Overview
- On record
- 7 warnings, 23 recalls
What changed for 2021
- The 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
Rare and special
Colors
- Midnight Silver MetallicPMNG, 2020–2024
- Red Multi-Coat2020–2024
- Pearl White Multi-CoatPPSW
- Solid BlackPBSB
- Deep Blue MetallicPPSB
Interiors
- Black
- White
Sources: Electrek, SlashGear, Drive Tesla
Specs
Motors
- Single motor (2021–2025) Edmunds, a published reference
- Dual motor Tesla, Edmunds
Drivetrains
- All-wheel drive Tesla, Edmunds
- Rear-wheel drive (2021–2025) Edmunds, a published reference
Trims
- Long Range AWD Tesla, Edmunds
- Performance Tesla, Edmunds
- Standard Range RWD (2021) Edmunds, a published reference
Packages
- Seven-seat interior (2021–2025) Edmunds, Electrek
- Tow hitch CarGurus
- Full Self-Driving Capability CarGurus
Figures for the whole Original
- Long Range EPA range, 2020: 316 miles Edmunds, CarGurus
- Performance EPA range, 2020: Up to 291 miles Edmunds
- Standard Range RWD EPA range, 2021: 244 miles Edmunds, a published reference
- Standard Range AWD EPA range: 279 miles Edmunds, a published reference
- Drag coefficient: 0.23 A published reference
- Deliveries in 2023: 1.2 million A published reference
Rare trims and options
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Rare
Standard Range RWD Trim
The shortest-lived Model Y, taken off sale about six weeks after it arrived Edmunds, a published reference
Watch out
Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.
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Cracked suspension knuckles 2020–2022
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
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Loose front suspension fasteners 2020–2023
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
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Creaking front suspension All years
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)
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Heat pump failures 2021–2022
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
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Panel gaps, paint and leaks All years
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
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Lead-acid low-voltage battery 2020–2022
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
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Sudden braking with nothing ahead 2021–2025
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
Going to see one? Take the checklist with you.
Open the checklistRecalls
Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.
2020–2023 Recall 26V507000
The low beams can be brighter than the law allows. The headlights are replaced. NHTSA
2020–2023 Recall 26V283000
The rear camera picture can lag when reversing, on one software version. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2025 Recall 24V935000
The low tire pressure warning light may not stay on from one drive to the next. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2024 Recall 24V554000
The car may not notice a hood left unlatched. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2023 Recall 24V376000
The seat belt warning may not come on for an unbelted driver. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
Show all 23 recalls
2020–2022 Recall 24V153000
A factory reset can silence the sound that warns pedestrians of the car. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2024 Recall 24V051000
The brake, parking brake and ABS warning lights are shown in letters too small. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2023 Recall 23V838000
Autosteer's checks may not do enough to stop a driver misusing it. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2023 Recall 23V085000
Full Self-Driving Beta can behave unsafely at junctions and respond poorly to speed limit changes. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2023 Recall 22V844000
One or both taillights may go out now and then. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2022 Recall 22V702000
The windows' automatic reversal may not react properly to an obstruction. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2021 Recall 22V317000
Two camera cables were fitted the wrong way round, swapping the camera views. They are corrected and the cameras recalibrated. NHTSA
2020–2022 Recall 22V235000
The Boombox feature can play sounds through the outside speaker while moving and mask the pedestrian warning. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2022 Recall 22V063000
The Boombox feature can play sounds through the outside speaker while moving and mask the pedestrian warning. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2022 Recall 22V050000
A software fault can open a heat pump valve and trap refrigerant, weakening the defroster. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2022 Recall 22V045000
The seat belt chime may not sound when the driver is unbuckled. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2022 Recall 22V037000
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
2020–2022 Recall 21V912000
The front and rear suspension knuckles may crack and let the suspension links come apart. The knuckles are checked and replaced. NHTSA
2020–2021 Recall 21V846000
On one software version, a fault can bring false collision warnings or sudden automatic braking. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2020–2021 Recall 21V835000
Fasteners on the front lateral links may loosen and let a link come away from the subframe. They are tightened or replaced. NHTSA
2020–2021 Recall 21V389000
The fasteners holding a front shoulder belt to the pillar may not be attached properly. They are checked and repaired. NHTSA
2020–2021 Recall 21V388000
The fasteners holding the second-row seat belt retractors may not be attached properly. They are checked and replaced. NHTSA
2020–2021 Recall 21V387000
Brake caliper bolts may loosen and let the caliper touch the wheel rim. They are checked and tightened or replaced. NHTSA
Owning
What owners and buyers say
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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
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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
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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
Maintenance
Cabin air filter 2020–2024
Replace every 2 years Tesla
HEPA and carbon filters 2020–2024
Replace every 3 years Tesla
Wiper blades 2020–2024
Replace every 1 year Tesla
Clean and lubricate the brake calipers 2020–2024
Service every 12,500 miles or 1 year Tesla
Only for roads salted in winter
Tire rotation 2020–2024
Service every 6,250 miles. Sooner if the tread depth differs by 2/32 in or more Tesla
Warranty when new
| Basic | 50,000 miles or 4 years Edmunds |
|---|---|
| Battery and drive unit, Long Range and Performance | 120,000 miles or 8 years Tesla, EdmundsAt least 70% of battery capacity kept |
| Battery and drive unit, Standard Range | 100,000 miles or 8 years TeslaAt least 70% of battery capacity kept |
| Body rust | 12 years EdmundsAny miles |
Before you pay: every warning, recall and check on one sheet.
Open the checklist