Tesla Model S problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 2,653 owner complaints and 38 recalls on file for the Tesla Model S (2012–2026). The 2016 Model S has the most serious complaints, most often about electrical system.

Complaints
2,653
Recalls
38
Model years
15
Worst year
2016

Complaints by model year

5220123132013254201450420154292016350201714820184120198020201792021139202211420233820246202562026
NHTSA complaints per Tesla Model S model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Tesla Model S years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2016 Tesla Model S — 429 complaints, 29 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Electrical System
  2. 2015 Tesla Model S — 504 complaints, 20 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Electrical System
  3. 2014 Tesla Model S — 254 complaints, 17 crashes, 4 fires; top problem: Electrical System
  4. 2017 Tesla Model S — 350 complaints, 22 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Electrical System
  5. 2018 Tesla Model S — 148 complaints, 29 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Driver Assistance & Safety Tech

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2012 (52 complaints).

Every Tesla Model S model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 Model S60000Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2025 Model S60002Transmission & Drivetrain
2024 Model S382016Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2023 Model S11480013Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2022 Model S13930020Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2021 Model S179132523Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2020 Model S80160811Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2019 Model S4130110Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2018 Model S1482931611Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2017 Model S35022389Electrical System
2016 Model S4292922610Electrical System
2015 Model S50420399Electrical System
2014 Model S25417499Electrical System
2013 Model S313112311Electrical System
2012 Model S521008Electrical System

Most common Tesla Model S problem areas (all years)

  • Electrical System
    893 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    500 complaints
  • Suspension
    386 complaints
  • Steering
    228 complaints
  • Lighting
    186 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    170 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    165 complaints
  • Brakes
    148 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    147 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    117 complaints

Complaint trend

2020202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Tesla Model S received by NHTSA each month.

Tesla Model S recalls

  • Recall 26V283000May 4, 2026218,868 vehiclesModel years 2021–2023

    Risk: A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V172000Mar 19, 202591 vehiclesModel years 2021–2024

    Risk: An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V002000Jan 6, 2025239,382 vehiclesModel years 2024–2025

    Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V967000Dec 23, 2024487 vehiclesModel years 2021–2025

    Risk: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 24V554000Jul 24, 20241,849,638 vehiclesModel years 2021–2024

    Risk: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V376000May 28, 2024125,233 vehiclesModel years 2012–2024

    Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

  • Recall 24V153000Feb 27, 20246,557 vehiclesModel years 2013–2021

    Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V051000Jan 30, 20242,193,869 vehiclesModel years 2012–2023

    Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V035000Jan 22, 2024199,575 vehiclesModel years 2023

    Risk: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V862000Dec 19, 2023120,423 vehiclesModel years 2022–2023

    Risk: An unlocked door may unlatch and open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 23V838000Dec 12, 20232,031,220 vehiclesModel years 2012–2023

    Risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V743000Nov 3, 2023194 vehiclesModel years 2021–2024

    Risk: An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

  • Recall 23V489000Jul 14, 20231,337 vehiclesModel years 2023

    Risk: Safety features that are unavailable without any warning to the driver may increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V488000Jul 14, 202315,869 vehiclesModel years 2021–2023

    Risk: A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 23V085000Feb 15, 2023362,758 vehiclesModel years 2016–2023

    Risk: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V818000Nov 1, 202240,168 vehiclesModel years 2017–2021

    Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V702000Sep 19, 20221,096,762 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 22V526000Jul 21, 20225 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: A passenger air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury.

  • Recall 22V296000May 3, 2022129,960 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: A lagging or restarting CPU may prevent the center screen from displaying the rearview camera image, gear selection, windshield visibility control settings, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V235000Apr 12, 2022594,894 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022

    Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V169000Mar 18, 2022947 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019

    Risk: A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V104000Feb 23, 20229 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: An incorrectly assembled inflator can cause a delayed or improper deployment of the side curtain air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

  • Recall 22V063000Feb 4, 2022578,607 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022

    Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V050000Feb 2, 202226,681 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V045000Feb 1, 2022817,143 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Other Tesla models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology