2021 Tesla Model Y back over prevention problems

Jun 3, 2026 · failed Jun 1, 2026 · CA

Even after the recent recall for backup camera freezing, my backup camera froze again today. I took the car in, in the past, to report the problem and was told to reset the computer even after the technician witnessed the problem. Got charged $300 so haven't been back. Problem has been there for a couple of years. I had hoped the software update would fix it but no such luck.

Apr 16, 2026 · failed Apr 1, 2026 · IL

The rear camera has failed posing a safety issue when reversing the vehicle.

Aug 5, 2025 · failed Aug 1, 2025 · CO

The GPS and camera functionality went out on the same day several days ago. The car thinks it is at Tesla’s headquarters in CA and so you cannot find a charging station near your actual location, and no cameras work meaning the additional safety features for collisions do not function at all. This is a widespread issue based on Tesla user forums.

Jul 23, 2025 · failed Jul 23, 2025 · CO

All cameras went blank on vehicle 4 year and 7 months old. All driver assistance systems became suddenly disabled. Tesla service diagnosis established that computer needs to be replaced for a cost of $2,000.

May 3, 2025 · failed Feb 16, 2025 · CA

- Computer appears to stop working in colder temperatures (or random). - ALL cameras, including rear view camera (needed for backing up) and side cameras stop working. Error message shown on touch screen saying cameras are not available. - All road sensing information including other cars, lanes markers (everything) disappears from touch screen dashboard and no longer works. There are no longer any warnings for anything. - GPS tracking stops and no longer tracks along with the car. Car becomes a safety hazard due to poor visibility. Especially evident during reverse.

May 2, 2025 · failed Apr 6, 2025 · CA · crash

While reversing in this 2021 Tesla Model Y (software v12, 2025.14.1, Full Self-Driving Supervised), the vehicle’s ultrasonic sensors showed a wall directly behind on the display. However, the Tesla Vision camera system did not visually render the wall, and neither Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) nor Obstacle-Aware Acceleration activated. The car reversed under driver input directly into the wall, causing a collision with property damage. The safety defect appears to be that the ultrasonic sensors, although still present and visually displayed, are no longer integrated into the collision avoidance systems after Tesla’s software updates activating Tesla Vision. As a result, the AEB and OAA systems seem to rely only on camera data, ignoring ultrasonic sensor input — leaving a dangerous blind spot in reverse. This problem affects safety because the driver receives no warning that AEB or OAA will not engage based on ultrasonic detection alone. Tesla’s updated owner manuals (2023.12) state that AEB is now designed to work in reverse, but in this case, the system failed. The issue has not yet been inspected by Tesla or a dealer but appears reproducible on vehicles with ultrasonic sensors running Tesla Vision software. This is likely a widespread defect affecting 2020–2022 Tesla Model 3, Y, S, and X vehicles equipped with ultrasonic sensors but updated via software. There were no warning lights or system alerts before the failure. I request NHTSA investigate whether Tesla’s software has disabled or failed to integrate ultrasonic sensor data into rear collision avoidance, creating an undisclosed safety risk for owners.

Apr 2, 2025 · failed Feb 3, 2025 · CA

Per the Tesla service team, there is a defect in the car computer which causes intermittent signal of the backup camera, failure of automatic emergency braking, and also Autopilot unavailability in a 2021 Tesla Model Y with less than 40k miles on it. This issue only occurred after a software update and affects key safety features such as blind spot warning proximity warnings. The Tesla service team said the only way to solve it was to replace the entire car computer and charged us $2,583 for their own product defect. The car did issue alerts to us saying that Autopilot and automatic emergency braking were unavailable, but did not detect issues with intermittent camera signal.

Jan 15, 2025 · failed Dec 26, 2024 · CA

The rear view camera didn't work, neither did the windshield wiper. When turning left or right, the sensors did not display anything, the display no longer displayed any distances to other cars, proximity lines, nor speed limits. GPS also did not work. The problems were confirmed by the dealer (and fixed), but they charged us even though the incident involved a software update on their part that made most advanced safety features unavailable available. When we tried to reverse, we could not see anything. When we tried to make a left or right turn, there were no sensors available to sense blind spots. When we tried to understand the speed limit or change lanes, the information was not available. Wipers were patchy in use Auto pilot also did not work. Warnings kept beeping while driving, but we could not turn it off, serving as a distraction to driver, but Tesla was unable to address the repair due to their mass recall of other cars (with similar issues).

Jan 8, 2025 · failed Jan 8, 2025 · IL

This report addresses concerns regarding recent safety updates in the Tesla Model Y, specifically focusing on the "Rear Cross Traffic Alert" and the blind spot warning system. These updates are intended to enhance driver awareness and prevent collisions. However, there are significant shortcomings in their current implementation that may compromise driver safety. 1. Rear Cross Traffic Alert: Intended Functionality: The "Rear Cross Traffic Alert" is designed to warn drivers of approaching vehicles from the side when reversing, thereby preventing potential collisions. Current Implementation: The system currently highlights a portion of the infotainment screen in red when a potential hazard is detected. There is no accompanying audible alert to notify the driver of the danger. Safety Concerns: Drivers are likely to be looking over their shoulder or at their mirrors while reversing, rather than at the infotainment screen. The lack of an audible alert means that drivers may not notice the visual warning, especially if their attention is directed away from the screen. This could lead to an increased risk of collision, as the visual cue alone may not be sufficient to capture the driver's attention. 2. Blind Spot Warning System: Intended Functionality: The blind spot warning system is designed to alert drivers of vehicles in their blind spot when the turn signal is activated, helping to prevent lane-change collisions. Current Implementation: Similar to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert, the system highlights the screen in red when a vehicle is detected in the blind spot. No audible warning is provided to alert the driver. Safety Concerns: In adverse weather conditions, such as rain, drivers may rely more heavily on blind spot warnings due to reduced visibility. Drivers typically turn their heads to check for vehicles, which means they may not see the screen's visual alert. Without an audible warning, drivers may inadvertently change lanes into an occupied space, increas

Feb 23, 2024 · failed Feb 23, 2024 · VA

I often experience significant lag for rearview camera and the turn signal indicator lights. Sometimes it takes up to 10 seconds for the rearview camera view to come up. It's dangerous because it's hard to tell if the car is in reverse or not. Sometimes it takes multiple attempts to change gear. I have similar experience with the turn signal indicators. It takes multiple attempts for the signals to come up, or there is often significant delay on when I turn on the signal and when the lights actually come on.

Jan 30, 2024 · failed Jan 30, 2024 · CA

Rear ultra sonic sensors (USS) sliding into the vehicle. No impact or cause for rear sensors to move. Two of the four rear USS pieces are moving back in their housing and are no longer flush with the bumper.

Sep 8, 2023 · failed Aug 17, 2023 · TX · fire

Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Vehicle Fire - model y performance 2021, XXXXXXXXXXX Dear Tesla Customer Relations & CarMax, I am writing to express my deep concern and file a formal complaint regarding a serious incident involving my Tesla [model y performance ,, 2021, XXXXXXXXXXXXX], which caught fire on August 1st 2023 while in operation. This incident has raised significant safety concerns for me and my family and requires immediate attention and resolution. The vehicle fire occurred under normal driving conditions, and thankfully, no one was injured in the incident. However, the fire resulted in substantial damage to the vehicle and posed a significant risk to nearby properties and individuals. The incident has left me shaken and worried about the safety of Tesla vehicles. I have attached the following documents and information for your reference: I have been a loyal Tesla customer and have appreciated the innovative features and benefits that your vehicles offer. However, this incident has eroded my confidence in the safety and reliability of your products. I kindly request a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and an explanation of the circumstances that led to this incident. Additionally, I request information on any recalls, technical bulletins, or potential issues associated with the model of my vehicle. Furthermore, I urge you to take immediate action to prevent similar incidents from occurring in other vehicles. Safety should be the utmost priority for any automobile manufacturer, and I hope Tesla will take swift measures to address any potential risks. I understand that accidents can happen, but it is essential that Tesla demonstrates transparency, accountability, and a commitment to ensuring the safety of its customers. I expect to be kept informed about the progress of the investigation and any steps that will be taken to prevent future incidents. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and expect INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATI

Nov 30, 2022 · failed Mar 16, 2022 · 9,400 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that the display screen would intermittently fail to operate as needed, without warning. The contact also stated that the power windows failed to operate as needed. The contact had taken the vehicle to the Service Center on multiple occasions for various updates; however, the power window failure persisted after each update. The contact recently received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V702000 (Visibility). The contact stated that the back-up camera was displaying a distorted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,400.

Oct 11, 2022 · failed Oct 8, 2022 · NH

I started a drive from my house. I entered a destination into the NAV system, it plotted a route. I then proceeded to start my drive. When I tried to backup, the backup cameras did not display any video, I waited over 1 minute and there was still no video. I then proceeded with my drive. The car would not start the cruise control, autopilot or FSD functions. Whenever I tried to engage the systems the car would state that they are unavailable. At this time, I also noticed that the NAV system was not updating the display, it continued to display the same image that showed that I was at home in the driveway. After 15 minutes, I pulled into a parking lot to video the problem. First, I put the car in reverse and recorded that the cameras did not display video for over 30 seconds, I then started to drive and recorded that the navigation display was not updating. The display that usually has the lane markings and displays the other vehicles was also not working, there was no information other than a picture of my car with a totally blank gray area around it. I have contacted Tesla about the problem, but they keep saying that they don't detect any problem with the car. I sent them the video and am waiting to hear back from them.

Jul 30, 2022 · failed Jul 29, 2022 · CA

The driver infotainment system locks up randomly. Which makes all safety features, turn signal indicators, backup camera, reverse mode (mirrors drop), speedometer, collision sensors, etc NON-FUNCTIONAL. Until either the system crashes or finally unfreezes. This also removes one-pedal driving as well when frozen. Version is 2022.16.3

Jun 5, 2022 · failed Jun 4, 2022 · CA · crash

2021 Tesla's rear-view camera and collision warning systems did not activate when backing out of a parking spot. Tesla screen showed the navigation map instead of the rear-view camera while I was backing out at low speed ~2 mph. A 2003 Honda Pilot directly behind me was also backing up at the same time resulting in a collision. After the crash, I confirmed that all safety features were enabled and I have always installed all regularly scheduled updates. After searching online forums, I found many customers reporting problems with their on-screen camera not activating. I have noticed that the camera did not consistently activate in the past. Sometimes it would, other times I would have to manually press the Camera button on-screen in order to view behind me. There were no on-screen notifications of problems before the event. However, there was one notable change I made to re-enable Sentry Mode (security) after being disabled for some time. Prior to the event, I was notified that two Sentry Camera events were available to watch but they would not load when I touched on screen. After the crash, I discovered after the crash that both Sentry and Dash Cam were not working so there was no footage at all of the crash! Nor were these Sentry events visible. This leads me to believe there is a bug with the camera system.

Jun 1, 2022 · failed Mar 28, 2022 · NY · crash · 1 injured

1. Pulling the car into a parking spot at a low speed (tight parking space for which you had to turn the car at a 90 degree angle, so had to be slow). 2. Applied brakes BUT the brakes didn't work. 3. Car went through very thick hedges and over a ledge (parking collision and emergency brakes didn't work). Follow up: Filed a data request with Tesla and they denied the request.

Mar 15, 2022 · failed Feb 3, 2022 · CA

Phantom breaking while using adaptive cruise control. Happened 3 times in past two months. First two times were traveling on a major highway, both on a hilly section at the bottom of a hill, with no other cars nearby. The car apparently thought the hill was something that should cause the breaks to engage. Car went from about 70 to 55 in a few seconds. Very startling. The third time was on a residential road, going about 38-40. There were no cars nearby, and the breaks engaged abruptly. The safety implications are obvious, although luckily there were no cars behind us when the breaks went on. We reported these incidents to Tesla today and asked for a service appointment. A Tesla representative called us and said we had assumed these risks when we bought a Tesla, there was nothing they could do, and it was probably driver error. They did agree to make an “internal report.” We told them we would report this to you. This is our second Tesla. We had a 2018 Model 3 and never had any problem like this. We wanted more storage space and higher seating, so we sold the 3 and bought the Y in July 2021, not understanding that Tesla had changed to an “all camera,” no radar/lidar safety system. Add us to the growing list of evidence that the new system is dangerously faulty.

Mar 15, 2022 · failed Mar 10, 2022 · CA · crash

Pulling into a parking space, at very slow speed, pressed service brake to stop car. The car suddenly accelerated at high speed, hit a tree directly in front of the space, veered off and sprinted across another parking space and a two lane passage, hit a brick pillar, veered into the wall of a restaurant, bounced off the wall and back into the street. All airbags deployed. No one was injured. Car probably totaled.

Feb 17, 2022 · failed Jan 26, 2022 · CA

The display of the rear view camera on the screen is not synched. Sometimes it shows something that happened moments earlier. For example, it may show me as I am walking toward the car. Then it “lags” as you back up, meaning that it shows you in an earlier position than where you really are. This is super dangerous as it may not show the real time presence of another car, a pedestrian who is crossing behind your car as you back up, or an object. It also give the driver the false sense of being in the wrong place. We have two Teslas, this is a model Y and the other is a model 3. We have experienced the same problem in both since Tesla pushed a software update in January. I notified Tesla and asked for a repair. The response was that a software patch would be forthcoming. That was weeks ago. Again, this is a super dangerous flaw in the software for the display of the back up camera. I am worried that a pedestrian will get run over by a Tesla driver who does not “see” that pedestrian in the back up screen, or a crash.

Feb 14, 2022 · failed Oct 22, 2021 · MN · crash

First, the car was not in auto pilot mode or cruise control. The car was driven into the garage, 22 inches from the landing and put in park. The “P” was lit so it was in park when it suddenly lurched forward and hit the landing and the four way flasher came on. Damage has been repaired but was $2500. Per Tesla, the car was not at fault and the car functioned as intended but it was driver error. With all the safety features that this car has, why did it not sound a warning or apply brakes to prevent this from happening. I have read about hundreds of thousand’s of incidents of sudden unintentional acceleration but yet nothing has been done about it. There is another problem with phantom braking when the car suddenly stops if you use the cruise control. I do not use cruise control because of this problem. Tesla continues to add games and other nonsense but have done nothing to fix these problems. I reported this to the Minnesota Attorney Generals office and they suggested that I contact the nhtsa. Their response from Tesla was also that it was driver error and it was not, the car was in park.

Dec 27, 2021 · failed Dec 4, 2021 · MA · crash

The backup warning system did not work when I backed out of a driveway on a dark night. I knew there was a black car (sedan I believe) parked along the curb across from the driveway, and could partly see it in the backup camera when the tail lights would turn on (i.e., when I stepped off the drive pedal), but was unable to tell exactly how close I was to the car. There were no beeps from my car to warn me. My car stopped abruptly as the edge of my trunk lid hit what I guess was the corner of the other car. All damage appears to have been to my car - a dent in the trunk lid. I reported all of this to Tesla through their service app, and received a list of places from which I can get an estimate to repair the damage, but never received an explanation from them of their evaluation of the car's records I want to point out that I believe my Tesla includes all camera sensors - a change they apparently made over the summer. My car was ordered in June 2021 for September delivery.

Nov 7, 2021 · failed Nov 7, 2021 · MN

Sudden, hard self breaking when in autopilot mode. Danger of collision at high speeds.

Jul 29, 2021 · failed Jul 18, 2021 · TN · crash

I purchased the Tesla Full Self-Driving capability via subscription for my 2021 Tesla Model Y on Saturday, July 17, 2021. On Sunday, July 18, 2021 at approximately 12:40pm CT. while activating the Smart Summon feature in a private residential parking lot, the car drove itself into a tree damaging the front of the car resulting in a total cost of $1,799.32. Tesla is refusing to refund me the $200.00 for the Self-Driving subscription after their software malfunctioned. This is a dangerous feature that is available to millions of drivers. Video footage of the incident is here: https://vimeo.com/580859343 This is the description of Smart Summoned directly from Tesla’s website: https://www.tesla.com/support/autopilot#usingautopilot Smart Summon is designed to allow your car to drive to you or a location of your choosing, maneuvering around and stopping for objects as necessary. Like Summon, Smart Summon is only intended for use in private parking lots and driveways. You are still responsible for your car and must monitor it and its surroundings at all times and be within your line of sight because it may not detect all obstacles. Be especially careful around quick moving people, bicycles and cars. To use Smart Summon, open your Tesla app, tap Summon and then select the Smart Summon icon. To activate the feature, press and hold the COME TO ME button. Alternatively, tap the target icon, set the target destination of your choice by adjusting the map, and then press and hold the GO TO TARGET button. You can stop your car from driving at any time by releasing the button. Smart Summon works with your Tesla app and your phone’s GPS to operate. You must be within approximately 200 feet of your car to use. Smart Summon requires the latest version of the Tesla mobile app (3.10.0 or later). Please refer to the Owner’s Manual for additional details about this feature.

Jul 19, 2021 · failed Jun 1, 2021 · CA · crash

I pulled up next to a parking space in a parking lot and the Tesla auto park feature was offered on the screen after detecting the parking spot. I pressed to auto park and the tesla proceeded to perform the auto park. During the parking the tesla hit the truck parked in front of the tesla while turning into the space and broke the taillight of the truck and scratched the tesla on right front side. I then braked and disable the auto park after the collision. I reported the incident to Tesla and they reported back that they don't see any issues with the sensors at that time and they say I need to take full responsibility. I cannot think of anything that was particularly challenging for this parking spot or surroundings. It seems a bad calculation by the sensors of Tesla or the software and it made a mistake. Given this experience I cannot trust any of Tesla autopilot features now. They have concluded they will not do anything about it.

Jun 25, 2021 · failed Jun 5, 2021 · VA · crash · 1 injured

I had turned into the Taco Bell address: 5217 Mudd Tavern Rd, Woodford, VA 22580 when the car surged and sped. I was able to avoid a person and the dog. But the car continued to accelerate. I tried to utilize the brake system but it did not engage and continued speeding into the next parking lot address 5217 Mudd Tavern Road, Woodford, VA 22580. The car did not stop for trees and so I had to stop the car by impact with a dumpster in the Best Western Plus parking lot. This happened on June 5th 2021. I have tried to get the video from the hotel but to no avail. The Senior Deputy is [XXX] Spotsylvania county. They have the scene photographs. His email is [XXX]. Phone [XXX] ext 3936. The case file number is [XXX]. Over the last 40 years of driving my records are excellent. I really would like to understand the reason for the crash. I am not getting any assistance in a rapid manner to determine the cause. Since I have driven multiple car type over the years I need to understand why this car caused this. Hoping nobody else has to go through this. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).