Tesla Model SYears to avoid, problems & recalls
Based on 3,428 NHTSA owner complaints across 15 model years, the Tesla Model S years to avoid are 2015 and 2016, and the strongest years are 2012, 2019, 2020 and 2024. The Model S has 38 safety recalls on record.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.
Tesla Model S years to avoid
Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Model S median. Tap a year for its full report.
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
Most common Tesla Model S problems
All model years combined: 3,428 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1005 | 71 |
| Suspension | 737 | 137 |
| Steering | 349 | 40 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 341 | 40 |
| Vehicle speed control | 279 | 117 |
| Service brakes | 204 | 56 |
| Exterior lighting | 197 | 3 |
| Structure | 160 | 34 |
| Power train | 149 | 12 |
| 17 other systems | 913 | 112 |
Tesla Model S recalls
Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.
Showing the 12 newest of 38 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.
NHTSA investigations of the Model S
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsOpen
- Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engagedOpen
- Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting RequirementsOpen
- Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.No recall
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsNo recall
- Recall 23V838 Remedy EffectivenessOpen
- Sudden Unintended AccelerationOpen
- Defect Petition Interlock RequestNo recall
- Front seat belt anchor detachmentLed to recall 23V-488
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063