2026 Tesla Model Y lights problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · GA

Component/system involved: Rear light bar (continuous taillight assembly) on both sides. Stress cracks have formed along the bottom edge of the light bar. The left side has cracked completely through. The cracked housing is allowing rainwater to enter the light assembly, which is shorting the brake lights and turn signals and causing them to malfunction. The light bar is still installed on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: When the brake lights and/or turn signals fail due to water intrusion, other drivers cannot properly see when the vehicle is braking or turning. This creates a risk of rear-end collision or other accidents, especially in wet conditions or at night. Reproduction / confirmation: Service has been scheduled for replacement of the rear light bar. The issue has not yet been inspected or confirmed in person by a dealer or independent service center. Inspection by others: None. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. Prior symptoms / warning lights: Stress cracks first noticed on the bottom of the rear light bar on both sides. The left-side crack progressed until it went fully through, after which rainwater began entering and the brake lights/turn signals started malfunctioning. No warning lamps or messages appeared prior to the electrical shorting.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Body, Lights · CA · crash

On XXX, I was driving my 2026 Tesla Model Y All-Wheel Drive northbound on [XXX] toward the [XXX] exit in [XXX]. Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) was engaged as the vehicle entered a single-lane exit ramp with a curve. The FSD system did not slow the vehicle sufficiently for the curve. I intervened by applying the brakes, but the vehicle struck a reflector pole with its front bumper area. No other vehicle was involved. I am reporting a suspected malfunction of the FSD system’s ability to recognize roadway curvature, select an appropriate speed, and slow the vehicle in time to navigate the curve safely. This created a safety risk because, despite my intervention, a collision occurred. Under similar circumstances, the vehicle could strike other roadside objects or cause a more serious crash resulting in injuries. To my knowledge, a Tesla service center or independent facility has not reproduced or confirmed the suspected malfunction. I request that the federal safety agency investigate and that Tesla preserve and examine available vehicle telemetry, event logs, FSD status, vehicle speed, braking inputs, and driver-intervention data from the incident. Tesla Insurance reviewed the collision and determined me at fault. I disputed that determination and requested reconsideration. However, the insurance decision does not establish whether the FSD system malfunctioned. I did not receive a warning lamp or message alerting me in advance that the vehicle would not slow sufficiently for the curve. The problem became apparent as I approached and entered the ramp. I request investigation into whether this represents a safety defect affecting Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD and whether corrective action is necessary. I can provide additional incident information and make the vehicle available for inspection upon request, subject to availability. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · MA

Water entusion in the tail light bar. After time causes corrosion of the circuit board on the turn rear turn signal making it inoperable. tesla doesn't have an open document nor a recall. Was quoted over $1300 to replace the assembly. I did a teardown of the root cause. Glue sealing the through hole for the clip that holds the badge of the car on the rear didn't adhere. Water entered the assembly and dripped onto the circuit board, over time corrosion occurred. My rear left turn signal went out on a car that just turned a year. I have documented the location of the fault with pictures

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Lights · AZ

Ever since our 2026 Tesla Model Y was purchased in June 2026, we routinely receive a "Center Brake Light Condition Detected" error message. We have brought the vehicle in for service, and have been advised that the issue is not hardware-related and will be fixed through a "future software update". We have been waiting nearly 3 months for a remedy but Tesla Service has been unable to provide a status report on the remedy. A number of other Tesla owners have commented on Reddit that they have the same issue with their vehicles.

Filed Aug 13, 2026 · Lights · VA

Screen provides alert that "center brake light condition deteceted". Shows up as VCRIGHT_a487 Tesla said "The condition is characteristic of the current firmware with no current fix at this time". Tesla is looking into this concern as it is affecting multiple vehicles at this time

Filed Jun 27, 2026 · Body, Lights · WA · crash

Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) — control handover protocol. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. WHAT HAPPENED: On June 25, 2026 at approximately 4:17 PM, the vehicle was operating under Full Self-Driving (FSD) navigating into a residential driveway. The driver pressed the gas pedal to take manual control. At the exact moment FSD transferred control, vehicle telemetry confirms the steering wheel was at −299° (nearly 3 full turns of hard left lock). No warning was given. With a ~13:1 steering ratio, approximately 300° of wheel rotation was required before driver input would affect the front wheels — taking 0.4–0.5 seconds during which the front wheels remained pointed left despite the driver turning right. The vehicle struck a tree at approximately 13–15 kph. Secondary failure: FSD re-engaged once during the first override attempt, requiring a second override before full control was obtained, further delaying driver response. Telemetry confirmed: factory crash algorithm (RCM_CRASH_ALGO_WAKEUP_EVENT_ACTIVE), Electronic Stability Control, and Traction Control all activated at impact. Post-impact speed registered −1.67 kph (backward bounce), confirming direct collision. SAFETY RISK: FSD handed off control mid-maneuver at extreme steering lock with no warning, creating an unrecoverable situation in a confined residential driveway. PRIOR WARNINGS: None. No warning lamps, messages, or alerts before or during handover. INSPECTION STATUS: Vehicle photographed. Insurance inspection pending. Not yet inspected by Tesla or dealer. Independently confirmed via vehicle telemetry export (85,776 rows, 300 sensor channels).

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Lights · NV

My 2026 Tesla Model Y front trunk ("frunk"), an Austin, Mar 2026 build, lacks internal lighting & emergency release (unlike 2025 models; the change started Oct 2025). Frunk size/capacity remained unchanged, allowing child up to 4yo to fit & get trapped w/ no escape or signal, esp. in low light. Violates FMVSS 401 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-571/subpart-B/section-571.401) which states: "Each passenger car with a trunk compartment must have an automatic or manual release mechanism inside the trunk compartment that unlatches the trunk lid, if the trunk is large enough so that the three-year-old child dummy described in Subpart C of Part 572 can be placed inside the trunk compartment, and the trunk lid can be closed and latched". Request recall/retrofit & investigate Model Y frunk complaints. (See attached picture of 2025 frunk vs 2026 frunk with changed features.)

Filed Apr 9, 2026 · Lights · SD

I bought this car new and it does not have a FRUNK emergency release or a FRUNK light.

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · CO

Tesla decided to remove the safety unlock illuminated button from its front trunk (frunk) sometime in mid 2025. This can be a safety issue which was present in earlier models and against the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 401, mandating an interior release mechanism for enclosed trunks to prevent entrapment. I contacted Tesla and they told me that my vehicle was made after Tesla decided to remove this safety feature.

Filed Jan 10, 2026 · Body, Lights · IL

The interior of the front trunk (Frunk) does not have an emergency release button or the hardware to support it. In the event that a child or person is inside the front trunk with the hood closed, that person cannot escape the enclosed area without having an outside person finding a key or tool to open the front trunk. Also, there is no light in the front trunk so it is completely dark when closed. This feature (emergency release button) previously came standard in this make and model prior to October 2025.