2017 Tesla Model S driver assistance & safety tech problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V846000Oct 29, 202111,728 vehicles
  FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE:SOFTWARE · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.

  Risk: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.

• Recall 21V035000Jan 29, 2021134,951 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.

  Risk: The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 7, 2026FLDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The new defects with audible chimes and safety alerts are a direct consequence of the 8GB eMMC safety recall service performed by Tesla my car is now not warning me with any chimes or sounds related with safety features of the car. Tesla are attempting to charge me to correct safety defects introduced by Tesla's own recall repair. ​Confirmation that Tesla refuses to repair the new, service-induced safety defects at no cost. My concern is that I brought the vehicle to Tesla…

   NHTSA complaint #11769711 · source
2. Filed Oct 1, 2026123,000 miILDriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting); but the failure occurred. The contact stated that while driving, attempting to park or reverse the vehicle, the screen froze or went blank. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11768292 · source
3. Filed Aug 18, 2026VADriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   Backing out of driveway, the steering wheel was very hard to turn. The dash indicated the steering assist feature wasn't working. After restarting the software and the problem persisting, I investigated the assist motor/pump and found that the ground to the chassis was very corroded. I attempted to remove the nut to clean contacts and it sheared off. The grounding post had corroded through (white galvanic corrosion). I attached the assist motor ground to another point on the…

   NHTSA complaint #11757600 · source
4. Filed Jun 14, 2026OHDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   This happens about 30%to 40% of the time when using Full Self Driving Supervised on HW3, FSD version 12.6.4, software version 2026.14.6. When changing marked lanes to the right, either initiated by FSD or the driver asking FSD to move to the right by engaging the right turn signals, it will do one of 2 things: 1. Change lanes properly about 70% of the time 2. Start and abort the lane. Hange swerving back and forth between the 2 lanes, ot 3. Does nothing and drives straight…

   NHTSA complaint #11744026 · source
5. Filed Apr 25, 2026OHDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Using FSD. Stopped at a stop sign making a UPL into a 4-lane 35 MPH posted street. TWICE now there was a small opening which would require an aggressive accelerator - it started the turn stopping a full car length into the first lane and decides it's going to wait for closing traffic from the right. Obviously stopping in the middle of new oncoming traffic from the left is not very wise. This has happened 3 times with 2026.8.3 and I've never seen it before - twice i gunned it…

   NHTSA complaint #11733796 · source
6. Filed Jan 13, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

   CRITICAL SAFETY FAILURE: Loss of Driver Override and Extreme HMI/Signaling Latency. 1. Loss of Override & Unintended Acceleration: While operating FSD (Supervised), the vehicle ignored a 65 mph set-point and accelerated to 80 mph. I attempted to reduce speed by pulling down on the steering stalk 4-5 times, but the vehicle ignored all manual inputs, requiring a hard disengagement. 2. Lane Departure / Path Failure: The vehicle failed to maintain lane centering, specifically…

   NHTSA complaint #11710572 · source
7. Filed Dec 4, 202598,787 miMECrashTowedDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owned a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, an Autopilot disabled warning message system was displayed a day prior. The contact reached out to the Tesla hotline for assistance regarding the failure. The contact was advised to continue driving the vehicle, and the system error message was expected to clear. The contact stated that after multiple drives, the warning message did not disappear. The contact stated that while coming…

   NHTSA complaint #11703016 · source
8. Filed Sep 23, 2025CODriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Software version 2025.32.3.1. Using Tesla’s auto-steer / enhanced autopilot (not fsd) causes many “phantom braking” events when going through several intersections on my commute. It’ll say a message “Curve Assist Active”, however I’ll be on a very straight and flat road with no curves. It’s 65 mph road and it will brake / slow down the car very hard and fast, if I don’t catch it in time it’ll get down to ~45 mph within a second. Even when traffic is going slow already, like…

   NHTSA complaint #11689065 · source
9. Filed Sep 22, 202566,573 miCADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance system became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance feature failed to activate, almost resulting in a crash with another vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the back over collision avoidance system was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was…

   NHTSA complaint #11688949 · source
10. Filed Jun 10, 2025MODriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

    While merging onto the highway an error message showed up on the dash stating "Steering Assist May be Reduced" upon immediately after the steering froze and could only be moved slightly using significant force. Approx. 75lbs. I am athletic and work out and had trouble moving the car to the side. If my wife or daughter had driven the car they would not have been able to steer and this could have caused a significant accident, injury or death. Upon pulling over, I rebooted…

    NHTSA complaint #11665990 · source
11. Filed May 4, 2025OHDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    Software 2025.14.1, Full Self Driving 12.6.4 (FSD). Vehicle when using FSD continuously slows to 10 MPH below the speed limit. You can manually press the accelerator to speed up but FSD will not brake when doing so and warns you of the same. After a minute of being back at the speed limit, FSD again slows down. Repeat this process constantly. Very dangerous.

    NHTSA complaint #11658805 · source
12. Filed May 4, 2025OHDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

    Using software version 2025.14.1 with FSD (Full Self Driving) version 12.6.4. About 50% of the time the vehicle attempts and fails to change lanes when using FSD. It will: 1. Turn on signal and not change lanes, confusing cars around me. Or more often 2. Swerve between lanes indefinitely. See example at [XXX] It drives like a drunk driver. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint #11658804 · 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