Tesla Model S years to avoid (and the best years)
3,219 NHTSA owner complaints and 39 recalls across 13 model years, 2012 to 2024. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 3,219complaints
- 39recalls
- 376reported crashes
- 60reported fires
- 194reported injuries
- 32reported deaths
Which Tesla Model S years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Tesla Model S years to avoid are 2015, 2016, 2013, 2017 and 2014. The typical Tesla Model S year has 138 complaints on file.
- 2015: 646 complaints, 4.7 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (40% of complaints) and the suspension (23% of complaints).
- 2016: 604 complaints, 4.4 times the typical year. Most complaints name the suspension (34% of complaints) and the electrical system (23% of complaints).
- 2013: 459 complaints, 3.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (42% of complaints) and the suspension (20% of complaints).
- 2017: 379 complaints, 2.7 times the typical year. Most complaints name the suspension (27% of complaints) and the electrical system (27% of complaints).
- 2014: 365 complaints, 2.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (36% of complaints) and the suspension (25% of complaints).
What are the best Tesla Model S years?
The Tesla Model S years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2019 (32), 2023 (113) and 2022 (138). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 38 | 0.3× | 6 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Lane keeping system |
| 2023 | 113 | 0.8× | 13 | 8 | 0 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2022 | 138 | 1.0× | 20 | 3 | 0 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2021 | 178 | 1.3× | 24 | 13 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2020 | 80 | 0.6× | 11 | 16 | 8 | Some concerns to check | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2019 | 32 | 0.2× | 10 | 4 | 1 | Few red flags | Suspension |
| 2018 | 128 | 0.9× | 11 | 29 | 15 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2017 | 379 | 2.7× | 9 | 46 | 22 | Approach with caution | Suspension |
| 2016 | 604 | 4.4× | 10 | 89 | 64 | Approach with caution | Suspension |
| 2015 | 646 | 4.7× | 9 | 69 | 29 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 365 | 2.6× | 9 | 52 | 19 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
| 2013 | 459 | 3.3× | 11 | 41 | 24 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
| 2012 | 59 | 0.4× | 8 | 4 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 554 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Steering, suspension & tires235 (42%)
- Brakes92 (17%)
- Electrical & infotainment71 (13%)
- Engine & powertrain51 (9%)
- Structure & body44 (8%)
Recalls (39)
Safety · 26V283000 · May 2026 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 25V172000 · Mar 2025 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V002000 · Jan 2025 · model year 2024
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 24V967000 · Dec 2024 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 24V554000 · Jul 2024 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 24V376000 · May 2024 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Safety · 24V153000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 24V051000 · Jan 2024 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
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.
Safety · 24V035000 · Jan 2024 · model year 2023
A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 23V862000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2022, 2023
An unlocked door may unlatch and open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 23V838000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Steering · 23V743000 · Nov 2023 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
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.
Seat belts · 23V488000 · Jul 2023 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 23V489000 · Jul 2023 · model year 2023
Safety features that are unavailable without any warning to the driver may increase the risk of a crash.
Steering · 23V085000 · Feb 2023 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
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 crash.
Steering · 22V818000 · Nov 2022 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 22E092000 · Nov 2022 · model year 2021
When using the incorrect mirrors, the driver may misjudge the distance of other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 22V702000 · Sep 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 22V526000 · Jul 2022 · model year 2022
A passenger air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury.
Safety · 22V296000 · May 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A lagging or restarting CPU may prevent the center screen from displaying the rearview camera image, gear selection, windshield visibility control settings, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V235000 · Apr 2022 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V169000 · Mar 2022 · model years 2018, 2019
A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 22V104000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
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.
Electrical system · 22V063000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V050000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V045000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Electrical system · 22V037000 · Jan 2022 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V00B000 · Dec 2021 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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 increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V868000 · Nov 2021 · model year 2021
A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Safety · 21V846000 · Oct 2021 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V035000 · Jan 2021 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V002000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Steering · 18V204000 · Mar 2018 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V031000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 17V260000 · Apr 2017 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 17V023000 · Jan 2017 · model year 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Seat belts · 15V780000 · Nov 2015 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
If the seat belt is not correctly attached to the pretensioner, it may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Safety · 14V006000 · Jan 2014 · model year 2013
An overheated adapter, cord, or wall outlet increases the risk of burn injury and/or fire.
Safety · 13V249000 · Jun 2013 · model year 2013
In the event of a crash, the left hand seat back may not stay mounted, increasing the risk of injury to passengers.