Tesla Model S Problems by Year
NHTSA has 3,407 owner complaints and 38 safety recalls on file for the Tesla Model S, across 15 model years (2012–2026). The 2015 model year has the most complaints (668). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Tesla Model S years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Model S year: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2015 Model S: 668 complaints, 9 recalls
- 2016 Model S: 648 complaints, 10 recalls
- 2013 Model S: 460 complaints, 11 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2025 Model S: 6 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2026 Model S: 7 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2024 Model S: 38 complaints, 6 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Tesla Model S problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 998 | 13 | 43 |
| Suspension problems | 732 | 15 | 127 |
| Steering problems | 346 | 14 | 37 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance problems | 337 | 13 | 40 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 276 | 13 | 117 |
| Service Brakes problems | 203 | 13 | 55 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 197 | 11 | 3 |
| Structure problems | 158 | 12 | 28 |
| Power Train problems | 148 | 13 | 11 |
| Visibility/wiper problems | 131 | 14 | 0 |
| Lane Departure problems | 115 | 14 | 15 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 110 | 10 | 18 |
| Wheels | 86 | 14 | 7 |
| Air Bags | 82 | 13 | 23 |
| Back Over Prevention | 81 | 12 | 9 |
| Engine | 65 | 10 | 6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 47 | 7 | 11 |
| Visibility | 45 | 9 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 44 | 12 | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 29 | 10 | 3 |
| Tires | 23 | 6 | 0 |
| Equipment | 20 | 7 | 0 |
| Seats | 18 | 8 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Tesla Model S problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2018: forward collision avoidance (50)
- 2017: electrical system (114) · suspension (107) · forward collision avoidance (67)
- 2016: suspension (210) · electrical system (149) · steering (87) · vehicle speed control (81) · service brakes (53)
- 2015: electrical system (266) · suspension (149) · steering (51)
- 2014: electrical system (133) · suspension (90)
- 2013: electrical system (195) · suspension (91)
All Tesla Model S model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Model S | 7 | 0 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | |
| 2025 Model S | 6 | 2 | — | Power Train | |
| 2024 Model S | 38 | 6 | — | Unknown or Other | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 Model S | 114 | 13 | — | Unknown or Other | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 Model S | 139 | 20 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2021 Model S | 179 | 23 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | More complaints than other years |
| 2020 Model S | 80 | 11 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2019 Model S | 44 | 10 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2018 Model S | 169 | 11 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | More complaints than other years |
| 2017 Model S | 428 | 9 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2016 Model S | 648 | 10 | — | Suspension | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 Model S | 668 | 9 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2014 Model S | 366 | 9 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 Model S | 460 | 11 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2012 Model S | 61 | 8 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
More from Tesla: all Tesla models · Tesla VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Tesla Model S years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2013 (460), 2014 (366), 2015 (668), 2016 (648), 2017 (428) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Model S year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Tesla Model S?
Electrical System, with 998 complaints across 13 model years.
How many recalls does the Tesla Model S have?
38 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.