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2023 Tesla Model Y: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Owners filed 1,185 complaints with NHTSA on the 2023 Model Y[1], more than for any other Model Y year on file[2]. In the complaint texts we read, owners describe sudden braking and steering trouble[3][4], and most of the 17 recalls list a free over-the-air update[2].
Most reported problems
These are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and one complaint can name more than one component. Of the 1,185 on file, 156 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 87 injuries[1]. One death is reported[1].
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance[3] | 480 | 59 | 0 | 28 | 3,000 |
| Steering[4] | 215 | 31 | 0 | 21 | 10,500 |
| Speed control[5] | 168 | 36 | 0 | 15 | 7,000 |
| Unknown or other[6] | 155 | 29 | 3 | 6 | not listed |
| Brakes[7] | 152 | 36 | 0 | 14 | 8,000 |
| Suspension[8] | 132 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 42,500 |
| Electrical system[9] | 124 | 24 | 3 | 22 | 4,500 |
| Lane departure[10] | 83 | 18 | 0 | 14 | not listed |
In the complaint texts we read for forward collision avoidance, speed control and brakes, owners describe the car braking hard on its own while cruise control or Autopilot was on, with nothing ahead that they could see[3][5][7]. Owners call this phantom braking. Some describe the car stopping and refusing to move again, which ended in a tow[5][7].
In the steering texts we read, owners describe a steering wheel coming loose from the column, a loss of power steering assist, and a car that pulled to one side right after delivery[4]. Recalls on the same topics are listed below.
Suspension has 132 complaints, but only 3 crashes and no injuries, and the median mileage at failure is 42,500[8].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 17 recalls for the 2023 Model Y[2]. Several cover other Tesla models too. Newest first:
- Remedy pending
Headlights (26V507). Low beams may be brighter than the legal limit, which makes it harder for oncoming drivers to see. Tesla plans to replace the headlights. The remedy is not yet available, and owners will get another notice when it is[11]. - Rearview camera delay (26V283). The image can lag when the car goes into reverse, so the driver sees less behind the car. Tesla released an over-the-air update[12].
- Power steering assist (25V092). A circuit board can be overstressed, so power assist may drop out as the car stops and then moves off. The wheel gets harder to turn at low speeds. An over-the-air update is out[13].
- Rearview camera board (25V002). A computer board may short and blank the rearview image. Tesla released an update and will also replace computers that show a failure or stress[14].
- Tire pressure light (24V935). The warning light may go out between drives, so a low tire could go unnoticed. An over-the-air update is out[15].
- Hood latch (24V554). The latch may not notice an unlatched hood, which could then swing open and block the view. An over-the-air update is out[16].
- Seat belt chime (24V376). The light and chime may not warn an unbelted driver. Tesla will release an over-the-air update, and the recall record does not say it is out yet[17].
- Brake warning lights (24V051). The Brake, Park and ABS lights show in type that is too small to read easily. Tesla began rolling out an update[18].
- Rearview camera software (24V035). Software instability may keep the rear image from appearing. An over-the-air update is out[19].
- Autosteer controls (23V838). The driver-assist controls may not be prominent enough to stop misuse, which raises crash risk if the driver is not ready to step in. Tesla plans an over-the-air update[20].
- Forward camera alignment (23V489). A misaligned camera may switch off emergency braking, collision warning and lane assist without telling the driver. Service inspects and adjusts the camera angle as needed[21].
- Battery disconnect (23V434). A defective part may fail to cut off the high-voltage battery after a crash, which risks electric shock. Service replaces the part[22].
- Steering wheel fastener (23V385). A loose fastener could let the wheel separate from the column and cause loss of steering control. Service inspects and replaces it as needed[23].
- Rear seat bolts (23V130). Bolts on the second-row seat back frames may be under-tightened, which can weaken seat belt performance. Service checks and tightens them[24].
- Full Self-Driving Beta (23V085). The beta software may act unsafely at intersections and around posted speed limits. Tesla plans an over-the-air update[25].
- Front suspension link (22V895). Fasteners may not be properly attached to the sub-frame, so a link could separate and make the car unstable. Service tightens or replaces them[26].
- Taillights (22V844). One or both lights may fail to light intermittently. An over-the-air update is out[27].
Fuel economy
The Model Y is electric, so EPA rates it in MPGe. Three versions are listed.
Engine and size
The electric motor is rated from 272 to 418 hp, depending on version[31]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
How 2023 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 282 | 24 |
| 2021 | 1,091 | 23 |
| 2022 | 873 | 20 |
| 2023 | 1,185 | 17 |
| 2024 | 328 | 5 |
| 2025 | 106 | 3 |
| 2026 | 411 | 8 |
Complaints and recalls on file for each Model Y model year[2]:
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 282 | 24 |
| 2021 | 1,091 | 23 |
| 2022 | 873 | 20 |
| 2023 | 1,185 | 17 |
| 2024 | 328 | 5 |
| 2025 | 106 | 3 |
| 2026 | 411 | 8 |
2023 has the highest complaint count in the list. It ranks fourth for recalls, behind 2020, 2021 and 2022. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so a higher count does not by itself mean a worse car.
Should you buy a used 2023 Model Y?
The 2023 Model Y has the highest complaint count of any Model Y year we have, though the counts are not adjusted for sales[2]. The largest groups are forward collision avoidance, steering and speed control[3][4][5]. Many recalls list an update or repair as available, but the headlight remedy is not yet available, and the seat belt chime, Autosteer and Full Self-Driving Beta updates are described as planned[11][17][20][25]. Before you buy, ask Tesla or check NHTSA to confirm which recalls apply to the exact car and whether each one is closed.
Frequently asked questions
- What problems does the 2023 Tesla Model Y have?
- NHTSA has 1,185 owner complaints[1]. The largest group is forward collision avoidance with 480[3], followed by steering with 215[4] and speed control with 168[5]. Owners in the texts we read describe sudden braking and steering trouble. Reports are unverified.
- How many recalls does the 2023 Model Y have?
- NHTSA lists 17[2]. The headlight recall 26V507 has no remedy available yet[11].
- What is the 2023 Tesla Model Y's fuel economy?
- EPA rates the versions at 123, 122 and 111 MPGe combined[28][29][30].
- Is 2023 a bad year for the Model Y?
- It has the most complaints of any year listed, 1,185[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so our data cannot name a best or worst year.
- How much horsepower does the 2023 Model Y have?
- The electric motor is rated from 272 to 418 hp depending on version[31].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,185 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Tesla Model Y (156 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 87 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Tesla Model Y model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 480 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (59 crashes, 0 fires, 28 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 215 complaints name the steering component group (31 crashes, 0 fires, 21 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 168 complaints name the speed control component group (36 crashes, 0 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 155 complaints name the unknown or other component group (29 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 152 complaints name the brakes component group (36 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 132 complaints name the suspension component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 124 complaints name the electrical system component group (24 crashes, 3 fires, 22 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 83 complaints name the lane departure component group (18 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 26V507, filed August 4, 2026: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V283, filed May 4, 2026: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V092, filed February 14, 2025: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V002, filed January 6, 2025: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V935, filed December 17, 2024: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V554, filed July 24, 2024: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V376, filed May 28, 2024: Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light / Devices. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V051, filed January 30, 2024: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V035, filed January 22, 2024: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V838, filed December 12, 2023: Electrical System › Adas › Driver Monitoring › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V489, filed July 14, 2023: Forward Collision Avoidance › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V434, filed June 19, 2023: Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V385, filed May 30, 2023: Steering › Steering Wheel / Handle Bar. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V130, filed February 27, 2023: Seat Belts › Rear / Other › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V085, filed February 15, 2023: Steering › Automated / Adaptive Steering. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V895, filed December 5, 2022: Suspension › Subframe / Mounting Bracket. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V844, filed November 15, 2022: Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Model Y AWD, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 123 MPGe combined, 279 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Model Y Long Range AWD, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 122 MPGe combined, 330 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Model Y Performance AWD, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 111 MPGe combined, 303 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2023 Tesla Model Y with electric motor: rated 272 to 418 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MODEL Y 4DR SUV AWD: length 187 in, width 76 in, height 64 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,416 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MODEL Y 4DR SUV RWD: length 187 in, width 76 in, height 64 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 3,924 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov