KNOWN FAULTS · Tesla

Known faults for the Tesla Model Y.

2021–2026 · Electric

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

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7 known faults with sources

Engines: Standard Range / RWD (Electric) · Long Range (Electric) · Performance (Electric)

Applies if: The Tesla bulletin lists model year 2020; the TÜV data cover the Model Y at its first inspection.

Creaking from the front suspension when turning slowly and worn ball joints at the MOT (Model 3 and Model Y)Suspension and steering

Engine / equipment: Front upper control arm ball joints: Tesla Model 3 and Model Y
Period mentioned: 2018–2025
Symptoms: Creaking from the front suspension when turning the wheel at low speed under load, for example when parking; auto motor und sport mentions squeaks and creaks after about two or three years. At the German roadworthiness test, ball joints with play are found.
Possible cause described: Tesla (bulletin SB-20-31-006, July 2021) acknowledges that water can reach the front upper control arm ball joints and corrode their surface, which causes the creak; according to Tesla it is only a noise and does not make the ball joint fail early. auto motor und sport explains that the windscreen drain ends just above and water collects there. In the 2026 TÜV report published by AUTO BILD, the Model Y suspension fails 2.9 % of first inspections (average: 0.2 %) because of worn ball joints, and the Model 3 suspension more than eight times as often as normal.
Check for the garage: If it creaks when turning, ask Tesla service to check the upper control arm ball joints: the bulletin provides for sealing the area around both ball joints with urethane so that water cannot get in. Before the MOT or periodic inspection, and when buying one second-hand, have the front ball joints checked for play.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Tesla bulletin SB-20-31-006: reseal front upper control arm ball joints AUTO BILD: the Tesla Model Y in the 2026 TÜV report AUTO BILD: the Tesla Model 3 in the TÜV report auto motor und sport: the main problems of used Tesla Model 3 and Model Y

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Engines: Standard Range / RWD (Electric) · Long Range (Electric) · Performance (Electric)

Applies if: All versions.

Rusty brake discs or a poor contact pattern because the brakes are seldom used (regenerative braking) (Model 3 and Model Y)Brakes

Engine / equipment: Brake discs and pads: Tesla Model 3 and Model Y
Period mentioned: 2019–2025
Symptoms: Usually nothing is felt while driving: it shows up at the inspection, with rusty discs or a poor contact pattern. The TÜV warns that braking performance can drop.
Possible cause described: With regenerative braking (“one-pedal driving”) the brakes hardly work and surface rust stays on the discs because the pads do not wipe it off (auto motor und sport). In the 2026 TÜV report published by AUTO BILD, the Model Y discs fail 2.8 % of the time because of a poor contact pattern (average: 1.1 %), and on the Model 3 discs with a poor contact pattern top the defect list.
Check for the garage: The head of the TÜV association advises using the brake pedal deliberately on a regular basis. Before the MOT or periodic inspection, and when buying one second-hand, have the discs and pads checked.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

AUTO BILD: the Tesla Model Y in the 2026 TÜV report AUTO BILD: the Tesla Model 3 in the TÜV report auto motor und sport: the main problems of used Tesla Model 3 and Model Y

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Engines: Standard Range / RWD (Electric) · Long Range (Electric) · Performance (Electric)

Applies if: With a heat pump; model years 2020–2021.

Cabin heating or cooling failing because of the heat pump refrigerant pressure/temperature sensors (Model 3 and Model Y of 2020–2021)Climate control

Engine / equipment: Heat pump refrigerant pressure/temperature sensors: Tesla Model 3 and Model Y
Period mentioned: 2020–2021
Symptoms: Cabin heating or cooling does not work properly, with refrigerant sensor alerts (for example VCFRONT_a136 to a139, a279, a280 or a452).
Possible cause described: According to Tesla bulletin SB-21-18-001 (February 2021, all markets), some Model 3 and Model Y cars with a heat pump have refrigerant pressure/temperature sensors that can fail over time.
Check for the garage: If the climate control fails and one of those alerts appears, ask Tesla service to apply the bulletin: they replace all three refrigerant pressure/temperature sensors.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Tesla bulletin SB-21-18-001: replace refrigerant pressure/temperature sensors

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Engines: Standard Range / RWD (Electric) · Long Range (Electric) · Performance (Electric)

Applies if: With a lithium-ion low-voltage battery; model years 2021–2022.

Brake and stability control alerts at power-on that clear after restarting the car (Model 3 and Model Y of 2020–2022)Brakes

Engine / equipment: Hydraulic brake control unit (HCU) wake-up wire: Tesla Model 3 and Model Y
Period mentioned: 2020–2022
Symptoms: In rare cases, braking and stability control alerts appear on the instrument cluster and screen at power-on; they usually clear and everything works again after switching the car off and on.
Possible cause described: According to Tesla bulletins SB-22-33-003 (Model 3 with a heat pump and a lead-acid 12 V battery, model years 2020–2022, built in Fremont and Shanghai) and SB-22-33-006 (Model Y with a lithium-ion low-voltage battery, model years 2021–2022, Fremont and Shanghai), some cars left the factory without the hydraulic control unit (HCU) wake-up wire.
Check for the garage: If the brake or stability alerts appear at power-on and clear after a restart, ask Tesla service to check whether the bulletin applies: they retrofit that wire. If a brake warning does not clear, do not drive the car.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Tesla bulletin SB-22-33-003: retrofit HCU wake-up wire (Model 3)Tesla bulletin SB-22-33-006: retrofit HCU wake-up wire (Model Y)

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Engines: Standard Range / RWD (Electric) · Long Range (Electric) · Performance (Electric)

Applies if: According to AUTO BILD, on Model Y cars sold in Germany.

Water inside the boot (and on the Model Y also in the rear or in the passenger footwell) through poorly sealed body areasBodywork

Engine / equipment: Body and boot lid sealing: Tesla Model 3 and Model Y
Period mentioned: 2017–2023
Symptoms: Water or damp in the boot; on the Model Y, AUTO BILD also mentions water at the rear seats and in the passenger footwell.
Possible cause described: Tesla acknowledges in bulletin SB-23-10-002 (April 2023) that on some Fremont-built Model 3 cars (model years 2017–2023) water gets into the boot through the boot lid; the fix is to reseal it, including around the inner rear lamps. AUTO BILD (2026 TÜV report) mentions poorly sealed body areas on the Model Y through which water gets into the boot, the rear seats and the passenger footwell.
Check for the garage: Look under the boot floor and the mats after rain or a car wash. If there is water, ask Tesla service to find where it gets in and seal it.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Tesla bulletin SB-23-10-002: reseal trunk lid to prevent water ingress AUTO BILD: the Tesla Model Y in the 2026 TÜV report

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Engines: Standard Range / RWD (Electric) · Long Range (Electric) · Performance (Electric)

Applies if: Built before 28/2/2026 (in 2024, the versions with a HEPA filter; from 2025, depending on version); confirm by VIN.

Musty smell from the vents, water dripping from the vents or water on the right-hand carpet because of the air inlet duct (Model Y)Climate control

Engine / equipment: Climate control air inlet duct: Tesla Model Y
Period mentioned: 2020–2026
Symptoms: A musty or mouldy smell from the vents, water dripping from the vents or water pooling on the right-hand footwell carpet (the passenger side on left-hand-drive cars).
Possible cause described: According to Tesla bulletin SB-26-18-002 (August 2026, all markets), on some Model Y cars built before 28 February 2026 the design of the climate control air inlet duct can let water into the air filter and the cabin.
Check for the garage: If you notice that smell or see water, ask Tesla service to check for water ingress: according to the bulletin, they replace or rework the duct and replace the cabin filters.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Tesla bulletin SB-26-18-002: replace or rework HVAC inlet duct assembly

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Engines: Standard Range / RWD (Electric) · Long Range (Electric) · Performance (Electric)

Applies if: All versions.

Tesla Model Y: dipped beam, panel fit and missing service intervals according to AUTO BILDKnown weak points

Engine / equipment: Tesla Model Y, all versions
Period mentioned: 2021–2025
Symptoms: Dipped beam faults at the inspection; uneven panel gaps on early cars.
Possible cause described: AUTO BILD (2026 TÜV report, June 2026): the Model Y is last of 110 models aged 2–3 years, with 17.3 % of cars having major defects (average: 6.5 %). Lighting fails 5.9 % of the time (average: 0.9 %) and the dipped beam 4 % (average: 1.6 %); the magazine gives no cause. It criticises panel gaps and the feel of materials on early cars. According to auto motor und sport, the TÜV association believes that, besides design faults, shortcomings in servicing play a part, because Tesla sets no service intervals.
Check for the garage: Before the MOT or periodic inspection, have the headlight aim and condition checked. As Tesla sets no regular services, have the brakes and suspension checked now and then even if you notice nothing.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

AUTO BILD: the Tesla Model Y in the 2026 TÜV report auto motor und sport: the main problems of used Tesla Model 3 and Model Y

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Engines for this model

Standard Range / RWDElectric
Long RangeElectric
PerformanceElectric

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