2020 Tesla Model Y Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 36 brake complaints for the 2020 Tesla Model Y, 13% of that year's 278 total complaints. Six crashes and six injuries were tied to this area, with a median failure mileage of 3,000 miles. A related recall (21V387000) covers loose brake caliper bolts.
- Brakes complaints
- 36
- 13% of 278
- Crashes reported
- 6
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Median mileage
- 3,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Owners report unintended acceleration or rollback in parking lots, leading to collisions with curbs, walls, or trees despite pressing the brake pedal.
- Several describe sudden 'phantom braking' events on the highway while using Autopilot or adaptive cruise control, where the car slows abruptly with no obstacle present.
- Some report the vehicle rolling backward when pulling out of a parking space, causing it to hit a concrete wall.
- A few describe loss of vehicle stability during braking or turning, with automatic vehicle hold, traction control, and stability control disabling at the same time.
- One owner reports adaptive cruise control decelerating the car from 70 mph to 50 mph for no determined reason.
When 2020 Tesla Model Y brake complaints were filed
First complaint Oct 9, 2020, latest Sep 24, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2020 Tesla Model Y
- NHTSA 21V387000May 25, 2021Brakes5,974 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:critical fasteners
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.
Risk: Contact with the rim may cause a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and tighten, or replace the caliper bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-33-002.
Brakes complaints by Model Y model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2020 Tesla Model Y?
- NHTSA lists 36 brake-related complaints for the 2020 Tesla Model Y, which is 13% of all 278 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2020 Tesla Model Y?
- Yes. Recall campaign 21V387000, reported May 25, 2021, covers loose brake caliper bolts on 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles that could allow a caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim. Tesla Service inspects and tightens or replaces the bolts free of charge.
- Did the brake issues cause crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data links 6 crashes and 6 injuries to brake complaints on the 2020 Tesla Model Y.
- At what mileage do brake problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2020 Tesla Model Y is 3,000 miles.
- What kind of brake problems do owners describe most?
- Owners most often describe sudden unintended acceleration or rollback in low-speed situations and phantom braking events during highway driving with driver-assist features active.