2026 Tesla Model Y Interior & seats Problems

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

The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that the trunk release button was removed. The contact stated that the manufacturer no longer produced vehicles with a trunk release. The contact was concerned that a child might become trapped in the trunk. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

NHTSA ID

11731779

Incident

Apr 17, 2026

Mileage

23,000 mi

Since taking delivery of my 2026 Tesla Model Y, the driver's seat seatback rocks forward and backward during normal acceleration and braking. The movement is both audible (squeaking/creaking) and tactile — the seat physically shifts under the driver's weight during vehicle operation. This is not an intermittent or minor issue; it occurs consistently every time the vehicle accelerates from a stop or decelerates. A rocking driver's seat is a safety concern. The driver's seating position directly affects their ability to control the steering wheel, reach pedals accurately, and be properly restrained by the seatbelt and airbag system in the event of a collision. A seat that moves unexpectedly during normal driving undermines all of these functions. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether this defect is present across 2026 Model Y vehicles beyond the scope of recall SB-25-13-003, and whether Tesla's practice of charging diagnostic fees for safety-related warranty claims warrants further regulatory action."

NHTSA ID

11722326

Incident

Mar 5, 2026

1. There is a constant thunking noise coming from the front suspension when traveling on slightly bumpy roads at low speeds. 2. Both front seats squeak and squeal as if they are loose and not bolted in correctly. 3. Front brakes screach and squeal when coming to a stop in cold or wet weather, escpecially pronounced during cold weather. (This is an active service bulletin in all vehicles made in their Berlin factory but is happening in U.S. built vehicles as well.

NHTSA ID

11722218

Incident

Nov 20, 2025

The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that the model year was advertised with a front trunk emergency release and interior lighting. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, the contact became aware that the vehicle was not designed with the front trunk emergency release or interior lighting, which the contact considered a safety issue and a violation of FMVSS No. 401. The Tesla Service Center was contacted and confirmed that the model year and other vehicles were no longer designed with the missing parts. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 570.

NHTSA ID

11718717

Incident

Feb 16, 2026

Mileage

570 mi

The passenger side seat heat was on and burnt the leather of passenger side seat.

NHTSA ID

11717150

Incident

Feb 5, 2026

Tesla driver seat folding down and moving forward automatically, especially when the driver is seated: It keeps happening when I enter the car. It might be triggered by my pressing the brake before i decide to start driving, or even while I am simply parked for a while, without giving any instructions to the seat. My searches online point to the easy entry setting.This dangerous behaviour is not part of a correct definition of easy entry. Why are sensors and stupid programming now allowed to override the safety of the driver? There is no such thing as "correctly detecting the driver or not" dangerous stupidities with older and even more mechanical driver seats, and with older versions of motorised driver seats in other cars. The seat was not empty and the seated driver gave no movement and no folding instructions to the tesla car driver seat.

NHTSA ID

11710015

Incident

Jan 9, 2026

There is no safety frunk release to open the hood from inside if a child is trapped inside.

NHTSA ID

11697091

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

Description of the problem: The front trunk (“frunk”) of my 2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper is missing the interior emergency release button and light. This component, which was present in earlier Model Y versions, allows a person trapped inside the frunk to open it from the inside. In my vehicle, there is no visible button, glow-in-the-dark handle, or wiring harness for this feature. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The malfunction involves the frunk emergency release mechanism (illumination and release button assembly). The component appears to have been omitted during manufacturing. The frunk and all relevant panels are available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Without an interior release, a person—especially a child—could become trapped in the front trunk with no way to exit, posing a risk of suffocation or heat-related injury. The frunk is large enough for a small child to enter and can be closed from outside the vehicle. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue was confirmed by Tesla Service, which stated the vehicle was “built as designed” without the interior emergency release. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Yes. The vehicle was inspected by a Tesla Service Center representative. No other inspections have been performed. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. There were no warning lights or error messages. The absence of the emergency release was discovered immediately after delivery. Assessment: The removal of this safety mechanism may violate the intent of FMVSS 401and presents a potential safety hazard.

NHTSA ID

11695965

Incident

Oct 27, 2025

What happened：While driving at 20 mph on [XXX] Sunny without any prior “Hood Ajar” warning, the hood suddenly popped open and smashed the windshield. The vehicle became undrivable. Safety risk：Obstructed forward visibility; near-miss crash. When/where：[XXX], Sunnyvale, CA 94086, California Vehicle info：2025 Tesla Model Y Evidence：TeslaCam (Front cam) [XXX] (skip to 0:25 in the video.) [XXX] (skip to 0:33 in the video.) [XXX] (skip to 0:01 in the video.) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11692153

Incident

Oct 7, 2025

The car gives a false alert that the front frunk is open. Drivers seat slides back and car slows to 15 mph.

NHTSA ID

11691448

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

During normal driving, the driver’s seat shifts/moves during turns. This is distracting and raises concerns about the seat’s ability to hold position in the event of a collision. I brought the vehicle to Tesla Service to address this problem. However, the service center dismissed the concern without properly diagnosing it. Specifically, Tesla did not perform a test drive to replicate the issue. My wife reviewed the trip/route history for the vehicle after the service visit and confirmed that no test drive occurred. Despite failing to properly inspect or repair the car, Tesla has now marked the issue as “resolved” in their records and has warned me that I will be charged $225 for the next visit if I continue to pursue the matter. This effectively penalizes me for their failure to perform a proper diagnostic in the first place. In summary: •The seat continues to move while driving. •Tesla did not test-drive the car to replicate the issue. •The problem was dismissed without resolution. •I have now been told I will be charged $225 if I bring the car in again. This combination of (1) an unresolved safety defect, (2) failure to properly diagnose, and (3) a threat to charge me for follow-up raises serious concerns. I request NHTSA investigate and ensure Tesla properly addresses this seat defect without penalizing owners.

NHTSA ID

11683531

Incident

Aug 8, 2025

Passenger Left rear passenger door, Right Driver Side door, Right passenger door, Trunk door would not open..rebooted car still did not open. Open car door intrenally front right..closed would not open. Same with all other doors mentioned, Tesla app show vehicle was unlocked when it was not.

NHTSA ID

11681097

Incident

Aug 16, 2025

I picked up a new model Y Juniper. I have an issue with the driver's side seat. The seat bottom is shifting and popping when turning. They replaced the seat with a brand new one. I still have the same issue.

NHTSA ID

11665528

Incident

Apr 21, 2025