2023 TESLA MODEL Y Engine Problems

17 NHTSA complaints on file

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Engine Issues in the 2023 TESLA MODEL Y

17 engine complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2023 TESLA MODEL Y. Of these, 2 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 0 resulted in injury.

17
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

All Engine Complaints

#11699973 |
On November 16, 2025, my Tesla Model Y experienced a complete and dangerous failure while driving. The touchscreen went totally blank and stopped responding. All essential driving information and safety functions were lost, including speedometer, gear selection, turn signals, HVAC/defrost, and vehicle controls. At the same time, the car made a continuous loud humming/buzzing sound and displayed a low coolant warning. This made the vehicle unsafe to operate because I could not see my speed, cannot shift properly, and could not access any safety controls. This is the second time my vehicle has experienced a critical malfunction. The first major incident occurred on July 28, 2025. A complaint has been filed with the NHTSA under tracking number 11676662. Both failures involved sudden loss of essential functions, raising serious concerns about electrical, cooling system, or display system defects. I am reporting this because it is a serious safety risk and could...
#11672082 |
1) What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Response: All 3 times has been with a faulty inverter 2)How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Response: Safety was a HUGE concern. The Tesla model Y has stalled and completely shut down while driving through traffic and at speed. The complete failure did not allow any coasting to try and get out of harms way. 3) Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Response: All 3 times this issue has occurred were all serviced by Tesla directly and has always been a faulty inverter. 4) Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Response: Yes, all 3 times the car failed the car was assessed by Tesla's service station Were there any warning lamps,...
#11629491 |
This vehicle radiator protection is defective where rocks are able to hit the radiator and at some point the Tesla notified me that the radiator had leaked and it is safe to continue driving. I continue to drive and monitor the radiator level as I waited for a scheduled appointment. When I brought my vehicle to the appointment, they said that because I drove the vehicle while the radiator fluid leaked I damaged certain components that now I would be responsible to replace. Believe not only Tesla‘s vehicle notification was misleading, they have defective protection for the radiator and all model Y vehicles if not all Teslas have the same issue.
#11627802 |
While Driving, the system prompt electrical system failure. pull to the road side. within 20 or so seconds, the car lost power. About 10 minutes or so later, the whole car (emergency light, door, trunk etc lost power too. Consider the car lost driving power in seconds, then lost emergency light can be highly dangerous to all parties. Before the failure, the car shows "front motor is disabled, power is reduced, OK to drive" This OK to drive turns out not OK to drive, misleading. Now the car is fixed (yet to pickup), reason Front drive unit and pyro fuse were replaced (new car, but with refurnished part).
#11581268 | Crash
Vehicle: Tesla Model Y Blue Purchased in Oct’ 23 Tesla setting: Regenerative braking (single pedal driving) Issue: Brake Pedal/Acceleration Pedal Malfunction I was pulling my car out from the parking lot to pick up my mom, from the hospital entrance. I just turned right and had to take an immediate left to leave out of the parking lot. The Tesla was driving at approximately 5 miles an hour at that point. I lifted my foot from the gas pedal for the car to stop with its regenerative braking. However, instead of coming to a stop, the Tesla started rapidly accelerating, with my foot not even on the pedal. When I slammed the brakes, the car was unresponsive and continued accelerating. I started honking madly to warn people that I had no control over the car I was driving. The vehicle continued accelerating over 100-150 meters in 4-5 seconds and banged...
#11577853 |
Charging system has become defective over last month. Two weeks ago, gave error that charging cover was open when it wasn't. Couldn't get it to charge for a while. Eventually, it worked. Yesterday, would not charge at all on any charger. Being towed to service center tomorrow.
#11577156 | Crash
On [XXX], I was at [XXX] waiting for green light, as soon as the light changed. I hit the drive but the car suddenly lost control and speed up and I couldn’t stop. I try my best not to hit any people or any cars and ended up hitting the board on the right. I never smoke or drink alcohol. never did any drugs, I didn’t hold phone. It was absolutely an uncontrollable incident very unfortunate but totally out my control I wish this never have happened as I have good driving record. Thank you, your honor ! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
#11572565 |
I was driving my vehicle and the vehicle suddenly started giving warnings. The gas pedal lost all power immediately and the car started to slow down. I then stepped on the brake pedal to bring the car to a complete stop and turned on the hazard light. However, after around 5 minutes, the car completely shut down and the hazard light also stopped functioning.
#11553805 |
I purchased a Model Y Performance on October 31, 2023. I was driving the vehicle on 11/1 and I received an error that my rear motor was disabled and my top speed was reduced to 68 mph. This occurred on a high traffic highway. Took the car to the dealership and they replaced the rear motor inverter. Vehicle only had 130 miles on it. This should not occur in a brand new vehicle. I felt unsafe while driving it in this condition.
#11541083 |
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and shutoff. The vehicle was restarted. The message, "Vehicle Will Shut Down - Pull Over Safely" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 5,100.
#11539976 |
When placing foot on brake to shift into gear, vehicle goes into multiple faults and disables all safety features. Also mid drive vehicle loses power steering and cause unsafe driving conditions. Brakes also start to behave erratically when this occurs.
#11539088 |
On 2 occasions, my 2023 Tesla Model Y, accelerated more than expected with the slightest pressure to the accelerator pedal. No one was injured and no damage done, however, damage and injury COULD have resulted if this happened at a different place and time. At this time, I have not contacted the dealer as recent Google searches revealed other such complaints having been reported. The outcome was determined to be driver error each time. This, because the vehicle has no way of recording speed at time of accelerator depression. The acceleration was NOT in proportion to the surprise result, instead a "spurt of speed" rather than the slower anticipated speed required when pulling into the garage or into a parking spot. These 2 episodes occurred after a time of, what could be considered, a normal day of driving, parking, stopping and accelerating at intersections, in parking lots and regular street...
#11535749 |
The car completely stalled on the freeway. Giving less than 20 secs of warning that the vechicle will shut down. I got over from the fast lane to middle lane and car shut down. I had to call 911 and tow truck. I towed it to tesla and they said the rear unit failed… car was just purchased new a few months before this.
#11528498 |
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, a message that the vehicle was shutting down was displayed and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that a wiring harness clip was not clipped correctly. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 41.
#11510775 |
I bought this Tesla model y in less than a month to be specific February 23th, I was forced to park the car due to rear motor failure. I had barely any time to find a parking lot before the car shot down on me. Until today, I have not gotten the car yet from Tesla due to long delay repair time.
#11510798 |
After just 250 miles on the car and just after one month of the purchase, my wife along with my 4 years old daughter was driving to get my 7 years old son from the school when it suddenly stopped on the road with displaying errors on the screen as follows, the car battery was sufficiently charged, later from the inspecting what it appeared that the "rear drive unit" of the car got screwed up. Warning and error messages were: "Acceleration and top speed reduced" "Power Reduced" There was a huge school traffic jammed behind the car, luckily other car owners offered help but the car was not moving, it stranded in the middle of the road. We contacted Tesla they towed the car after one hour of the call, they kept the car for a week and told us the whole new "rear drive unit" need to be replaced....
#11509294 |
Driving 70mph on the highway, car abruptly clunked and three warning messages appeared. APP_W009 Automatic Emergency Braking is disabled; DIF_A062 Power reduced; and BMS_a170 Acceleration and top speed recuded. Car immediately dropped to 40mph and gave me enough time to exit the freeway to the shoulder. After putting in park, the car would no longer shift into any gear. Soft reset and full reset, exiting and re-entering the car didn't fix the issue. Tow required. Failure of rear motor (inverter) was cited in the service center. Seems to be a common issue across Model 3 (as far back as 2017), Model Y (deliveries in Nov/Dec 2022) and Model S (the last 3-4 years). Very dangerous if someone had hit us when it decelerated hard on the highway. Traveling with a 6yr old in a car seat. Only 500 miles on the car.

Other 2023 TESLA MODEL Y Problem Areas

Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control 279 complaints Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking 218 complaints Steering 171 complaints Vehicle Speed Control 152 complaints Service Brakes 140 complaints Unknown Or Other 126 complaints Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings 87 complaints Electrical System 81 complaints Suspension 72 complaints Visibilitywiper 56 complaints Lane Departure Assist 43 complaints Air Bags 34 complaints Wheels 32 complaints Seat Belts 30 complaints Back Over Prevention Warnings 24 complaints Power Train 23 complaints Structurebody 21 complaints Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection 19 complaints Exterior Lighting 17 complaints Lane Departure Warning 16 complaints Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking 13 complaints Seats 13 complaints Electrical Systemadasautonomousself Driving 10 complaints Fuelpropulsion System 8 complaints Tires 7 complaints Chest Clip Buckle Harness 4 complaints Electrical Systemadasautonomousself Drivingsoftware 3 complaints Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal 3 complaints Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera 2 complaints Carry Handle Shell Base 2 complaints Service Brakes Electricsoftwareprogramming 2 complaints Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate 2 complaints Air Bagssensoroccupant Classificationfront Passenger 1 complaint Back Over Prevention 1 complaint Back Over Prevention Sensing System Other 1 complaint Back Over Preventiondisplay Function 1 complaint Electrical Systemadas 1 complaint Electrical Systemadasparking Assistsoftware 1 complaint Exterior Lightingheadlights 1 complaint Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Controlsoftware 1 complaint Insert Padding 1 complaint Lane Departure Lane Keep Steering Assist 1 complaint Latcheslockslinkages 1 complaint Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch 1 complaint Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch 1 complaint Latcheslockslinkagestrunk Lidlatch 1 complaint Latcheslockslinkagestrunk Lidlock 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulic 1 complaint Steeringelectric Power Assist System 1 complaint Structurebodydoor 1 complaint Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatesupport Devicestrut 1 complaint Structurebodytrunk Lid 1 complaint Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm 1 complaint Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems 1 complaint Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System 1 complaint Visibilityglass Siderear 1 complaint Wheelshubcapcover 1 complaint
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