2023 Tesla Model Y Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe sudden braking or slowing with no obstacle ahead while driver assistance is active, a pattern often called phantom braking, and unintended acceleration during parking or low-speed maneuvers. Other reports include steering that stiffens or loses power assist, and front suspension bolts or control arms that loosen or detach. Braking and acceleration reports mostly come from cars with low mileage, while suspension reports mostly come from cars with roughly 30,000 miles or more.

1. 1
   Forward collision avoidance

   Sudden braking with no obstacle ahead (phantom braking)

   • 378 complaints (32%)
   • median 4,250 mi at 0.9 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 45 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,662 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the car braking or slowing abruptly on its own while cruise control or driver assistance is active, often at highway speeds and with no vehicle or object ahead. Some say they had to press the accelerator firmly to keep moving, and many say no warning light appeared. Many events were not diagnosed, and one owner says the manufacturer asked for an inspection if the event recurred, after a software update had been pushed remotely. Most reports come from cars with under about 5,000 miles, with one at about 18,000 miles.

   What to check: On a highway test drive with driver assistance engaged, check whether the car brakes or slows without a reason. Ask whether the car has been inspected for these events and whether any driver assistance software update has been installed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving approximately 62 MPH with the autopilot mode activated, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11513210, filed 2023-03, 3,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH with the cruise control feature activated, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact corrected the failure by depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure was approximately 3,950.”

   NHTSA complaint #11522016, filed 2023-05, 3,950 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration when braking or parking

   • 152 complaints (13%)
   • median 3,900 mi at 0.9 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 60 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the car accelerating on its own while parking, maneuvering slowly, or turning into a space, sometimes while the brake pedal is pressed. Several report the car did not stop when the brake was applied, and some describe crashes into walls, parked vehicles or curbs. Some say no warning light was shown, and a few say the dealer found no fault. One owner describes the event occurring after a software update. Most reports come from cars with under about 11,000 miles, though a few come from cars with 20,000 to 35,000 miles.

   What to check: Test brake response and creep behavior when parking in an open area before buying. Ask whether the car has any history of unintended acceleration complaints or service visits and whether any driver assistance software was recently changed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that on two occasions while stopped in self-driving mode, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated into oncoming traffic. The brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stopped after driving a foot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11721717, filed 2026-03, 35,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and attempting to reverse, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle stopped. The contact regained control of the vehicle on the curb. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11633121, filed 2024-12, 30,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering stiffness, wobble or loss of power assist

   • 308 complaints (26%)
   • median 9,824 mi at 1.5 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 47 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,800 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the steering wheel becoming stiff or hard to turn, wobbling, or the electric power steering failing with warning messages. Some say the car drifted or veered into another lane, and one reports a steering wheel that appeared bent after an event. Some say the power steering recovered after the car sat for a few minutes, and one says the steering rack was replaced under warranty. Reports span from under 1,000 miles to about 54,000 miles, with both newer and higher-mileage cars represented.

   Recall 25V092000Recall 23V385000

   What to check: Turn the steering wheel lock to lock while parked and at low speed, and check for stiffness, noise or warning messages. Ask whether the power steering and steering wheel fastener recalls have been completed for the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owned a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 - 50 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to regain control of the vehicle and attempting to correct the steering wheel, the vehicle kept going to the right and to the left independently. The contact was unable to regain control of the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11669530, filed 2025-06, 40,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH with the Autonomous Self Driving feature activated, the contact briefly lost control of the vehicle when the steering wheel suddenly started to wobble, and the vehicle swayed from side to side. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 975.”

   NHTSA complaint #11545269, filed 2023-09, 975 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Control arm or suspension bolts loosen or detach

   • 187 complaints (16%)
   • median 36,000 mi at 3.2 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe loose or detached bolts in the front suspension, a control arm or lateral link hanging down or separating, and a wheel that came loose from the vehicle. Some report clicking, knocking or screeching before the failure. Some say the dealer had not heard of the problem or that the repair was not covered, and one owner describes a wheel separating at low speed in a parking lot. Most reports come from cars with roughly 30,000 miles or more, though one is near 9,000 miles.

   Recall 22V895000

   What to check: Look under the front of the car for loose or missing suspension bolts and ask whether the front suspension fastener recall has been completed for this VIN. Listen for clicking or knocking on a slow turn.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the babysitter was attempting to park the vehicle, the front driver’s side control arm detached from the vehicle with a loud pop. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent the tow service. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11761359, filed 2026-09, 32,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a right turn, the driver’s side control arm detached from the vehicle, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The control arm was dragged for several minutes before the vehicle came to a stop. The contact pulled over to the side of the road while on a hill. The contact called the Police to assist with traffic control. The vehicle was towed to the residence. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11703346, filed 2025-12, 72,350 miles

Buying note. Before buying, test driver assistance features at highway speed and check parking behavior and steering effort at low speed. Ask for proof that the front suspension fastener and steering recalls have been completed, and review the car's software and service history.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.