Last updated: 2026-10-10
Tesla Model Y Reliability by Year
Tesla Model Y shoppers should know phantom braking tops owner complaints, and the 2020 and 2021 years are the weakest. Check these before you buy.
Tesla Model Y Reliability Overview
Mixed overall and well below average among SUVs, the Model Y improves with newer years. The 2020 and 2021 cars draw the most complaints, led by phantom braking on cruise control and sudden surges at parking speeds. The 2024 is the better used pick, though some owners report computer failures that blacked out cameras and driver aids.
Current generation: 2nd gen (2025–2023).
Best & Worst Tesla Model Y Years
Best Tesla Model Y Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2024 has far fewer complaints and recalls than 2020 and 2021, with 5 recalls against 22 and 21. Phantom braking is still reported, but electrical problems now lead. Owners describe AP4 computer failures that knocked out cameras and driver aids, so ask whether a car has had that repair.
Tesla Model Y Years to Avoid
Phantom braking dominates, including sudden slowdowns on empty highways repeated many times on one trip. Drivers also describe the car lunging forward while parking with the brakes not stopping it. Electrical failures include shutdowns while driving and heat pump failures in deep cold, quoted at a minimum of $3,000.
Tesla Model Y Reliability Score Trend
Tesla Model Y reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 62/100 compared to 47/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 46/100 | Mixed |
| 2021 | 46/100 | Mixed |
| 2022 | 50/100 | Mixed |
| 2023 | 53/100 | Mixed |
| 2024 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 70/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2025 Tesla Model Y
2 recalls · 69 complaints
Best-scoring Model Y year, with fewer complaints than 2024 so far, though early AP4 computer failures can knock out cameras and driver-assist features.
2024 Tesla Model Y
5 recalls · 254 complaints
Stronger than the 2023 with far fewer complaints and recalls, but AP4 computer failures and sudden acceleration reports still stand out.
2023 Tesla Model Y
15 recalls · 997 complaints
Sits in the middle of the six scored years, with sudden steering veers and low-speed surging as the biggest complaints and 15 recalls on record.
2022 Tesla Model Y
18 recalls · 783 complaints
Sits mid-pack among Model Y years, better than 2021 but behind 2023, with phantom braking and 18 recalls as the main concerns.
2021 Tesla Model Y
21 recalls · 991 complaints
Weakest of the six scored Model Y years, with heavy phantom braking complaints and reports of sudden low-speed surges.
2020 Tesla Model Y
22 recalls · 264 complaints
First-year build with 22 recalls and a well-below-average standing among 2020 SUVs, driven by phantom braking and front suspension wear.
Common Tesla Model Y problems
Problem areas with the most owner complaints, each with the years affected, symptoms, and fixes.
Found Your Tesla Model Y? Check Its History
Electrical system (12) problems come up most in Tesla Model Y owner complaints, and 83 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Tesla Model Y Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
2/5
Tesla Model Y Resale Value
The Tesla Model Y is estimated to retain about 48.4% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 48.4%
- Depreciation
- 51.6%
- Listings Analyzed
- 420
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Tesla Model Y depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comTesla Model Y Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
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Compare all Tesla models by reliability
Compare Tesla Model Y With Similar SUVs
The Tesla Model Y competes with other compact suvs such as Kia EV6, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Cadillac Lyriq.
Model Y vs Kia EV6
5 years tracked · 351 complaints
Model Y vs Ford Mustang Mach-E
4 years tracked · 147 complaints
Model Y vs Cadillac Lyriq
3 years tracked · 143 complaints
Model Y vs Hyundai Ioniq 5
5 years tracked · 955 complaints
Model Y vs BMW X3
8 years tracked · 434 complaints
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Tesla Model Y reliable?
- Reliability is mixed, and the Model Y ranks well below average among SUVs on the site. Newer years look better than 2020 and 2021. Owner complaints center on phantom braking, sudden acceleration at parking speeds, electrical faults, and worn steering and suspension parts.
- What is the best year for a used Tesla Model Y?
- The 2024 is the site's pick. It has far fewer recalls and complaints than the early years and has been on the road long enough to judge. The 2025 has the fewest complaints, but it is too new to call the better choice.
- What are the most common Tesla Model Y problems?
- Forward collision avoidance is the top complaint area, mostly the car braking hard on the highway for no visible reason. Next come sudden acceleration at low speeds, electrical faults such as screen reboots and charging module failure, and steering or suspension wear that shows up as creaking when turning.
- Does the Tesla Model Y lose range over time?
- Some owners say so. Reports describe range falling well below the rated 316 miles, with some cars showing around 180 miles on a full charge at higher mileage. Owners also report a charging module failure that blocks Level 2 charging.
- How much do Tesla Model Y repairs cost?
- Costs in owner reports vary widely. Suspension link and control arm fixes ran several hundred dollars, a main vehicle computer was quoted at roughly $2,300, and a 2021 heat pump repair was quoted at a minimum of $3,000. Get a written estimate before you buy.
How we score the Tesla Model Y
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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