A used 2021 Tesla Model Y is a good buy if it is a Long Range AWD with its recalls closed: 326 miles of EPA range, a heat pump, 48 A home charging and five-star crash ratings. The catch is that "2021" covers several different cars, and one of them is the subject of an open NHTSA investigation into its door handles.
Radar or Tesla Vision: which 2021 are you looking at?
The model year splits in May 2021. Model Y built for North America and delivered from that month have no forward radar; they use cameras only. At the time Tesla capped Autosteer at 75 mph on those cars and some features, such as Smart Summon, could be disabled at delivery. That was temporary.
Earlier 2021 cars still have the radar, but update 2022.20.9 switched them to camera-only operation too. So the radar is no longer a reason to pay more. A smaller change is easier to feel: the front passenger seat lost its lumbar adjustment from about May 2021.
Some things are the same across the whole year. Every 2021 has ultrasonic parking sensors (Tesla only removed them in October 2022), the Intel Atom media computer and the HW3 Autopilot computer. The heated steering wheel, laminated side glass and auto-dimming mirrors that arrived at the end of 2020 carry over, which is the clearest upgrade over a 2020 Model Y.
The Standard Range and the seven-seat option
Tesla opened 2021 with two new choices on January 7. The Standard Range RWD cost $41,990 and was rated at 244 miles with a 5.3-second 0 to 60 time. Orders closed in February, so few exist. Its battery and onboard charger were not confirmed in any source we trust, so treat its home charging speed as unknown until you see the car's screen.
The other was a $3,000 third row. Seven-seat cars are rated separately by NHTSA, and the third row is small. Check it folds, latches and is undamaged.
The mainstream choices were the Long Range AWD at $49,990 and the Performance at $59,990.
| Trim | EPA range | Efficiency | Home AC max | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Range RWD | 244 mi | n/a | n/a | $41,990 |
| Long Range AWD | 326 mi | 27 kWh/100 mi | 11.5 kW | $49,990 |
| Performance AWD | 303 mi | 30 kWh/100 mi | 11.5 kW | $59,990 |
The Long Range picked up 10 miles of rated range over 2020 (326 against 316) and Edmunds measured it at 4.8 seconds to 60 mph. The Performance, on 21-inch wheels, is rated at 303 miles and uses about 30 kWh per 100 miles against 27 for the Long Range.
Recalls and the two NHTSA probes
There are 23 recall campaigns. Sixteen were software updates. Seven needed a technician: brake caliper bolts (21V387000), rear seat belt retractor fasteners (21V388000), front shoulder belt fasteners (21V389000), front lateral link fasteners (21V835000), cracking suspension knuckles (21V912000), swapped forward camera cable terminals (22V317000) and, in August 2026, over-bright low beams that need new headlights (26V507000).
- 21V387000May 25, 2021Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperService visit
Loose brake caliper bolts may let the caliper contact the wheel rim - 21V388000May 25, 2021Seat belts, rear/other, retractorService visit
Second-row seat belt retractor fasteners may not be properly attached - 21V389000May 25, 2021Seat beltsService visit
Front shoulder belt fasteners at the B-pillar may not be properly attached - 21V835000October 25, 2021Suspension, critical fastenersService visit
Front lateral link fasteners may loosen, letting the link separate from the subframe - 21V846000October 29, 2021Forward collision avoidance, sensing system, cameraSoftware update
Software communication error may cause false forward collision warnings or unexpected automatic emergency braking - 21V912000November 21, 2021SuspensionService visit
Front and rear suspension knuckles may fracture, separating suspension links
Show all 23 recalls
- 22V037000January 27, 2022Electrical system, adas, autonomous/self driving, softwareSoftware update
FSD Beta 'rolling stop' function may let the car roll through all-way stops - 22V045000February 1, 2022Electrical system, softwareSoftware update
Seat belt chime may not sound when an unbelted driver starts the car - 22V050000February 2, 2022Electrical system, softwareSoftware update
Software error in the heat pump (expansion valve) can reduce windshield defrosting performance - 22V063000February 4, 2022Electrical system, softwareSoftware update
Boombox sounds may mask Pedestrian Warning System sounds (superseded by 22V235000) - 22V235000April 12, 2022Electrical system, softwareSoftware update
Boombox sounds may mask Pedestrian Warning System sounds, including in Summon modes (supersedes 22V063000) - 22V317000May 9, 2022Forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency brakingService visit
Fisheye and narrow forward camera cable terminals may be swapped, impairing camera views - 22V702000September 19, 2022Visibility, power window devices and controlsSoftware update
Window automatic reversal may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction (pinch risk) - 22V844000November 15, 2022Exterior lighting, tail lightsSoftware update
One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate - 23V085000February 15, 2023Steering, automated/adaptive steeringSoftware update
FSD Beta may act unsafely at intersections and respond poorly to speed limit changes - 23V838000December 12, 2023Electrical system, adas, autonomous/self driving, softwareSoftware update
Autosteer driver-engagement controls may not be sufficient to prevent misuse (Autopilot recall tied to NHTSA EA22-002) - 24V051000January 30, 2024Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelSoftware update
Brake, park and ABS warning lights shown in a font size below the FMVSS minimum - 24V153000February 27, 2024Forward collision avoidance, warnings, external/pedestrian alertSoftware update
A factory reset could mute Pedestrian Warning System sounds - 24V376000May 28, 2024Seat belts, front, warning light/devicesSoftware update
Seat belt warning light and chime may not activate for an unbelted driver - 24V554000July 24, 2024Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchSoftware update
Hood latch may not detect an unlatched hood, so the hood could open while driving - 24V935000December 17, 2024Tires, pressure monitoring and regulating systemsSoftware update
Tire pressure warning light may not stay lit between drive cycles - 26V283000May 5, 2026Back over prevention, softwareSoftware update
Rearview camera image may be delayed when shifting into reverse (software 2026.8.6) - 26V507000August 5, 2026Exterior lighting, headlightsService visit
Low beam headlights may be too bright, exceeding maximum light output (headlights replaced)
Source: NHTSA recalls API. A recall only applies if your VIN is listed.
Two open investigations also touch this year:
- Phantom braking, PE22-002. Opened February 2022 for 2021 and 2022 Model 3 and Model Y, about 416,000 cars, after 354 complaints of braking with nothing in the way. Recall 21V846000 addressed false forward collision warnings over the air.
- Door handles, PE25-010. Opened September 2025 for about 174,290 2021 Model Y. When the 12V battery is weak, the electronic exterior handles can stop working. Nine complaints at opening; four owners broke a window to get back in.
The practical response to PE25-010 is cheap: learn the manual interior releases, test every exterior handle on the test drive, and replace a 12V battery that the car warns about.
NHTSA's ratings API counts roughly 1,070 owner complaints for this year, but the full complaint file was too large for us to tally by area, so we have not ranked them here. You can read them on nhtsa.gov by searching the VIN or model year. Crash ratings hold up: five stars overall, frontal, side and rollover for the five-seat AWD, with a 7.9% rollover risk.
| NHTSA test | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5 stars |
| Frontal crash | 5 stars |
| Side crash | 5 stars |
| Rollover | 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 7.9% |
What breaker a 2021 Long Range needs at home
Long Range and Performance cars have an 11.5 kW onboard charger, so the breaker you choose sets the charging speed. Using Tesla's figures for a Model Y on a Gen 3 Wall Connector:
| Breaker | Charging current | Range added per hour | 8-hour night |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 A | 48 A | up to 44 mi | up to 352 mi (more than a full pack) |
| 50 A | 40 A | up to 37 mi | up to 296 mi |
| 40 A | 32 A | up to 30 mi | up to 240 mi |
| 30 A | 24 A | up to 22 mi | up to 176 mi |
Most owners do not need 60 A. A 40 A circuit refills a typical day's driving in a couple of hours, and it may fit a panel that has no room for 60 A; budget with our installation price breakdown. Our 60 A circuit guide covers the wire sizes, and a licensed electrician should confirm the panel can take the load and pull the permit.
| How you charge | Speed |
|---|---|
| Wall Connector at 48 A (11.5 kW, 60 A breaker) | up to 44 mi of range per hour |
| NEMA 14-50 outlet, Mobile Connector at 32 A | about 30 mi per hour |
| Regular 120 V outlet | 2 to 3 mi per hour |
| Empty to full, largest pack (about 75 kWh) | about 7 hours at 11.5 kW |
Rates scale Tesla's published Wall Connector table for this model; older cars and cold batteries charge slower. Times are estimates.
At 27 kWh per 100 miles and the July 2026 US average of 18.31 cents per kWh, a 2021 Long Range costs about $4.94 per 100 miles to charge at home. Our charging time tables cover Supercharger and Level 1 times.
Who the 2021 suits
- Best fit: a buyer who wants the most range per dollar from the original design and can verify the recall history.
- Consider a 2022 instead if you want the faster AMD Ryzen screen computer and lithium-ion 12V battery that arrived around December 2021; the 2022 Tesla Model Y page lists those changes.
- Skip a Standard Range unless you can confirm its battery and charging rate, and skip any car with open suspension recalls.
The battery and drive unit warranty runs 8 years or 120,000 miles from first delivery on Long Range and Performance cars, so a 2021 car keeps that cover into 2029. Our Model Y year-by-year comparison lines up every year if you are still choosing.
2021 Model Y questions from shoppers
Does the 2021 Model Y have radar?
It depends on the build. North American Model Y delivered from May 2021 have no radar and rely on cameras alone, which Tesla calls Tesla Vision. Earlier 2021 cars have the radar unit, but software update 2022.20.9 moved them to camera-only operation, so the hardware no longer contributes. Either way the driver assistance behaves the same today.
What is NHTSA's 2021 Model Y door handle investigation?
NHTSA opened preliminary evaluation PE25-010 in September 2025 covering about 174,290 2021 Model Y. Owners reported that the electronic exterior handles stop working when the 12V battery gets weak; four of the nine complainants broke a window to get back in. Learn where the manual interior releases are and replace a tired 12V battery early.
How rare is the 2021 Model Y Standard Range?
Very. Tesla launched the Standard Range RWD on January 7, 2021 at $41,990 with 244 miles of EPA range and stopped taking orders in February. Its battery size and home charging rate were never confirmed in the sources we checked, so if you find one, read the maximum amps on its charging screen before you plan a home charger around it.
Is a 2021 Model Y seven-seater worth it?
The third row was a $3,000 option and is best for occasional use by children. Check that the rear seats fold and latch properly and that the trim is not damaged. NHTSA rates the five-seat and seven-seat versions separately, and the five-seat AWD we checked carries five stars overall; look up the seven-seat rating separately on nhtsa.gov if it matters to you.
How fast does a 2021 Model Y charge at home?
Long Range and Performance cars accept 48 A, which is up to 44 miles of range per hour from a Wall Connector on a 60 A breaker. A 50 A breaker gives up to 37 miles per hour and a 40 A breaker up to 30. A full charge from empty on a 60 A circuit takes roughly seven hours.
Sources
- NHTSA recalls, 2021 Tesla Model Y, api.nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2021 Model Y 5-seat AWD Later Release, api.nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA ODI PE25-010 (2021 Model Y door handles), static.nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA ODI PE22-002 (phantom braking), static.nhtsa.gov
- Electrek (2021-05-25): Tesla Vision, radar removed, electrek.co
- HotHardware (2021-01-08): Model Y Standard Range and 7-seat option, hothardware.com
- Drive Tesla Canada: Model Y heated steering wheel, driveteslacanada.ca
- Edmunds 2023 Model Y page (2021 Long Range EPA and tested 0-60), edmunds.com
- Tesla support: Wall Connector, tesla.com
- Tesla vehicle warranty, tesla.com
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