NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2026 Tesla Model Y Safety Record
The 2026 Tesla Model Y has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 8 recalls and 271 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2026 Tesla Model Y has not received published crash-test ratings from NHTSA. This means no star ratings are available to assess its collision performance, precluding a definitive verdict on its safety in a crash. The model faces a significant administrative safety record, marked by 6 open recall campaigns and 271 owner-reported complaints. Among these complaints are 51 alleged crash-related events and 19 alleged injuries. Recalls address components from seat fasteners to battery contactors.
The 2026 Tesla Model Y has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, carries a Heavy recall and complaint burden band, and is the subject of 6 federal recall campaigns according to NHTSA data published at nhtsa.gov.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Heavy |
| Recalls on file | 8 |
| Owner complaints | 271 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Tesla Model Y?
Six recall campaigns within a twelve-month span, addressing issues from seat back fasteners to battery pack contactors, place a heavy burden on the 2026 Tesla Model Y. This is compounded by 271 owner complaints, 51 of which allege crash involvement and 19 reporting injuries. The Forward Collision Avoidance system is the subject of 74 unverified complaint reports, a notable concentration for this model year. Additional concerns are registered within the Electrical System and Steering categories. While the 2025 Model Y achieved a Safety Index of 92 and the 2024 a 91, the 2026 model has not been evaluated by NHTSA, precluding any direct safety comparison or transfer of those scores.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Tesla Model Y have any recalls?
The 2026 Model Y's 6 recall campaigns span seat back fasteners that may not have been properly installed, battery pack contactors that may fail and cause a loss of drive power, reverse lights that may fail to illuminate while reversing, a horn ground wire ring terminal that may be improperly secured, and a missing certification label. The battery contactor failure and the reverse light failure carry direct driving-safety implications. NHTSA has not issued a park-outside or do-not-drive directive in the data provided, but owners should verify open-recall status by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS26V558000
Risk: A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will tighten or replace the fasteners and check wheel the alignment, free of charge. In addition, Tesla Service will replace any related parts that may have been damaged as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 30, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-31-004.
Reported 2026-09-01
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS26V445000
Risk: A noncompliant vehicle may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or resolutions@tesla.com. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-004.
Reported 2026-07-07
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS26V315000
Risk: Missing weight information provided by the label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and install a certification label as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-19-002.
Reported 2026-05-19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:FUSES, RELAYS, CONTACTS, AND SHUNTS25V690000
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the battery pack contactors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-16-005.
Reported 2025-10-10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING25V658000
Risk: Reverse lights that fail to illuminate reduce visibility and may not alert pedestrians or other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the reverse lights and reverse facia harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 26, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-17-011.
Reported 2025-10-01
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN25V490000
Risk: An inoperable horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers as needed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla service will replace the steering wheel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were be mailed September 23, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-17-009.
Reported 2025-07-28
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS25V410000
Risk: The seat may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service Centers will inspect and tighten or replace the seat assembly fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-13-003.
Reported 2025-06-18
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES25V359000
Risk: The inability to clean the windshield reduces the driver’s visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla service will inspect and replace the wiper arm elbow connector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.
Reported 2025-05-30
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2026 Tesla Model Y?
Owners have filed 271 unverified complaints with NHTSA against the 2026 Model Y. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Unknown or Other issues (85 reports), Forward Collision Avoidance behavior (74 reports), Electrical System concerns (40 reports), Steering (35 reports), Lane Departure system behavior (26 reports), and Suspension (26 reports). These are unverified consumer allegations, not established findings.
271 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Tesla Model Y?
The 2026 Tesla Model Y was subject to six distinct recall campaigns. Prospective buyers are advised to verify the recall completion status for any specific vehicle through NHTSA's free online lookup tool prior to purchase.
- The 2026 Model Y has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, meaning no Safety Index or star ratings exist for this specific model year.
- Six recall campaigns are on record for this model year, including one covering battery pack contactors that may fail and cause a loss of drive power, and one covering seat back fasteners that may not be properly installed.
- Owners have filed 271 unverified complaints with NHTSA, with Forward Collision Avoidance behavior accounting for 74 of those reports, the single largest named component category.
- Shoppers should use the NHTSA VIN lookup tool at nhtsa.gov to verify whether any of the six recall campaigns remain open and unaddressed on a specific 2026 Model Y unit.
FAQ2026 Tesla Model Y safety questions
Was the 2026 Tesla Model Y crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 8 recalls and 271 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2026 Tesla Model Y have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 8 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2026 Tesla Model Y. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2026 Tesla Model Y?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 271 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Tesla Model Y. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Tesla Model Y 2026.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.