The 2023 Tesla Model Y is the same car as the late 2022 on paper, with the Long Range AWD still rated at 330 miles, but it sold for far less: Tesla cut the Long Range from $65,990 to $52,990 on January 12, 2023. Halfway through the year it also started fitting Hardware 4, so two 2023 cars with identical specs can carry different self-driving computers.
Why 2023 prices fell so far
The January cut took $13,000 off both the Long Range AWD and the Performance. It also put the Long Range under the $55,000 price cap that applied to the federal EV tax credit at the time. The effect still shows in the used market: anyone who paid 2022 prices took a large hit, and 2023 cars started life cheaper, so they are often the better value per mile of range.
Edmunds later lists the Long Range at $48,490 and the Performance at $52,490 as Tesla trimmed prices again during the year.
HW3 or HW4: checking the car in front of you
Hardware 4 brought a new Autopilot computer and upgraded cameras. It began shipping on Fremont and Austin Model Y around May 25, 2023 and was phased in over several months, so there is no clean cutoff by VIN or month that we can confirm.
Check it directly:
- On the touchscreen, open Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information.
- Read the Autopilot computer line. HW4 cars also list the upgraded cameras.
- Ask a remote seller for a photo of that screen before you go to see the car.
If you plan to use FSD (Supervised), ask Tesla which features the car's computer supports before paying a premium for an HW4 car. No 2023 car has ultrasonic parking sensors (they were removed in October 2022), and every one has the AMD Ryzen screen computer and a lithium-ion 12V battery.
Four trims in one model year
| Trim | EPA range | Efficiency | Home AC max | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RWD (Standard Range) | 260 mi | n/a | n/a | $43,990 |
| AWD (4680, Standard Range AWD) | 279 mi | 27 kWh/100 mi | n/a | n/a |
| Long Range AWD | 330 mi | 28 kWh/100 mi | 11.5 kW | $52,990 |
| Performance AWD | 303 mi | 30 kWh/100 mi | 11.5 kW | $56,990 |
| Trim | When sold | EPA range | Home charging max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Range AWD | Whole year | 330 mi | 48 A, 11.5 kW |
| Performance AWD | Whole year | 303 mi | 48 A, 11.5 kW |
| AWD (4680, Austin) | To Sept 2023 | 279 mi | Not confirmed |
| RWD | From Oct 2023 | 260 mi | Not confirmed |
The 4680 AWD opened to all buyers around April 2023 and left the configurator in September. It is quick (about 5.0 seconds to 60) but testers found its Supercharging speed falls under 100 kW past roughly 30% charge.
The RWD arrived on October 2 to 3, 2023 at $43,990 with a 6.6-second 0 to 60 time. Its battery is disputed. Drive Tesla Canada reported an LFP pack; Electrek and other references say it used Long Range RWD hardware with capacity held back in software. The charge-limit screen tells you which: LFP cars recommend a 100% daily limit. For both of these trims, Edmunds and Tesla's base-trim warranty terms point to an 8-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty instead of the 120,000 miles on Long Range and Performance; confirm by VIN.
The steering wheel bolt and five other shop-visit recalls
The 2023 has 17 recall campaigns. Eleven were software updates; six needed a technician.
- 22V844000November 15, 2022Exterior lighting, tail lightsSoftware update
One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate - 22V895000December 6, 2022Suspension, subframe/mounting bracketService visit
Front lateral link fasteners may not be properly attached to the subframe - 23V085000February 15, 2023Steering, automated/adaptive steeringSoftware update
FSD Beta may act unsafely at intersections and respond poorly to speed limit changes - 23V130000February 27, 2023Seats, critical fastenersService visit
Second-row seat back frame bolts may not be tightened to specification - 23V385000May 30, 2023Steering, steering wheel/handle barService visit
Steering wheel retaining fastener may be loose, letting the wheel separate from the column - 23V434000June 19, 2023Electrical system, propulsion system, traction batteryService visit
Pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective
Show all 17 recalls
- 23V489000July 14, 2023Forward collision avoidance, sensing system, cameraService visit
Forward camera may be misaligned (pitch), silently disabling some active safety features - 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) - 24V035000January 22, 2024Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraSoftware update
Software instability may stop the rearview camera image from displaying - 24V051000January 30, 2024Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelSoftware update
Brake, park and ABS warning lights shown in a font size below the FMVSS minimum - 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 - 25V002000January 7, 2025Back over prevention, softwareSoftware update
Computer circuit board may short and cause loss of the rearview camera image; OTA update plus computer replacement at service where needed - 25V092000February 14, 2025Steering, electric power assist systemSoftware update
Power steering assist may be lost after the car stops and accelerates again - 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.
The headline one is 23V385000 (check any VIN at nhtsa.gov). In March 2023 NHTSA opened a probe into more than 120,000 2023 Model Y after two steering wheels came off while driving. Both cars had left the factory without the retaining bolt after an end-of-line repair. The recall inspects and replaces the fastener.
The other five service-visit campaigns:
- 22V895000: front lateral link fasteners not properly attached to the subframe.
- 23V130000: second-row seat back frame bolts under-torqued.
- 23V434000: a pyrotechnic battery disconnect that may be defective.
- 23V489000: forward camera pitch misalignment that can quietly disable some active safety features.
- 26V507000: over-bright low beams, fixed with new headlights (August 2026).
Two later software recalls are worth knowing about too. 25V092000 (February 2025) addressed loss of power steering assist when pulling away from a stop. 25V002000 covers a circuit board short that can cut the rearview camera; the update is over the air, but some cars get a replacement computer at service.
Crash ratings stay at five stars overall, frontal, side and rollover, with a 7.9% rollover risk. NHTSA lists about 1,173 complaints for early-release AWD cars.
Home charging by trim
| 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.
For the Long Range and Performance, plan on a Wall Connector at 48 A on a 60 A breaker: up to 44 miles per hour of charging and about seven hours from empty. A 40 A breaker still gives 30 miles per hour, which covers most commutes overnight. Our Wall Connector amp settings guide shows each setting, and the Tesla wall charger spec sheet lists the unit's own limits.
For a RWD or 4680 AWD, confirm the car's maximum amps on its charging screen, as Tesla's onboard charger page suggests, before paying for a 60 A circuit you might not use. Have a licensed electrician check the panel and pull the permit; Tesla's estimate for a standard Wall Connector install is $750 to $1,500 before the $585 unit (as of October 2026).
At 28 kWh per 100 miles and the July 2026 average of 18.31 cents per kWh, the Long Range costs about $5.13 per 100 miles to charge at home.
2023 against its neighbours
- Versus a 2022 Tesla Model Y: same 330-mile Long Range, but every 2023 lacks ultrasonic sensors while 2022 cars built before October 2022 have them. The 2023 may have HW4 and was cheaper new.
- Versus a 2024 Model Y: the 2024 has HW4 on all US builds and a shorter recall list (5 campaigns), but its Long Range AWD is rated at 310 miles under Tesla's revised testing.
If HW4 matters to you, buy a late 2023 after confirming the computer, or step up to a 2024. If range per dollar matters more, a 2023 Long Range with its recalls closed is hard to beat. The best year for the Model Y hub compares all seven.
Common questions about the 2023 Model Y
Does every 2023 Model Y have Hardware 4?
No. Tesla began shipping Model Y with Hardware 4 from Fremont and Austin around May 25, 2023 and phased it in over several months, so 2023 cars can have either HW3 or HW4. Open Controls, then Software, then Additional Vehicle Information on the touchscreen; it names the Autopilot computer. Ask for that screen in a photo before you travel to see a car.
What was the 2023 Model Y steering wheel problem?
In March 2023 NHTSA opened an investigation covering more than 120,000 2023 Model Y after two steering wheels came off while driving. Both cars had been through an end-of-line repair and left the factory without the retaining bolt. Recall 23V385000 has a technician inspect and replace the fastener. Confirm it on the service record.
Is the 2023 Model Y RWD an LFP car?
Sources disagree. Drive Tesla Canada reported an LFP pack at the October 2023 launch, while Electrek and other references describe it as using Long Range hardware with range limited in software to 260 miles. The car itself settles it: LFP Teslas recommend a daily charge limit of 100%, while nickel-based packs recommend around 80%.
Is the 2023 Model Y 4680 AWD worth buying?
It can be, at the right price. The Austin-built 4680 AWD is rated at 279 miles and reaches 60 mph in about five seconds, but testers found its Supercharging speed drops below 100 kW after roughly 30% charge. It suits someone who charges at home and rarely takes long trips. Tesla dropped it in September 2023.
How long does a 2023 Model Y take to charge at home?
A Long Range or Performance on a Wall Connector with a 60 A breaker adds up to 44 miles of range per hour and goes from empty to full in about seven hours. Most owners plug in nightly and only replace the day's driving, which takes an hour or two. For the RWD and 4680 AWD, read the maximum amps on the charging screen first.
Sources
- NHTSA recalls, 2023 Tesla Model Y, api.nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2023 Model Y AWD Later Release, api.nhtsa.gov
- Shacknews (2023-01-12): Tesla lowers Model 3/Y prices, shacknews.com
- Drive Tesla Canada (2023-05-25): Model Y shipping with Hardware 4, driveteslacanada.ca
- Drive Tesla Canada (2023-10-02): Model Y RWD US launch, driveteslacanada.ca
- Electrek (2024-05-04): Long Range RWD replaces Standard Range RWD, electrek.co
- CNBC (2023-03-08): NHTSA probes 2023 Model Y steering wheels, cnbc.com
- InsideEVs: The Tesla Model Y has changed a surprising amount in 6 years, insideevs.com
- Edmunds 2023 Model Y, edmunds.com
- Tesla vehicle warranty, tesla.com
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