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ProblemsByVin File / 2020-TESLA-MODEL-Y
2020 · Tesla

Tesla Model Y problems

2 safety recalls. 269 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

cruise control
27 reports · avg $600
severe
steering
26 reports · avg $700
severe
electrical
21 reports · avg $850
severe
brakes
18 reports · avg $450
severe
suspension
18 reports · avg $900
severe
airbags
16 reports · avg $1,100
severe
body
12 reports · avg $1,500
severe
lighting
9 reports · avg $250
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2020 Model Y · lighting
Turn signal causes excessive glare effect on the side repeater cameras during nighttime use. Driver is unable to view blind spot camera feed properly when engaging in a lane change.
12/31/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11445730.0
2020 Model Y · cruise control
On drives longer than 40 miles, camera faults cause cruise control systems to degrade in function and then when the faults are cleared, full functionality resumes without driver alerts. Side repeater camera feeds and rear camera feeds inconsistently load, or take an extended…
12/30/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11633239.0
2020 Model Y · powertrain
AUTOPILOT/CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGE FUNCTION SHOULD NOT BE ON ACTIVATED BY SELECTING UP/REVERSE ON THE GEAR SELECTOR. CAR INADVERTENTLY WENT INTO R REVERSE WHEN DISENGAGE WAS COMMANDED. NARRATIVE: CAR WAS ON INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH NAVIGATE ON AUTOPILOT AND ADAPTIVE…
12/30/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385619.0
2020 Model Y · electrical
While driving on a surface street, the vehicle stalled with very little time of warning for me to pull to the side of the road. The car came to a complete stop before I had a chance to completely pull over, leaving me in a vulnerable position. If this would have happened on the…
12/29/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11445488.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 20V609000 30/09/2020

Tesla, Inc

Trailer brake lights that fail to illuminate during braking increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and has released the firmware update over-the-air (OTA) to vehicles as of September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-20-00-002.
severe NHTSA 20V709000 17/11/2020

Tesla, Inc

A detached upper control arm can cause the wheels to lean in or out, decreasing the driver's ability to steer and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, tighten the bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 15, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-20-31-012.

Common questions

Is the 2020 Tesla Model Y reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 269 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Tesla Model Y is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2020 Tesla Model Y?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is cruise control, with 27 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The cruise control is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Tesla Model Y has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2020 Tesla Model Y?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 269 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $600, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Tesla. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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