2021 Tesla Model Y Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 154 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Tesla Model Y, 14% of all complaints for that year. Reported issues include crashes tied to sudden steering or brake loss, with 14 crashes, 2 fires, and 11 injuries logged, plus several related recalls affecting electrical components.
- Electrical System complaints
- 154
- 14% of 1,076
- Crashes reported
- 14
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 11
- Median mileage
- 2,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 6
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report the steering wheel seizing or locking up completely at highway speed, leaving no ability to steer.
- Some describe the brakes failing to engage or losing power entirely, including one case with an internal short that disabled braking.
- Several complaints describe the vehicle veering or drifting on its own while in self-drive or autopilot mode, sometimes ending in a crash.
- One report describes a fire starting while driving, with the driver's door handle failing to open and trapping the occupant inside.
- Owners also report the vehicle shifting left and right unexpectedly during autopilot use before a nearby vehicle approached.
When 2021 Tesla Model Y electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 13, 2021, latest Sep 15, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2021 Tesla Model Y
- NHTSA 26V507000Aug 4, 2026Electrical System20,349 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-17-003.
- NHTSA 24V554000Jul 24, 2024Electrical System1,849,638 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system:software
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
Risk: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
- NHTSA 24V051000Jan 30, 2024Electrical System2,193,869 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
- NHTSA 23V838000Dec 12, 2023Electrical System2,031,220 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system:adas:driver monitoring:software
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
Risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
- NHTSA 22V844000Nov 15, 2022Electrical System321,628 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Exterior lighting:tail lights
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate.
Risk: A taillight that fails to illuminate may reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-016.
- NHTSA 22V050000Feb 2, 2022Electrical System26,681 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system:software
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Risk: Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.
Electrical System 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 electrical system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
- NHTSA lists 154 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Model Y, which is 14% of the 1,076 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Are there crashes or fires linked to electrical problems in the 2021 Model Y?
- Across the complaints tied to this model year, NHTSA data shows 14 crashes, 2 fires, and 11 injuries reported.
- Is there a recall for electrical issues on the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
- Yes. NHTSA lists several Electrical System recalls covering the 2021 Model Y, including campaigns for taillight failures (22V844000), a heat pump software error (22V050000), and an Autosteer-related recall (23V838000), among others.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2021 Model Y is 2,500 miles.