2022 Tesla MODEL Y
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2022 Tesla MODEL Y has 1520 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 19.0x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is speed control problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: when using cruise control on normal two way traffic roads during the day or at night: the car will brake aggressively because of proper oncoming traffic from the other lane. the system has been very poorly designed such that it only works on wide separated highways and there is no way to switch off . ⚠️ 17 fire reports filed.
1520
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
19.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
SPEED CONTROL
468 complaints- • When using cruise control on normal two way traffic roads during the day or at night: the car will brake aggressively because of proper oncoming traffic from the other lane. The system has been very poorly designed such that it only works on wide separated highways and there is no way to switch off
- • When using cruise control on normal two way traffic roads during the day or at night: the car will brake aggressively because of proper oncoming traffic from the other lane. The system has been very poorly designed such that it only works on wide separated highways and there is no way to switch off
- • While on cruise control the car brakes aggressively with oncoming traffic and when passing large vehicles on the highway. No way to disable this feature to use a standard cruise control. This seems to be a problem mostly with large vehicles on the road.
“When using cruise control on normal two way traffic roads during the day or at night: the car will brake aggressively because of proper oncoming traffic from the other lane. The system has been very poorly designed such that it only works on wide separated highways and there is no way to switch off ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
431 complaints- • When using cruise control on normal two way traffic roads during the day or at night: the car will brake aggressively because of proper oncoming traffic from the other lane. The system has been very poorly designed such that it only works on wide separated highways and there is no way to switch off
- • While on cruise control the car brakes aggressively with oncoming traffic and when passing large vehicles on the highway. No way to disable this feature to use a standard cruise control. This seems to be a problem mostly with large vehicles on the road.
- • Driving on two-lane highway, speed limit 55mph, with Tesla traffic aware cruise control enabled. Multiple instances of the car automatically applying heavy braking when cresting a hill or when a large vehicle oncoming. These incidents occurred when there was no traffic immediately ahead in my travel
“When using cruise control on normal two way traffic roads during the day or at night: the car will brake aggressively because of proper oncoming traffic from the other lane. The system has been very poorly designed such that it only works on wide separated highways and there is no way to switch off ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BRAKES
126 complaints- • Adaptive Cruise Control was unusable without consistent phantom breaking issues. Brand new car driving home a few hours I encountered phantom breaking on 2 lane and 4 lane highways during the night and during the day. It was so consistent that I basically could not use the cruise control at all as
- • The car brakes are applied when a truck traveling in opposite lane drives by when the cruise control is engaged. This has also occurred when there was discoloration on the road surface in my travel lane. Fortunately, no auto was following my vehicle or there would have been an accident.
- • While traveling east and west on I-8 between San Diego and Phoenix the 2022 Tesla Model Y would suddenly brake. We could not reliably reproduce when or how the vehicle braked. On some occasions, we were near other vehicles. On other occasions there were no other vehicles or obstacles on or near the
“Adaptive Cruise Control was unusable without consistent phantom breaking issues. Brand new car driving home a few hours I encountered phantom breaking on 2 lane and 4 lane highways during the night and during the day. It was so consistent that I basically could not use the cruise control at all as”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
115 complaints- • The side pillar cameras on the Tesla are not sealed and contain moisture. I live in Minnesota and this moisture will frost over in cold weather, thereby blocking these cameras and disengage autopilot while driving or make it unusable.
- • Heat stop working in MN where the temperature are in the negative or single digit.
- • After taking the vehicle on a road trip through Canada, the vehicle’s heating and cooling system failed. We had been driving for ~15 hours. The error message was VCFRONT_a447 Cabin Climate control system requires service. This is a safety issue for traveling in cold climates as well as eliminating
“The side pillar cameras on the Tesla are not sealed and contain moisture. I live in Minnesota and this moisture will frost over in cold weather, thereby blocking these cameras and disengage autopilot while driving or make it unusable.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
112 complaints- • On January 19th, around 9:35-9:40am, while driving on Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon, the car jerked as if someone rear-ended it and then stopped abruptly in the middle of a busy road. The information screen displayed various error messages regarding battery and drive system. The stop was abrupt
- • The infotainment/speedometer froze and went black. This caused the loss of the speedometer and turn signal control. The vehicle still accelerated,decelerated, braked and turned correctly but there was no indication of the current speed.
- • Phantom braking. When car is on autopilot the car suddenly brakes. It’s happening a lot when I’m driving back from work. I drive 72 miles one way to work on Mondays and some Fridays. On one day it did breaks 3 times with no object in sight. Glad I’m not rear ended
“On January 19th, around 9:35-9:40am, while driving on Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon, the car jerked as if someone rear-ended it and then stopped abruptly in the middle of a busy road. The information screen displayed various error messages regarding battery and drive system. The stop was abrupt”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 1520 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: When using cruise control on normal two way traffic roads during the day or at night: the car will brake aggressively because of proper oncoming traffic from the other lane. The system has been very poorly designed such that it only works on wide separated highways and there is no way to switch off
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: When using cruise control on normal two way traffic roads during the day or at night: the car will brake aggressively because of proper oncoming traffic from the other lane. The system has been very poorly designed such that it only works on wide separated highways and there is no way to switch off
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: Adaptive Cruise Control was unusable without consistent phantom breaking issues. Brand new car driving home a few hours I encountered phantom breaking on 2 lane and 4 lane highways during the night and during the day. It was so consistent that I basically could not use the cruise control at all as
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: The side pillar cameras on the Tesla are not sealed and contain moisture. I live in Minnesota and this moisture will frost over in cold weather, thereby blocking these cameras and disengage autopilot while driving or make it unusable.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Tesla MODEL Y — Year Comparison
How does 2022 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 1520
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 17
- Crash reports
- 131
- Injury reports
- 367
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2022 Tesla MODEL Y