DEFECTFILE
Vehicles / Tesla / Model S

Tesla Model S

5,284 federal complaints across 15 model years (2012-2026) ยท 38 recall campaigns

Complaints by model year

Federal complaints filed against each model year of the Tesla Model S. Hover a bar for the count.

2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Three most-complained-about yearsAll other years

Which years to avoid

Ranked from the same federal record. Click any year for its full file.

Years to look at twice

  1. 2015 Tesla Model S - 1,057 complaints
  2. 2016 Tesla Model S - 1,027 complaints
  3. 2013 Tesla Model S - 677 complaints
Highest raw complaint counts. Counts are not adjusted for sales volume.

Quieter years

  1. 2019 Tesla Model S - 73 complaints
  2. 2024 Tesla Model S - 78 complaints
  3. 2012 Tesla Model S - 89 complaints
Fewest complaints among years with a meaningful record; the two newest model years are excluded because they have had little time to accumulate filings.

What fails, all years combined

Electrical system
1,001
Suspension
730
Driver assistance
672
Steering
344
Speed control
273
Brakes
202

Every model year

Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2026 Tesla Model S60
2025 Tesla Model S72
2024 Tesla Model S786
2023 Tesla Model S16213
2022 Tesla Model S19820
2021 Tesla Model S27923
2020 Tesla Model S12311
2019 Tesla Model S7310
2018 Tesla Model S28811
2017 Tesla Model S6749
2016 Tesla Model S1,02710
2015 Tesla Model S1,0579
2014 Tesla Model S5469
2013 Tesla Model S67711
2012 Tesla Model S898

Recall campaigns, all years

Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Recall repairs are free at the dealer.

CampaignYearsComponentSummary
26V2830002021-2023Back Over PreventionTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and Model X vehicles operating software version 2026.8.6. The rearview camer
25V1720002021-2024Electrical SystemTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from
25V0020002024-2025Electrical SystemTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rea
24V9670002021-2025Air BagsTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the
24V5540002021-2024Latches/Locks/LinkagesTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition
24V3760002012-2024Seat BeltsTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt
24V1530002013-2021Forward Collision AvoidanceTesla, 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
24V0510002012-2023Electrical SystemTesla, 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 display
24V0350002023Back Over PreventionTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, X, and Y vehicles equipped with full self-driving computer 4.0 and running a software release version 2023.44.30 through 2023
23V8620002022-2023Latches/Locks/LinkagesTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles. The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme
23V8380002012-2023Electrical SystemTesla, 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 v
23V7430002021-2024SteeringTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was rep
23V4890002023Forward Collision AvoidanceTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The forward-facing camera may be misaligned, causing some of the active safety features such a
23V4880002021-2023Seat BeltsTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause
23V0850002016-2023SteeringTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or p
22V8180002017-2021SteeringTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist w
22V7020002021-2022VisibilityTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correc
22V5260002022Air BagsTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2022 Model S vehicles. The front bumper carrier structure may alter the vehicle's crash detection, causing the front passenger air bag to d
22V2960002021-2022EquipmentTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S, Model X, and 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating certain firmware releases. The infotainment central processing
22V2350002020-2022Forward Collision AvoidanceTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external sp
22V1690002018-2019Back Over PreventionTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. Th
22V1040002021-2022Air BagsTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S vehicles. The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly.
22V0630002020-2022Forward Collision AvoidanceTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external sp
22V0500002021-2022VisibilityTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentio
22V0450002021-2022Seat BeltsTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle start
22V0370002016-2022SteeringTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the
21V00B0002014-2021Latches/Locks/LinkagesTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, t
21V8680002021Air BagsTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
21V8460002017-2021Forward Collision AvoidanceTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause
21V0350002012-2018VisibilityTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND