2015 Tesla Model S transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 27, 2025CATransmission & Drivetrain

   Large drive unit that has previously been replaced by Tesla failed due to coolant ingress leaking through rotor seal. Known issue per 3rd party technicians.

   NHTSA complaint #11676489 · source
2. 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
3. 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
4. Filed Feb 2, 2024SCTransmission & Drivetrain

   Bought the car used. Had issues with rear drive unit that was replaced under warranty. Similar issue before warranty expired and was checked out by Tesla and noted to be " normal" noise. Later the nose got louder and repeat diagnostic recommended RDU to be replaced at a cost of nearly $8500. I believe that the RDU on older models were defective.

   NHTSA complaint #11569489 · source
5. Filed Dec 13, 2023CACrashTowedFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The Model S, which was bought in 2015, had a sudden acceleration while I was trying to park near the entrance gate of the parking lot. The accident happened on May 25, 2023. Fortunately, nobody got hurt and the car was totaled. I feel strongly that this should be investigated, as this can be a very serious public safety issue. It was inspected by the insurance company. There were no warning messages prior to the failure.

   NHTSA complaint #11560001 · source
6. Filed Nov 13, 2023CAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Driving my car and it completely gives out in the middle of traffic without any warning or alter almost causing an accident. When asked about the absence of alert they said I may or may not get one and I should be lucky it just cut off (randomly in traffic mind you) because if it didn’t it would’ve burst into flames. Being the Rear Drive Unit is the second most important part of the vehicle an alert should be given 100% of the time as no alert could cause injury to myself or…

   NHTSA complaint #11554911 · source
7. Filed Jun 1, 2022ILElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Rear drive unit failure Failed while driving, letters turned red and car became unresponsive. Car later became responsive between 3-10 seconds. Has occurred 5 times in a week. Dealer claims moisture to drive unit is what caused it and repair was covered under warranty except the harness attached to it, dealer charged me $599 for the harness. If seals are failing and allowing moisture to happen, which then leads vehicles to be unresponsive while driving is a huge risk. Please…

   NHTSA complaint #11467049 · source
8. Filed Apr 2, 2022FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   I am from Florida and was passing through Vegas. The time was about 9:41 pm. I was on my way from Las Vegas, NV and I charged the car to 90% and was on my way to the Kingman, AZ Supercharger (Traveling on U.S. 93). The car was at 32% at the bottom of the mountain (Approx +3400ft). The cars indicators showed arrival to Kingman supercharger @ 31%. However, while reaching near the Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area (Approx +4000ft - so approx gradual 600ft climb). The car started…

   NHTSA complaint #11459295 · source
9. Filed Sep 16, 2021GAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   On September 7, 2021 I was driving in heavy rain conditions. The rain was so heavy I could only drive at speed of 25 mph. My car displayed a message "Car may not restart - service required" I pulled under a canopy of a gas station and put the car in PARK. The car did not restart after that and was towed to Tesla Service Center. The next day I was told that a RAPID MATE vehicle side connector failed due to water ingress and that HV battery needs to be replaced due to same…

   NHTSA complaint #11433218 · source
10. Filed May 4, 202148,000 miTXBrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    After having my battery coolant heater replaced on february 22, 2021 i noticed problems with my car starting up slowly. Note error messages were noted on my vehicle however. On march 10 while driving home from work on a smooth straight freeway the entire electrical system in my car failed causing propulsion to go off line and the brake pedal to lock up and become non-functional until the system rebooted. For approximately 20 to 30 seconds it was impossible to depress the…

    NHTSA complaint #11415096 · source
11. Filed Jan 25, 202142,900 miTXFireBody & StructureFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    On afternoon of november 23, 2020, 2015 tesla model s 85d was in motion with single occupant, turning right turn into residential area off city street. Driver heard loud and deep metallic sound and immediately slowed. Warning message similar to 'unsafe to drive, pull over safely' appeared on dash. Driver stopped car right away and heard 3-4 loud, identical sounds. Driver heard another sound followed by loud 'pop' and smelled something burning. Driver immediately exited and…

    NHTSA complaint #11389857 · source
12. Filed Nov 16, 202047,634 miCAOther / UnknownTransmission & DrivetrainVisibility & Wipers

    The main control unit central screen froze and i could not get the car to function for about 7-8 mins. During this time, all major functions of climate control, rear view camera, and the car itself was non-functional. Even when the car functions, there are many times when the computer starts to go slow. Sometimes causing the touch screen to get unresponsive during driving the car. And a few times, the touch screen has even gone dark and non-functional while driving the car.…

    NHTSA complaint #11374942 · 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