Tesla Model Y Phase 1
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
Generations
Engine Overview
The Tesla Model Y Phase 1 is available with 2 engine variants — from 351 to 462 hp.
The Tesla Long Range AWD (Electric, 384 PS) has the ModelY-LR (Long Range AWD) — rated: "Be Careful", 4 known weaknesses.
The Tesla Performance (Electric, 456 PS) has the ModelY-Perf (Performance AWD) — rated: "Be Careful", 3 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Gigacast front structure crack — Austin/Berlin builds Structural crack in front aluminum gigacasting documented on Austin-built Model Y (VIN: 7G2). Tesla told owner "safe to drive" and refused repair. Only Austin and Berlin use gigapress for front/rear castings. Single confirmed case but extreme severity — casting is structural and load-bearing. Crash damage to gigacast area likely totals the car. Symptoms: Visible crack in front aluminum casting, audible creaking from front structure over bumps from 25,000 km | High | |
| Rear hatch glass spontaneous cracking Rear glass cracks without impact. Temperature differentials cause uneven thermal expansion on the large surface. Manufacturing stress contributes. Warranty covers stress cracks (no impact evidence) 4 years/50,000 miles. Replacement $800-1,600. Symptoms: Crack in rear glass without impact, starting from edge, spreading from 48,000 km | Medium | |
| Panoramic roof glass stress cracking Full-glass roof develops stress cracks from thermal differentials — sunlight heats unevenly vs shaded edges. No impact point visible. Warranty 4 years/50k miles. Replacement $900-2,000. Symptoms: Crack from roof glass edge without impact, spreading over days from 32,000 km | High | |
| Water ingress in rear cargo area — liftgate seal Water leaks into trunk through the liftgate assembly. Tesla Service Bulletin SB-23-10-003 confirms multiple causes: sealant irregularities, defective taillight gaskets, blocked drains, and liftgate misalignment. Fix involves resealing with Loctite 5510 hybrid polymer and replacing lamp gaskets. 1.8-hour repair at service center. Symptoms: Water pooling in cargo area after rain, wet trunk carpet, musty smell from trunk, water dripping from taillight area from 16,000 km | Low | |
| Body panel alignment — hatch and doors (2020-2022) Affects 2020-2022 builds primarily. Hatch-to-body misalignment, uneven door gaps, trim pieces. Build quality improved significantly from 2023. Fremont builds (5YJ) worse than Shanghai (LRW). Cosmetic only. Symptoms: Uneven gaps around hatch, doors, panels, wind noise from poor fitment | Low | |
| Thin paint — chips to bare metal Same paint issue as Model 3. 71-106 microns vs 110-150 industry standard. The taller Model Y front collects more road debris. PPF strongly recommended for front surfaces. Symptoms: Excessive stone chips, paint to bare metal, visible orange peel from 25,000 km | High | |
| B-pillar camera condensation — disables Autopilot features Moisture builds up inside B-pillar camera housings, fogging the lens. Disables Auto Lane Change, Blind Spot Detection, and Lane Departure Warning until it clears. Tesla removed the original Gore-Tex vent patches from camera housings. NHTSA TSB recommends removing and discarding remaining gore patches to improve airflow. Warranty replacement of both cameras if persistent. Symptoms: Foggy B-pillar camera images, Autopilot features temporarily unavailable, camera blocked alert on screen | Low | |
| Door seal gaps — excessive wind noise at highway speed Factory door seals leave 5-6 mm gaps around doors and pillars, generating noticeable wind noise above 60 mph. The large glass roof amplifies cabin noise. Aftermarket seal kits reduce cabin noise by 7-8 dB. Tesla's minimalist door frame design prioritizes aesthetics over sealing. Not a defect per se but a common owner complaint across all production years. Symptoms: Whistling at highway speed, wind noise around A-pillar and door frame, road noise louder than comparable SUVs | Low | |
| Taillight condensation — 2020-2022 builds Water collects inside taillight housings. Tesla says minor condensation is normal, should clear in 24-48h. Standing water warrants warranty replacement. Some 2020 builds required replacement. Symptoms: Visible water droplets or fog inside taillight lens from 8,000 km | Low |
Alternatives
Alfa Romeo Tonale 965
Compact SUV (2022–2024)
BMW X1 U11
Compact SUV (2022–2026)
BMW iX1 U11
Compact SUV (2022–2026)
Genesis GV70 JK1
Compact SUV (2022–2025)
Kia Niro SG2
Compact SUV (2022–2024)
Lexus NX AZ20
Compact SUV (2022–2025)
Known Problems and Issues
A total of 31 weaknesses have been documented for the Tesla Model Y Phase 1 (2020–2024) — 7 engine-related and 24 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Body, HVAC, Suspension, Electronics.
Model Y (ModelY-LR, 2020–2024) — Be Careful: 12V battery failure (2020-2021), Rear drive unit inverter failure, Drive unit bearing whine. Power: 384 PS.
Model Y (ModelY-Perf, 2020–2024) — Be Careful: 12V battery failure (2020-2021), Drive unit bearing whine — earlier onset, NMC battery degradation. Power: 456 PS.
What to watch out for with the Tesla Model Y? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Tesla Model Y Phase 1 have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Tesla Model Y Phase 1? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Tesla Model Y Phase 1 engine is the most fun? +
Is the Tesla Model Y Phase 1 worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Tesla Model Y Phase 1? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee