The 2021 Tesla Model Y's low safety profile includes 9 recall campaigns and 0 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

21V8350002021-25-10

SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.

A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

21V3870002021-25-05

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.

Contact with the rim may cause a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

22V3170002022-09-05

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model 3 and 2021 Model Y vehicles. The fisheye and narrow camera cable terminals were incorrectly installed in the cable harness connector, resulting in swapped camera views.

Swapped camera views can prevent the vehicle's cameras from detecting crossing objects and high-curvature lane lines, impairing the Autosteer and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) performance, and increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

View all 9 recalls

24V9350002024-17-12

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

21V9120002021-21-11

SUSPENSION

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The front and rear suspension knuckles may fracture, causing the suspension links to separate.

Suspension links that separate can reduce vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

21V3880002021-25-05

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the left and right second row seat belt retractors may not be properly attached.

Improperly attached fasteners may prevent the seat belt retention system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

21V3890002021-25-05

SEAT BELTS

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached.

An improperly attached fastener may prevent the seat belt system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

22V8440002022-15-11

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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

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

View at NHTSA

26V2830002026-05-05

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and Model X vehicles operating software version 2026.8.6. The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Tesla Model Y Fuel Economy

111–129mpg combined

115-140city

106-119hwy

$600-$700/yr

With 3 configurations tested, the 2021 Tesla Model Y ranges from 111 to 129 MPG combined. That's a 18 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

Model Y Standard Range RWD - Automatic (A1)

129mpg

Rear-Wheel DriveEV

140 city119 hwy~$600/yr10/10 Clean

Model Y Long Range AWD - Automatic (A1)

125mpg

All-Wheel DriveEV

131 city117 hwy~$600/yr10/10 Clean

Model Y Performance AWD - Automatic (A1)

111mpg

All-Wheel DriveEV

115 city106 hwy~$700/yr10/10 Clean

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2021 Tesla Model Y

31States

31%in top 3

If you're near California, you're in luck: 13% of listings are there. But with 31 states represented, there's likely one near you too.

CACalifornia

50213%

TXTexas

3449%

DCWashington DC

3399%

FLFlorida

2898%

MDMaryland

2477%

UTUtah

2176%

GAGeorgia

2136%

AZArizona

1624%

WAWashington

1354%

NCNorth Carolina

1143%

ILIllinois

1083%

NVNevada

1003%

PAPennsylvania

993%

TNTennessee

842%

OROregon

772%

NJ69

DE68

CO67

NY60

OH56

MO50

IN46

MN33

HI30

MA30

WI30

OK29

AL25

NM25

NH23

MI19

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2021.

2021 Tesla Model Y Buyer FAQ

What to know before you buy

Is the 2021 Tesla Model Y a good car to buy?

Here's the short version on the 2021 Tesla Model Y. There are 9 recalls to verify before purchase. Dig into the safety overview and pricing trends for recall-by-recall detail.

Are there recalls on the 2021 Tesla Model Y?

NHTSA shows 9 recall campaigns for the 2021 Tesla Model Y. Before buying, verify all recalls are complete. The dealer must fix them at no charge. See the safety section for the full list.

What's the gas mileage of the 2021 Tesla Model Y?

You'll get between 111 and 129 MPG combined from the 2021 Tesla Model Y, depending on engine and drivetrain. That's a meaningful difference over time. The fuel economy table shows exactly which configs get what.