Page 4 of 14 · complaints 151–200 of 669

2015 Tesla Model S complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2015 record →

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 17, 2021CA

Trunk states it's open, but it's closed. I can't reset it. When I crawled into the area to use the safety pull cord to open it, nothing happened! Well, the pull cord broke. What if I'd been kidnapped and put in there?? I cannot open the hatch and it looks like an expensive repair from what I've read online. Surely this is a safety issue and should be covered under a recall.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 16, 2021CA

Sometime about a month ago, when driving along the Capitol Expressway going home, the huge Center Console screen suddenly went blank for a few seconds. With the screen off, most vehicle controls as not accessible. Since i was near a Supercharging Station, i parked there and performed reset while proceeding to charge. After a few minutes, screen went back on.

Suspension
Filed Oct 2, 2021MN

Left front wheel rubs against wheel well when turning and a rubbing sound is heard at speeds around 55 mph. The dealer inspected and said that the suspension had failed and needed replacement.

Visibility
Filed Sep 29, 2021CA

The Contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was exhibiting failure. The failure mileage was not available. The manufacturer was not contacted. Parts distribution disconnect.

Steering
Filed Sep 28, 2021OH

When backing out of my garage, I heard some loud metal breaking sounds from the front of the car on the passenger side. I drove the car a short distance and heard grinding sounds ... at which point I had the car towed. The part that broke was one of the Fore Link Assembly parts (or else the Front Suspension Aft Link Assembly .... the Tesla service department replaced both) .... these are the components that control the direction of the right front wheel when turning. I will upload a picture of the parts that were replaced ... showing the broken part. To the best of my knowledge, there was no apparent precipitating cause for the failure.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Sep 20, 2021CA

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the Media Control Unit eMMC screen was blank and inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that a chip replacement was needed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 16, 2021GA

On September 7, 2021 I was driving in heavy rain conditions. The rain was so heavy I could only drive at speed of 25 mph. My car displayed a message "Car may not restart - service required" I pulled under a canopy of a gas station and put the car in PARK. The car did not restart after that and was towed to Tesla Service Center. The next day I was told that a RAPID MATE vehicle side connector failed due to water ingress and that HV battery needs to be replaced due to same damage. I was presented with a $23622.54 invoice even, though, the battery is covered under existing powertrain warranty. The car was never driven into standing water or a puddle. Water has NOT entered the interior of the car. The battery and other electrical components of the car are poorly insulated / isolated presenting the risk of water damage and or electric shock under ordinary driving conditions.

Suspension
Filed Sep 6, 2021OR

Suspension keeps making noises such as knocking roughly in both front wheels. Feels week and in high speeds it might get broken causing loss of control. Took it to service they will charge me even with the repair bulletin I found in NHTSA. Correction: Four Wheel Alignment (Air Suspension) (Adjust Camber Caster Toe) Correction: Links - Front Suspension - Lower - Aft - LH/RH (Remove & Replace)

Suspension
Filed Aug 16, 2021MO

I own a 2015 Model S - 85D / Mileage 42967 purchased September 2015. On July 11, 2021, I visited family in IL and returned to my residence. I was heading to the grocery store and backing the car out of the driveway by the garage door going 5-10 mph. As I turned to the left to back out, I immediately heard a squeaky grinding noise by the front left driver-side of the tire area. I moved forward and backwards to straighten the car and heard the grinding noise again. I also felt the left front driver tire rubbing into the wheel well liner around the tire and a little wobbly. I very felt uncomfortable and decided not to drive the vehicle and parked it in the garage until it was towed. I was without my vehicle and drove an alternate vehicle with gas. I called Tesla on 7/12/21 to inquire and was inform I may need a wheel alignment and scheduled appointment for 8/2/2021. There was the risk and danger of having a severe accident as I did not feel safe hearing the grinding noise. On Sunday, 8/1/2021, as I pulled the Tesla out of the garage to be towed this friend noticed the left tire moving from side to side. I updated my Tesla appointment and informed them of this issue. I received a call on 8/3/2021 from the Tesla Repair technician stating the problem was a broken suspension joint with the Front Driver Front Fore Link. My thought was – “What if this had occurred and broke while on the highway driving 65-70 mph?" I immediately went online to google and found the article that Tesla po

Electrical SystemCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 16, 202151,720 milesCA

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle went into autopilot and crashed into the median divider. No medical attention was received on the scene but the contact later went to the hospital for injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's girlfriend's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and will be towed to a body shop to examine if it is totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would contact back after their investigation. The failure mileage was 51,720.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 5, 2021CA

The MCU on my vehicle has failed four separate times while I was driving, causing loss of air conditioning, navigation, rear view mirror and other safety features. It was scary each time it happened and I feared that I would lose control of the vehicle.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 30, 2021CA

Hello, My driver's side door handle broke back in November/December of 2020. As a result, it prevented me from entering the car on the driver's side. I had it repaired in December 2020. Now, my passenger side door handle has broken as well. My concern here is that if there is an accident where the car is on fire, etc., and the passenger(s) inside my car are unconscious, that someone from outside the car would have a difficult time opening the door to pull them out. they wold need to break the glass and pull them out through the window. Although this is an option/workaround, I believe it puts all passengers in the car at risk of sever injury or death if this type of situation is experiences and time of essence it critical. I'm submitting this information b/c I believe that with the multiple door handle failures that this creates a significant risk to the safety of passengers in my Tesla. As a result, I think a more robust longer term solution is needed for the Tesla Model S. Thanks, Trevor

Steering
Filed Jul 28, 2021115,480 milesAZ

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel stiffened while turning. There was a loud clanking sound while turning the steering wheel. The eMMC center display screen inadvertently turned off while the contact was driving. The eMMC screen was also slow to start up while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that the failures started after receiving the vehicle back from a collision repair shop. The vehicle was involved in a collision where another vehicle had crashed into the driver’s side door. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 115,480.

Suspension
Filed Jul 23, 2021CO

Was driving on freeway at approx. 55 mph. Had to brake rapidly (but not emergency type braking) for accident ahead. Passenger side front wheel locked up and could only drive vehicle to exit freeway. A piece of metal from the suspension had broken and was caught between wheel and brake. Car was towed to Tesla where they indicated the front lower fore link had failed.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 21, 2021CA

Tesla was to rebate the money for the VCM Daughterboard and did NOT. We have been trying to collect this money for over a year!

Back Over Prevention
Filed Jul 21, 202149,274 milesCA

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the main center display failed not allowing the contact to use the rearview camera, the turn signals, and all the electrical functions. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the eMMC flash memory device needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that a couple of days later he received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior lighting). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 49,274.

Steering
Filed Jul 19, 2021MD

Today, I encountered what I now know to be a common problem with the U Joint in Steering Rack binding heavily at 45 degree, 90 degree, and 180 degree positions. This resulted in my steering wheel being stuck in position while driving and nearly caused me to crash into another vehicle today as a result. Luckily I was able to unbind the steering but it got really stiff. I drove to a safe area with steering continued to show binding/seizing behavior. I got a profession who inspected the U Joint and found a lot of debris. Teflon lubricant was applied and cleaned to their best ability but the part is really hard to reach and requires removal of the front drive unit for the dual motor cars. The binding is still occurring but not as strongly as before. This is already a flagged item and should be considered a recall. This issue could have killed someone today. The U Joint should have a boot over it and not be exposed to the elements. Posted below is a related bulletin for RWD Model S. I have a dual motor Model S so this issue is not only RWD S. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10177030-9999.pdf The steering U Joint issue is not something to take light hearted. I did not know the steering could potentially bind until it occurred and it was so sudden. With so many occurrences with other owners, there will be an increased chance someone may crash and cause injury to themselves or others. If this happens during a lane change, it can cause the steering to bind and in the wrong s

Electrical System
Filed Jul 19, 2021CA

I received an “important safety recall” letter from Tesla, dated July 14, 2021. This is to replace the embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC) in the media control unit. The instructions were to set up an appointment with Tesla to replace the VCM daughter board with on containing an enhanced eMMC. Yesterday, upon receiving the letter, I created an appointment for this Friday per Tesla’s instructions. I received confirmation of the appointment. Today I received a message from Tesla: “For this recall, unless you are currently experiencing issues with this touchscreen that we are able to verify, we will not be replacing it at this time. Please let us know if you have any other concerns, otherwise we will close this work order.” I wrote back asking for them not to cancel my appointment. I have had the main screen “blank out” with no controls. This also turns off my air conditioner, rear camera, and other controls. This screen has gone out three times over the past year. I’m concerned that they are not going to fulfill their obligation for me and others who have these cars and are experiencing the same problem. I have asked Tesla to remedy the situation and have not heard back.

Suspension
Filed Jul 15, 2021TX

I was driving at 30 mph on an empty, flat, straight road when the front passenger wheel popped and the car started wobbling and became uncontrollable. I pulled over and this wheel was tilted sideways off-axis. The car needed to be towed. I was told by Tesla that the front passenger wheel’s “control arm” broke. This happened without warning and without any impact or accident on the vehicle. Had there been traffic, or had I been driving at high speed, the vehicle would certainly have collided with other vehicles.

Steering
Filed Jul 10, 2021NC

While backing out of the driveway I heard a loud crack and grinding noise when turning the wheel to pull out into the street. Upon stopping a checking where the noise was coming I found that the left lower fore link completely sheared/ cracked off and the wheel was up against the back of the wheel well. ***The area where the wheel was backed up against (Completely tore the liner) has the cooling tubing (now leaking) & a high voltage wireline. This could've resulted in serious issues if we were traveling at higher speeds. Tesla has failed to reach out and call back regarding the issue and the vehicle is rendered completely useless/ undrivable. I've owned many vehicles and this is most certainly NOT NORMAL WARE AND TARE! This is a big safety issue and needs to be addressed ASAP. Thank god my family wasn't on the highway or any road above 5MPH when this happened. The damage would've been catastrophic.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 8, 2021CA

The part that is currently under recall (eMultiMediaCard) has failed for the fourth time. The first three times it failed, it was repaired under warranty and was repaired in a timely manner. This time, it has failed (only a few days after I got my recall letter) and the car is unsafe for me to drive. The turn signals don't even work. Tesla seems to think that is perfectly fine and seems to believe (as they have told me outright) that there is nothing wrong with the car and it is still drivable. However, it is NOT LEGAL for me to drive without working turn signals. They have refused to make a timely appointment for me to get this repair completed. This the FOURTH time I have had to send my car in for THE SAME PROBLEM! They are not taking this issue seriously enough! It is neither legal nor safe for me to drive without turn signals. This is an unacceptable attitude on their part.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Jul 8, 2021MD

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had to experience the failure for the recall repair to be completed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 29, 2021MA

Tesla refuses to provide the recall service despite my vehicle VIN being on the recall list

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 18, 2021CO

Battery Range diminished and Battery Charging since Software update decrease speed to very slow.

Suspension
Filed Jun 15, 2021MO

The information that is being provided should be added to a previous submission that was incomplete. - What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. See attached estimate from TESLA for repairs. At slow speeds, when making a left turn out of the driveway or into a parking space, I noticed something is wobbling in the right front tire suspension. It was not tight. It resembles a loose ball in socket wobble. It was first felt with approximately 98,000 miles on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken in for the last checkup prior to the end of the extended warranty, but the problem was not discovered. I did not understand what was wrong with the vehicle until I took it in to TESLA to have a nail removed from the left rear. There is no excessive wear on my tires. I was informed that the vehicle needs $3660 in repairs to replace the suspension on all four wheels at 106,640 miles. Many of the miles on the vehicle are from interstate driving. The elevated rack inspection also revealed that the rear driver side wheel wobbles back and forth. Now I question the condition of the springs and struts. - Your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A failure in a joint such as a tie rod end or a ball joint, or one of the solid parts, a vehicle with a broken steering linkage part cannot be relied on to turn when you want it to. Experts say, "Suspensions are composed of too many different parts t

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 11, 2021SC

Tesla Model S door handles are futuristic in design yet they have a major propensity to break on all versions earlier than the v3.0 door handles. My 2015 Tesla Model S have v2.0 and my driver side door handle now fails to extend out to let me into a car. I imagine this is a safety concern if I was in an accident and unconscious and a battery fire were to erupt someone outside my vehicle would have no way to open the door to pull me out. Example from 2019 where a person died from this exact scenario: https://www.autonews.com/regulation-safety/teslas-futuristic-door-handles-blamed-death-fiery-wreck

Suspension
Filed Jun 11, 2021MO

- The right front drivers side wheel wobbles when making a left turn into a parking space. - The right front drivers side wheel wobbles when making a left turn out of a drive way when turning into the street. - It reminds you of a basketball rolling around the rim before falling through the hoop, and then falling back in-place. -This is not an everyday occurence.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 11, 2021TN

My vehicle was having issues during 2020 with the eMMC recall. I took the vehicle to the dealership to be repaired and paid for the repair out of pocket. After this repair took place, the NHTSA forced Tesla to do a recall for the part that failed. I subsequently was reached out by Tesla who denied a refund for the repair that I paid out of pocket and did not and has not (3 months of following-up with the company) explained the denial nor offered repayment as directed by the NHTSA. Unfortunately, I am not the only individual who has had this same experience. Many individuals online have ran into the same unfortunate circumstances. See instances linked below. https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/emmc-recall-reimbursement.222189/

Electrical System
Filed Jun 2, 2021NY

In May 2019 Tesla pushed an OTA update on the car (including mine) with caused the car to reduce charging speed a lot. I normally go at the Green Acres Mall supercharger, in Queens NY near JFK airport and my car used to charge at 74kW (about 40 min of time from 50 miles range to 200 miles range). After the update the time more than doubled (about 1 hour and 30 min of time to add the same miles range). The update was in response to a Model S bursting into flames in Hong Kong, although there have been multiple seemingly spontaneous fires over the past several years. Tesla allegedly knew the cars' batteries were defective and decided that it would rather push an update that reduced range, performance and charging speed than replace batteries under warranty. My problem with this is that I need to know if my car is safe to operate. If there were a battery chemistry which was not safe and Tesla rather than change it decided to reduce the charge rate, is this solution acceptable for NHTSA? Also this solution is impacting significantly my schedule. When I bought the car, I considered using it for certain road trips assuming the downtime was reasonable, but after this update it basically made my car usable only for local trips. If you have to charge the car a couple of times over a 500 miles trip, one thing is to add a couple of 30 mins pit stops which is fine considering that most people need to use the restrooms, get something to eat or drink, but another thing is now having to wait

Electrical System
Filed Jun 1, 2021MA

12V battery coolant system failure results in vehicle becoming inoperative. Car must be towed to service center.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 1, 2021CA

I brought my vehicle in to get the eMMC fixed per the recall. I had to change my appointment twice because they did not have the parts in stock. When my vehicle began to experience symptoms of this defect, I called Tesla again and made an appointment for today. I brought my car in this morning. I just found out that they did NOT fix the defect and are charging me $105 for the “repair”.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 12, 202167,580 milesMA

CONCERNING NHTSA RECALL 21V-035, FOR TESLA MODEL S EMMC MEMORY. I HAD MY MCU REPLACED IN APRIL, 2020 BY TESLA IN PEABODY, MASSACHUESTTS AT MY OWN EXPENSE, TO ADDRESS FAILING EMMC MEMORY AS COVERED BY RECALL 21V-035. UNDER THE TERMS OF THE RECALL, TESLA HAS PROMISED TO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAD WORK DONE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND PAID OUT-OF-POCKET. I WAS ONE OF THESE OWNERS. TESLA IS STEADFASTLY REFUSING TO REIMBURSE MY CLAIM, DESPITE BEING THE ONLY OPTION OFFERED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WHICH SHOWED SYMPTOMS EXCLUSIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH FAILURE OF THE EMMC MEMORY. I WOULD LIKE NHTSA'S HELP WITH GETTING THE REFUND THAT TESLA OWES ME. THE INVOICE FOR THE WORK IS ATTACHED.

Electrical System
Filed May 7, 202155,000 milesFL

TOUCH SCREEN WILL BLANK, SHOW UNUSUAL CHARACTERS, NOT RESPOND, EXHIBIT PIXILLATION, STOP REAR VISION CAMERA FROM DISPLAYING, NOT PLAY RADIO OR MUSIC PROPERLY AND/OR INTERMITTANTLY, AND PRESENT NAVIGATION INFORMATION IMPROPERLY. MEDIA COMPUTER WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR, BUT NEW COMPUTER STILL HAS THOSE SAME AND OTHER PROBLEMS. HAPPENS WITH VEHICLE IN MOTION, CITY AND HIGHWAY, RANDOMLY. EVIDENCE INDICATES THIS MAY BE RELATED TO A MEMORY STORAGE HARDWARE CHIP INSIDE THE MEDIA COMPUTER, BEING OF TOO LITTLE TOTAL CAPACITY. OR RELATED TO INTERNET SIGNAL FROM MANUFACTURE BEING UNRELIABLE, WEEK, INTERMITTENT, OR DEFECTIVE.

Electrical System › Software
Filed May 4, 2021MI

2015 TESLA MODEL S. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

Service Brakes
Filed May 4, 202148,000 milesTX

AFTER HAVING MY BATTERY COOLANT HEATER REPLACED ON FEBRUARY 22, 2021 I NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING UP SLOWLY. NOTE ERROR MESSAGES WERE NOTED ON MY VEHICLE HOWEVER. ON MARCH 10 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A SMOOTH STRAIGHT FREEWAY THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY CAR FAILED CAUSING PROPULSION TO GO OFF LINE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TO LOCK UP AND BECOME NON-FUNCTIONAL UNTIL THE SYSTEM REBOOTED. FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 SECONDS IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. FORTUNATELY I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WASN'T REQUIRED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE NOW SINCE I HAD MISTAKENLY BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS REDUNDANCY IN THE SYSTEMS THAT WOULD PRESERVE BRAKE FUNCTION IN THE MIDST OF A POWER FAILURE. THERE IS NO MANUAL HAND BRAKE. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT A SYSTEM FAILURE LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AS I AM APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, A SCHOOL ZONE OR GOING DOWN A STEEP DECLINE. I HAVE ATTACHED INVOICES FROM THE ORIGINAL SERVICE WITH THE BATTERY COOLANT HEATER THAT WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE SUBSEQUENT SERVICE AFTER THE INCIDENT WHERE THE TECHNICIANS IDENTIFIED THAT THE DRIVE UNIT WAS IMPROPERLY CONNECTED

Steering
Filed Apr 29, 202130,000 milesCA

PLEASE NOTE: THE VIN OF THE ACTUAL CAR THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS COMPLAINT IS UNAVAILABLE THEREFORE I HAVE USED THE VIN OF ANOTHER TESLA OF THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS SUBMISSION. THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT SUSPENSION FAILURES IN TESLAS. HERE IS A TESLA IN A SALVAGE AUCTION IN ENGLAND. HTTPS://WWW.COPART.CO.UK/LOT/37735131/CLEAN-TITLE-2015-TESL-MODEL-S-P8-WOLVERHAMPTON THE ONLY DAMAGE TO THE CAR IS THAT THE FRONT WHEEL AND SUSPENSION HAS BEEN WRENCHED OFF. NO AIR-BAGS HAVE DEPLOYED AND THERE IS NO IMPACT DAMAGE ANYWHERE ON THE BODYWORK. PHOTOGRAPHS ATTACHED WITH THIS SUBMISSION SHOW THE BROKEN SUSPENSION AND DETACHED WHEEL. I BELIEVE THAT THE CAUSE OF SO MANY TESLAS HAVING WRENCHED OFF WHEELS IS VERY SIMPLE. CIRCUMSTANCES CAN OCCUR IN WHICH FULL BRAKING IS APPLIED TO A WHEEL BUT THE MOTOR IS STILL AT FULL POWER. THE ELECTRONICS ARE NOT INFALLIBLE. GLITCHES CAN OCCUR. EVEN IF POWER TO THE MOTOR IS SHUT DOWN THERE IS STILL MASSIVE STORED ENERGY IN THE ROTOR OF THE HIGH RPM ELECTRIC MOTOR WHICH ACTS AS A MASSIVE FLYWHEEL. THE SUSPENSION LINKAGES ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND THE TORQUE WHICH IS THEN APPLIED. IT IS EVEN WORSE IF THE ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL PULSES THE BRAKES BECAUSE THIS THEN GIVES A HAMMER BLOW EFFECT. THIS FAILURE CAN AFFECT EITHER THE FRONT WHEELS OR THE REAR WHEELS. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SIMILAR CASES OF TORN-OFF WHEELS. YOU CAN SEE EXAMPLES HERE HTTPS://WWW.FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/136377865@N05/ALBUMS/72157719033036968 PLEASE TAKE AC

Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency BrakingCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 26, 2021TX

8:15 AM, 6/19/20, I HEAD A SICKENING THWACK FROM THE STREET FROM ABT 300 YDS AWAY. EERILY, BEC SOMETHING VERY LARGE WAS HIT WITH NO SOUND OF SQUEALING BRAKES OR CRIES, I WENT OUT FRONT TO LOOK LEFT WITHOUT SEEING ANYTHING. THEN I LOOKED RIGHT AND SAW A MAN CROUCHED TO THE GROUND BESIDE A CAR. I IOOKED FURTHER RT & SAW THE BACK OF A MAN THROWN FACE-FIRST INTO MY TREES. I DIDN'T IMME REGISTER WHAT I WAS LOOKING AT UNTIL I RECOGNIZED THE BODY AS MY HUSBAND, SCREAMED, & RAN TO HIM. HE WAS SNORING LOUDLY. I WAS AFRAID TO TOUCH HIM, SO I HOVERED OVER HIM CALLING HIS NAME. HE DID NOT RESPOND. I TURNED TO THE STREET, SCREAMING AT PASSERS-BY TO CALL 911. THE CROUCHING MAN SAID HE HAD, BUT I WAS FEARFUL OF HIM & THOUGHT, "HOW DO I KNOW YOU HAVE? WHY ARE YOU SO FAR AWAY? DIDN'T YOU EVEN COME OVER TO CHECK ON HIM?" I KEPT SCREAMING AS DRIVERS STOPPED THEIR CARS AND PEOPLE GATHERED. OUR 19-YR-OLD DAUGHTER CAME RUNNING OUT OF THE HOUSE, FOLLOWED BY OUR 17 AND 15-YR-OLD SONS. AN AMBULANCE CAME AND TOOK MY HUSBAND, REFUSING ME BECAUSE OF COVID. THEN I SPOKE WITH 1 OF 2 POLICE WHILE THE OTHER SPOKE TO THE DRIVER OF THE TESLA. HE SAID THE DRIVER ADMITTED TO BEING ON HIS PHONE AS THE CAR DROVE ITSELF, NEVER SEEING MY HUSBAND AND DRIVING 45 MPH. WHEN HE SAID I COULD LEAVE, I WENT TO THE ER WHERE I WAS IMME TOLD MY HUSBAND HAD SUSTAINED SEVERE BRAIN DAMAGE TO BOTH SIDES OF HIS BRAIN AND CATASTROPHIC OTHER INJURIES. A POLICE INVESTIGATOR MET ME AT THE ER. INVESTIGATION OF THE VEHICLE & DOWNLOAD OF

Electrical System
Filed Apr 26, 2021106,000 milesAZ

THE CAR THINKS THE TRUNK IS OPEN BUT IT IS NOT. AS A RESULT, THE CAR DOESN'T STOP BEEPING AS A WARNING TO A TRUNK THAT IS FULLY CLOSED. IN ADDITION, I CAN'T OPEN THE TRUNK AT ALL. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR I CAN NO LONGER USE AUTOPILOT AND OTHER SAFETY FEATURES OF THE CAR. I ALSO CAN'T LOCK THE CARE. ALL AND ALL, THE CAR IN UNUSABLE, BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE WITH THE TRUNK, THIS IS DEFINITELY A FAULTY DESIGN.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 25, 202192,000 milesCA

ISSUE 1). EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR I NOTICED THE DRIVERS SEAT FELT COOKED CAUSING LOW BACK PAIN. EVENTUALLY THE SEATS POWER ADJUSTMENT WOULD ONLY RETRACT ONE SIDE SO IT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED EVENLY AND I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE A WHOLE NEW SEAT REPLACED ISSUE 2). I HAVE THE 85 KW BATTERY AND AFTER AN UPDATE MY BATTERY CAPACITY WAS REDUCED 10%. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO RISK OF OVERHEATING THE BATTERY FIRE RISK TESLA NEVER RESOLVED THE ISSUE AND NEVER REINSTATED THE MISSING 10% CHARGE CAPACITY 3). THE SUSPENSION HAD FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP LESS THAN 10 MPH AND THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR SCRAPPED THE PAVEMENT. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION

Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control
Filed Apr 15, 202158,000 milesAZ

MY VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO THE TESLA MCU RECALL, IN WHICH THE SUBSTANDARD EMMC WAS KILLED BY EXCESSIVE LOGGING AND RENDERING THE ENTIRE MCU INOPERATIVE. I HAD THE MCU REPLACED PRIOR TO THE RECALL, AND FILED THE REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM WHEN IT WENT LIVE. TESLA DENIED MY CLAIM, STATING THAT THE REPLACEMENT WAS DONE FOR REASONS OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL. OTHER TESLA OWNERS REPORT SIMILAR CLAIM DISMISSALS. TESLA MUST BE LEGALLY FORCED TO HONOR THE RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT ORDER.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 7, 2021CA

TESLA HAS BEEN UNABLE TO HELP US NAVIGATE THROUGH THIS EMMC 8GB RECALL AND PROVIDE US WITH EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION. THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DENY OUR REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST BASED ON INACCURATE INFORMATION AND EVEN SHARED UNRELATEDINVOICES AS THE BASES FOR THE DENIAL. OUR MCU WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE EMMC 8GB CARD FAILING LAST YEAR. THE SYMPTOMS AND REPAIRS NOTED ON THE INVOICE ARE IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL INFORMATION. FURTHERMORE, THE TECHS AT THE SERVICE CENTER TOLD US VERY CLEARLY THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE MEMORY ISSUE, BUT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AT THE TIME. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED THAT I CANNOT CALL ANYONE TO RESOLVE THIS AND AM REACHING OUT FOR HELP!

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 6, 2021CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V035000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION, VISIBILITY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 27, 2021FL

VEHICLE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO TESLA FOR BATTERY AND MOTOR WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT. THEY HAVE NOW STATED THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE TO 2019.16.1/ 2019.16.2 OR NEWER , THEY HAVE ALSO ADVISED THAT THIS MAY AFFECT THE RANGE AND CHARGE RATE OF THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THESE SOFTWARE UPDATES RELATE TO A HARDWARE FAULT AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS IT IS SETTING PRECEDENCE FOR OTHER MANUFACTURERS TO POTENTIALLY SEND SOFTWARE UPDATES TO THEIR VEHICLES WITHOUT REPORTING THE FAULT, IMAGINE IF A CERTAIN MANUFACTURER HAD THE OPTION OF SENDING AN OTA SOFTWARE UPDATE TO PREVENT THE INVESTIGATION INTO AN EMISSIONS SCANDAL.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 26, 202155,000 milesTX

DOOR HANDLES THAT PRESENT THEMSELVES WHEN YOU APPROACH VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY BREAK AND PREVENT THE ABILITY TO OPEN THE VEHICLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS ALSO RESULTS IN INABILITY TO OPEN THE DOOR COMPLETELY WHEN CHILD LOCK IS IN PLACE. ALTHOUGH BROKEN DOOR HANDLES CAN HAPPEN THESE BREAK EVERY YEAR OR TWO. IT'S A REAL SAFETY ISSUE FOR WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS STRAPPED TO CAR SEATS IN THE EVEN OF AN EMERGENCY. PLEASE INTERVENE BEFORE THEY MOVE TO TOUCH LESS DOOR HANDLES, FUNCTIONING OUTDOOR AND INDOOR HANDLES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY SUCH AS FIRE AFTER AND ACCIDENT. FIRST TIME HANDLE BROKE WAS AROUND 30K MILES THEN AGAIN ANOTHER AROUND 50K

Electrical System
Filed Mar 25, 2021118,398 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DISPLAY SCREEN STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V035000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION, VISIBILITY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TESLA SERVICE - LATHAM (326 OLD NISKAYUNA RD LATHAM, NY 12110) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE EMBEDDED MULTI-MEDIA CARD (EMMC) CONTROLLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,398.*LN CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR, BUT THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THEM THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THE REPAIR.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 15, 202196,164 milesMA

TESLA ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET MANUFACTURER RECALL # SB2121001 (NHTSA RECALL # 21V035). TESLA HAS STATED THAT THE RECALL WILL NOT APPLY TO VEHICLES WITH OVER 100,000 MILES. CURRENTLY, MY VEHICLE IS AT 96,164 MILES. TESLA APPARENTLY WANTS TO "OUT-WAIT" ME ON THIS RECALL UNTIL MY VEHICLE IS OVER 100,000 MILES. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR ME HERE, AND NHTSA NEEDS TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.

Suspension
Filed Mar 14, 2021100,533 milesTX

EACH TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES OR SLOWS DOWN/STOPS, IT MAKES A LOUD THUMP NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, USUALLY AUDIBLE AT BACK RIGHT PORTION OF VEHICLE. TESLA HAS DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE AS A CRACKED REAR SUBFRAME. UPON RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE, MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS AND EVEN RECALLS/CLASS ACTION SUITS HAVE BEEN FILED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. IN CHINA, FOR INSTANCE, THERE ARE MULTIPLE RECALLS SET UP TO ADDRESS THIS KNOWN ISSUE. HOWEVER, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SUCCESSFUL FILING IN THE US AS FAR AS I CAN FIND. ULTIMATELY TESLA SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THIS REPAIR SINCE ITS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, BUT THEY ARE FORCING US TO PAY ($2917.50, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY). THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO STEM FROM WHAT TESLA CALLS A HARD POTHOLE OR SUSPENSION EVENT, ALTHOUGH THERE HAS NOT BEEN ONE ON THE VEHICLE SINCE WE PURCHASED IT, PRE-OWNED. REGARDLESS, IF THE ISSUE IS KNOWN, WHICH IT CLEARLY IS, BY THE MANUFACTURER, THEY SHOULD COVER THE COST OF REPAIR OR RECALL.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 6, 202167,000 milesCA

I PARKED MY MODEL S AND WENT TO GRAB SOMETHING FROM THE TRUNK, CLOSING MY DRIVER'S DOOR AND LEAVING MY CAR KEY INSIDE OF THE CAR. I WAS THEN LOCKED OUT OF MY VEHICLE, UNABLE TO OPEN THE CAR THROUGH MY PHONE APP OR BY TOUCHING THE HANDLES TO GAIN ENTRY. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED A FEW MONTHS BEFORE, TOO, THOUGH I CALLED TESLA SUPPORT AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REMOTELY UNLOCK MY CAR. IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, HOWEVER, I CALLED TESLA SUPPORT AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH MY CAR AND UNLOCK THE DOORS REMOTELY. I EVENTUALLY GAINED ENTRY INTO MY CAR BY HAVING THE DOOR MANUALLY OPENED BY SOMEONE FROM A TOW COMPANY. IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY TESLA SUPPORT THAT I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE. WHEN I DID, THE SERVICE TEAM SAID IF I DIDN'T REPLACE MY MCU, THE CAR WOULD EFFECTIVELY BECOME INOPERABLE. PER MY TESLA INVOICE, THE SERVICE TEAM "INSPECTED AND WERE UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH MOTHERSHIP DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE OF MEDIA CONTROL UNIT. RECOMMEND REPLACING MCU. REPLACED MCU." WHEN I CALLED ABOUT THE EMMC RECALL THIS PAST JANUARY, I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY. TODAY I RECEIVED AN EMAIL ABOUT THE REIMBURSEMENT OPTION FOR THOSE WHO HAD THEIR UNITS REPLACED/REPAIRED; UPON FILLING OUT THE FORM TESLA PROVIDED, I WAS TOLD I DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT. IT FEELS AS THOUGH TESLA IS MAKING THIS OVERLY COMPLICATED AND FINDING LOOPHOLES. I ALSO REPORTED THAT MY SCREEN SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY MODEL S ON TWO INSTANCES W

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 19, 202163,000 milesCO

I INSTALLED THE RECENT SOFTWARE UPDATE THIS MORNING. PART OF THE SOFTWARE UPDATE IS A "DRIVER VISUALIZATION IMPROVEMENT" WHICH CHANGES THE LAYOUT OF INDICATORS IN THE SCREEN OF THE DASHBOARD. WHILE PREVIOUSLY THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED AND THE AUTOSTEERING INDICATORS WERE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE SPEEDOMETER AND SET AT THE OUTER EDGE OF THE DASHBOARD'S "CENTER DISPLAY ZONE", THEY ARE NOW BOTH CLUSTERED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SPEEDOMETER. WHEN DRIVING, THIS PUTS THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED INDICATOR TOO CLOSE TO THE SPEEDOMETER AND I CANNOT DIFFERENTIATE THEM IN MY PERIPHERAL VISION. I NOW HAVE TO TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR UPWARDS OF A FULL SECOND TO TO PARSE THE INFORMATION GIVEN BY THE TWO INDICATORS. THIS, AS I AM SURE YOU ARE AWARE, IS UNSAFE. I HAVE CONTACTED TESLA WITH MY CONCERNS AND AM TOLD THEY CAN DO NOTHING TO REVERT THE UPDATE. PLEASE INQUIRE AS TO WHY SUCH A CHANGE WAS MADE, WHAT HUMAN ENGINEERING FACTORS AND STUDIES LEAD TO THIS ARRANGEMENT, AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX THE UNSAFE CONDITION IT CREATES.

Suspension
Filed Feb 16, 2021100,000 milesCA

THIS IS A COMPLAINT IN REGARD TO YOUR INVESTIGATION OF TESLA SUSPENSION DEFECTS. PLEASE NOT THAT I HAVE USED THE VIN OF A RANDOM CAR TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. THE CAR AFFECTED IS A 2015 MODEL S BUT THE VIN IS UNAVAILABLE. HERE IS PAGE 6 OF A LONG THREAD REPORTING SIMILAR FAILURES. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/FAILED-REAR-LOWER-CONTROL-ARM-SERVICE-BULLETIN-SB-19-31-001.205172/PAGE-6#POST-5339710 SNIP**I HAD THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE HAPPEN TO MY CAR YESTERDAY. LUCKILY MY WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT, SO NO ONE WAS HURT. ITS A 2015 MODEL, BUT MUST HAVE BEEN PRODUCED SOMETIME IN 2014. ABOUT 100K MILES.** PHOTOGRAPHS ARE ATTACHED. SNIP**WHAT IS OBVIOUS TO ME AS A STRUCTURAL DESIGNER OF SIMILAR FITTINGS, IS THAT THE PART IS POORLY DESIGNED FOR ANYTHING BUT SINGLE USE SPACECRAFT. THE RATION OF LUG TO BORE DIAMETER IS LITERALLY "OFF THE CHARTS" AS FAR AS THE DESIGN CHARTS I HAVE USED.... PLUS NO PROTECTION FROM CORROSION OR DISSIMILAR METALS CONTACT. A PERFECT STORM FOR SHORT TRANVERSE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING CAUSING NET SECTION TENSION FAILURE AT A LOW LEVEL, SAY 5000 PSI.** PLEASE LOOK AT THE ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPHS. THERE ARE MANY THOUSANDS OF THESE CARS ON THE ROADS. THE DANGER IS INCREASING AS THE CARS AGE. PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. THANK YOU. KEEF

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2015 Tesla Model S → · Every Model S year → · How the figures are calculated →