2018 Tesla Model S electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 24V153000Feb 27, 20246,557 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

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

  Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.

• 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 16, 2025CABody & StructureElectrical System

   Our doors completely locked inside our garage. We could not get in the car at all, even after a technician came to replace the low voltage battery. Only after replacing the low voltage battery was someone able to get into the car. However, that low voltage battery did not fix the core issue the car was having. It was a current leak in the high voltage jumper harness. This issue required us to get a very expensive tow of our car out of our garage (required dollys & a winch),…

   NHTSA complaint #11687668 · source
2. Filed Sep 9, 2025CAFireBody & StructureElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   On [XXX], I was driving my recently purchased 2018 Tesla Model S (VIN: [XXX], mileage approx. [30,536]). The vehicle was purchased directly through Tesla’s app in late August 2025 and delivered to me the same day of the incident. Approximately 4.5 hours after delivery, while driving with my son, white smoke began to come out of the cabin air vents. Within minutes, the smoke turned black and rapidly filled the interior of the car. I immediately pulled over and evacuated the…

   NHTSA complaint #11686035 · source
3. Filed Jul 1, 2025TNElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   This is very comment of tesla not responding to customer about the power reduced in the car is safe concerns is lot of people with the same problem and tesla want Pay for all the repairs of the car even with my car still Warranty

   NHTSA complaint #11670670 · source
4. Filed Apr 22, 2025FLElectrical System

   The Instrument Cluster Freezes and has to be reset. When it freezes you have not knowledge of speed you are going. After bringing it into Tesla Service I was told that is a known defect. The only way to fix is to replace Infotainment system at a cost of $2,100. Infotainment system currently works fine. The rep informed me that the system does not have enough memory to run the computer correctly after all the updates that Tesla Makes you install.

   NHTSA complaint #11656112 · source
5. Filed Feb 22, 2025SCAirbagsElectrical SystemSteering

   The cable harness (slip ring) connecting the steering wheel controls including the vehicle horn, steering wheel buttons, scroll wheels, and potentially the airbag (according to the service technician) failed on this vehicle in January 2025. The vehicle was inspected by Tesla’s mobile service and they acknowledged that the cable harness had indeed failed. It is available for inspection. We have been forced to drive this car without a functioning horn and airbag. There were no…

   NHTSA complaint #11644246 · source
6. Filed Dec 27, 2024CAFireBrakesElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   •I’m not sure what component was responsble for either the braking issue or the fire. It is available for inspection. •When driving the brake pedal had a frightening delay that almost caused 2 accidents and unfortunately my car was charging on the 24th of October which could have something to do with arching that led to my garage catching fire rendering the car unable to move or turn on after the incident. I’ve insisted Tesla insurance to look into possible causes because…

   NHTSA complaint #11632733 · source
7. Filed Jun 4, 202454,460 miPATowedElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH the message, "Acceleration and Top Speed Reduced," suddenly displayed on the instrument panel. The contact had not noticed any changes in the functionality of the vehicle and continued driving. After parking the vehicle for a while, the contact attempted to drive the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact attempted to reverse, and the vehicle failed to respond. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11592373 · source
8. Filed May 11, 2024FLElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   I took my car to the dealership to have the MCU1 recall performed because my behind the steering wheel monitor and center touch screen monitor kept turning off and reseting while driving. When this happened I would lose the ability to see my speed or view my back up camera. The recall was performed and the problem was not fixed. The screen does not turn off as often, but it still regularly happens. I contacted Tesla to let them know the problem remains and they want me to…

   NHTSA complaint #11588242 · source
9. Filed Apr 23, 2024TXElectrical SystemOther / UnknownSteering

   I was driving on the [XXX] to for a work meeting on Monday [XXX], 2024, at about [XXX] (central). My 2018 Tesla Model S shut down while driving on the freeway. The power steering went off and so did the hazard lights. I pulled over to the shoulder. Unfortunately, the shoulder is not too wide on [XXX]. I was driving at 70 mph or so when this happened. The only warning that popped on the Tesla Screen was “Vehicle Shutting Down Pull Over Safely”. The battery still had about 175…

   NHTSA complaint #11584857 · source
10. Filed Jun 14, 2023WAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    Power Reduced Error. Tesla do not even know how to fix this issue and it seems to be apparent in many of their cars. Please see here: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/“power-reduced”-warning-and-turtle-icon.229299/page-2

    NHTSA complaint #11527066 · source
11. Filed Mar 12, 2023MIBody & StructureElectrical System

    Second door handle has failed and no longer unlatches door from outside, therefore dangerous to be unable to reach the back seats

    NHTSA complaint #11511456 · source
12. Filed Jan 17, 2023NJCrashTowedElectrical System

    I was pulling into my driveway and beginning to pull into the garage. Immediately after straightening the car out to fit the space in the garage, the car immediately launched itself, accelerating extremely quick with no chance to brake or brace for impact. The car and the house suffered damage and I’m currently awaiting MRI results for possible injuries. It was an evident malfunction in the car’s system.

    NHTSA complaint #11502292 · 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