Problems · by component

2024 Tesla Model Y service brakes problems

25 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2024 Tesla Model Y cite service brakes, 7% of all 336 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
25
7% of all complaints
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the service brakes

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“While exiting a drive-thru, I pressed the accelerator and the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated at a high rate of speed on its own. I attempted to brake, but the brakes did not respond. The vehicle struck a concrete median. Police report on file: East Hanover Township PD, Case #2026-12503.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2026Vehicle speed control, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11758962
“My car will randomly break while I’m driving straight on a road. It seems to happen when I’m going between 30 and 45 mph. It breaks so hard that if a car behind me was following, they could run into me. Whenever it breaks, I have to put my foot on the accelerator to get the car to go back forward.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11751573
“Component/System: Braking System (Caliper Bolt) and Suspension (Control Arm/Linkage Bolt). Description of Incident: While traveling on a tollway at 70 mph, I heard a faint noise followed by a severe metallic scratching sound coming from the front driver-side wheel. Upon inspection at a tire service center, it was discovered that a brake caliper bolt had fallen out, causing the caliper to displace and score the inner rim of the wheel. The vehicle was towed to a Tesla Service Center, where the caliper and wheel were replaced under warranty. Tesla could not identify a root cause but stated they performed a quality check on all remaining wheels. Subsequently, a second failure occurred on the front passenger-side wheel. A different bolt—this time related to the suspension—loosened or fell out. The vehicle produced a severe grinding noise and felt unstable, as if the wheel was about to dislodge. Safety Risk: Both incidents posed an immediate risk of catastrophic mechanical failure at high speeds. A detached brake caliper can lead to total loss of braking or wheel lock-up, while a suspension bolt failure can cause a complete loss of steering control. Either scenario…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 26, 2026Suspension, Service brakesODI 11720600
“On November 8, my 2024 Model Y suddenly came to a complete stop from about 40 mph while I was driving with no cruise control or Autopilot active. This was extremely dangerous — my [XXX] was in the car, and we were lucky no one was behind us. It put myself, my child, and others in the absolute risk of collision and injury. When I contacted the service center they said it sometimes happened due to "shadows" or "sun". They refused to run a diagnostic on the car for free and wanted me to pay for it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 12, 2025Steering, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11698990
“I was driving the Tesla and coming up my circular drive(note I was driving uphill). The car suddenly accelerated and went out of control. I pumped the brake and took my foot off the accelerator but the car kept going and crashed into our house (sunroom) at end of the driveway at high speed > we went through the casement windows and brick foundation and would have gone through the other side window and down a hill and probably been killed if it were not for a heavy cast iron table that brought us to a stop. The airbags never opened.The car was totaled(the insurance company declared it a total lost and refused to repair and paid us a small amount , less than we paid for the car. This was the second repeat incident, the first one very similar was reported to NHTSA by my erhusband ,reported to NHTSA 0n 1/20/2025, 6.19 pm; complaint number 11637163 .after the first crash we tried to get Tesla to pick up the car . they refused. Instead they said they would check it remotely. We gave them the opportunity to inspect and repair the car between the first and second incident . They ignored us , do to their negligence we were almost killed. Please open an investigation. We…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2025Air bags, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11697069
“There was a sudden unintended acceleration and the brake did not work, causing a major accident. Car caught fire and door would not open. The car has completely engulfed. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. Vehicle has been inspected by insurance and police, but not by manufacturer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2025Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedFire reportedODI 11695221

Showing 6 of 25 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.