2021 Tesla Model Y: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Electrical, Seats · RI

Hello, We have 46224 miles on the car currently. A couple of weeks back the whole battery died. Tesla replaced the battery and we picked up the car this past Friday, the XXX. After picking up the car the driver's seat does not slide. I looked it up online on the Tesla website as well as on the app and at both the places it was strongly recommended to bring the car back to Tesla as the problem was very very likely secondary to the battery replacement. the seat does not move at all. When I spoke to customer service at out local Tesla dealership in [XXX], the earliest date they could provide us was in the first week of August! This is an urgent issue. We happen to be away on vacation that week. So we were told to review the cost estimate and then find a date on the app to bring the car in. When I questioned the estimate price, I was told that this was the worst case scenario. But the invoice clearly states Calibration, and 3 prices for a switch package all amounting to $364.45 with tax!!! Again I questioned this huge charge, considering the battery replacement and I was told almost rudely, "That does not seem to be the issue." Just not right!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

The vehicle’s secondary Autopilot Processor / car computer is internally faulted and stuck in a continuous wake/shutdown loop. This causes severe standby battery drain (~20 miles of range lost per day while parked) and completely prevents all over-the-air software updates - including federally mandated safety recall remedies. On April 4, 2024, Tesla Service diagnosed the fault and linked it to the drain and inability to update. On the same visit, Tesla added two safety recalls (23V‑838 Autosteer controls and 24V‑051 Brake/Park/ABS indicators) to the work order. They then demanded ~$3,000 customer payment for computer replacement before the recalls could be performed. After I declined the paid repair, Tesla marked both recalls as “completed” via software update despite the same invoice stating the vehicle could not receive updates and remained on software version 2023.38.9 (which predates both remedy firmwares they claimed was installed). Tesla is effectively paywalling federally required safety recall remedies by requiring the customer to first pay for computer replacement first. Two additional recalls remain open (21V‑389 seat belt fasteners and 24V‑554 hood latch). The problem has been confirmed and documented multiple times by Tesla Service.

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Driver assistance, Seat belts · CA

In early Nov 2025 my Tesla Model Y began intermittently showing warnings about the forward collision warning system and multiple sensors being offline. Tesla service replaced a faulty connector on Nov 3. On Nov 15, 2025, about two weeks later, the car had a sudden drivetrain failure while I was parking on a steep hill. I heard a loud bang from the front of the car and the vehicle immediately lost drive power and had to be towed. Tesla diagnosed a failed front motor inverter that blew the high-voltage pyrofuse and damaged the 12V battery; they replaced those parts. The vehicle is available for inspection and the repaired components and records are with Tesla. After that repair the car needed another visit for alignment and has continued to show worrying behavior: “VCFRONT offline/unable to contact VCFRONT” in the service menu, repeated “autopilot computer overheating” messages, intermittent loss or reduction of regenerative braking (braking feel changes unpredictably), a rear right seatbelt malfunction warning (later inspected and cleared by Tesla), and what appears to be significantly increased battery drain compared to before the inverter failure. This has now resulted in four service visits within about a month, all at Tesla service centers (no police, insurance, or independent shops involved). Tesla has confirmed the inverter/pyrofuse/12V failure and says the overheating was due to an air pocket in the cooling system, but the VCFRONT messages, inconsistent regen braking, and increased drain have not been fully resolved or clearly explained. I am concerned that a sudden loss of power, loss of regen, or failure of VCFRONT/autopilot systems could recur at speed or in traffic, creating a serious safety risk. Please note that I'm only able to view partially-complete paperwork from the latest service appointment in the Tesla app. I have requested this documentation from Tesla and will be able to provide all the service reports and communication as a follow-up.

Filed Sep 26, 2025 · Body, Electrical · CA

On August 20th, 2025 at 2:50pm, my eight-month-old infant was trapped inside my Tesla Model Y for approximately 30 minutes due to a critical systems failure. The vehicle experienced an error with the 12V battery that rendered the doors, windows, and trunk completely inoperable, preventing any means of access or escape. My infant was flushed, diaphoretic, and crying while stuck in his car seat with an indoor temperature exceeding 104 degrees fahrenheit. Despite all attempts to override the system, the car remained locked, and the battery dead, and emergency services had to be contacted. Officers from the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, and Montecito Fire Department arrived on scene and, in order to rescue my baby, were forced to smash a window to gain entry. The police officer was advised by a Tesla representative to do so, as he confirmed there would be no way to override the system to open the doors. My baby was found screaming in a pool full of sweat and was carried to an ambulance, where the paramedic warned me of concerning vital signs and advised me to go to the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital to have his condition assessed and treated, if necessary. I have obtained a copy of the police report (Case No. XXX) and will provide it upon request. Tesla confirmed that this problem with the 12V battery is common, nonetheless we were made to pay for a new window and a battery replacement. There were no warning signs leading up to the shutdown and not notifying us of this system failure and the risk involved is complete negligence on behalf of Tesla.

Filed Sep 16, 2025 · Body, Electrical · FL

In December 2023 I strapped my [XXX] son into his carseat in our Model Y and walked around to the front to get into the car as well. In those few seconds the 12v car battery died (I did not get any notification in my app) and I was unable to open any doors, so my infant son was trapped. We live in Florida and this was an 80 degree day. With no other recourse I was forced to call 911 to have my son removed from the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 30, 2024 · Electrical · AZ

I was trapped in my car when the 12V starter battery died without warning and everything in the car shut down. I was very fortunate that I had my cell phone with me to call my friend who had just left. However, he was unable to help me open the car from the outside. I spent several minutes going through several questions in an attempt to make an emergency request for roadside assistance on the Tesla app in hopes they could talk me through getting out. I finally received a text stating my request was 'being reviewed'! I have claustrophobia so by now I'm not breathing comfortably. I responded that I was trapped in my car and needed immediate help. They responded telling me where an emergency release was. A release which every Tesla owner that I know has told me they had NO knowledge of. When I was towed to Tesla, the service adviser told me ' claustrophobic' people probably shouldn't buy a Tesla! Well... he was partially correct...only I would go further to say 'nobody' should be a Tesla... it is a death trap. What if I had put my 3 year old grandchild in her car seat and shut the door to get in the driver side? She would not be able to pull an emergency lever! I was sitting on a fully charged Lithium-Ion battery yet I was unable to open a door...so how about a safety bypass to this battery ?? Seems to me the default with a dead battery should be that the doors unlock...not lock! This is certainly NOT a 'smart' car....it is a potential death trap for which there are countless other reports in the news, yet Tesla and your organization has yet to take action.

Filed Aug 20, 2023 · Electrical · NV

Model Y Battery Problem. The battery died while my baby was inside the car. Phone app, remote control, key card, etc. did not work. We live in Las Vegas & August is very hot. Today is Sunday and nobody in Las Vegas was able to help. Customer Service took over 30 minutes just to connect, and was no help. I got transferred around numerous times because they have no solution. The frustrating part was that tesla employee wasn't willing to help. I understand that they might not be able to do anything, but their attitude and the unwillingness to help was just shocking. One of them even told me that there's nothing they can do and I need to contact someone in Las Vegas. Other employee who had no knowledge of the car told me to jump start the car. He gave me an attitude when I told him I cannot open the frunk. He told me to read the manual to manually open the frunk. I replied stating I already did read the manual already and do not have the tool to pop open the side frunk. I'm just disappointed with being transferred around and the waste of time while my child was stuck inside the car. Currently, there's no manual door unlock from the outside! There's no manual frunk or trunk unlock either from the outside. All Japanese cars, including hybrid and electric has emergency door lock built into their car. I believe this needs to change for Tesla, as it is putting kids and babies in danger. Thank you for listening to my concern.

Filed Jul 9, 2023 · Electrical · FL

1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? After closing the passenger side door, The 12v battery that controls the Tesla cabin died without any prior warning or car notification that it needed to be replaced, as a result the car instantly powered down , disabling the a/c, windows and door locks and we were unable to open the doors to access the car. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? At the time of the event no, just our personal belongings were trapped inside the car but as a parent of a small child I usually put my child in her car seat first and close the door then get in my seat, if this had occurred with my child being in the car , my only option would be to smash in the window to get her out as the car has no back up system to open the car doors if the 12v battery dies. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes , the tesla had to be towed to the service center we’re they had to run system test and replace the 12v battery. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes by Tesla , they ran test and determined that the 12v battery was the issue. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warnings or notifications were given prior , teslas are suppose to receive a notification to alert the owner the battery needs to be replaced as their cars have a lot of 12v battery drain.