2026 Tesla Model Y Body & structure Problems

2026 Tesla Model Y: trim and underbody panels detached after driving through standing water. Vehicle and incident details Description On the evening of [XXX], I drove my 2026 Tesla Model Y through standing water on a public road in Vero Beach, FL. It was dark and the flooding wasn't visible ahead of time. The water was about halfway up the wheels, and I was going about 30 mph. The car hydroplaned briefly and slid to the right before the all-wheel drive regained traction. I drove about two blocks to get out of the water and then went home. At home I found that the side rocker trim, the plastic underbody panel(s) and the rear bumper had all come loose from their mounts. There was no collision, curb strike or road debris. The water alone was enough to pull these parts off. I'm concerned about safety because loose trim and underbody panels can drag or fall off while driving. That creates a hazard for other drivers and leaves the high-voltage battery and coolant lines underneath unprotected. Another Model Y owner I know had his side trim come off the same way after driving through water. Moderate standing water is common in Florida during heavy rain, so I believe the way these parts are attached may not hold up to normal water exposure. I'm asking NHTSA to review whether this is a pattern across Model Y vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11775579

Incident

Nov 2, 2026

I was using FSD while backing into a parking space and the car collided with a cement flower box on the rear driver side causing a dent and multiple scratches on the body of the car.

NHTSA ID

11774971

Incident

Oct 30, 2026

On October 27, 2026, my 2026 Tesla Model Y experienced a serious front hood safety incident. Before the incident, the hood would not fully latch closed and could not be reopened using the touchscreen or Tesla app. The vehicle displayed a hood warning and restricted acceleration. I contacted Tesla Roadside Assistance but was informed that complimentary towing was unavailable because the vehicle was considered drivable. I proceeded toward Tesla for service at a very low speed, approximately 16 mph or less. While traveling downhill on the freeway, the vehicle briefly reached approximately 30 mph. The hood suddenly flew open and struck the windshield, causing extensive cracking and severely compromising visibility. Fortunately, no one was injured. After the incident, the responding police officer observed that the hood could latch closed, although it had been unable to close properly beforehand. The vehicle was delivered to a Tesla-owned Collision Center and has since been disassembled. I have requested preservation of the original components, diagnostic data, and inspection records. The exact cause remains unknown, and Tesla's technical investigation is pending. I am concerned about a possible failure of the primary or secondary hood latch mechanism. This incident created a serious risk of losing visibility and control of the vehicle. I request that NHTSA investigate whether this represents a potential safety defect that could affect other Model Y vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11774196

Incident

Oct 17, 2026

On XXX, I was driving my 2026 Tesla Model Y All-Wheel Drive northbound on [XXX] toward the [XXX] exit in [XXX]. Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) was engaged as the vehicle entered a single-lane exit ramp with a curve. The FSD system did not slow the vehicle sufficiently for the curve. I intervened by applying the brakes, but the vehicle struck a reflector pole with its front bumper area. No other vehicle was involved. I am reporting a suspected malfunction of the FSD system’s ability to recognize roadway curvature, select an appropriate speed, and slow the vehicle in time to navigate the curve safely. This created a safety risk because, despite my intervention, a collision occurred. Under similar circumstances, the vehicle could strike other roadside objects or cause a more serious crash resulting in injuries. To my knowledge, a Tesla service center or independent facility has not reproduced or confirmed the suspected malfunction. I request that NHTSA investigate and that Tesla preserve and examine available vehicle telemetry, event logs, FSD status, vehicle speed, braking inputs, and driver-intervention data from the incident. Tesla Insurance reviewed the collision and determined me at fault. I disputed that determination and requested reconsideration. However, the insurance decision does not establish whether the FSD system malfunctioned. I did not receive a warning lamp or message alerting me in advance that the vehicle would not slow sufficiently for the curve. The problem became apparent as I approached and entered the ramp. I request investigation into whether this represents a safety defect affecting Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD and whether corrective action is necessary. I can provide additional incident information and make the vehicle available for inspection upon request, subject to availability. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11771016

Incident

Aug 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the driver's side rear wheel. The failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured rear subframe. The contact was informed that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

NHTSA ID

11768284

Incident

Sep 17, 2026

Mileage

17,000 mi

On September 26, 2026, the automatic rear liftgate of my 2026 Tesla Model Y struck me on the head while it was closing. I was not manually pulling, pushing, or holding the liftgate at the time. The liftgate made contact with my head, causing a cut and bleeding, and then stopped. I sought emergency medical treatment following the incident and was diagnosed with a mild concussion. I am concerned that the liftgate's obstruction detection/anti-pinch system did not detect the obstruction early enough to prevent contact with my head or did not respond appropriately before impact. The fact that the powered liftgate made physical contact with my head before stopping raises a serious safety concern regarding the liftgate's obstruction detection sensors and closing mechanism. I am reporting this incident because the automatic liftgate caused an actual physical injury requiring emergency medical evaluation. I request that NHTSA document this incident and investigate whether there is a potential safety defect involving the automatic liftgate, obstruction/anti-pinch sensors, or closing mechanism.

NHTSA ID

11767318

Incident

Sep 26, 2026

Safety Complaint and Incident Report: Severe Injury Caused by Unprotected Sharp Metal Edge. I am writing to formally lodge a safety complaint regarding a serious design/manufacturing hazard on my Tesla vehicle. While washing the vehicle and wiping down the area near the liftgate/trunk strut, my finger was severely cut by an exposed, unshielded metal sheet edge. This area is extremely sharp and lacks any protective trim, warning labels, or factory finishing, presenting an unacceptable safety hazard during routine vehicle care. This poses a severe risk of injury to any owner or user. I am submitting this formal complaint to document the safety defect and request that Tesla address this manufacturing oversight immediately to prevent further injuries to consumers.

NHTSA ID

11764852

Incident

Sep 16, 2026

Using FSD- supervised the car hit the garage door opening denting the car while backing up to park in my garage

NHTSA ID

11763912

Incident

Sep 4, 2026

On August 26, 2026, I sustained a significant injury when the door of my Tesla closed while my thumb was in the door area. The door caught my thumb and forcibly lifted/tore off most of my thumbnail, causing immediate bleeding and leaving the nail bed exposed. I am reporting this because I am concerned about the safety of the vehicle’s door closing mechanism and its ability to prevent this type of injury when a hand or finger is obstructing the door. The force of the closing door was sufficient to cause substantial physical injury rather than a minor pinch. There were no warning messages or alerts before the incident that I was aware of. At this time, I do not know whether the door, sensors, or closing mechanism malfunctioned or whether they were operating as designed. The cause is UNKNOWN and has not yet been confirmed by Tesla or an independent service center. The vehicle and door are available for inspection upon request. I am also reporting the incident to Tesla and requesting that Tesla inspect the door and related components and preserve/review any available vehicle diagnostic or event data associated with the incident. The injury has been photographed and documented. I am concerned that the same door behavior could cause serious injury to another occupant, particularly if a child’s hand or fingers were caught in the door.

NHTSA ID

11759824

Incident

Aug 26, 2026

My car was parked in a residential neighborhood and when I was driving home on the evening of July 4th I noticed the windshield had a small line in it. The next day during daylight hours I went to inspect it further and concluded that the hood made contact with the windshield on both sides and there were two distinct impact areas that matched perfectly with small paint damage on the hood. I made an appointment with Tesla and waited about two weeks to get in, and they summized that this is not a defective part issue and that a wind so powerful came along, lifted the hood up, overpowered the gas struts, broke the windshield and closed itself perfectly. They denied any responsibility and refused to cover it under their manufacturers warranty. This is Tesla of Wilmington, DE

NHTSA ID

11753846

Incident

Jul 4, 2026

Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) — control handover protocol. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. WHAT HAPPENED: On June 25, 2026 at approximately 4:17 PM, the vehicle was operating under Full Self-Driving (FSD) navigating into a residential driveway. The driver pressed the gas pedal to take manual control. At the exact moment FSD transferred control, vehicle telemetry confirms the steering wheel was at −299° (nearly 3 full turns of hard left lock). No warning was given. With a ~13:1 steering ratio, approximately 300° of wheel rotation was required before driver input would affect the front wheels — taking 0.4–0.5 seconds during which the front wheels remained pointed left despite the driver turning right. The vehicle struck a tree at approximately 13–15 kph. Secondary failure: FSD re-engaged once during the first override attempt, requiring a second override before full control was obtained, further delaying driver response. Telemetry confirmed: factory crash algorithm (RCM_CRASH_ALGO_WAKEUP_EVENT_ACTIVE), Electronic Stability Control, and Traction Control all activated at impact. Post-impact speed registered −1.67 kph (backward bounce), confirming direct collision. SAFETY RISK: FSD handed off control mid-maneuver at extreme steering lock with no warning, creating an unrecoverable situation in a confined residential driveway. PRIOR WARNINGS: None. No warning lamps, messages, or alerts before or during handover. INSPECTION STATUS: Vehicle photographed. Insurance inspection pending. Not yet inspected by Tesla or dealer. Independently confirmed via vehicle telemetry export (85,776 rows, 300 sensor channels).

NHTSA ID

11746963

Incident

Jun 25, 2026

We just got our new Model Y today (6/21/2026) at Tesla Dealer in Plano. And I noticed the fabric liner in the center console/storage area is shedding fine fibers. The fibers adhere to skin and clothing and continue to release during normal vehicle usage. These fibers can inadvertently inhaled and I am concern that this issue might cause health hazard to me and my family whenever we are using the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11745524

Incident

Jun 21, 2026

My 2026 Tesla model Y frunk (front hood) internal compartment doesn’t has safety release latch and light. And doesn’t has any mechanism to alert me if human or animal accidentally inside the frunk which concerns me so have to report this issue. Thanks

NHTSA ID

11741088

Incident

Mar 14, 2026

I am reporting a recurring and unresolved electrical/safety issue with my new Tesla Model Y. The issue has occurred 5 times within the past 4 weeks and affects multiple systems simultaneously. When the issue occurs: * The air conditioning stops working completely. * The driver-side front and rear windows cannot be rolled down or up. * The driver seat adjustment may not function properly. The problem appears intermittently. It may disappear temporarily and then return hours or days later. Tesla service has inspected the vehicle multiple times, but the issue continues to recur. This creates a significant safety concern because: * The driver window may not function during rain or emergencies. * The AC may fail during extremely hot weather. * The driver seat may not adjust properly, potentially affecting safe vehicle operation and driver visibility. * The intermittent nature of the failure makes the vehicle unpredictable and unreliable to operate safely. The issue has not been permanently resolved despite repeated service visits. I am concerned there may be a broader electrical or control system defect affecting vehicle safety.

NHTSA ID

11738462

Incident

May 18, 2026

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Make/Model: Tesla [Y] Rear Body got significant dent While attempting to reverse into a parking space at a Tesla Supercharger station, the vehicle—operating with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged—collided with a stationary pole located behind the designated parking spot. FSD failed to detect the tesla supercharger and tried to park in EVgo charging station despite of plenty of vacant Tesla supercharger spots nearby. No other vehilcle was involved netiher any property damage. We would like to make sure tesla FSD takes full responsibility of damage. as their FSD system malfunctioned. Tesla should bare all charges for repair.

NHTSA ID

11734205

Incident

Apr 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, while other vehicles were driving beside the vehicle, or when the wind was blowing, the vehicle unexpectedly moved to the left or right. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle operated as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken back to a different dealer, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was operating as designed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

NHTSA ID

11733248

Incident

Apr 23, 2026

Mileage

6,000 mi

On April 11 2026, I was involved in a serious accident involving my 2026 Tesla Model Y. At the time of the incident, I was returning home from my daughter’s event in downtown and had just entered my residential driveway. As I approached the driveway, I applied the brakes and slowed the vehicle. While momentarily stationary or near-stationary, I spoke to my wife, who was seated in the front passenger seat, advising her to secure the food she was holding due to the uneven surface of the driveway. Upon removing my foot from the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated without any input . The vehicle proceeded forward and collided with my garage door. Notably, no collision warning alerts were issued, and no automatic emergency braking system engaged prior to or during the impact. Following the initial collision with garage door, the vehicle failed to stop and instead continued to accelerate into the garage, striking a refrigerator. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the refrigerator and caused extensive structural harm to the property, affecting the garage, adjacent living space, floors, and interior walls. The severity of the collision triggered deployment of the front airbags. At the time, my wife was seated in the front passenger seat, and my [XXX] daughter, along with her friend, was seated in the rear of the vehicle. Emergency services were called, I have forehead bruises and a burn on my hand from airbag deployment. My wife is advised physiotherapy for severe back pain and my daughter has since experienced ongoing emotional distress, nightmares.I am dealing with car and home claims issues for damages I am seeking a formal investigation into the cause of this incident, specifically addressing: 1)The unexpected and unintended acceleration of the vehicle 2)The failure of the vehicle to stop after the initial collision with the garage door 3)The absence of forward collision warnings and failure of automatic emergency braking . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFO

NHTSA ID

11732416

Incident

Apr 11, 2026

Forward storage compartment (FRUNK) is in violation of FMVSS 401. There is no emergency release, neither manual or automatic, installed on this vehicle. Previous year models of this vehicle have an illuminated release button that complies with this regulation. Enclosed in images is an example of previous year models versus what is found in my vehicle

NHTSA ID

11731248

Incident

Mar 31, 2026

Upon delivery of the vehicle the passenger door would not open from the outside. Multiple vehicle settings were reviewed, and a repair was scheduled to fix the issue.

NHTSA ID

11730066

Incident

Mar 27, 2026

Timeline of events: Day 1 – Delivery March 13, 2026 • Drove about 10 miles after delivery. • The driver-side window suddenly rolled fully down by itself while I was driving. • Returned immediately to the Tesla service center. They said they cleaned the window and recalibrated it. Later the same day • Drove another ~10 miles. • The window dropped fully again while driving. • Returned to the service center a second time. • I was told a mechanical part would be replaced, but never provided documentation. Day 2 – Today, March 14, 2026 • Left home to go to the store. • Within about 5 minutes of driving, the window dropped fully again and would not close at all. • The wind noise was extremely loud and the vehicle was very difficult to operate safely. I contacted the service center and was told they cannot provide proof of the part replacement from yesterday. When I called another Tesla service location, the earliest appointment available to even investigate the issue is March 31, 2026, despite the fact that the vehicle is essentially undrivable.

NHTSA ID

11724330

Incident

Mar 13, 2026

I am reporting a suspected defect involving the front suspension or steering system of my 2026 Tesla Model Y AWD. The vehicle produces loud popping, knocking, and rattling noises from the front end when turning the steering wheel at low speeds, particularly when the steering approaches full lock in either direction. The issue is most noticeable when entering or exiting uneven surfaces such as sloped driveways or parking lot entrances where the suspension is under load. During these conditions, the front suspension produces distinct mechanical popping or knocking sounds that appear to originate from the front wheel or suspension area. The noise does not occur while driving straight. It becomes significantly more noticeable when turning left or right at low speeds and worsens as the steering approaches full lock. In addition to the noise, a noticeable mechanical jolt or feedback can be felt through the steering wheel when the popping or knocking occurs. This issue began suddenly without any warning signs. One moment the vehicle was operating normally, and the next the popping and knocking noises began. Since that time the issue has continued consistently during turning maneuvers. The vehicle has not been involved in any collision and has been driven under normal conditions. Numerous other 2026 Tesla Model Y owners have reported similar front suspension symptoms, suggesting this may represent a broader pattern of potential suspension or steering component issues. Because the noise and feedback occur through the steering system while the suspension is under load, this raises concern that a suspension or steering component may be shifting, binding, or prematurely wearing. This condition raises safety concerns because abnormal movement or failure of steering or suspension components could affect vehicle control during turning or emergency maneuvers. I request that this issue be investigated for a possible defect trend affecting Tesla Model Y vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11722114

Incident

Mar 4, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a loud pop coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the glass on the passenger’s side had shattered, and glass had fallen inside the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that there was no impact on the glass to cause it to shatter. The contact returned to the residence and parked the vehicle. The dealer was called, and the dealer stated that the repair was not covered under recall or warranty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed that the failure was not caused by an impact and informed the contact that the parts were expected to be ordered and should arrive within a week for the repair. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,000.

NHTSA ID

11720344

Incident

Feb 18, 2026

Mileage

13,000 mi

The forward trunk also known as the Frunk does not have the legally required interior release. I have children. I train them how to use a trunk emergency release. This car does not have one for the Forward trunk. This is a serious safety hazard.

NHTSA ID

11716167

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

Incident Date: December 11, 2025 Vehicle: 2026 Tesla Model Y Location: DFW Airport, Irving, TX System: Full Self-Driving (Autopilot / FSD) Description: On December 11, 2025, my 2026 Tesla Model Y was operating under Full Self-Driving while exiting an airport when the vehicle struck a gate arm, causing property damage and windshield/body damage. No injuries occurred, but the collision happened while the FSD system was actively controlling the vehicle. Following the collision, I requested the vehicle operational and FSD engagement data from Tesla for the incident timeframe. Tesla provided a CSV dataset; however, the FSD engagement and autonomy decision-layer data were almost entirely missing, despite the vehicle being in motion and presumably under FSD control. On follow-up requests, Tesla stated they are unable to provide additional autonomy data and that “Tesla does not collect all your vehicle data,” despite marketing the system as Full Self-Driving and collecting extensive telemetry. This raises a safety concern because: 1.A collision occurred during FSD operation. 2.Tesla is not providing complete autonomy data for safety assessment. 3.There appears to be no transparency into FSD decision-making, object detection, or control authority at the time of impact. 4.Owners, insurers, and potentially regulators cannot review how FSD behaved during a safety-related event. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA is aware that: (1) A collision occurred under FSD control, and (2) Tesla refused complete operational autonomy logs for evaluation.

NHTSA ID

11712285

Incident

Dec 11, 2025

The interior of the front trunk (Frunk) does not have an emergency release button or the hardware to support it. In the event that a child or person is inside the front trunk with the hood closed, that person cannot escape the enclosed area without having an outside person finding a key or tool to open the front trunk. Also, there is no light in the front trunk so it is completely dark when closed. This feature (emergency release button) previously came standard in this make and model prior to October 2025.

NHTSA ID

11710114

Incident

Oct 30, 2025