no report yet
Back over prevention: software
NewRisk. A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
2021 Tesla Model SProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 179 owner complaints about the 2021 Tesla Model S, most often about the forward collision avoidance. It is covered by 23 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-172 the manufacturer reports only 73% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 29, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 Tesla Model S has problems
179 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
48Forward collision avoidance9 crash/fire/injury
29Steering3 crash/fire/injury
25Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
16Vehicle speed control2 crash/fire/injury
16Suspension
16Service brakes3 crash/fire/injury
10Wheels
9Lane departure
9Structure
4111 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 48 | 9 |
| Steering | 29 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 2 |
| Suspension | 16 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 16 | 3 |
| Wheels | 10 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 9 | 3 |
| Structure | 9 | 0 |
| 11 other systems | 41 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
23 recalls
2021 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 Q2
Air bags
Risk. An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Driver side: cushion
Risk. A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Electrical system: software
Risk. An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 19 more recalls
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.
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…
repaired · 2025 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q2
Seat belts: front
Risk. A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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 · 2024 Q4
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2024 Q2
Back over prevention: display function
Risk. A lagging or restarting CPU may prevent the center screen from displaying the rearview camera image, gear selection, windshield visibility control settings,…
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Curtain: inflator
Risk. An incorrectly assembled inflator can cause a delayed or improper deployment of the side curtain air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
no report yet
Electrical system: software
Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during 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 · 2023 Q4
Air bags
Risk. A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
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
2021 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
NHTSA crash tests
2021 Tesla Model S safety ratings
2021 Tesla Model S 5 HB AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 5 stars (5.7% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard
- Lane departure warning: Standard
14 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2021 Tesla Model S, and the recalls they led to.
- Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting RequirementsOpen
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
- Defect Petition Interlock RequestNo recall
- Sudden Unintended AccelerationOpen
- Autopilot System Driver ControlsLed to recall 23V-085
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsOpen
- Autopilot & First Responder ScenesNo recall
- Tesla Passenger PlayNo recall
- Unexpected Brake ActivationNo recall
- Front seat belt anchor detachmentLed to recall 23V-488
- 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 has taken away the ability to set maximum speed when using their Full Self Driving. THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL!!!! Now, the car can and will do 85 on a 60mph freeway! Sometimes you can't even tell you're speeding that fast until it's too late. INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS! They used to have that feature…
I noticed it happened before but I couldn't quite figure out what happened! I was driving down the local road and got ready to go under a overpass and next thing u know my EV just slammed on brakes like I was about to hit someone! Seatbelt choked me and made me gag! But when I came through this…
I was in full self driving mode and was travelling North bound 110 freeway transitioning to 405 freeway Northbound. In the right lane. Transition curved left. looked at my speed for a split second and as i looked up we were a split second from hitting freeway barrier head-on. We crashed through the…
Own a 2021 Model S?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.