2020, and drives home from the dealer without issues. Next day november 20, 2020, drives to her work, pulls into a parking spot and came to a complete stop. Approx 5-10 seconds later the car lurches forward, hops over the parking curb, over some grass and into a brick wall at full acceleration. Luckily nobody was hurt, but severe damage to the building and the car. This case of unintended acceleration needs investigation. …”

NHTSA complaint #11376690, filed 2020-11, 70 miles

“Several times on residential speed control the system does not recognize yellow flashing school speed reduction signs. Never slows or breaks. The speed of 25 mph does not register on the screed (other speed signs do). I told tesla service center when other services were being done. They said they were aware. I have seen no improvement over the last several months”

NHTSA complaint #11641759, filed 2025-02

Related recalls

Forward collision avoidance: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202612630%
20255046%
202412438%
202348140%
202249757%
202158253%
202010838%

Other parts of the 2021 Tesla Model Y

Brakes
181 complaints
Vehicle speed control
162 complaints
Electrical system
152 complaints
Other or unknown
143 complaints
Steering
95 complaints
Suspension
80 complaints
Lane departure
77 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
52 complaints
Body and structure
34 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
33 complaints
Seat belts
27 complaints
Back-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