Is the 2023 Tesla MODEL Y reliable?

The 2023 Tesla MODEL Y has 1896 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: SPEED CONTROL problems.

What are common problems with the 2023 Tesla MODEL Y?

Top problems: SPEED CONTROL (455 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (447 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (189 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2023 Tesla MODEL Y?

Yes, there are 16 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET, STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING, SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS, STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE. Contact any Tesla dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2023 Tesla MODEL Y?

The 2023 Tesla MODEL Y has an EPA rating of 123 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $625. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

Is the 2023 Tesla MODEL Y often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Tesla MODEL Y: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2023 Tesla MODEL Y?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2023 Tesla MODEL Y is approximately $2,420/year (ev-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2023 Tesla MODEL Y qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2023 Tesla MODEL Y may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2023 Tesla MODEL Y

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2023 Tesla MODEL Y has 1896 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 1520. The most common issue is speed control problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving at about 40 mph on local road at rush hour, the car was put in parking mode when i made a lane change, the speed reduced to 0 rapidly and put me in extremely dangerous situation like being rear ended. then i cannot put car in drive mode and called maker's roadside assistance and 911. . There are 16 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 255 crash reports 116 injuries

1896

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

SPEED CONTROL

455 complaints

24%

• I was driving at about 40 MPH on local road at rush hour, the car was put in parking mode when I made a lane change, the speed reduced to 0 rapidly and put me in extremely dangerous situation like being rear ended. then I cannot put car in drive mode and called maker's roadside assistance and 911.
• When my vehicle is on cruise control it suddenly brakes for no apparent reason. On a road trip, it has happened suddenly and many times during the trip. It’s quite scary and dangerous.
• I Purchased a new 2023 Telsa Model Y, picked it up today and on the drive home I experienced a phantom braking event which caused the vehicle to immediately stop and become inoperable. Despite my attempts to restart or reset the car it would not move. I sat in the middle lane of a six lane roadway f

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 53 crashes

“I was driving at about 40 MPH on local road at rush hour, the car was put in parking mode when I made a lane change, the speed reduced to 0 rapidly and put me in extremely dangerous situation like being rear ended. then I cannot put car in drive mode and called maker's roadside assistance and 911. ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2023 Tesla MODEL Y

Based on 101 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 5K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 25 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred. This vehicle is under 5 years old, so most of the fleet hasn't accumulated high mileage yet — low-mileage peaks reflect fleet age, not necessarily premature failure.

Recalls (16)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS15/11/2022

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate.

Risk: A taillight that fails to illuminate may reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-016.

Very low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2023 Tesla MODEL Y

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$619

Per month

$52

Per mile

5.2¢

kWh/mi

0.27

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2023 Tesla MODEL Y

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,420

Full coverage / month

$202

Liability only / year

$816

vs US avg

+45%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-luxury)1.62x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$2420

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Tesla MODEL Y Service Intervals

Oil change

N/A (electric vehicle)

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Cabin air filter

24K mi

EVs have no oil, no spark plugs, no transmission fluid. Brake fluid every 2 years. Tire rotation every 6,250 miles. HEPA cabin filter every 2 years (Model S/X). AC desiccant bag every 6 years.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Tesla New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

8 yr / 120K mi

EV battery

8 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / 50K mi

Battery: Model S/X 8yr/150K miles; Model 3/Y Standard Range 8yr/100K, Long Range/Performance 8yr/120K

EV Incentives for 2023 Tesla MODEL Y

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

Historic eligibility: 2023 Tesla MODEL Y vehicles purchased on or before September 30, 2025 may still qualify for the federal credit on the 2025 tax return. Check with a tax professional for your specific vehicle's eligibility.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1896 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
SPEED CONTROL: I was driving at about 40 MPH on local road at rush hour, the car was put in parking mode when I made a lane change, the speed reduced to 0 rapidly and put me in extremely dangerous situation like being rear ended. then I cannot put car in drive mode and called maker's roadside assistance and 911.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: When my vehicle is on cruise control it suddenly brakes for no apparent reason. On a road trip, it has happened suddenly and many times during the trip. It’s quite scary and dangerous.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: I bought this car on January 24, 2023, I was driving with my family on Route 1 South in Woodbridge, NJ and all the sudden steering wheel fall January 29, 2023 . Was lucky there was no car behind and able to pull on divider. https://twitter.com/preneh24/status/1619889507133976580?s=48&t=-diw7ET9CNnRr
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: When my vehicle is on cruise control it suddenly brakes for no apparent reason. On a road trip, it has happened suddenly and many times during the trip. It’s quite scary and dangerous.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 16 recalls have been completed — free at any Tesla dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)