2015 Tesla Model S electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 24V051000Jan 30, 20242,193,869 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

  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.

  Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

• Recall 23V838000Dec 12, 20232,031,220 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:DRIVER MONITORING:SOFTWARE

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

  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.

  Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 25, 2026CAElectrical System

   In XXX I paid $2,176.50 out of pocket for an MCU (media control unit) replacement at a Tesla service center on this 2015 Tesla Model S (VIN [XXX]). The invoice documents a black screen and internal hardware failure — the exact 8GB eMMC defect later recalled under NHTSA recall 20V710. I filed for reimbursement under Tesla's General Recall Reimbursement Plan in XXX. Tesla acknowledged receipt on XXX (reference XXX), said the request was 'under review,' and promised an update…

   NHTSA complaint #11767007 · source
2. Filed Aug 11, 2026CAElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers

   In Nov 2019, while driving at night, the center touchscreen (MCU) of my 2015 Model S went blank and would not recover after restarts. I lost access to nearly all vehicle controls. The daytime running lights remained on, but the headlights did not illuminate despite being set to auto, and I had no way to turn them on manually because the headlight control is on the failed touchscreen. Climate control was inoperative and the windshield began fogging, reducing visibility. I…

   NHTSA complaint #11756104 · source
3. Filed Jun 2, 2026TNElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Following a coolant rapid mate replacement performed by an authorized Tesla service center, the vehicle experienced a complete shutdown on a public road the same evening it was returned. The high-voltage cooling system was not properly purged of air following the service. This caused low coolant flow to the rear drive unit during a 63-mile drive in record heat. The fault cascade included a HIGH VOLTAGE ISOLATION FAULT (BMS_f123), drive inverter warning (DI_w126), and…

   NHTSA complaint #11741500 · source
4. Filed Apr 10, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   This issue involves critical safety systems, including the rearview camera, front camera, and Autopilot/driver assistance features. The vehicle was taken to Tesla for a recall related to the MCU system. Tesla marked the recall as completed, but no effective repair was performed. The rearview camera remains unavailable, the front camera system is not functioning properly, and driver assistance features continue to be disabled. Tesla returned the vehicle without resolving the…

   NHTSA complaint #11730301 · source
5. Filed Dec 10, 2025TXElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   My 2015 Tesla Model S has a serious safety issue where the vehicle suddenly reverts to Park while driving and will not stay in Drive. I had the car serviced at Tesla’s Austin Ridgepoint location, and they documented that the issue was “resolved” and “validated,” but the problem continues exactly the same. Tesla replaced the rear motor speed sensor, performed tests, and charged me $522 for the repair. However, the vehicle still cannot stay in Drive and remains unsafe to…

   NHTSA complaint #11704233 · source
6. Filed Oct 21, 2025CTElectrical System

   I had been driving in the rain and the battery got wet. This was found to be due to corroded umbrella valves which allowed water to get in. The car had not been submerged or in deep water, simple driving on the interstate. The car gave me a warning "Service is required-car may not restart." I started out for the service center and the car failed after 65 miles. I thankfully was in a safe place when it happened. I had to be towed from Portland, Maine to Londonderry, NH for…

   NHTSA complaint #11694721 · source
7. Filed Aug 28, 2025CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   An investigation has been conducted into a persistent and widespread defect affecting the 2015 Tesla Model S and other early models equipped with the first-generation Media Control Unit (MCU1). This defect manifests as the physical degradation and spontaneous leakage of a sticky adhesive substance from the edges of the vehicle's central infotainment screen and instrument cluster. The leaking substance is not merely a cosmetic issue but presents a credible safety risk to…

   NHTSA complaint #11683749 · source
8. Filed Aug 14, 2025CAAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   What happened? While driving my 2015 Tesla Model S, the main touchscreen (MCU) began intermittently going black, disabling access to essential vehicle controls, navigation, climate settings, and rear-view camera display. At times when the MCU was functioning, the rear-view camera feed would still display a black screen upon shifting into Reverse, leaving me without any rear visibility. Component or system that failed: Media Control Unit (MCU1) / eMMC memory failure Rear-view…

   NHTSA complaint #11680801 · source
9. Filed Aug 2, 2025MIElectrical System

   Many air bubbles are appearing towards the bottom of the instrument panel on our 2015 Tesla Model S. This started a couple of weeks ago and the bubbles are increasing in size and number and they are moving upwards. The bubbles don’t presently obscure important driver information such as the transmission mode (drive, park, reverse, neutral), remaining battery range (e.g. 80%), car speed (mph), parking sensor distance, brake light status, car door open, frunk open, tailgate…

   NHTSA complaint #11677992 · source
10. Filed Oct 2, 2024FLCrashElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

    Car isn't cooling while supercharging. Problem originated while at Tesla Collision in Fort Lauderdale. Mike DiPietro, the general mgr stated they don't have a supercharger at Tesla Collision Fort Lauderdale to test it and they're not willing to drive it to the supercharger to test it because it's a service issue. When I dropped the car off it cooled while supercharging and now that it's not cooling while supercharging it presents a fire and safety hazard because it will only…

    NHTSA complaint #11617666 · source
11. Filed Apr 18, 2024TXElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    The component that Tesla has stated is the part that is failing is the MCU (Media Control Unit) which was a recalled part at one point but then Tesla decided to replace only a single part of the MCU which was the eMMC (embedded MultiMedia Card). Luckily the vehicle was not driving when it completely shut down and would not start back up but I was stuck in a restaurants drive-thru for roughly 4 hours till I could get a tow truck to come tow it. The tow truck had to put the…

    NHTSA complaint #11583917 · source
12. Filed Apr 17, 2024CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

    EMMC failed prior to recall and was replaced by 3rd party vendor. Recall reimbursement was denied. Emailed Tesla multiple times without response

    NHTSA complaint #11583598 · source

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. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology