The Lemon Index

All cars · Tesla Model Y

2024 Tesla Model Y.

The 2024 Tesla Model Y is so far about average by owner complaints: 328 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 94, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about automatic emergency braking, and it has 5 recalls. The best Tesla Model Y year is 2022.

Early read

94Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Early read: about average.

Best year 2022 · Worst year 2021

Tesla Model Y
Photo shows a 2020 Tesla Model Y. Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints328first 3 years
Fuel economy105–120 MPGecombined, EPA
Crash testnot ratedNHTSA

How serious. Out of 328 owner complaints, owners reported:

73crashes
37injuries
4fires
44tows
Early read. The 2024 Tesla Model Y hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2024 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

automatic emergency braking53%
backup camera21%
electrical19%
lane assist18%
speed control11%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Tesla Model Y year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 8K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 19K miles on the car (23 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 5

  • back over prevention 2025

    The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image.

  • tires 2024

    The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure.

  • seats 2024

    The weld attaching the seat recliner mechanism to the front seat backs may fail.

Show all 5 recalls
  • latches/locks/linkages 2024

    The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.

  • electrical 2024

    An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Tesla told dealers about

Tesla sent dealers 58 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • On certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, a defective electrical component inside the High…
  • Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles were manufactured with High Voltage (HV) batteries…
  • On certain Model Y vehicles, the LH and/or RH rear primary body seals might cause wind noise…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

  • OpenFsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions2026
  • OpenCompliance with standing general order 2021-01 reporting requirements2025
  • OpenTraffic safety violations while full self driving ("fsd") is engaged2025
  • OpenRecall 23v838 remedy effectiveness2024

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Tesla Model 3 4 DR AWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Tesla Model S (All Variants) 5 HB AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines

About $650–700 a year in electricity (EPA estimate).

In owners' words

The rear (reverse) camera and side cameras (ie lane change) do not function. The navigation does not function. The console touchscreen does not adapt to environment light level for safe viewing.

2024 Tesla Model Y owner · NHTSA complaint 11630522
More owner reports

The computer is not working which connects to the forward collision warning system, navigation, and all safety when it comes to driving. I am still waiting to hear back from Tesla about the problem and haven't had a resolution.

NHTSA complaint 11628966

This vehicle is hacked along with app. it's unsafe to drive at this point. I have contacted Tesla they are no help. my tesla app is hacked and the vehicle

NHTSA complaint 11751589

Quick answers

Is the 2024 Tesla Model Y reliable?

It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn about average per car sold, against other 2024 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 94; 100 is average). The best Tesla Model Y year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.

What are the most common 2024 Tesla Model Y problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (53%), backup camera (21%) and electrical (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2024 Tesla Model Y have?

5 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage do 2024 Tesla Model Y problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 1,000 and 19,900 miles. The middle report was at 8,800 miles, from 23 complaints.

Does the 2024 Tesla Model Y have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2024 Tesla Model Y cost in fuel a year?

About $650 to $700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What Tesla Model Y year is better than the 2024?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2020 and 2021.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data