NHTSA Complaint #11687741 — 2026 TESLA MODEL Y

I was provided a Tesla Model Y Juniper demo vehicle for a test drive on August 3, 2026 and the incident took place in it around 6:00 pm (±45 min). Full Self-Driving (FSD) was engaged. I had placed an order for a new Model Y on August 2 and took delivery on August 10 (different VIN). During the demo, FSD initially performed well: it autoparked into an apartment parking spot and exited once correctly. However, the second time, the system made a dangerous maneuver. It activated the left indicator and accelerated rapidly as if entering a roadway, but instead turned left directly into a pole. The pole struck the rear door. I braked, but the system’s sudden move left no time to react. A reasonable human would have exited slowly and cautiously, but FSD acted abruptly and unsafely. My pregnant wife was in the passenger seat, and both of us were frightened. This incident raised serious concerns about FSD’s ability to handle low-speed, high-precision situations. The car should have detected the pole and stopped, yet it did not. If a child or pedestrian had been nearby, the consequences could have been severe. This also makes me question whether FSD could make dangerous high-speed maneuvers. At the Tesla showroom, we were told FSD drives “better than a human,” which misled us as new customers. This was the first car I purchased, and I was unfamiliar with FSD’s limits. Only after the incident did I realize how risky it can be. In my new Tesla, although offered a free FSD trial, I have chosen not to use it. Tesla’s claims administrator, Fleet Response, has since sent me a repair bill of $7,611. I was never asked to sign any waiver, never shown liability terms, and was told demo drives are insured. This incident shows serious safety concerns and misleading sales practices regarding FSD at Tesla.