2023 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet
Windshield wipers stop working
- 32owner reports
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 18, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
60 of the 1,166 complaints on this car are about the windshield and wipers. 32 of those describe wiper failure.
Tick what matches of 32 reports
Wiper failure on other Model Y years
No other Model Y model year has enough reports of wiper failure for a sheet of its own. See every Model Y year.
What this problem usually is
These owners had the wipers stop working, often in the rain, which is the worst possible moment. More than half of the complaints here mention rain or a storm. This sheet is about wipers that quit working, not blades that streak.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the windshield and wipers covers the 2023 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2023 Tesla Model Y that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
On some Model Y vehicles built at Fremont, the passenger side windshield wiper arm may make a ticking noise when the wiper is in operation. NOTE: The ticking noise does not affect the passenger side windshield wiper performance
What owners wrote
“Auto Wipers either don't work when it's raining or will always come on randomly when it's dry. Manuel wipers work fine”
Filed Feb 10, 2024
“Tesla wipers doesn't work in âautomatic settingsâ this is quite dangerous and warrant a recall.”
Filed Jan 9, 2024
“When wipers are in auto mode they do not start until well after visibility is at a dangerous level.”
Filed Oct 30, 2023
“Steering got locked and stiffened in middle of the road in traffic.had to call 911 to help me to move my car.this was scary as it could have lead to crash or accident.some time front wiper is automatically wiping in dry summer days which is sometimes blocks the view while driving. Had to switch off the auto mode for wiper.”
Filed Aug 2, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 32 reports involved a crash. 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 259 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 229 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 154 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 126 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 106 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 92 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 77 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 58 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 45 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 42 reports
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) does something unsafe 41 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 40 reports
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 27 reports