Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2026 Tesla Model Y
NHTSA data on file today
The 2026 Tesla Model Y has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 298 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 4 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V558000 Front Suspension Lateral Link May Separate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V445000 Noncompliant Vehicles Incorrectly Imported/FMVSS 208, 201 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V315000 Missing Certification Label NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V690000 Battery Connection Failure May Cause Loss of Drive Power NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V658000 Reverse Lights May Fail to Illuminate/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V490000 A Loose Ground Wire May Prevent Horn From Sounding NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V410000 Seat Assembly Fasteners Improperly Tightened NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V359000 Windshield Wipers Nozzles May be Blocked/FMVSS 104 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Unknown or Other 91 complaints
- Forward Collision Avoidance 86 complaints
- Electrical System 46 complaints
- Steering 38 complaints
- Lane Departure 31 complaints
- Suspension 28 complaints
Of the 298 complaints on file, 57 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 298 complaints, owners report 20 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2026 Tesla Model Y has an average reliability outlook due to 298 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns, indicating some concerns with suspension, electrical, and safety systems. The data supports cautious optimism as some failures are rare.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| suspension | Unknown | $500–$1,500 | common |
| electrical system | Unknown | $400–$1,000 | occasional |
| steering | Unknown | $300–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Replace cabin air filter
- Rotate tires
- Brake fluid check
- Battery coolant service
- Inspect brake pads
- Multi-point inspection
- Replace wiper blades
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual suspension noise
- Erratic forward collision alerts
- Electrical failures
- Steering looseness
- Lane departure issues
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2026 Tesla Model Y at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.