repaired · 2026 Q2
Front: warning light/devices
Risk. A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
2019 Tesla Model SProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 45 owner complaints about the 2019 Tesla Model S, most often about the forward collision avoidance. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 21V00B000 the manufacturer reports only 87% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 29, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2019 Tesla Model S has problems
45 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
12Forward collision avoidance
8Suspension
7Service brakes1 crash/fire/injury
6Electrical system
4Steering
3Visibility/wiper
3Vehicle speed control
3Power train
2Wheels
1710 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 12 | 0 |
| Suspension | 8 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 2 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 17 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2019 Tesla Model S recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
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.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Driver monitoring: software
Risk. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as…
Show 6 more recalls
repaired · 2025 Q1
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk. FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a…
repaired · 2024 Q3
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Back over prevention: display function
Risk. A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk. Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q4
Hood: latch
Risk. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and…
repaired · 2021 Q4
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
Risk. Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Tesla.
Best & worst years
2019 vs. every other Model S year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Model S median. How we score
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
15 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2019 Tesla Model S, and the recalls they led to.
- Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting RequirementsOpen
- Battery Management Software UpdatesNo recall
- Sudden Unintended AccelerationNo recall
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
- Defect Petition Interlock RequestNo recall
- Sudden Unintended AccelerationOpen
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Autopilot System Driver ControlsLed to recall 23V-085
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsOpen
- Autopilot & First Responder ScenesNo recall
- Tesla Passenger PlayNo recall
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsNo recall
- Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.No recall
- Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engagedOpen
- Recall 23V838 Remedy EffectivenessOpen
In owners' words
What Model S owners report
Recent forward collision avoidance complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Tesla’s software updates have rendered systems useless the vehicle wants to hug and sometimes cross the left double yellow lines. It cannot hold a constant speed and since their implementation of “supervised” full self driving, have made my vehicle unsafe
My Tesla supervised FSD is a safety hazard. Promised programming updates have not improved the erratic, UNSAFE “assistance. I try it after each update, but I’m afraid to rely on it other than 5-10mph bumper to bumper road conditions. I don’t have one specific occurrence to report and thank goodness…
Vehicle suddenly stopped on highway luckily there were no drivers behind me. The vehicle all of a sudden started beeping even though there was a clear path and no obstructions. Then stopped. I was panicked and in awe at what was happening. I couldn’t get the vehicle to drive I was just stuck for…
Own a 2019 Model S?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.