Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Tesla Model S, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2015 Tesla Model S - 613 complaints in its first 8 years (667 to date)
- 2016 Tesla Model S - 604 complaints in its first 8 years (644 to date)
- 2017 Tesla Model S - 412 complaints in its first 8 years (424 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2012 Tesla Model S - 35 complaints in its first 8 years (61 to date)
- 2018 Tesla Model S - 168 complaints in its first 8 years (168 to date)
- 2014 Tesla Model S - 299 complaints in its first 8 years (365 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tesla Model S | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 Tesla Model S | 6 | 6 | 2 |
| 2024 Tesla Model S | 38 | 38 | 6 |
| 2023 Tesla Model S | 111 | 111 | 13 |
| 2022 Tesla Model S | 136 | 136 | 20 |
| 2021 Tesla Model S | 176 | 176 | 23 |
| 2020 Tesla Model S | 80 | 80 | 11 |
| 2019 Tesla Model S | 44 | 44 | 10 |
| 2018 Tesla Model S | 168 | 168 | 11 |
| 2017 Tesla Model S | 424 | 412 | 9 |
| 2016 Tesla Model S | 644 | 604 | 10 |
| 2015 Tesla Model S | 667 | 613 | 9 |
| 2014 Tesla Model S | 365 | 299 | 9 |
| 2013 Tesla Model S | 459 | 361 | 11 |
| 2012 Tesla Model S | 61 | 35 | 8 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V283000 | 2021-2023 | Back Over Prevention | Tesla, 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. |
| 25V172000 | 2021-2024 | Electrical System | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. |
| 25V002000 | 2024-2025 | Electrical System | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. |
| 24V967000 | 2021-2025 | Air Bags | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. |
| 24V554000 | 2021-2024 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. |
| 24V376000 | 2012-2024 | Seat Belts | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. |
| 24V153000 | 2013-2021 | Forward Collision Avoidance | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. |
| 24V051000 | 2012-2023 | Electrical System | Tesla, 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. |
| 24V035000 | 2023 | Back Over Prevention | Tesla, 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... |
| 23V862000 | 2022-2023 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles. The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash. |
| 23V838000 | 2012-2023 | Electrical System | Tesla, 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... |
| 23V743000 | 2021-2024 | Steering | Tesla, 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... |
| 23V489000 | 2023 | Forward Collision Avoidance | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. |
| 23V488000 | 2021-2023 | Seat Belts | Tesla, 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... |
| 23V085000 | 2016-2023 | Steering | Tesla, 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... |
| 22V818000 | 2017-2021 | Steering | Tesla, 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... |
| 22V702000 | 2021-2022 | Visibility | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. |
| 22V526000 | 2022 | Air Bags | Tesla, 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... |
| 22V296000 | 2021-2022 | Equipment | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S, Model X, and 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating certain firmware releases. |
| 22V235000 | 2020-2022 | Forward Collision Avoidance | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. |
| 22V169000 | 2018-2019 | Back Over Prevention | Tesla, 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. |
| 22V104000 | 2021-2022 | Air Bags | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S vehicles. The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly. |
| 22V063000 | 2020-2022 | Forward Collision Avoidance | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. |
| 22V050000 | 2021-2022 | Visibility | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. |
| 22V045000 | 2021-2022 | Seat Belts | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. |
| 22V037000 | 2016-2022 | Steering | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. |
| 21V00B000 | 2014-2021 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | Tesla, 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. |
| 21V868000 | 2021 | Air Bags | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment. |
| 21V846000 | 2017-2021 | Forward Collision Avoidance | Tesla, 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. |
| 21V035000 | 2012-2018 | Visibility | Tesla, 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... |