Tesla Model S problems and recalls by year
3,407 owner complaints since 2005, most for the 2015 (668); 38 recalls, 22 investigations.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2025 | 6 | 2 | Power train |
| 2024 | 38 | 6 | Unknown or other |
| 2023 | 114 | 13 | Unknown or other |
| 2022 | 139 | 20 | Unknown or other |
| 2021 | 179 | 23 | Unknown or other |
| 2020 | 80 | 11 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2019 | 44 | 10 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2018 | 169 | 11 | Unknown or other |
| 2017 | 428 | 9 | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 648 | 10 | Suspension |
| 2015 | 668 | 9 | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 366 | 9 | Electrical system |
| 2013 | 460 | 11 | Electrical system |
| 2012 | 61 | 8 | Electrical system |
Years with 100+ complaints
2023 Model S: 114 complaints
8 crashes · 26V283000, 25V172000, 24V967000, 24V554000, 24V376000, 24V051000, 24V035000, 23V862000, 23V838000, 23V743000, 23V488000, 23V489000, 23V085000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 58 | — |
| Steering | 20 | — |
| Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control | 13 | — |
| Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking | 8 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | — |
| Electrical system | 6 | 150,332 |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | — |
2022 Model S: 139 complaints
3 crashes · 26V283000, 25V172000, 24V967000, 24V554000, 24V376000, 24V051000, 23V862000, 23V838000, 23V743000, 23V488000, 23V085000, 22V702000, 22V526000, 22V296000, 22V235000, 22V104000, 22V063000, 22V050000, 22V045000, 22V037000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 34 | — |
| Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control | 26 | 50,320 |
| Steering | 21 | — |
| Electrical system | 16 | 1,500 |
| Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking | 15 | 2,236 |
| Service brakes | 11 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | — |
| Suspension | 7 | — |
2021 Model S: 179 complaints
13 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, 1 death · 26V283000, 25V172000, 24V967000, 24V554000, 24V376000, 24V153000, 24V051000, 23V838000, 23V743000, 23V488000, 23V085000, 22V818000, 22V702000, 22V296000, 22V235000, 22V104000, 22V063000, 22V050000, 22V045000, 22V037000, 21V00B000, 21V868000, 21V846000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 45 | 300 |
| Steering | 29 | — |
| Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking | 27 | 17,102 |
| Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control | 26 | — |
| Electrical system | 22 | 6,000 |
| Service brakes | 16 | 65,000 |
| Suspension | 16 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 275 |
2018 Model S: 169 complaints
36 crashes, 3 fires, 21 injuries · 24V376000, 24V153000, 24V051000, 23V838000, 23V085000, 22V818000, 22V169000, 22V037000, 21V00B000, 21V846000, 21V035000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 36 | 17,500 |
| Electrical system | 31 | 17,500 |
| Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control | 31 | 19,700 |
| Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking | 27 | 45,000 |
| Vehicle speed control | 27 | 7,410 |
| Service brakes | 25 | 3,946 |
| Suspension | 20 | 16,000 |
| Steering | 15 | 27,899 |
2017 Model S: 428 complaints
55 crashes, 4 fires, 23 injuries · 24V376000, 24V051000, 23V838000, 23V085000, 22V818000, 22V037000, 21V00B000, 21V846000, 21V035000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 107 | 35,000 |
| Suspension | 107 | 14,500 |
| Unknown or other | 96 | 27,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control | 48 | 27,000 |
| Steering | 47 | 10,000 |
| Vehicle speed control | 35 | 12,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 28 | 58,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking | 27 | 24,000 |
2016 Model S: 648 complaints
92 crashes, 12 fires, 64 injuries, 8 deaths · 24V376000, 24V051000, 23V838000, 23V085000, 22V037000, 21V00B000, 21V035000, 19V002000, 18V204000, 17V260000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 210 | 10,000 |
| Unknown or other | 150 | 39,000 |
| Electrical system | 146 | 50,361 |
| Steering | 87 | 5,000 |
| Vehicle speed control | 81 | 5,000 |
| Service brakes | 53 | 7,757 |
| Exterior lighting | 49 | 51,000 |
| Structure › Body | 28 | 42,200 |
2015 Model S: 668 complaints
70 crashes, 12 fires, 29 injuries, 4 deaths · 24V376000, 24V051000, 23V838000, 21V00B000, 21V035000, 19V002000, 18V204000, 17V260000, 15V780000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 262 | 56,000 |
| Unknown or other | 189 | 54,000 |
| Suspension | 149 | 12,000 |
| Steering | 51 | 10,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 44 | 62,000 |
| Vehicle speed control | 40 | 26,000 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 32 | 48,350 |
| Visibility/wiper | 31 | 68,000 |
2014 Model S: 366 complaints
52 crashes, 9 fires, 19 injuries, 13 deaths · 24V376000, 24V051000, 23V838000, 21V00B000, 21V035000, 19V002000, 18V204000, 17V260000, 15V780000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 131 | 64,000 |
| Suspension | 89 | 20,000 |
| Unknown or other | 82 | 60,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 27 | 74,000 |
| Power train | 27 | 49,000 |
| Steering | 27 | 50,000 |
| Structure › Body | 25 | 60,000 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 23 | 62,000 |
2013 Model S: 460 complaints
41 crashes, 19 fires, 24 injuries, 5 deaths · 24V376000, 24V153000, 24V051000, 23V838000, 21V035000, 18V204000, 18V031000, 17V260000, 15V780000, 14V006000, 13V249000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 190 | 90,000 |
| Unknown or other | 122 | 83,000 |
| Suspension | 91 | 45,000 |
| Power train | 33 | 110,400 |
| Steering | 29 | 79,000 |
| Vehicle speed control | 25 | 40,000 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 24 | 95,000 |
| Service brakes | 22 | 40,000 |
38 recall campaigns since 2005
March 19, 2025 · 25V172000 · 2021–2024 · Air bags; Electrical system › Horn
An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
Remedy: Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge.
December 23, 2024 · 24V967000 · 2021–2025 · Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Cushion
The driver's air bag could tear during deployment.
Remedy: Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge.
December 19, 2023 · 23V862000 · 2022–2023 · Electrical system › Software; Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › LATCH
The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.
November 3, 2023 · 23V743000 · 2021–2024 · Air bags › Frontal; Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge.
July 14, 2023 · 23V488000 · 2021–2023 · Seat belts › Front
The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect the front-row seat belts and connect the seat belts to pretensioner anchors, or replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge.
November 1, 2022 · 22V818000 · 2017–2021 · Steering › Electric power assist system
The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge.
July 21, 2022 · 22V526000 · 2022 · Air bags › Frontal
The front bumper carrier structure may alter the vehicle's crash detection, causing the front passenger air bag to deploy incorrectly during certain low speed crashes.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the front bumper carrier structure, free of charge.
February 23, 2022 · 22V104000 · 2021–2022 · Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator
The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly.
Remedy: Tesla Service Centers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge.
December 21, 2021 · 21V00B000 · 2014–2021 · Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › LATCH
The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge.
November 9, 2021 · 21V868000 · 2021 · Air bags; Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Cushion
The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge.
January 29, 2021 · 21V035000 · 2012–2018 · Back over prevention › Software; Exterior lighting › Turn signal; Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
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.
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.
January 7, 2019 · 19V002000 · 2014–2016 · Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge.
March 29, 2018 · 18V204000 · 2012–2016 · Steering › Electric power assist system
The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge.
January 9, 2018 · 18V031000 · 2013 · Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge.
April 19, 2017 · 17V260000 · 2012–2016 · Parking brake
The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge.
January 10, 2017 · 17V023000 · 2012 · Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag, free of charge.
November 23, 2015 · 15V780000 · 2012–2015 · Seat belts › Front
The affected vehicles are equipped with driver or front passenger seat belts that may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat belts, correcting their connection, as necessary, free of charge.
January 13, 2014 · 14V006000 · 2013 · Electrical system › Propulsion system › Charging › Cable/cord › Accessory; Equipment › Electrical
During charging, the adapter, cord, or wall outlet could overheat.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners and provide an over-the-air (OTA) software update.
June 14, 2013 · 13V249000 · 2013 · Seats
An improper method for aligning the left hand seat back striker to the bracket may have weakened the weld between the bracket and the frame of the vehicle.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will inspect the left hand second row strikers.
Shared, in full on the sibling's page:
Defect investigations
6 of 22 open.
| Investigation | Years | Opened | Subject | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA26002 | 2016–2026 | March 18, 2026 | FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions | Open |
| PE25012 | 2016–2025 | October 7, 2025 | Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged | Open |
| AQ25002 | 2016–2025 | August 20, 2025 | Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements | Open |
| RQ24009 | 2012–2024 | April 25, 2024 | Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness | Open |
| DP23002 | 2012–2023 | June 29, 2023 | Sudden Unintended Acceleration | Open |
| EA21002 | 2012–2019 | September 17, 2021 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture | Open |
| PE24033 | 2016–2025 | January 6, 2025 | Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts. | Closed |
| PE24031 | 2016–2024 | October 17, 2024 | FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions | Closed |
| DP23001 | 2013–2023 | April 7, 2023 | Defect Petition Interlock Request | Closed |
| PE23006 | 2021–2023 | March 24, 2023 | Front seat belt anchor detachment | Closed |
| DP22005 | 2012–2022 | January 27, 2023 | Pedestrian alert sounds | Closed |
| EA22002 | 2012–2023 | June 8, 2022 | Autopilot System Driver Controls | Closed |
| PE22002 | 2020–2022 | February 16, 2022 | Unexpected Brake Activation | Closed |
| PE21023 | 2018–2021 | December 21, 2021 | Tesla Passenger Play | Closed |
| PE21020 | 2014–2022 | August 13, 2021 | Autopilot & First Responder Scenes | Closed |
| PE20020 | 2013–2017 | November 22, 2020 | Fore Link Failure | Closed |
| EA20003 | 2012–2018 | November 12, 2020 | Loss of rearview camera | Closed |
| PE20010 | 2012–2018 | June 22, 2020 | Loss of rearview camera | Closed |
| DP20001 | 2013–2019 | January 13, 2020 | Sudden Unintended Acceleration | Closed |
| DP19005 | 2012–2019 | October 1, 2019 | Battery Management Software Updates | Closed |
| PE16007 | 2014–2016 | June 28, 2016 | Automatic vehicle control systems | Closed |
| PE13037 | 2013 | November 15, 2013 | Fire - Propulsion Battery - Road Debris | Closed |
Complaints are unverified owner reports, and a recall names a model year, not a car: for one car, decode its VIN here or look it up at NHTSA. Tesla models.
Data: NHTSA, October 17, 2026.