2021 Tesla Model Y Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 52about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,093 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 52 complaints about the visibility of the 2021 Tesla Model Y, 5% of the 1,093 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The driver side mirror cannot extend to allow normal side view visibility. I am only 5'8 and at full outward electrical motor stop, about 1/3 of the mirror shows the car body. I have 55yrs of driving and never had a car with this limit. My wife, at 5'2 is able to get proper adjustment”
NHTSA complaint #11387980, filed 2021-01, 30 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“My defroster has failed for the second time. The car fails to provide heat in cold temperatures, suddenly and without warning. This presents a dangerous condition when driving in winter climates and results in the windshield icing up inside and out. I have been in constant contact with the dealer and they have replaced sensors. Now they have stated that the car performs as it should, and is made for warmer climates. The last time the failure took place, I was driving in a snowstorm and the windshield iced over, bad enough that the windshield wipers froze in place. …”
NHTSA complaint #11395759, filed 2021-02, 5,000 miles“The driver side mirror cannot be angled left enough to display properly what's on the left side of the vehicle. As such, more than 1/3 of the mirror displays the car itself instead of potential other cars or objects on the rear left (see attached picture). There is a way to angle further the left the mirror if it is angled down. However this leads to a worst situation where we see only the ground next to the vehicle instead of cars or objects on the rear left. …”
NHTSA complaint #11384012, filed 2020-12, 15 miles“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 2022-03Related recalls
- 22V702000Sep 19, 2022Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal…Covers: Tesla Model Y 2020–2022, Model 3 2017–2022, Model S 2021–2022 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10253653Mar 21, 2024Certain 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.
- 10194275Apr 23, 2021Some Model Y vehicles equipped with auto-dimming door mirror glass have difficulty adjusting the LH door mirror to extreme vertical angles.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
Other parts of the 2021 Tesla Model Y
582 complaintsBrakes
181 complaintsVehicle speed control
162 complaintsElectrical system
152 complaintsOther or unknown
143 complaintsSteering
95 complaintsSuspension
80 complaintsLane departure
77 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