Original Tesla Model Y 2020–2025

The first Model Y: a compact SUV built on the Model 3, with dual-motor Long Range and Performance versions from the start, a seven-seat option from 2021, and rear-drive versions on and off from 2021.

6 trims8 colors7 warnings36 recalls

How it was checked: 28 sources read.

Generation Original 2020–2025 Pick a generation
Model year All 6 Pick a year

Overview

On record
7 warnings, 36 recalls

The story

Tesla filed to trademark the name "Model Y" in 2013 and unveiled the car in March 2019, with ordinary doors in place of the Model X's falcon-wing doors. It began building the car at Fremont in January 2020 and delivering it in March 2020. Tesla, a published reference

Shanghai began building it in December 2020, Texas in late 2021, and Berlin delivered its first cars in March 2022. In 2023 Tesla delivered 1.2 million Model Ys, and it became the first electric car to be the world's best-selling vehicle of a year. A published reference

Rare and special

Colors

Show all 8 colors
  • Pearl White Multi-CoatPPSW
  • Solid BlackPBSB
  • Deep Blue MetallicPPSB

Interiors

Sources: Electrek, Drive Tesla, SlashGear

Specs

Motors

Drivetrains

Trims

Packages

Figures

Rare trims and options

Years and what changed

  1. 2020

    Production begins at Fremont in January 2020 and deliveries in March, as the dual-motor Long Range and Performance. Tesla, Edmunds

  2. 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

  3. 2022

    A lighter lithium-ion 12-volt battery and laminated rear windows. A Standard Range AWD with 4680 cells is built in Texas from April, at first for employees and buyers nearby. Ultrasonic parking sensors are dropped from October. Edmunds, a published reference

  4. 2023

    The Standard Range AWD goes on general sale in April and ends in September, and from June it comes only with a black interior. From mid-year, higher-definition cameras, ambient lighting, retuned suspension and a new Autopilot computer. A Rear-Wheel Drive returns in October. Drive Tesla, CarGurus, a published reference

  5. 2024

    Stealth Grey and Ultra Red replace Midnight Silver Metallic and Red Multi-Coat in January, and Quicksilver is offered on the Long Range and Performance from May. The Rear-Wheel Drive gives way to a Long Range RWD in May. Electrek, Drive Tesla, Edmunds, a published reference

  6. 2025

    No major changes. The old design, built from November 2024; the refreshed car became the 2026 model. The seven-seat option is dropped in early 2025. Edmunds, Notebookcheck, Electrek

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

Going to see one? Take the checklist with you.

Open the checklist

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

Show all 36 recalls

  • 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

  • 2024 Recall 24V886000

    The weld holding the seat recliner to a front seat back may fail. The seat is replaced. 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

  • 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

  • 2023 Recall 24V035000

    On cars with the 4.0 computer and certain software, the rear camera picture may not show. 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

  • 2023 Recall 23V489000

    The forward camera may be misaligned, so emergency braking, collision warning and lane assist can switch off without telling the driver. The camera is checked and adjusted. NHTSA

  • 2023 Recall 23V434000

    The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be faulty. The part is replaced. NHTSA

  • 2022–2023 Recall 23V385000

    The steering wheel's fastener may be loose. It is checked and replaced. NHTSA

  • 2022–2023 Recall 23V130000

    Bolts holding the second-row seat back frames may not be tight. They are checked and tightened. 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

  • 2023 Recall 22V895000

    Fasteners on the front lateral links may not have been attached properly to the subframe. They are tightened or replaced. 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

  • 2022 Recall 22V296000

    The touchscreen's processor can overheat while getting ready to fast- charge, and lag or restart. Fixed over the air. 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

  • 2020 Recall 20V709000

    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

  • 2020 Recall 20V609000

    On cars with the tow package, a software fault stops the trailer's brake lights working. Fixed over the air. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

Maintenance

Warranty when new

Basic50,000 miles or 4 years Edmunds
Battery and drive unit, Long Range and Performance120,000 miles or 8 years Tesla, EdmundsAt least 70% of battery capacity kept. Terms in Tesla's 2019 annual report
Battery and drive unit, Standard Range100,000 miles or 8 years TeslaAt least 70% of battery capacity kept. Terms in Tesla's 2019 annual report
Body rust12 years EdmundsAny miles

Before you pay: every warning, recall and check on one sheet.

Open the checklist