Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control — runs 5.1× the fleet median for that category across the 228 model-years tracked on this site.
271Complaints
23Recalls
47Crashes
0Fires
25Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control (25.5% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control complaints here are 5.1× the median for that category across the 228 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 271 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Suspension links that separate can reduce vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
An improperly attached fastener may prevent the seat belt system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Improperly attached fasteners may prevent the seat belt retention system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
A detached upper control arm can cause the wheels to lean in or out, decreasing the driver's ability to steer and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
A taillight that fails to illuminate may reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“My Tesla was in auto pilot, not full self drive. I was merging into traffic on an interstate, in the acceleration lane. Even though the…”NHTSA complaint 11463142 — filed 05/02/2022 · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
“The model Y will randomly brake while at freeway speeds. I've seen it go from 80 mph down to 60 mph before I could react…”NHTSA complaint 11461696 — filed 04/21/2022 · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
“While using adaptive cruise control, the car decelerates for no apparent reason. The rapid deceleration of the vehicle could cause the following car to rear…”NHTSA complaint 11456753 — filed 03/15/2022 · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Tesla Model Y?
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control issues are the most-reported category, cited in 69 of 271 NHTSA complaints (25.5%), followed by unspecified/other issues (52), forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking (44), service brakes (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2020 Tesla Model Y have?
271 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 47 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 25 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2020 Tesla Model Y have any recalls?
Yes — 23 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 22V037000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2020 Tesla Model Y's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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