My Investigation Into 2026 Tesla Model Y Problems: What Every Owner Needs to Know
Problem analysis of the 2026 Tesla Model Y found issues including Full Self-Driving safety defects, suspension rattling, and a missing front trunk emergency release.
Reports of phantom braking in Tesla vehicles have circulated for many years. My lemon law firm is well aware of phantom braking in Tesla vehicles. Despite that, I am still always surprised when I receive a call about the issue and hear an owner describe what actually happened.
I recently began examining the 2026 Tesla Model Y after a client contacted me specifically about repeated phantom braking events within only a few months of ownership. That experience led me to question whether this was an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern.
I am Sergei Lemberg, and for more than twenty years I have represented consumers in lemon law and vehicle defect matters. In evaluating this issue, I reviewed NHTSA complaint data, consumer reports, and our own internal data. Here is what I found.
Most Common Problems Reported with the 2026 Tesla Model Y
Several data sources including NHTSA complaints, expert reviews, and Lemberg Law’s internal data reveal recurring issues reported by 2026 Tesla Model Y owners. The main reported problems are:
Steering Failures and Lock-Ups: Instances of power steering loss making the vehicle uncontrollable.
Full Self-Driving (FSD) Malfunctions: Unsafe maneuvers, running red lights, and wrong turns during autonomous driving.
Missing Emergency Release in Front Trunk (Frunk): Absence of an interior release button posing entrapment hazards.
Suspension Noise and Vibration: Loud clunking, rattles, and persistent vibrations affecting driving comfort and safety.
Top Problem #1: Phantom Braking
I found that phantom braking is reported frequently by Model Y owners and presents a safety concern, particularly at highway speeds. The issue occurs when the vehicle applies the brakes without an identifiable external cause.
Commonly reported symptoms include:
Sudden deceleration at highway speeds
Brake lights activating without driver input
Drivers and nearby vehicles being caught off guard, increasing collision risk
No visible objects or traffic conditions that would explain the braking
Owner quotes from my research include:
“Phantom braking on the highway. We were the only car and without warning the car slammed on the brakes”
“Phantom braking sudden to a full stop for no known reason in the middle of the road, throwing my dogs into the floor and the car stopped completely on the highway.”
“…my wife was driving to work at around 40 mph when the car suddenly performed a hard brake (phantom braking), coming to a complete stop for no apparent reason. …she was not using Autopilot or Full Self-Driving at the time of the incident.”
Top Problem #2: Full Self-Driving (FSD) Malfunctions
The 2026 Model Y’s FSD system has generated numerous safety complaints related to unpredictable and dangerous behavior while engaged.
The vehicle runs red lights or initiates turns on red arrows without warning.
Sudden and sharp unintended lane changes, sometimes entering oncoming traffic lanes.
Failure to detect stationary objects such as garbage trucks or poles during low-speed maneuvers, leading to collisions and damage.
Unexpected acceleration when stopped at lights or in parking lots, sometimes causing crashes.
Phantom braking causing abrupt stops on open roads without any hazard.
Here’s how one owner described a FSD problem:
“My Tesla Model Y was in Full Self Driving Mode when it turned into a garbage truck, leading to a total loss to my car. There were no warnings from the Tesla system that could have helped me prevent the crash. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but my car is not longer usable.”
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Top Problem #3: Steering System Failures
Multiple owners report sudden loss of power steering making the vehicle impossible to steer. Here are the symptoms of this steering issue:
Owners experiencing steering lockup during driving or while parked.
Sudden steering failures leading to crashes or near-misses.
Multiple service visits and replacements of steering gear assemblies with inconsistent results.
Warnings such as “steering assist not available” appearing before or during incidents.
What Should You Do If Your 2026 Tesla Model Y Is a Lemon?
Under state lemon laws, a vehicle may be considered a lemon if it has a substantial defect covered by warranty that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. I recommend the following steps if you believe your Model Y qualifies:
Document every issue thoroughly, including dates, symptoms, repair attempts, and communications with Tesla or service centers.
File complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and your state’s consumer protection agency.
Consult with a lemon law attorney to evaluate your rights. Lemon laws vary by state but often allow owners to receive a replacement, refund, or financial compensation.
Remember that lemon law claims are time sensitive, so act quickly to protect your rights.
At Lemberg Law, we help consumers navigate the lemon law process at no upfront cost. We don’t get paid unless we win your case. If you own a 2026 Tesla Model Y with unresolved defects, contact us today for a free consultation.
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."
