2025 Tesla Model Y: jerking or lurching

Filed Nov 8, 2026 · FL

I am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring Rear Drive Unit (RDU) failure affecting my Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX]). Since purchasing the vehicle in March 2025, I have experienced three separate incidents involving the same component, resulting in vehicle jerking, loss of propulsion, and unsafe driving conditions. The first failure occurred in May 2025 when the vehicle began jerking, slowing down unexpectedly, and ultimately displayed a critical warning instructing me to pull over. Tesla diagnosed the issue as a defective Rear Drive Unit and replaced it under warranty. In January 2026, the same symptoms returned. Although no alerts were initially found, a Tesla technician experienced the issue firsthand during a test drive. Tesla again determined that the Rear Drive Unit had failed and replaced it for a second time. At that point, I expressed concerns about the reliability of the vehicle and the possibility of the defect recurring. On November 7, 2026, the same issue occurred for a third time while I was driving on [XXX]. The vehicle jerked repeatedly and lost propulsion, leaving me stopped in the roadway. Fortunately, no accident occurred; however, this situation could have had serious consequences if it had happened on a busy highway or in heavy traffic. Given that the same critical drivetrain component has failed three times despite multiple repair attempts, I believe this represents a significant safety concern and an unresolved manufacturing defect. I am requesting a thorough review of the vehicle's repair history, an investigation into the root cause of these repeated failures, and consideration of an appropriate warranty remedy, including vehicle replacement. My primary concern is the safety, reliability, and long-term dependability of the vehicle, as prior repairs have not resolved the issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 7, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · CA · crash · 1 injury

Using Tesla FSD (full self-driving supervised) I drove home, approximately 120 miles, from a family visit. From previous experience with Tesla FSD, I knew that the navigation system would navigate into the incorrect of 2 driveways (left, instead of the correct driveway, right) leading to my parking space. Therefore, upon arriving at the building address I endeavored to take over full control by tapping break and manually turning to the right driveway, whereupon the steering wheel locked up completely and the car lurched forward crashing through the security gate and into a parked car directly in line with how the locked steering directed it. To the best of my knowledge, the car was removed to a salvage location where it was considered a total loss.

Filed Dec 1, 2025 · Driver assistance · CA · crash

INCIDENT REPORT – TESLA Y – UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2025, APPROXIMATELY 2:40 PM On the above-referenced date and time, we were returning home with the intention of pulling the car into our garage, an activity performed over a hundred times in the one year we have owned the car. Because of the need to back in to allow the car to be charged, the following procedure is adhered to: 1.Disengage self-driving (if it was being used) in the street prior to entering the courtyard for residence. 2.Pull forward three-quarters of the way into garage (since the residence is the last on the courtyard and the car cannot be pulled beyond the garage opening to directly back in). 3.Place car in reverse and slowly perform K-turn to back into garage. On the date in question. The following anomalies occurred: 1.After placing the car in reverse (action 2), instead of starting to back out, the car lurched forward. The brake was immediately applied and the car stopped about a foot before hitting the garage wall. 2.The brake was applied again to assure self-driving was disengaged and proceed with action 3. 3.Car was placed in reverse and accelerator was lightly pressed to slowly back out of garage. Rather than slowly back out (as was done hundreds of times) the car immediately accelerated and rapidly gained speed. 4.The brake was applied to stop the car but could not overcome the acceleration (pictures of skid marks were taken). 5.In order not to directly hit the wall located across from garage, Car steering wheel was turned to minimize any direct contact ( skid marks will show turn). 6.Car came to a stop when it hit the wall causing significant damage to the car and causing damage to the wall (pictures can be forwarded).

Filed Sep 30, 2025 · Driver assistance · CO

While on a two lane road, my car decided to go around the car in front of me into on-coming traffic while in Full Self-Driving mode. I had to jerk the car to the right to prevent a head-on collision!!!! I missed the on-coming vehicle by seconds!!! This was terrifying!

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Brakes · CA

Tesla removed the creep/roll braking function (which mimicked an automatic transmission) from the Model Y 2024 forward. You now have to use the accelerator to control slow speed maneuvers like backing. It seems that it would be pretty easy to press the accelerator too much and have the car lurch forward or backwards. Seems like an accident waiting to happen. It would be safer to have your foot on the brake pedal and allow the car to creep backwards similar to an automatic transmission. Tesla should return the "creep" function as an option. This is what China is doing and the US should do the same.