2022 Tesla Model Y electric Problems and Complaints

With its launch in 2020, the Model Y is still in its first-generation model, and the latest 2022 model brings some minor changes. The Model Y competes against some significant rivals such as the Audi Q4 E-Tron, the Jaguar I-Pace, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Model Y offers an impressive array of techs yet its reliability still has some room for improvements. 

The Model Y faced several complaints regarding its safety systems, vehicle electronics, and electric drivetrain. The latest model year of the vehicle has also been troublesome for facing similar issues from the previous model years. Considering the top-notch build quality and performance, let’s take a detailed look at the probable Tesla Model Y reliability issues it might bring further in the future.

Tesla Model Y user complaints and problems

After its launch, the Model Y sailed smoothly for a short period of time before hitting some roadblocks in its 2021 model year. The 2021 model year faced a high amount of complaints regarding the automatic emergency braking system of the affected vehicles. Among the total complaints faced by the 2022 model of the Model Y to date, the reports regarding the automatic emergency braking system amount the highest. Apart from that, there were a few complaints regarding the infotainment system malfunction and the safety system of the vehicle.

Safety problems

• Abrupt acceleration with airbags failing to deploy: Several models of the Tesla Model Y in the 2020 and 2021 model years were affected by this issue. Some of the complaints mentioned that while driving at low speeds, the vehicle accelerated suddenly and collided. During the collision, none of the airbags were deployed.
• Passenger safety restraint system failure: Several models of the 2020 Tesla Model Y were affected by this safety issue. Almost all the recorded complaints mentioned that while driving, a passenger safety restraint system failure message was displayed on the instrument cluster. In some cases, even after a replacement of the entire seatbelt module, the problem persisted.
• Collision avoidance system failure: The Tesla Model Y problems also include the malfunctioning of the automatic emergency braking system of several models. All the complaints stated that while driving, the collision avoidance system would engage unnecessarily and slow down the vehicle rapidly by applying brakes. Both the 2020 and 2021 models faced this issue.
• Back over prevention system failure: Several Model Ys from both the 2020 and 2021 model years had this issue present in them. The owners of the affected vehicles reported that while reversing, the rear camera along with the rear parking sensors would fail to work. In some cases, the failure of the sensors and the camera resulted in a near-crash scenario.

Electrical problems

• Infotainment system freezing: A couple of complaints mentioned that while driving the infotainment system screen froze and all the vehicle controls became inoperable. Moreover, the Tesla Model Y air-conditioning problems have also irked the buyers. Users have reported that the system would automatically set itself at the lowest temperature.
• Complete electrical failure: Multiple models of the 2021 model year faced this issue. The complaints mentioned that after turning on the vehicle, the infotainment display would display an error message stating “Unable to drive” with the vehicle refusing to move.
• Climate control system/heating system failure: The heating system in a few 2021 Tesla Model Ys failed to work as desired in harsh climatic conditions. 

2022 Tesla Model Y recalls

The 2022 Tesla Model Y has faced a total of five recalls with a majority of them related to safety systems. The recalls list of both the 2020 and the 2021 model years of the vehicle is extensive as compared to their list of complaints. However, almost all the frequently occurring issues were covered under the recalls, indicating the brand’s best efforts to maintain its goodwill.

Recall Date	NHTSA Campaign ID	Component Affected	Recall Issue	Explanation
September 30, 2020	20V609000	EXTERIOR LIGHTING	Inoperative Trailer Brake Lights/FMVSS 108	Trailer brake lights that fail to illuminate during braking increase the risk of a crash.
November 17, 2020	20V709000	SUSPENSION	Loose Control Arm Bolts May Affect Steering	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.
May 25, 2021	21V387000	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	Loose Brake Caliper Bolts	Contact with the rim may cause a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
May 25, 2021	21V388000	SEAT BELTS	Seat Belt Retractor Not Securely Attached	Improperly attached fasteners may prevent the seat belt retention system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
October 25, 2021	21V835000	SUSPENSION	Front Suspension Lateral Link May Separate	A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.
October 29, 2021	21V846000	FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	Unexpected Activation of Automatic Emergency Brake	Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
May 25, 2021	21V387000	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	Loose Brake Caliper Bolts	Contact with the rim may cause a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
January 27, 2022	22V037000	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	Vehicle May Fail to Stop at Stop Sign	Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
February 1, 2022	22V045000	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS	Seat Belt Chime May Not Activate/FMVSS 208	The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
February 2, 2022	22V050000	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY	Windshield May Not Defrost Properly/FMVSS 103	Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
February 4, 2022	22V063000	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	Pedestrian Warning Sound May Be Obscured/FMVSS 141	Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

What model year of the Tesla Model Y to avoid?

The Tesla Model Y practically has a restricted number of competitors in its segment for the unique package it offers. Despite the issues it faced for two consecutive model years in a row, the selling numbers of the Model Y are pretty solid. Based on the NHTSA reports, the 2021 model year of the Model Y is better to avoid.

Should you buy a used Tesla Model Y?

Given the impressive set of features such as self-drive and other cool stuff on offer? Absolutely yes! Even if the price of the Model Y is slightly on the higher side, it manages to give more expensive EVs a run for their money in terms of performance and overall driving range. If you can look past the problem-ridden 2021 model year of the vehicle, the 2020 Tesla Model Y from the used car market would be a sensible pick.

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