AI DamageTesla Model S: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Tesla Model S across 11 model years: 179 owner complaints and 153 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Forward collision avoidance 27% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 16% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 6% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 5% of all complaints
- Forward collision avoidance: 48 complaints (27% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Steering: 29 complaints (16% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Electrical system: 25 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 80.
- Suspension: 16 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Service brakes: 16 complaints (9% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- electric 2012–2026
- automatic, 1-speed 2012–2026
Drive: AWD, RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 179 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 48 | 9 | 2 |
| Steering | 29 | 2 | 28 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 1 | 80 |
| Suspension | 16 | 0 | 10 |
| Service brakes | 16 | 3 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 9 | 0 | 12 |
| Lane departure | 9 | 3 | 4 |
| Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 9 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Automatic braking did not engage, collision warning system failed to sound alert. Air bags deployed however seat belt completely spooled out causing the driver to strike the windshield and break the glass by contact with the top of the head. The vehicle was a total loss and the dealer never inspected the car.
The contact stated while driving approximately 100 MPH, as he took his foot off of the accelerator, with the vehicle brake control set to "aggressive slowdown," as the vehicle slowed the contact looked into the rearview mirror and observed white smoke issuing from the rear of the vehicle.
Have experienced 20+ erroneous forward collision errors with automatic breaking or lane assist corrections for obstacles such as hills, mailboxes, trees, absolutely nothing at all, etc.
The contact stated he noticed no warning lights illuminated nor warning chimes sounded advising of a vehicle ahead. The contact said both air bags deployed. The vehicle had crashed and damaged the entire front end which crumpled to the front tires. The police were on the scene and filed a report.
Brakes are not strong enough to brake tires loose or cause anti lock. My Chevrolet Colorado out stops my Tesla. Hit an animal that my truck would not have. Helpless feeling.
It is still unknown, but I believe the brakes failed. My wife was driving and making a left turn into a residential neighborhood when she applied the brake and it didn't respond, even when pushing the pedal to the floor. All that resulted was a clicking noise.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- On some Model S and Model X vehicles, the compression gap of the HVAC drain funnel seal is wider than…
- On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the HV battery umbrella valves, over time, may become damaged due…
- On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built between approximately January 2021 and September 22, 2022,…
- Messaging sent directly to customers who have queued with Tesla Service to perform Service Bulletin…
- Proactive messaging sent directly to customers affected by Service Bulletin SB-25-16-002 "Replace Flood…
- On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the HV battery umbrella valves, over time, may become damaged due…
- On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the battery powered Pyrotechnic High Voltage (HV) Battery…
- On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built between approximately January 2021 and September 22, 2022,…
- Certain Model S and Model X vehicles were equipped with driver airbags that do not meet internal quality…
- On certain Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles, the interior camera requires replacement to mitigate…
- Some Model S and Model X vehicles with 1st Generation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antennas…
- Some Model S and Model X vehicles with revision D interior cameras might suffer from lower-than-expected…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Rebuilding The Worlds Cheapest And Last 2026 Tesla Model S!amount per author: 500 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- 2026 Tesla Model S Rebuild More Damage Part 2
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.