2017 TESLA MODEL S

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    suspension arms and bushings

    62 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    63
    incidents
    Typical range: 9,000–46,500 mi

    Median 28,000 mi, based on 34 reports (58% had no usable mileage)

    • "HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: THE ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW THAT THE LOWER SUSPENSION BALL JOINT HAS SNAPPED. THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE COLLISION DAMAGE COULD HAVE CAUSED A STEEL BALL JOINT TO SNAP BEFORE THE WEAKER ALUMINUM PARTS GAVE WAY. THE SEAT OF TH…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1452364
    • "THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA SUSPENSIONS. A TWITTER USER WHOSE NAME CAN BE FOUND ON THE SCREENSHOT WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THIS COMPLAINT) HAS POSTED PHOTOGRAPHS OF HIS BROKEN SUSPENSION. HE WAS UNHAPPY ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE SUSPENSION FELL APART IN HI…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1514565
    • "PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE USED THE VIN OF A DIFFERENT CAR TO SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT SINCE THE VIN OF THE CAR IN QUESTION IS UNAVAILABLE. HERE IS PAGE 15 OF A THREAD IN WHICH MANY OWNERS REPORT BROKEN SUSPENSIONS. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/ANOTHER-…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1683038
    • "FOR A FEW DAYS I NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE EMANATING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN GOING OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT. THEN WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE TIRE COLLIDED WITH THE WHEEL LINER AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE TESLA DEA…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1709749
    • "FRONT DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM/FORE LINK ASSEMBLY SNAPPED AND BROKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. LOW SPEED, STANDARD PAVEMENT. FELT LIKE I HAD RUN OVER A NAIL WHERE THE FRONT OF THE CAR LIFTED UP SLIGHTLY, POPPED, SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE POP, BUT THEN WOU…"~88,174 mi, complaint #1746422
  2. #2

    infotainment head unit

    28 unsafe, 1 broken, 20 annoyance

    49
    incidents
    Typical range: 24,000–49,000 mi

    Median 38,000 mi, based on 55 reports (29% had no usable mileage)

    • "THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA MODEL 3 I HAVE HAD TO FILE THIS UNDER MODEL S BECAUSE YOUR SITE DOES NOT YET ALLOW MODEL 3 COMPLAINTS TO BE FILED. THE FOLLOWING VIDEO SHOWS CLEARLY THAT THE MODEL 3 IS THE MOST DANGEROUS CAR ON THE ROAD. HTTPS://WWW.DAIL…"~500 mi, complaint #1444001
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE MEDIA CONTROL UNIT SCREEN WENT BLANK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE BACK OVER PREVENTION CAMERA FAILED TO DISPLAY ANY IMAGES. THE CONTACT REBOOTED THE COMPUTE…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1713690
    • "FOR ABOUT A YEAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED SPONTANEOUS FAILURES OF THE TOUCHSCREEN, LOSING ALL CLIMATE CONTROLS AND AUDIBLE SIGNAL ALERTS WHILE DRIVING WHILE THE SYSTEM REBOOTS. THE SCREEN EVENTUALLY GOES BLACK BEFORE THE SYSTEM REBOOTS. I HAVE REPEATEDLY TRIED AND F…"~35,250 mi, complaint #1707715
    • "2017 TESLA MODEL S. CENTER SCREEN FREEZES UP AND DASH LIGHTS GO BRIGHT TO DARK. ISSUE; WHEN CENTER SCREEN LOCKS UP YOU CAN'T USE THE FOLLOWING- DEFROSTERS, AIR CONDITIONING, HEATER, GARAGE DOOR REMOTE, NAVIGATION, BACK UP CAMERA, AUTO POILET WARNING GOES ON AN…"~49,000 mi, complaint #1707101
    • "THE MCU TOUCHSCREEN FAILS CONSTANTLY CAUSING NO ACCESS TO REAR VIEW CAMERA, AC CONTROLS, NAVIGATION, AND LOSS OF PRESET SETTINGS FOR MIRRORS AND DRIVE SEAT POSITION. REBOOT TAKES OVER 5 MINS WHILE CAR IS IN OPERATION TO NO AC WORKING. BOTH HEADLIGHTS…"~108,000 mi, complaint #1707236
  3. #3

    adas collision warning

    47 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    48
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 48,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "ON OCTOBER 18TH, MY TESLA WAS A MINOR FENDER BENDER . I WAS ON AUTO PILOT AND GOING ON A < 3 MPH SPEED BEFORE THE EXIT RAMP. ANOTHER CAR WAS STATIONED IN FRONT OF ME AND AUTOPILOT DID NOT REALIZE THE CAR CAME IN FRONT OF ME AND HIT THE OTHER CAR. THOUG…"~18,150 mi, complaint #1516509
    • "A PHANTOM EMERGENCY BRAKING EVENT OCCURRED TWICE ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 WHILE DRIVING FROM DALLAS TO HOUSTON BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 12PM - 4PM CST. I ALSO EXPERIENCED THREE BLANK SCREEN EVENTS DURING THIS SAME TRIP. THE MEDIA CONTROL UNIT (MCU) CONTROLLIN…"~22,500 mi, complaint #1720020
    • "The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving at highway speeds with cruise control engaged, the vehicle would suddenly brake on its own. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights would appear on…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1795855
    • "The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance system became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance feat…"~66,573 mi, complaint #2132789
    • "The contact owned a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, an Autopilot disabled warning message system was displayed a day prior. The contact reached out to the Tesla hotline for assistance regarding the failure. The contact w…"~98,787 mi, complaint #2154181
  4. #4

    control module

    38 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    39
    incidents
    Typical range: 24,500–58,000 mi

    Median 31,000 mi, based on 60 reports (18% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE MCU SCREEN GOES BLANK REPEATEDLY. IT REQUIRES A REBOOT. WHEN THIS OCCURS LOSS OF NUMEROUS VEHICLE FUNCTIONS OCCURS WHICH CREATES SAFETY ISSUES. CONTROL OF DEFOGGING, REAR BACK UP CAMERA ETC ARE SOME OF THE LAST SAFETY FEATURES. CURRENTLY HAS ONLY OCCUR…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1707244
    • "MY MCU IS CONTINUING TO POWER OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING AND THE SMALL SCREEN TAKES LONGER TO BOOT UP. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN SURFING STILL BEFORE I START OUT OF MY GARAGE."~26,150 mi, complaint #1709607
    • "MCU SPORADICALLY FREEZES AND/OR REBOOTS (WHILE IN MOTION) WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM US. THIS RENDERS THE DEFROST CONTROLS AND THE BACKUP CAMERA INOPERABLE UNTIL THE SYSTEM RESTARTS, WHICH TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME…"~34,000 mi, complaint #1673508
    • "I HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO TESLA SERVICE CENTER REPEATEDLY REGARDING THE EMMC UNIT FAILURE WHERE IT HAS GONE COMPLETELY BLANK AND TURNS OFF DURING MY DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES. I LOSE ALL AIR CONTROL, BLUETOOTH, REARVIEW CAMERA, AND EVERYTHING THAT THE MAIN MCU UNI…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1724193
    • "MAIN COMPUTER EXPERIENCED THE EMMC FAILURE WHICH IS WIDESPREAD FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR, AMONGST OTHERS. I COULD TELL IT WAS IMMINENT FOR FAILURE, HOWEVER WE DID NOT REALIZE THE VEHICLE NEEDS THIS COMPUTER FOR TURN SIGNAL CONTROL. THUS, MY WIFE DROVE HOME FROM…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1680699
  5. #5

    suspension struts shocks

    2 stranded, 26 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    29
    incidents
    Typical range: 5,000–19,000 mi

    Median 7,000 mi, based on 26 reports (21% had no usable mileage)

    • "HERE IS A BRAND NEW MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=26401554&ROWNUMBER=39&LOADRECENT=TRUE&ISNEXT=TRUE IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED ON ALL WHEELS. OWNERS HAVE BEEN REPORTING PROBLEMS WI…"~500 mi, complaint #1425115
    • "HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA FRESHLY ARRIVED IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=27093880&ROWNUMBER=48&LOADRECENT=TRUE THE LH BACK WHEEL HAS GONE A BIT WHOMPY. THE RH BACK WHEEL AND SUSPENSION HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN OFF. I DOES NOT LOOK AS THOUGH…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1440091
    • "HERE IS ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA SUSPENSIONS FALLING APART. THE OWNER OF THIS CAR IS A TESLA ENTHUSIAST WHO OWNS THREE TESLAS. I AM DOUBTFUL THAT HE WILL MAKE A COMPLAINT TO NHTSA HIMSELF SO I AM PASSING ON THIS INFORMATION IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1468069
    • "LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION PART BROKE ALLOWING THE TIRE TO JAMB INTO THE WHEEL COWLING. IT HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET THEN WAS UNABLE TO MOVE, NEEDED TO BE TOWED. I FOUND A SMALL CRACKED ALUMINUM PART UNDER THE CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE RECALL THAT IS NOW BEING DIS…"~19,000 mi, complaint #1709846
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SUSPENSION DISABLED MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS LOWERED CAUSING DIFFICULTY TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TESLA OF MATHEWS LOCATED…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1711826
  6. #6

    software or update

    17 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    20
    incidents
    Typical range: 27,500–58,000 mi

    Median 45,000 mi, based on 29 reports (47% had no usable mileage)

    • "REOCCURING DISPLAY ISSUES. BLANKING OUT OF SCREEN. IMAGES ON THE DISPLAY THAT WILL NOT DISAPPEAR UNLESS RE-BOOTED, LOSS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS SUCH AS FAN AND AC, OCCASIONAL LOSS OF ALL SOUND (BLINKERS, MEDIA, ETC. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON OCCASION AN…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1720660
    • "EXPERIENCING REGULAR BLACKOUTS OF MAIN SCREEN FORCING ME TO STOP DRIVING AND WAIT FOR REBOOT (UNLESS TRIGGERED MANUALLY AS PER TESLA SC ADVICE). COMPLETE BLACKOUTS HAVE HAPPENED REGULARLY ABOUT 5-7 TIMES OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS, LATEST BEING NOV 17 AT 6:30PM. T…"~28,000 mi, complaint #1709518
    • "MEDIA CONTROL UNIT 1 SOFTWARE KEPT CRASHING AND FAILING. POSSIBLE ROOT CAUSE IS FPGA AND/OR MMCU. SPENT $2500 TO REPLACE WITH MCU2 TO HELP ELIMINATE ISSUE. SEEMS LIKE LOTS OF OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES."~45,000 mi, complaint #1723035
    • "MY TESLA MODEL S HAS THE V1 HARDWARE, ALSO KNOWN AS MCUV1, WITH THE DAUGHTERBOARD EMMC REPLACEMENT FROM THE PREVIOUS RECALL RUNNING ON FIRMWARE 2020.48.37.1. THE SOUND FOR THE ENTIRE CAR WILL CUT OUT. IT MIGHT COME BACK, BUT EVEN A REBOOT OF THE CAR DOES NOT S…"~47,056 mi, complaint #1746690
    • "The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V838000 (Electrical System) however, the contact was informed by the dealer, that the computer needed to be updated from Media Control Unit 1 to Media Control…"~91,840 mi, complaint #1967786
  7. #7

    adas autonomous driving system

    17 unsafe

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=17, median 15,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "ON JULY 13, 2017, MY TESLA WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON THE I-680 IN THE VICINITY OF FREMONT, CALIFORNIA. MY VEHICLE WAS IN SELF-DRIVE MODE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT-MOST LANE AT 65 MPH. MY HANDS WERE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. WE ENTERED A LONG CURVE TO THE RIGHT AND APPROAC…"~600 mi, complaint #1392828
    • "THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA AUTOPILOT. DESPITE SEVERAL SERIOUS CRASHES INVOLVING AUTOPILOT OWNERS ARE STILL PLACING TOO MUCH TRUST IN THE DEVICE. VIDEOS HAVE BEEN POSTED OF OWNERS ATTACHING WEIGHTS AND WATER BOTTLES TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO DEFEAT TH…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1442477
    • "THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA AUTOPILOT. HERE IS A RECENTLY POSTED VIDEO: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/FLXYHWFVAZA THE AUTOPILOT DRIVES ONTO THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD!!! THIS OWNER IS A TESLA ENTHUSIAST AND PRESUMABLY KEEPS UP ON THE LATEST NEW ABOUT TESLA…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1466456
    • "THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA AUTOPILOT. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VIN OF A RANDOM TESLA MODEL S HAS BEEN USED TO ENABLE ME TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. HERE IS A FRESHLY UPLOADED YOUTUBE VIDEO OF SOME KIDS FOOLING AROUND WITH AUTOPILOT AND PUTTING MANY LIVES AT…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1650429
    • "AUTOPILOT HAS FAILED MANY TIMES. CAR ALMOST CRASHED. TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER SPENDING $100,000, THE AUTOPILOT SHOULD WORK AS DESIGNED. "~36,000 mi, complaint #1720210
  8. #8

    unintended acceleration

    17 unsafe

    17
    incidents
    Typical range: 3,500–24,500 mi

    Median 9,000 mi, based on 28 reports (24% had no usable mileage)

    • "WHILE TURNING RIGHT AND SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND JUMPED OVER THE BUMPER AND LANDED IN A GRASSY SPOT. FORTUNATE IT DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING OR ANYONE, I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND NOT…"~620 mi, complaint #1401233
    • "WE WERE IN A PARKING LOT OF "KIDQUEST MUSEUM" IN BELLEVUE , WA. , TAKING OUR GRAND DAUGHTER, ONE YEAR OLD, TO THE MUSEUM. OUR CAR WAS IN STATIONARY POSITION. WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO PARK. DURING THIS TIME, OUR MODEL X, TOOK OFF WITH UNINTEND…"~3,700 mi, complaint #1427491
    • "WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE CAR IN A PARKING SPACE THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AND CRASHED OVER A SMALL CONCRETE RETAINING WALL AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY CAR AND THE CAR THAT WAS STRUCK WERE TOTALED."~9,103 mi, complaint #1580496
    • "ON 12/03/20 AT AROUND 9:57AM, AFTER I SLOWLY TURNED LEFT INTO A PARKING NEAR A WHITE TRUCK AND JUST ABOUT TO BACK UP INTO MY COMPANY'S EV CHARGING PARKING LOT THEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED FORWARD CLIMBING OVER THE CURB OF THE MEDIAN SEPARATING THE PARKING AREA A…"~21,500 mi, complaint #1711835
    • "ON 1/19/20 AT 1623 PHOENIX TIME WHILE COMING TO A STOP ON A SURFACE STREET THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. PROMPT APPLICATION OF THE BREAKS PREVENTED AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED."~37,300 mi, complaint #1639731
  9. #9

    steering electric assist

    13 unsafe

    13
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The scroll wheel on the steering wheel failed which prevents the vehicle display from showing critical information. This scroll wheels are also used to reboot the computer when the system fails so it is a safety concern that needs to be addressed. Many Tesla…"complaint #1788882
    • "The contact owned a 2017 Tesla Model-S. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, there was a sound of something fracturing on the vehicle. There were issues with the steering functionality. The vehicle drove off the side of the road and crashed i…"complaint #1816499
    • "Sudden loss of power steering is the issue. I was driving the car home and it was about a [REDACTED ADDRESS] home I tried to turn left and it took all of my strength to turn the wheel. I made it around that corner and the car did the same thing when I made a…"complaint #1870349
    • "2017 Tesla Model S steering veered me off the road while driving at a normal rate without auto pilot enabled. I had just installed the 2022.8.10.11 software update Friday morning before the almost wreck. The car then from Friday to Wednesday appeared to wor…"complaint #1871841
    • "1x while driving, the steering wheel locked up. Luckily this was only for about 1 second, and I was only traveling on a [REDACTED ADDRESS]. If this was on a highway, it could have been deadly. 2x the car steering wheel would not move when shifting out of pa…"complaint #1980114
  10. #10

    steering rack mechanical

    11 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT FRAGILE ALLOY STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS USED ON ALL MODELS OF TESLA CARS INCLUDING THE S, X, AND MODEL 3. HERE IS A THREAD IN WHICH SEVERAL OWNERS REPORT THE SAME SNAPPED STEERING ARM. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THRE…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1450312
    • "PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VIN OF THE TESLA WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS COMPLAINT IS UNREADABLE AND THEREFORE IF HAVE USED A SUBSTITUTE VIN. IT WILL BE EASY FOR YOU TO CONTACT THE SALVAGE YARD AND OBTAIN THE CORRECT VIN. HERE IS THE SALVAGE AUCTION LISTING. HTTPS:…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1677961
    • "BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT FORE LINK FAILED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS DAMAGED THE WHEEL, TIRE AND WHEEL WELL."~55,950 mi, complaint #1575126
    • "The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was di…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1967071
  11. #11

    wheel or rim

    1 stranded, 9 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "THE COMPLAINT/ REPORT ALSO AS HTTPS://DOCS.GOOGLE.COM/DOCUMENT/D/1KZCESCBMBYWP_CTENVB7A51L-XX5TDBJCWZKB_NQVSS/EDIT?USP=SHARING 04/26/2017 15:06 I, AS A REGISTERED STRUCTURAL/ CIVIL ENGINEER/ ARCHITECT, DROVE MY TESLA MODEL S 60D (WHICH UPGRADED TO 75D) STOPP…"~1,515 mi, complaint #1374359
    • "HERE IS A 2017 MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=25563471&ROWNUMBER=49&LOADRECENT=TRUE&ISNEXT=TRUE THERE IS VERY LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR EXCEPT FOR THE BACK WHEEL WHICH HAS GONE ALL WHOMPY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE REASON THAT T…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1396042
    • " ON MONDAY MORNING(29.01.18) MY TESLA BROKE DOWN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TYRE DISLODGED FROM THE SUSPENSION WHILE I WAS REVERSING INTO MY BAY. THE ISSUES BEGAN FROM THIS POINT 1 AT ONLY 4526 MILES AND 122 DAYS OF AGE, ENDING UP WITH 3 WHEELS IS SIMPLY UNA…"~4,529 mi, complaint #1445099
    • "HERE IS ANOTHER TERDSLA IN THE JUNKYARD HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/39311673?TENANT=US&ROWNUMBER=21 THE FRONT WHEEL HAS FALLEN OFF BECAUSE ALL THE BALL JOINTS HAVE POPPED APART.\ THE BACK WHEEK HAS GONE WHOMPY BECAUSE THAT IS JUST WHAT TERDSLAS DO.…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1733021
    • "I JUST BOUGHT THE 2017 90D A MONTH AND HALF AGO AT 59K MILES NOW AT 65K MILES AND HEARD A POP AS I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB AT 3-5 MPH. THOUGHT IT SOUNDED WEIRD BUT MAY HAVE JUST BEEN A WATER BOTTLE OR SOMETHING. UNFORTUNATELY I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP BACK H…"~65,555 mi, complaint #1682897
  12. #12

    adas lane keeping

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 5,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA S75. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AUTOPILOT MODE, IT INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, IT INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED, MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN, AND DROVE I…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1450034
    • "ON 3 OCCASIONS, VEHICLE MADE SUDDEN, SPONTANEOUS ATTEMPTS TO MAKE A LEFT LANE CHANGE. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS IN SELF DRIVE MODE ON A FREEWAY; ON THE 1ST OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL; ON THE 3RD OCCASION THE VEHICLE…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1453419
    • "AUTOPILOT 2 IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS MAJOR ISSUES ON HILLS, TURNS AND TURN LANES THAT CAUSE CAR TO DEPART LANE, NEW AUTOPILOT 2.5 RELEASED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF AUTOPILOT 2 BUT COMPANY IS FAILING TO UPGRADE THE CURRENT UNSAFE AUTOPILOT 2"~4,500 mi, complaint #1400613
    • "THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE ABSOLUTE MADNESS OF TESLA AUTOPILOT. HERE IS JUST ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF HOW DANGEROUS THIS SO CALLED AUTOPILOT REALLY IS. FROM TODAY'S FORUM POSTS. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/NAG-REDUCED-WITH-2017-46.102558/ D21MI…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1427216
    • "WITH THE CURRENT RELEASE V9, IN A SPECIFIC LOCATION, UNDER AUTOPILOT THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO SUDDENLY VEER OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT, IN A VIOLENT ACTION. MANUALLY CORRECTING CAUSES AUTOSTEER TO DISENGAGE BUT CRUISE CONTROL REMAINS ON EXASSERBATING THE SITUATI…"~6,500 mi, complaint #1507941
  13. #13

    ev drive unit or inverter

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 23,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "ON SATURDAY 5/11/2019 AROUND 12:45PM WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY MADE A LOUD SOUND THEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY LEAVING ME STUCK. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE CAR DISPLAY AN ERROR ON THE CENTER CONSOLE "UN…"~9,000 mi, complaint #1566566
    • "BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT THE MACADAM SERVICE CENTER IN PORTLAND, OREGON ON OCTOBER 29TH DUE TO MCU ISSUES; THIS WAS BEFORE ANY NOTICE HAD GONE OUT! I WAS NOT EVEN AWARE OF THE ISSUE AT THIS TIME. IT WAS REBOOTING, VERY SLUGGISH, GETS 'LOST' IE KEEPS…"~19,000 mi, complaint #1709709
    • "TESLA MCU FAILS INTERMITTENTLY- RENDERING AUTOPILOT AND ALL SAFETY FEATURES ASSOCIATED USELESS. ALSO CAUSES EXTREME SCARE TO DRIVER WHEN FAILURE OCCURS, AS THEY BELIEVE CAR IS OFF/NOT WORKING. OCCURS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BOTH ON STARTUP AND WHILE DRIVING."~27,000 mi, complaint #1709510
    • "THERE ARE CHALLENGES WITH THE MCU1 AND ITS INTEGRATION WITH FSD HARDWARE #3. THIS MANIFESTS AS FREEZES ON THE CENTRAL AND DRIVERS DISPLAYS UNTIL THE CARS MCU DOES A FULL RESTART(SPEEDOMETER IS NOT AFFECTED). THIS RESTART CAN TAKE AS LITTLE AS 5MIN OR CAN STA…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1688750
  14. #14

    door latch and hinge

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL, THE REAR PASSENGER'S DOOR UNLATCHED BUT DID NOT OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TESLA ([REDACTED ADDRESS], CINCINNA…"~34,000 mi, complaint #1720013
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 1 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR INADVERTENTLY OPENED AND THE AUDIBLE WARNING SOUND ALERTED THAT THE DOOR WAS OPEN. THERE WERE ISSUES PRIOR WITH THE RE…"~70,345 mi, complaint #1727878
    • "The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while his father was driving at a slow speed, the rear driver’s side door independently opened. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that his father pulled over and closed the…"~83,000 mi, complaint #1853940
  15. #15

    glass and windshield

    5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLASS ROOF OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY TO THE POWER LIFTGATE. THERE WERE NO SENSORS WHERE THE GLASS MET THE GLASS ROOF, WHICH CAUSED A POSSIBLE HAZARD FOR THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.…"~18,350 mi, complaint #1512143
  16. #16

    lighting exterior

    3 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The LED daytime running lights are failing for the second time on my vehicle. By failing, I mean they are burning out and no longer effective. This is a well-known issue with Tesla vehicles, however Tesla is doing nothing to resolve the problem. The only solut…"complaint #1791824
    • "Unknown My daytime driving lights for safety have begun to go out. It has been a long standing complaint but they refuse to fix mine under an expired warranty and I was quoted $1650 each to replace. I was told they would do a good will replacement but they wi…"complaint #1803047
    • "Right Headlight and running light failed. Can or replace bulbs. Tesla wants $1500 Ro replace a headlight!"complaint #1850747
    • "Tesla designs a single piece headlight with no serviceable parts. This includes headlights, high beams, and namely daytime running lights. All of these components are on an LED strip that overheats and un-solders due to this high heat, which causes premature f…"complaint #1850783
    • "The daytime running lights dim and burn out after only a few year late and happen repeatedly even after the warranty has expired. It is a very expensive fix but is clearly a design problem because it looks to be happening across all models S’s"complaint #1921265
  17. #17

    other

    2 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THIS WAS ISSUED A FULL RECALL BY NHSTA. THE VENDOR, TESLA INDICTED ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE A CHIP REPLACEMENT WAS AVAILABLE. TO DATE NO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE AND THE VENDOR IS NON RESPONSIVE. YOUR HELP NEED TO EFFECT THIS RECALL"~24,000 mi, complaint #1735889
  18. #18

    trunk or liftgate

    4 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TESLA S TRUNK OPENS AFTER MANUAL PRESSING CLOSE BUTTON FROM INSIDE TRUCK"~2,500 mi, complaint #1433743
    • "The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00B000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). While at the dealer the contact noted that the rear safety trunk latch does not release due to it being connected to the trunk release actuat…"~24,000 mi, complaint #1793637
  19. #19

    backup camera

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I GOT IN MY CAR ON 1/12/2018 AROUND 430PM PST AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE BACKUP CAMERA PICTURE WAS A FROZEN PICTURE FROM AN EARLIER TIME, IT WAS NOT LIVE. I AM CERTAIN OF THIS BECAUSE IT WAS SHOWING MY GARAGE DOOR AS CLOSED, WHEN IT WAS IN FACT OPEN…"~7,500 mi, complaint #1440006
  20. #20

    ev charging system

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I HAD TO REPLACE CHARGING SYSTEM WITH TOTAL EXPENSE OF 2589.75. UNFORTUNATELY THE CHARGING SYSTEM THAT IS PART OF BATTERY, IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS LONG AS THE BATTERY. MY MILEAGE WAS 56814. ALL MY SAVINGS FROM GAS AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE COSTS IS EVAP…"~56,814 mi, complaint #1736965
  21. #21

    hv battery and range

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THIS IS A COMPLAINT RELATED TO THE TESLA BATTERY FIRES INVESTIGATION. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE USED THE VIN OF ANOTHER 2017 TESLA TO BE ABLE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. THE WRECK OF THE BURNED OUT TESLA HAS NOW SHOWED UP IN THE SALVAGE YARD BUT IT IS TOO BADLY BU…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1642115
    • "The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while charging the vehicle at a charge station, the contact entered the vehicle and after a few minutes, an abnormal plastic burning odor was present in the interior of the vehicle. The contact noticed…"~23,227 mi, complaint #1797384
    • "WITH FULL CHARGE, CAR DRIVES ABOUT 110 MILES. IT IS SUPPOSED TO GO ABOUT 230 MILES. TOOK IT TO TESLA DEALER AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THIS IS DECEPTION ON TESLA'S PART. THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE 230 MILES BUT GOES ONLY 110 MILES. "~36,000 mi, complaint #1720209
  22. #22

    instrument cluster

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "PARK, DRIVE, PARK, DRIVE, REVERSE AND NEUTRAL INDICATORS ("P,D,R,AND N" ARE ABOUT THIS SIZE) ON DASH ARE WAY TOO SMALL FOR AGING DRIVERS. SPEED INDICATOR IS MUCH LARGER, AND THERE IS ROOM ON THE DASH TO MAKE THESE INDICATORS MUCH LARGER…"~500 mi, complaint #1421453
    • "The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, he noticed that the 17-inch center display screen was black. The message "Wait For Start" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle tuned on after nea…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1847055
  23. #23

    airbag system

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel electronics malfunctioned causing the horn to become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local service center to be diagnosed. The contact was i…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1896544
  24. #24

    brake hydraulics

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA MODEL S. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT IT ALSO FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT…"~2,500 mi, complaint #1469488
    • "STOPPED AT A BUSY CITY STREET INTERSECTION FOR AROUND 2 MINUTES WAITING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT. MY CAR WAS SECOND CAR FROM THE INTERSECTION ON A SLIGHT UP SLOPE. OBVIOUSLY THE BRAKE WAS FULLY ENGAGED BUT MY CAR SUDDENLY CREEPS UP SLOPE AND GENTLY BUMPS INTO THE C…"~9,200 mi, complaint #1468451
  25. #25

    driveshaft axle cv

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THIS COMPLAINT IS MADE ON BEHALF OF A TESLA OWNER IN NORWAY. NORWAY IS A BIG MARKET FOR TESLAS. THE NHTSA WEBSITE IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE FOR OWNERS OUTSIDE OF USA TO USE BECAUSE IT NEEDS A USA TO BE SUPPLIED EVEN THOUGH IT IS VALID FOR OVERSEAS OWNERS TO COMPLAI…"~2,000 mi, complaint #1500059
  26. #26

    fluid leak unspecified

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE ISSUE OF FIRES IN THE TESLA CARS. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FIRES IN 2013. TESLA CLAIMED THAT THE FIRES WERE STARTED BY AN OBJECT PUNCTURING THE BATTERY PACK AND THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN SOLVED BY THE ADDITION OF A BA…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1404716
  27. #27

    hv system fault reduced power

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "While charging at a Tesla Supercharger, the vehicle began making extremely loud mechanical noises on October 7, 2025, as if something inside the high-voltage system was about to explode. A warning appeared stating “Vehicle may shut down at any time.” A service…"complaint #2146135
    • "This is an update to NHTSA Complaint #XXX with new safety information. My 2017 Tesla Model S (VIN [XXX] ) has a confirmed high-voltage isolation fault. Tesla replaced the rear drive unit under warranty, but Tesla’s own technician notes now state: “There is a…"complaint #2148302
  28. #28

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "DRIVER SEAT WAS REPLACED IN EARLIER APPOINTMENTS HOWEVER ROD STILL HITS BOTTOM (UNDERNEATH THE THIGHS AND BUTT). IT'S PAINS BAD AND LATER STOP BLOOD FLOW, NUMBS MY LEGS. I HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY ADJUST MYSELF TO CONTINUE MY DRIVING; AT THAT POINT I DON'T FEEL SAF…"complaint #1677292
    • "Tesla driver seat bolster hurts my bottom after 10/15 mins of driving. The seat cushion behind the bolster to the back sinks so low; and fails to keep me lifted. As a result, eventually after driving 10/15 mins bolster starts hitting my bottom and it starts to…"complaint #1842436
  29. #29

    heater core and blower

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "VEHICLE INTERIOR HEATING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. ONLY BLOWS HOT AIR AT "HI" TEMPERATURE, ANY OTHER TEMPERATURE BLOWS COLD AIR. THIS IS EFFECTING THE DEFROSTING FEATURE AS WELL. IT WILL TAKE 2-3 MINUTES TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD WHILE MOVING, MAKING VISI…"~90,250 mi, complaint #1713405
  30. #30

    wiper and washer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "PURCHASED A USED TESLA, TODAY (ON 2ND DAY) DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET, IT WAS RAINING A BIT, TURNED ON WIPERS, DIDN'T WORK, PULLED OVER AND ATTEPMTED FEW MORE TIMES, NO LUCK. TESLA ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE REMOTELY THROUGH BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING BUT NO LU…"~39,045 mi, complaint #1726893

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for TESLA MODEL S directly.