FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD
The 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 1,032 owner complaints, and gets about 125 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD at a glance
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (A1)
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Electricity
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 11, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
No safety recalls on file with NHTSA for this year and model. That's a good sign.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 11, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
1,032 filed- 316
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Safety features on vehicle stopped working after software update was pushed to my vehicle. GPS, all cameras including backup camera and ones used for blind spots, and cruise control have all stopped working. Time displays incorrectly due to
- 138
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I am submitting this complaint to request an investigation into a serious safety defect involving my Tesla vehicle. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has experienced a significant and unexpected loss of acceleration when I attempted to ent
- 106
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced a critical failure resulting in the vehicle displaying diagnostic code BMS_079. After the fault appeared, I was informed that the vehicle's High-Voltage (HV) Battery requires replacement at a cost exceeding
- 97
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Even after the recent recall for backup camera freezing, my backup camera froze again today. I took the car in, in the past, to report the problem and was told to reset the computer even after the technician witnessed the problem. Got cha
- 95
SERVICE BRAKES
Phantom brake incident today,5/26/26. Traveling 35mph, brakes slammed on for no apparent reason. Seatbelt tightened and my head launched forward. Neck is very strained.
- 81
STEERING
The steering is not functioning properly. This is sealed system and no where else I can get it. This a safety issue and I haven't seen any car steering failing like this. Even cars as old as 20 year has no such issues. This is huge slap on
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 11, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- ★★★★★
- Frontal
- ★★★★★
- Side
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★★★
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 11, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 125 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 131 / 117
- Est. fuel / yr
- $600
- CO₂ / mi
- 0 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 11, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Have a mechanic check the forward collision avoidance
Owners report problems with the forward collision avoidance more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
Are there any recalls on the 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD? +
No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD get? +
The EPA rates the 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD at 125 mpg combined (131 city / 117 highway), about $600 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD? +
Owners have filed 1,032 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, including 85 involving a crash. The most-reported area is forward collision avoidance.
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