Tesla Model Y Best and Worst Years (2019–2025)
Avoid the 2022 and 2023 Tesla Model Y: they carry the highest Complaint Index scores (100 and 83) with heavy Collision Avoidance & Camera complaints, plus 103 and 1 reported deaths respectively. The 2020 model year is best (Complaint Index 17), while 2021 and 2024 warrant caution (50 and 67).
- Model years
- 7
- 2019–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,799
- Recall campaigns
- 36
- Crashes reported
- 478
- Fires reported
- 25
- Top problem area
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras
Model Y Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Tesla Model Y problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | Best | 17 | 278 | 47 | 0 | 24 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 121 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 50 | 1,076 | 87 | 6 | 23 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 125 | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 100 | 863 | 90 | 8 | 20 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 122.5 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 83 | 1,163 | 152 | 4 | 17 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 122 | — |
| 2024 | Caution | 67 | 320 | 72 | 4 | 5 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 118 | — |
| 2025 | Good | 33 | 99 | 30 | 3 | 3 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 117 | 5★ |
Model Y years to avoid: what went wrong
2022 Tesla Model Y Index 100 · 863 complaints · 20 recalls
The 2022 Model Y has the highest Complaint Index of any year at 100 and ranks worst overall. Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues make up 59% of its 863 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 3,625. Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration and steering that took control without warning, in some cases leading to crashes. NHTSA data lists 90 crashes, 8 fires, 152 injuries, and 103 deaths for this year. Engine complaints follow at 17% with a median mileage of 7,500. Tesla issued 20 recall campaigns tied to this model year, covering electrical, camera, and tire-pressure warning systems.
2022 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2022 engine problems →2022 brakes problems →
2023 Tesla Model Y Index 83 · 1,163 complaints · 17 recalls
The 2023 Model Y has a Complaint Index of 83, the second-worst of any year. Collision Avoidance & Cameras problems account for 43% of its 1,163 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 3,975. Owners report automatic emergency braking failing to activate before crashes and missing collision warnings entirely. NHTSA data shows 152 crashes, 4 fires, 87 injuries, and 1 death for this year. Steering complaints make up 18%, with a median mileage of 10,500, and 17 recall campaigns were issued, including one for electric power steering circuit board overstress.
2023 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2023 steering problems →2023 engine problems →
Most common Tesla Model Y problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,922 (51%)
- Engine599 (16%)
- Other552 (15%)
- Electrical System549 (14%)
- Brakes546 (14%)
- Steering420 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires359 (9%)
- Lane Departure322 (8%)
- Structure & Body206 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers177 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Tesla Model Y should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2022 and 2023 Tesla Model Y. The 2022 has a Complaint Index of 100 and the 2023 has 83, the two highest scores across all model years covered.
- What is the best Tesla Model Y year to buy?
- The 2020 Model Y is the best year based on NHTSA data, with a Complaint Index of just 17, the lowest score among years with complaint data.
- Is the 2022 Tesla Model Y reliable?
- The 2022 Model Y has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any Model Y year and reports 103 deaths and 152 injuries in NHTSA data, making it the year with the most reported problems relative to other Model Y years.
- What is the main problem area for Tesla Model Y complaints?
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras is the top problem area across all years, accounting for 1,922 of 3,799 total complaints, or 51%.
- Are the 2021 and 2024 Tesla Model Y worth caution?
- Yes. NHTSA data gives 2021 a Complaint Index of 50 and 2024 a Complaint Index of 67, placing both between the best year (2020, index 17) and the worst years (2022 and 2023).