The 2024 Tesla Model Y continues Tesla’s push into the electric SUV market, attracting buyers with its technology and long-range capabilities. This article investigates common problems reported by owners, drawing from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints, consumer feedback from forums, and internal data. We’ve been standing up to car manufacturers over vehicle defects since 2006, and our analysis of motor vehicle complaints helps owners see whether their issues may qualify under lemon law protections.
Several data sources reveal recurring issues reported by 2024 Tesla Model Y owners. Based on complaint frequency and severity, the primary problems include:
AP4 Computer and Camera Failures: Sudden loss of all cameras and driver assistance features following software updates.
Unintended Acceleration: Reports of the vehicle accelerating without driver input, causing dangerous situations or accidents.
Phantom Braking and Cruise Control Issues: Unexpected hard braking during cruise control or Full Self-Driving (FSD) use.
Steering and Power Assist Malfunctions: Steering wheel locking or loss of power steering while driving.
Battery and Coolant System Defects: Coolant leaks causing vehicle shutdown and severe warnings before failure.
Other complaints include malfunctioning headlights, windshield defects, tire and wheel failures, and software update bugs affecting vehicle usability.
2024 Tesla Model Y Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
The most significant issue with the 2024 Model Y reported involves the failure of Tesla’s AP4 central computer. This failure results in a complete shutdown of all cameras and safety systems, including rearview, side, and front cameras, cruise control, autopilot functions, emergency braking, lane keeping, and blind spot detection.
Owner-Reported Symptoms:
No rearview, side, or front camera feed available.
All driver-assist features including autopilot and adaptive cruise control stop working.
Navigation system freezes or displays incorrect location, disrupting route planning and supercharger preconditioning.
Increased battery drainage due to systems trying and failing to reboot repeatedly.
Vehicle displays warnings about system failure but provides no immediate resolution.
Example from NHTSA data:
“All Cameras, including backup camera stopped working on the car. This has also disabled Cruise Control, automatic breaking, and lane departure. There was no warning that these features would stop working”
Top Problem #2: Unintended Acceleration Incidents
Another concern for 2024 Model Y owners is unintended acceleration. Several complaints involve the vehicle accelerating unexpectedly, sometimes at low speeds in parking lots or driveways, and occasionally while driving on roads with traffic.
Owner-Reported Symptoms and Challenges:
Sudden forward or backward acceleration without driver input.
Brake pedal failing to slow the car immediately during these events.
Steering wheel locking or reduced steering responsiveness, complicating control.
Airbags sometimes fail to deploy despite severe impact.
Tesla’s slow or inadequate response to complaints, with some cases lacking full investigation.
Take a look at what one owner shared on this issue:
“I was parking the Tesla Model Y at very low speed, when there was a sudden unintended acceleration. The car banged against the wall of a building and was severely damaged. My family, wife and two children were in the car.”
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Top Problem #3: Phantom Braking and Cruise Control Malfunctions
Phantom braking remains a persistent complaint with the 2024 Model Y. Drivers report that while using adaptive cruise control or Full Self-Driving features, the vehicle abruptly applies brakes without any visible hazard. This unexpected braking causes the vehicle to decelerate sharply, often endangering the occupants and other road users.
This sudden braking can induce rear-end collisions by trailing vehicles, particularly on highways and multi-lane roads.
Common symptoms include:
Sharp deceleration without obstacle detection.
Loud audible alarms and warning messages prompting immediate driver intervention.
Inability to predict or control braking events.
Read one description of this issue:
“My car slammed on the brakes on the highway this morning at 75 mph. A box truck was following me but thankfully he didn’t hit me. I was in what Tesla calls Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC) at the time and quickly brought the car out of TACC and hit the accelerator to get me back up to speed so I didn’t pose a danger to other drivers on the highway. I don’t know exactly how much my car slowed, but it was enough to throw me forward in my seat. There were no vehicles in front of me at the time.”
What Should You Do If Your Tesla Is a Lemon?
A lemon is a vehicle that has substantial defects impairing its use, value, or safety, which the manufacturer cannot fix after a reasonable number of attempts. If your 2024 Tesla Model Y has persistent issues such as those described above, you may be entitled to legal protections under lemon laws. To take action:
Document all problems thoroughly: Keep records of repair orders, service visits, communications with Tesla, and any safety incidents.
File complaints: Report issues to the manufacturer, the dealership, and regulatory agencies such as the NHTSA.
Explore legal options: Lemon laws vary by state but can provide remedies like vehicle replacement or refund.
If you believe your Model Y qualifies as a lemon, contact Lemberg Law today for a free consultation. Our legal team can help determine your eligibility for compensation or vehicle buyback, guiding you through a risk-free process where you don’t pay unless we win your case.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
