Tesla Model Y Transmission / powertrain problems
77 of the 3,749 complaints about the Tesla Model Y (2.1%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's #10 problem area. That share is 0.2× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
Analysis
By model year, Transmission / powertrain complaints peak with the 2021 model (28, 3% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (1). 20 Transmission / powertrain complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 9 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
Owners most often describe: “rear unit”, “rear motor”, “center”, “inverter” and “front motor”. 15 of these reports (19.5%) describe a crash or fire, with 4 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
No recall campaign addresses Transmission / powertrain for the tracked model years.
By model year
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 20 · Previous 12 months: 9
Common terms in reports
- rear unit6
- rear motor6
- center19
- inverter6
- front motor4
- power reduced6
What owners report
COMPONENT/SYSTEM THAT FAILED: The service brakes failed to stop the vehicle. While reverse-parking at low (parking) speed, I applied the brake pedal and the vehicle did not stop as expected, resulting in contact with an object and vehicle damage.
The contact’s wife owned a 2022 Tesla Y. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, his wife shifted the gear shifter into drive(D), and the vehicle independently accelerated. The Autonomous feature was not engaged.
On the morning of 8-17, 2026, the vehicle experienced a total electrical power loss and high-voltage system deadlock immediately following an official Tesla Over-The-Air (OTA) software update pushed the previous night.
The high-voltage battery failed unexpectedly shortly after the warranty expired (with only 9,000 miles past warranty). Tesla Service confirmed a main high-voltage battery defect and quoted a full battery replacement.
SAFETY DEFECT REPORT: Sudden Power Loss & Falsified Records 1. INCIDENT & 5-HR TOWING (XXX): On XXX at ~16:30, while executing a low-speed (<10 mph) left turn in Cambridge, MA, the vehicle had a sudden, total high-voltage failure mid-turn, losing all motive…
The vehicle’s secondary Autopilot Processor / car computer is internally faulted and stuck in a continuous wake/shutdown loop.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
No recall campaign addresses Transmission / powertrain for the tracked model years.
Problem areas · Tesla Model Y
- Driver-assist systems1286
- Electrical560
- Brakes482
- Steering344
- Interior & equipment252
- Wheels, tires & suspension218
- Body & structure186
- Airbags & seat belts161
- Transmission / powertrain77
- Engine55
Tesla Model Y problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›
Related reading
- Transmission problems explained: shudder, harsh shifts, CVTs and what to test on a driveHow the main automatic transmission types fail, why some designs generate far more owner complaints than others, and a practical test-drive checklist built from what owners report.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Transmission / powertrain problems on the Tesla Model Y?
77 of the 3,749 complaints about the Tesla Model Y (2.1%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's #10 problem area. That share is 0.2× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Tesla Model Y model years have the most Transmission / powertrain complaints?
By model year, Transmission / powertrain complaints peak with the 2021 model (28, 3% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (1).
Is there a recall for Tesla Model Y Transmission / powertrain problems?
No recall campaign addresses Transmission / powertrain for the tracked model years.