The 2023 Model Y is still too new for widespread high-mileage failures, but early patterns show drive unit issues, HVAC problems, and build quality concerns that mirror older Tesla platforms. Most problems surface under warranty, but post-warranty costs can be eye-watering.
Rear Drive Unit Failure (Whining, Milling Noise)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: High-pitched whine or grinding from rear that increases with speed, Vibration through floor at highway speeds, Drivetrain error messages on screen, Clunking on acceleration or deceleration
Fix: Full rear drive unit replacement is typical—these aren't serviceable like traditional transmissions. Tesla uses remanufactured units. 4-6 hours labor if warranty covers it, but parts alone run $7k-9k out of pocket. Independent shops struggle with Tesla parts access and diagnostic software.
Estimated cost: $8,000-12,000
AC Evaporator Coil Failure / Cabin Cooling Loss
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Weak or no cold air from HVAC system, Musty smell in cabin, Condensation or water pooling under dash, HVAC system cycling on/off repeatedly
Fix: Evaporator coil replacement requires full dashboard removal—brutal job on these. 12-16 hours labor. Known issue on 2020-2023 Model Y/3 platforms due to poor coil design and drainage. Some get covered under goodwill, many don't.
Estimated cost: $2,500-4,000
12V Battery Premature Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 20,000-50,000 mi
Symptoms: Car won't wake up or unlock via app/key card, Warning messages about 12V system on screen, Frunk won't open electrically, Random electrical gremlins—windows, charging port acting up
Fix: Tesla uses undersized lithium 12V batteries that fail early. Replacement is straightforward (1 hour labor), but Tesla-specific battery costs $200-300. Failure leaves you stranded—high-voltage system won't engage without 12V power. Keep a jump box handy.
Estimated cost: $300-500
Suspension Control Arm Bushings / Ball Joints
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front end, Wandering or loose steering feel, Uneven tire wear on inside edges, Steering wheel off-center after hitting potholes
Fix: Heavy battery weight accelerates suspension wear. Front lower control arms and ball joints tend to go first. Arms aren't serviceable—full assembly replacement required. 3-4 hours labor for both sides plus alignment. OEM Tesla parts required for proper fit.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
High Voltage Battery Coolant Leaks
Rare · high severity
Symptoms: Coolant puddle under vehicle (blue-green fluid), Reduced charging speed or range loss, Battery thermal management errors on screen, Sweet smell near underbody
Fix: Battery pack cooling system uses quick-disconnect fittings that can leak. Minor leaks might be hose/fitting replacement (3-5 hours), but pack damage requires full battery drop and reseal or module replacement (20+ hours). Coolant is specialized and expensive.
Estimated cost: $800-15,000
Infotainment Screen Yellowing / Touch Failure
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Yellow discoloration around screen edges, Dead spots on touchscreen—can't press certain buttons, Screen freezing or rebooting randomly, Phantom touches registering
Fix: 2021-2023 Model Ys got revised screens that still fail. Screen replacement is plug-and-play (1-2 hours), but unit costs $1,200-1,800 from Tesla. Some failures covered under warranty or recall extensions. Avoid aftermarket—calibration issues are common.
Estimated cost: $1,400-2,200
Owner tips
Change drive unit fluid every 50,000 miles despite Tesla saying 'lifetime'—cheap insurance against $10k drive unit replacement
Replace cabin air filter every 12k miles—helps prevent HVAC system clogs and evaporator issues
Keep 12V battery on a maintainer if car sits unused for more than a week—prevents premature failure
Budget $150/year for software updates at Tesla service if buying used—critical for safety recalls and bug fixes
Find a Tesla-certified independent shop before you need one—dealer service waits can be 2-4 weeks
Buy only with transferable warranty or budget $2k/year for post-warranty surprises—drive units and HVAC are ticking time bombs, and repair costs make luxury German cars look cheap.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating software prior to 2023.38.4. The printed circuit board for the electronic power steering assist may experience an overstress condition, causing a loss of power steering assist when the vehicle reaches a stop and then accelerates again.
Consequence: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-004.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · 25V002000
2025-01-07
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Tesla will also identify any vehicles that experienced a circuit board failure, or stress that may lead to a circuit board failure, and replace the affected computers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-001.
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS · 24V935000
2024-12-17
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."
Consequence: Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-018.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · 24V554000
2024-07-24
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
Consequence: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 24V035000
2024-01-22
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, X, and Y vehicles equipped with full self-driving computer 4.0 and running a software release version 2023.44.30 through 2023.44.30.6 or 2023.44.100. Software instability may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-002.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
Consequence: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 23V489000
2023-07-14
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The forward-facing camera may be misaligned, causing some of the active safety features such as emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane assist to become unavailable without alerting the driver.
Consequence: Safety features that are unavailable without any warning to the driver may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and adjust the pitch angle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-17-006.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective.
Consequence: A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-16-005.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR · 23V385000
2023-05-30
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Model Y vehicles. The steering wheel fastener may be loose.
Consequence: A loose fastener may allow the steering wheel to disconnect from the steering column, which can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the fastener as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were be mailed July 28, 2023. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-32-001.
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS · 23V130000
2023-02-27
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Model Y vehicles. The bolts securing the second-row seat back frames may not have been securely tightened.
Consequence: A loose seat frame bolt may reduce the seat belt system's performance, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service Centers will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-13-001.
STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING · 23V085000
2023-02-15 · EA22002
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
Consequence: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET · 22V895000
2022-12-05
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model Y vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may not have been properly attached to the sub-frame.
Consequence: A loose fastener can allow the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will tighten or replace the fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-31-002.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS · 22V844000
2022-11-15
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate.
Consequence: A taillight that fails to illuminate may reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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