no report yet
Exterior lighting: headlights
NewRisk. Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
2020 Tesla Model YProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 285 owner complaints about the 2020 Tesla Model Y, most often about the forward collision avoidance. It is covered by 24 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-912 the manufacturer reports only 75% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 7, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2020 Tesla Model Y has problems
285 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
109Forward collision avoidance16 crash/fire/injury
37Vehicle speed control13 crash/fire/injury
37Service brakes8 crash/fire/injury
32Suspension4 crash/fire/injury
32Lane departure4 crash/fire/injury
28Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
27Steering6 crash/fire/injury
17Air bags
16Visibility/wiper
7613 other systems17 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 109 | 16 |
| Vehicle speed control | 37 | 13 |
| Service brakes | 37 | 8 |
| Suspension | 32 | 4 |
| Lane departure | 32 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 28 | 4 |
| Steering | 27 | 6 |
| Air bags | 17 | 9 |
| Visibility/wiper | 16 | 2 |
| 13 other systems | 76 | 17 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
24 recalls
2020 Tesla Model Y recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Back over prevention: software
NewRisk. A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Risk. Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Electrical system: software
Risk. An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 20 more recalls
repaired · 2026 Q2
Front: warning light/devices
Risk. A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Risk. 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.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Driver monitoring: software
Risk. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as…
repaired · 2025 Q1
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2024 Q4
Exterior lighting: tail lights
Risk. A taillight that fails to illuminate may reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q4
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Electrical system: software
Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk. Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Suspension
Risk. Suspension links that separate can reduce vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q4
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
Risk. Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Suspension: critical fasteners
Risk. A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Seat belts: critical fasteners
Risk. Improperly attached fasteners may prevent the seat belt retention system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Seat belts
Risk. An improperly attached fastener may prevent the seat belt system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Service brakes, hydraulic: critical fasteners
Risk. Contact with the rim may cause a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Front: control arm
Risk. 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.
repaired · 2021 Q2
Exterior lighting
Risk. Trailer brake lights that fail to illuminate during braking increase the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Tesla.
Best & worst years
2020 vs. every other Model Y year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Model Y median. How we score
'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
12 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2020 Tesla Model Y, and the recalls they led to.
- Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting RequirementsOpen
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
- Defect Petition Interlock RequestNo recall
- Sudden Unintended AccelerationOpen
- Autopilot System Driver ControlsLed to recall 23V-838
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsOpen
- Autopilot & First Responder ScenesNo recall
- Tesla Passenger PlayNo recall
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsNo recall
- Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.No recall
- Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engagedOpen
- Recall 23V838 Remedy EffectivenessOpen
In owners' words
What Model Y owners report
Recent forward collision avoidance complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The vehicle FSD drove towards to closed toll roads and hit the gates. None of the vehicle safety feature worked. There’s over $3k damage and some scars due to the shedding windshield glasses
I was driving a 2020 Tesla Model Y with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged when another vehicle unexpectedly turned into my path, resulting in a heavy initial collision. However, the most critical safety failures occurred immediately after this first impact: FSD Failure to Disengage: Despite the…
The vehicle is experiencing an active, recurring safety hazard caused by a manufacturer software bug that triggers unprovoked alignment parameter and steering angle plausibility resets. This defect directly compromises the vehicle’s primary handling characteristics and stability control systems.…
Own a 2020 Model Y?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.