Tesla Model S recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 38 recalls and 3,406 owner complaints for the Tesla Model S (model years 2012–2026). The most reported problem area is electrical system (999 complaints), followed by suspension (733 complaints). The 2021 model year has the most recalls (23).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 6 | 38 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 13 | 115 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 20 | 139 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 23 | 179 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 11 | 80 | 16 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 10 | 44 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 11 | 170 | 36 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 9 | 429 | 55 | 4 | |
| 2016 | 10 | 649 | 92 | 12 | |
| 2015 | 9 | 668 | 70 | 12 | |
| 2014 | 9 | 367 | 52 | 9 | |
| 2013 | 11 | 461 | 41 | 19 | |
| 2012 | 8 | 61 | 4 | 1 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2015 (668), 2016 (649) and 2013 (461). Among model years at least two years old, the 2024 has the fewest complaints on file (38).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all Tesla Model S model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 999 | 13 of 15 | |
| Suspension | 733 | 14 of 15 | |
| Steering | 346 | 13 of 15 | |
| Forward collision avoidance | 325 | 10 of 15 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 274 | 11 of 15 |
Latest 8 of 38 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V283000 | May 4, 2026 | Back over prevention: software | 2021–2023 | 218,868 |
| 25V172000 | Mar 19, 2025 | Air bags | 2021–2024 | 91 |
| 25V002000 | Jan 6, 2025 | Back over prevention: software | 2024–2025 | 239,382 |
| 24V967000 | Dec 23, 2024 | Air bags: frontal, driver side, cushion | 2021–2025 | 487 |
| 24V554000 | Jul 24, 2024 | Electrical system: software | 2021–2024 | 1,849,638 |
| 24V376000 | May 28, 2024 | Seat belts: front, warning light/devices | 2012–2024 | 125,233 |
| 24V153000 | Feb 27, 2024 | Electrical system: software | 2013, 2018–2021 | 6,557 |
| 24V051000 | Jan 30, 2024 | Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2012–2023 | 2,193,869 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 396 complaints and a fire in 62 complaints; 201 people injured and 32 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.