2020 vs 2021 Tesla Model Y
Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.
Watch out for
Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.
2020
Nothing that 2021 lacks.
2021
-
Heat pump failures 2021–2022
What to check: Run the heat on high and make sure it blows hot, and that the windshield defrosts. Confirm that recall 22V050000 was done.
BGR reports that 2021 and 2022 cars were hit hardest by heat pump failures, traced to a valve that stayed open too long. Tesla's recall fixed the software fault over the air.
NHTSA, BGR
-
Sudden braking with nothing ahead 2021–2025
What to check: Try the cruise control on an open road and note any sudden, unneeded braking.
Cars built from May 2021 have no radar and rely on cameras. BGR calls phantom braking the Model Y's most common problem: the car brakes hard for an overhead sign, a shadow or something far away while on Autopilot or cruise control.
BGR, a published reference
Both years
-
Cracked suspension knuckles 2020–2022
What to check: Confirm with Tesla or NHTSA that recall 21V912000 was done.
The front and rear suspension knuckles may crack and let the suspension links come apart.
NHTSA
-
Loose front suspension fasteners 2020–2023
What to check: Confirm that the recalls were done: 20V709000 for the upper arm bolts on 2020 cars, 21V835000 for the lateral links on 2020 and 2021 cars, and 22V895000 for the lateral links on 2023 cars.
Bolts and fasteners in the front suspension may not have been tightened, and an arm or link can come away.
NHTSA
-
Creaking front suspension All years
What to check: Drive slowly over speed bumps and turn the wheel to full lock, and listen for creaks or squeaks from the front.
BGR reports creaks and rattles from the suspension, and names two causes: water getting into the upper control arm ball joints and wearing them out early, and torn inner bushings on the lateral and compliance links. Owners in a Tesla Motors Club thread, one with a 2021 Long Range, say the creak can come and go with the weather before it gets worse.
BGR, owners' reports (unofficial)
-
Panel gaps, paint and leaks All years
What to check: Look along every panel gap and over the paint in good light, and make sure the trunk floor is dry.
BGR reports paint that scratches easily and misaligned panels, with gaps wide enough to let rain into the trunk. Edmunds called the interior materials lackluster on the 2023 car.
BGR, Edmunds
-
Lead-acid low-voltage battery 2020–2022
What to check: Ask whether the car has its lead-acid or lithium-ion low-voltage battery, and when a lead-acid one was last replaced.
Edmunds lists a lighter lithium-ion 12-volt battery among the 2022 updates, and Tesla's manual for the older car tells owners how to replace the lead-acid one. BGR reports owners on Reddit stranded when the 12-volt battery failed, one of them in a 2021 car.
Tesla, Edmunds, BGR
Rare catches
2020
Nothing that 2021 lacks.
2021
-
Rare
Standard Range RWD Trim
The shortest-lived Model Y, taken off sale about six weeks after it arrived Edmunds, a published reference
Recalls
2020
- 20V609000 2020
On cars with the tow package, a software fault stops the trailer's brake lights working. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 20V709000 2020
Bolts joining the front upper control arm to the steering knuckle may not be tight, and the arm can come away. They are checked and tightened. NHTSA
2021
- 22V317000 2021
Two camera cables were fitted the wrong way round, swapping the camera views. They are corrected and the cameras recalibrated. NHTSA
Both years
- 21V389000 2020–2021
The fasteners holding a front shoulder belt to the pillar may not be attached properly. They are checked and repaired. NHTSA
- 21V388000 2020–2021
The fasteners holding the second-row seat belt retractors may not be attached properly. They are checked and replaced. NHTSA
- 21V387000 2020–2021
Brake caliper bolts may loosen and let the caliper touch the wheel rim. They are checked and tightened or replaced. NHTSA
- 21V835000 2020–2021
Fasteners on the front lateral links may loosen and let a link come away from the subframe. They are tightened or replaced. NHTSA
- 21V846000 2020–2021
On one software version, a fault can bring false collision warnings or sudden automatic braking. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 21V912000 2020–2022
The front and rear suspension knuckles may crack and let the suspension links come apart. The knuckles are checked and replaced. NHTSA
- 22V037000 2020–2022
Full Self-Driving Beta's rolling stop could take the car through an all-way stop without stopping. The feature is switched off over the air. NHTSA
- 22V045000 2020–2022
The seat belt chime may not sound when the driver is unbuckled. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 22V050000 2020–2022
A software fault can open a heat pump valve and trap refrigerant, weakening the defroster. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 22V063000 2020–2022
The Boombox feature can play sounds through the outside speaker while moving and mask the pedestrian warning. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 22V235000 2020–2022
The Boombox feature can play sounds through the outside speaker while moving and mask the pedestrian warning. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 22V702000 2020–2022
The windows' automatic reversal may not react properly to an obstruction. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 22V844000 2020–2023
One or both taillights may go out now and then. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 23V085000 2020–2023
Full Self-Driving Beta can behave unsafely at junctions and respond poorly to speed limit changes. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 23V838000 2020–2023
Autosteer's checks may not do enough to stop a driver misusing it. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 24V051000 2020–2024
The brake, parking brake and ABS warning lights are shown in letters too small. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 24V153000 2020–2022
A factory reset can silence the sound that warns pedestrians of the car. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 24V376000 2020–2023
The seat belt warning may not come on for an unbelted driver. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 24V554000 2020–2024
The car may not notice a hood left unlatched. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 24V935000 2020–2025
The low tire pressure warning light may not stay on from one drive to the next. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 26V283000 2020–2023
The rear camera picture can lag when reversing, on one software version. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 26V507000 2020–2023
The low beams can be brighter than the law allows. The headlights are replaced. NHTSA
What changed between
After 2020, up to and including 2021.
- 2021The Standard Range RWD and the seven-seat option arrive in January; the Standard Range is taken off sale in February. A heated steering wheel and double-pane front windows come in, and cars built from May have no radar. Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference
What it came with
2020
Nothing that 2021 lacks.
2021
Both years
Colors
2020
Nothing that 2021 lacks.
2021
Nothing that 2020 lacks.
Both years
- Pearl White Multi-Coat PPSW SlashGear
- Solid Black PBSB SlashGear, Drive Tesla
- Deep Blue Metallic PPSB SlashGear
- Midnight Silver Metallic PMNG, 2020–2024 Electrek, SlashGear
- Red Multi-Coat 2020–2024 Electrek, SlashGear
Interiors
2020
Nothing that 2021 lacks.
2021
Nothing that 2020 lacks.
Both years
- Black Drive Tesla
- White Drive Tesla
What owners and buyers say
Reputation: what owners and the press report
2020
Nothing that 2021 lacks.
2021
Nothing that 2020 lacks.
Both years
-
Sought after: The Long Range All years
Edmunds picked a Long Range in every year it reviewed, for its range: the Long Range AWD up to 2024, and the Long Range RWD for 2025. Edmunds
-
Watch for: Cars from before 2023 2020–2022 Less sought after One source so far
CarGurus tells buyers who put reliability first to avoid any Model Y from before 2023, pointing to the recalls and complaints NHTSA lists for the early years and Consumer Reports' low reliability verdict. CarGurus
-
Avoid: The Performance's stiff ride All years Less sought after
Edmunds lists an overly stiff ride among the Performance's cons, and for 2025 called its ride harsh. Edmunds