2021 Tesla Model Y: engine failure

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Suspension · MA · crash

I own a 2021 Tesla Model Y with approximately 51,300 miles. Beginning in June 2026 I noticed a persistent creaking noise from the front suspension, most audible when accelerating and when turning at low speed. The vehicle had been rear-ended in June 2026 and repaired at a body shop; the noise was reported to the shop at that time and persisted after the repair was completed. On September 2, 2026 I brought the vehicle to a Tesla Service Center for diagnosis. The technician test drove the vehicle, verified the noise, and performed an inspection on a lift. The written findings were that both front upper control arm ball joints were partially seized, both front lateral link bushings were torn, and both front compliance link bushings were torn. Tesla recommended replacement of the front upper control arms, front lower lateral links, and front lower compliance links, quoted at approximately $2,610 at my own expense. Tesla further stated that a four-wheel alignment could not be accurately performed in the vehicle's current condition because of the torn bushings. No crash, fire, or injury has resulted. The vehicle remains in service. I am filing this complaint because these are the same front suspension components identified in the federal safety agency's open investigation into front suspension link separation in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, and my vehicle falls within the model years under review. The failure is bilateral and occurred with no impact to the front of the vehicle and no off-road or track use. I am concerned that degraded bushings and seized ball joints across all three component types create a risk of link separation and loss of steering control without meaningful warning beyond the creaking noise.

Filed Feb 23, 2025 · Electrical, Visibility · MN

The heat pump stopped working twice, which requires a trip to the service center and the repair to restore function is a minimum of $3,000. The vehical has no heat at all, no defrost, no cabin heat nothing! This defect happens in the coldest parts of winter and leaves the owner stranded wherever this occurs. The first time was at 52,000 miles. It wouldn't turn on. The heat pump seized. The second time was on a trip, it blow out all the freon and stopped working in Waterloo, Iowa. I was 4 hours from home and it was -4F outside. The car had 136,000 miles. Many others have had heat pumps go out in the same situation...dead of winter. The repair is $3,000 to get heat back into the car. The heat pumpscare clearly defective or not big enough and are destroying themselves every other winter in Minnesota. This is 1. Dangerous because you can't defrost your windshield. 2. You cold freeze to death in very cold conditions. 3. A very expensive repair pn a part that should last mire than a 1 or 2 years. Home heat pumpsvlast 10- 24 years!!

Filed Aug 1, 2023 · Steering · WA

The steering wheel locked up for 3 seconds. I returned the vehicle to Tesla and they said they replaced the control arms. I suspect the bearings in the steering control arms seized. I suspect the steering control arms are not robust enough to handle the weight of vehicle.

Filed Jul 19, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · CA

On, June 24th and July 15th my vehicle experienced multiple errors while driving. Indicator lights stated the following: stability control disabled, dash cam disabled, traction control disabled, regenerative braking disabled, emergency braking disabled. On July 15th the front motor was disabled, causing the vehicle to not have enough power to continue up the mountain. The vehicle stopped in the middle of the highway, and started rolling backwards. After I was able to turn the vehicle around, the brakes were grinding, and did not stop the vehicle. There as a smell of burnt rubber, and the brake pedal started “ popping” and moving back and forth on its’ own. The engine failure has occurred twice, and all of other errors have occurred 4 times since June 2023. I made an appointment with the Tesla service center and they cancelled my appointment, for no reason. After the July 15th incident, I took the vehicle into the service center myself. These issues are intermittent, which is very dangerous. The car will experience these errors, and then operate as normal. Tesla told me that they thought this entire thing was “ strange” and that they have never heard of this issue. All logs on the vehicle show these errors, and I have a witness. Tesla has not updated me with the status of my repair, or even a diagnosis. I am terrified to drive this vehicle.

Filed Aug 5, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · 2,800 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the steering wheel seized and the brakes failed to engaged. The vehicle went into autocorrect on its own and was swerving then crashed into a semi truck. No medical attention was received on the scene but the contact later seeked medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a Tesla approved collision repair center. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they will escalate the file over to headquarter to evaluate. The failure mileage was approximately 2,800.