2021 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 52owner reports
- 58,044median miles
- $3,066median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 26, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
148 of the 1,079 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 52 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 52 reports
Dead battery on other Model Y years
No other Model Y model year has enough reports of dead battery for a sheet of its own. See every Model Y year.
What this problem usually is
These owners walk out to a car that's dead. Some find it drained after sitting only a day or two, some need a jump start every week, and some have had the battery replaced more than once without the problem going away. A good number describe the dealer testing the battery, calling it fine, and sending them home.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (49 reports).
Recalls and investigations
7 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.
In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance.
The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt.
The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
All 23 recalls on the 2021 Tesla Model Y, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Model Y
Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions. Open.
Traffic safety violations while full self driving ("fsd") is engaged. Open.
Electronic door handles become inoperative. Open.
Compliance with standing general order 2021-01 reporting requirements. Open.
Actually smart summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.. Closed apr 3, 2026.
Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions. Closed mar 18, 2026.
Recall 23v838 remedy effectiveness. Open.
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Autopilot system driver controls. Closed apr 25, 2024, led to recall 23V-085.
Tesla passenger play. Closed may 26, 2023.
Autopilot & first responder scenes. Closed jun 8, 2022.
What owners paid
10 of the 52 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,000 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 37,131 and 72,175 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“After charging the vehicle threw error code âBMS_a079 Unable to charge - Maximum charge level reached Reduced maximum charge level - Schedule serviceâ. The car would no longer charge and had to be taken in for service. Tesla advised the High Voltage battery needed to be replaced. Replacing the High Voltage battery resolved the issue.”
Filed Jan 15, 2026
“Battery is not able to charge . The message shows need services Bring the car to Tesla service center , they told us the battery need to be replaced. They did not tell us what caused the battery to die. The car has about 30000 miles on it . Daily driving to work. Donât understand why the battery dies so fast . Does anyone report the same problem on 2021 Tesla model Y ?”
Filed Jul 28, 2023 · 30,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 52 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 363 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 330 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 181 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 104 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 103 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 75 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 43 reports
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) does something unsafe 35 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 30 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 26 reports