Page 2 of 2 · complaints 51–80 of 80

2020 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 2020 record →

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 15, 2022SC

Rear hatchback was showing open but was in a “close” position. Was unable to open back hatch. Pulled down the seats and with the Tesla manual tried to manually open the hatch from the inside emergency release handle but it would not move and the tab on the cable came off in my hand. It did not release the hatch. No way to open the back hatch in an emergency.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 7, 2022ID

The latest tesla update has caused significant increased number of "phantom breaking" episodes when using just cruise control on state highways. I had at least 10 episodes on my last 100 mile drive (not using autopilot, just cruise control). Worst events caused rapid breaking from highway speed of 65 mph down to 40-45 mph with warning messages and audible alarms. Non of the events needed breaking. The worst two events were on straight sections of road with no oncoming traffic or other potential obstruction. I do not feel safe using cruise control on the freeway.

Suspension
Filed Jan 29, 2022TX

Front shaft shudder and vibration at high acceleration and this worst when it normal height or raise height. Design issues. Tesla know this issue for long time.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 27, 2021MN

After a software update, my vehicle is now considerably less safe. I now have to click two to three times as many times on the screen to operate the same items such as heated seats, defrost, and other commonly items used in colder climates. I am asking the NHTSA to aide Tesla in mitigating these poorly designed "button" layouts on their screens in the name of greater safety for everyone on the road.

Suspension
Filed Dec 22, 2021CT

Suspension front end items became loose at 33k miles.Front Tire was at risk and did rub against drivers side front fender liner

Seat Belts
Filed Nov 19, 2021MD

Component and explanation - The right front passenger seat belt locks the passenger into place as if the seatbelt had been activated in a crash. That is, it no longer moves freely as it is supposed to under normal operation, rather, it locks and clicks to tighten. Passengers remove the seatbelt several times during each trip so that they are not being restrained so aggressively. Safety Risk - Passengers either will not ride in my car or refuse to wear their seatbelt because of the issue. Inspection and reproducing - the issue has been repeatedly inspected by Tesla and they were in ALL instances able to reproduce the issue almost immediately. There are no warnings to notify the passenger that the seatbelt is about to restrain them. Tesla has replaced a part of the seatbelt I believe 5 times although they have been repeatedly told by me that the repair was not in any way resolving the issue. Tesla has now refused any further evaluation or repairs to the seatbelt and though I have asked many times during the applicable period, Tesla has refused to lemon my car and replace it with one that works.

Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Oct 20, 2021CA

When backing up, multiple systems failed at the same time including backup camera, backup sensor distance visuals, backup sensor audio alerts, writing data to flash drive, GPS sensors. Tesla was unable to diagnose the sysfiles to identify the hardware issue behind the simultaneous failures because they are deleted after seven days. Scheduling a service appointment takes much longer than seven days. No one at Tesla can tell me why this happened. No one can assure me that it will not happen again. I hope this is not a widespread issue. I was not injured and my rear bumper only sustained minor damage. But what if someone had been hit because all these systems failed simultaneously?

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 17, 2021FL

While driving down the freeway at over 65mph, the instrument cluster screen and center display screen turned completely off without warning for approximately 90 seconds. This was very troubling and dangerous. I had no way of knowing how fast I was going, was unsure if my turn signals were working and basically just had zero information on how the car was functioning. During this time, the car did operate as normal though. I did not have the vehicle in autopilot at the time but if I did, I do not believe I would have been able to disengage it. This is extremely dangerous and completely unacceptable. I have not reported it directly to Tesla nor taken it in for service. This is the first time it has happened.

Suspension
Filed May 27, 2021PA

Strut on 7-month-old car was cracked in several places, in a way that's extremely concerning. The metal of the strut looks very brittle (see pictures attached to this complaint). Never hit anything more than a small pothole with car.. Expected warranty replacement. When I questioned Tesla's refusal to cover under warranty, I told Tesla to keep the old parts and send pictures. When I went to pickup the car, they said they accidentally threw the defective part away, despite my requests to keep it!!!!! Their actions are very suspicious. Tesla is clearly trying to cover something up. Even worse, they're denying warranty coverage for the defect, and profiting greatly from it.

Wheels
Filed May 21, 2021PA

Car is equipped with Tesla’s “Sonic Carbon Twin Turbine” rim option. This is not a very common option, so there may not be too many affected vehicles. Car is only 6-months old, and I was advised by Tesla service center that ***all 4 rims*** on the vehicle were cracked, each rim in multiple places, on a 6-month old car. Car weighs 5,000lbs. These rims are too weak to handle that high weight on typical road conditions. It is unheard of to find cracks in ALL 4 rims on even an older car! And this is on a 6-month old car! This is extremely unsafe.

Air Bags
Filed May 18, 2021VA

Stability control disabled, steering assist disabled, airbags disabled, brake system altered for weeks before service request. In addition, steering wheel moved uncontrollably while parked, with car off, and no one in it for over eight hours. Finally, entire system locked after a factory reset. Locking the doors, preventing entry, and showing the transmission in neutral. Tesla’s service model is inhuman, meaning they don’t allow conversation with a human, but instead require scheduling service through their phone app. The app recorded these issues and were attached to the service request. Tesla’s service center claims they resolved the issue by adding wiper fluid and checking the tire pressure. After two weeks, they cannot find anything in the car logs, after previously stating the car logs every aspect of operation.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed May 11, 202115,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AND CRASHED INTO A WALL AT 70 MPH. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WIFE SUSTAINED BRUISES ON HER CHEST AND HANDS ALONG WITH BURNS FROM THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT WHO WAS A PHYSICIAN WAS TREATING HIS WIFE. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT RECEIVED AT THE SCENE. THE POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE BUT NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWED YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Suspension
Filed Mar 11, 20215,000 milesCA

HERE IS A 2020 TESLA MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/39339176?TENANT=US&ROWNUMBER=11 EVEN THOUGH MOST OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REMOVED IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO SEE THAT THE STEERING KNUCKLE ON THE FRONT RH SIDE HAS CRACKED IN HALF. THE TIRE FROM THAT SIDE IS STASHED BENEATH THE CAR AND IT HAS A HOLE GOUGED IN IT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY FATAL TESLA CRASHES IN WHICH MECHANICAL FAILURE IS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THE CRASH. THERE HAS BEEN ANOTHER FATAL CRASH IN THE LAST FEW DAYS IN WHICH A TESLA SUDDENLY VEERED OF THE ROAD, CRASHED AND BURNED AND INCINERATED THE DRIVER. MECHANICAL FAILURE CAN NOT BE RULED OUT AS THE CAUSE OF THIS CRASH. IT IS NOT JUST ONE COMPONENT THAT IS FAILING. TESLA CHOOSES THE CHEAPEST COMPONENT SUPPLIERS NOT THE BEST ONES. THIS COMPANY IS SLAUGHTERING PEOPLE. PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. THANK YOU KEEF

SteeringCrash
Filed Feb 22, 20212,000 milesCA

HERE IS A 2020 TERDSLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/39122553?TENANT=US&ROWNUMBER=5 IT IS LISTED AS HAVING BEEN STOLEN. I'M GUESSING THE THIEF DROVE IT LIKE HE STOLE IT. BAD MISTAKE TO DO THAT IN A TERDSLA. THE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF. EVERY PART OF THE SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED. THE CONTROL ARMS, STEERING ARM, STEERING KNUCKLE BALL JOINTS AND EVERY OTHER GIBLET HAS SNAPPED LIKE A CHOCOLATE FROG. I KNOW YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO UPSET LORD ELON BUT WOULD YOU MIND AT LEAST ISSUING A WARNING TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THESE TENT BUILT ELECTRIC JALOPIES. THAN YOU. KEEF.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 5, 20216,500 milesCT

WHEN DRIVING AND ACCELERATING ONTO ENTRY RAMP OF HIGHWAY, THE FRONT HOOD FLEW OPEN BLOCKING VISION. I WAS PROBABLY DOPING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN IT CAME OPEN. THE TESLA DIAGNOSTIC CLAIMED A MESSAGE WAS ON MY SCREEN TELLING ME HOOD MAY NOT BE CLOSED CORRECTLY. THERE WAS NO NOISE NOTIFICATION TELLING ME THE HOOD WAS OPEN. I HAD NOT TOUCHED THE HOOD IN ANY WAY. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 8 MINUTES BEFORE IT OPENED. I MUST HAVE CLICKED TO OPEN THE HOOD IN ERROR WHEN OPENING THE CAR TO UNLOCK MY CAR. THERE WAS NO MANUAL "LATCH" TO UNLOCK LIKE OTHER CARS. BASICALLY I DIDN'T NOTICE THE MESSAGE, AS IT IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN AND WAS BLOCKED BY THE STEERING WHEEL. I HADN'T OPENED OR TOUCHED THE FRONT HOOD IN WEEKS. I CONSIDER THIS VERY DANGEROUS. ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE DRIVEN, YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY OPEN THE 2ND LATCH TO OPEN THE HOOD, IT SEEMS WITH TESLA IT CAN ALL BE DONE ELECTRONICALLY, AND APPARENTLY WITHOUT REALIZING. WHEN IT FLEW OPEN IT DAMAGED THE HOOD. TESLA TOOK 3 MONTHS TO DIAGNOSE THAT THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON MY SCREEN, BUT WERE UNABLE TO TELL ME WHERE THE SIGNAL CAME FROM TO OPEN THE HOOD.

Steering
Filed Dec 21, 2020MA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING ON 12/19 2020 ON THE HIGHWAY AND LOST POWER IN STEERING WHICH HE HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THEN HE CONTACTED THE TESLA DEALER FOR TOW SERVICE FOR HIS CAR .THE CONTACT STATED HIS CAR WAS NOW AT TESLA DEALER AT DEDHAM,MASSACHUSETTE. THE FAILURE MILAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 9, 20202,500 milesUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION SOON AFTER EACH FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO TESLA (2312 STATE ST, SOUTH SALT LAKE, UT 84115) WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500.

Steering
Filed Dec 2, 20203,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM HIS GARAGE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED STEERING ASSIST REDUCE, AUTOPILOT SAFETY CONVENIENCE FEATURE UNAVAILABLE AND PARK ASSIST UNAVAILABLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE HELPDESK FOR TESLA FOR HELP TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITH THE SAME PREVIOUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE HELPDESK AND WAS ABLE TO RESET THE SYSTEM AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TESLA (840 PROVIDENCE HWY, DEDHAM, MA 0202; (781) 471-3001), WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000.

Equipment
Filed Oct 26, 2020CA

WHY ISN'T THE NHTSA INVESTIGATING AND STOPPING TESLA FROM BETA TESTING THEIR "SELF DRIVING" ABILITY ON CONSUMERS THAT NEVER CONSENTED? IT'S FRIGHTENING THAT THIS ORGANIZATION WOULD ALLOW A TECHNOLOGY TO BE USED THAT HAS KILLED PEDESTRIANS, DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. PLEASE STOP THIS FEATURE THAT WILL INEVITABLY ONLY KILL MORE PEOPLE.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 25, 20201,250 milesFL

ON SUNDAY OCT 11 AT 4:15 PM, AFTER A 1 HOUR RIDE, I HAD A 3RD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENT PARKING MY TESLA IN MY GARAGE. I DROVE MY TESLA 4 TIMES SINCE HAVING OUR LAST 2 UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENTS ON AUGUST 18. I HAD LEFT MY SEATBELT CONNECTED FOR OUR LAST 4 RIDES AND HAD NO PROBLEMS PARKING THE CAR IN THE GARAGE EVEN WHEN HOT. THIS TIME I DISCONNECTED MY SEATBELT BEFORE PARKING ON THE TWO PARKING MATS IN THE GARAGE. MY WIFE GAVE ME THE 'FULL SIGN' WHEN BOTH TIRES WERE AGAINST THE 3" MAT RISERS WHICH MEANT MY FRONT BUMPER WAS 19" FROM THE WORKBENCH. THIS TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKE BEFORE PRESSING THE PARK BUTTON, BUT AGAIN THE INSTANT I PRESSED THE PARK BUTTON THE CAR VAULTED FORWARD OVER BOTH 3' MAT RISERS AND STOPPED ONLY 1 INCH FROM THE WORKBENCH. I COULD FEEL THE SPIKED OF POWER TO ACCELERATOR WHEN I PRESSED THE PARK. BUTTON. I WAS TRULY RELIEVED THAT I DID HIT THE WORKBENCH. I BACKED UP THE CAR AND JUST SAT IN IT FOR 15 MINUTES AND LET THE COOLING FANS RUN TO COOL THE MOTORS DOWN. MY WIFE TOOK PHOTOS OF THE CAR IN RELATION TO THE WORKBENCH. THE RIGHT PARKING MAT HAD BEEN WEDGED UNDER THE FRONT WHEEL. THE LEFT PARKING MAT MAT HAD BEEN TOSSED BACK 4 FEET. I KNOW USING THE SECOND PARKING MAT FROM MY GTR, WHICH I RECENTLY SOLD, HELPED CONSUME SOME OF THE FORWARD ENERGY AND PREVENTED THE CAR FROM HITTING THE WORKBENCH. I FEEL THAT DISCONNECTING THE SEATBELT CONTRIBUTES THE TRANS SENSOR DELAY. I PARKED THE CAR ON THE MATS AFTER IT COOLED DOWN. THERE WAS NO DRIVER ERR

Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Oct 14, 202057 milesFL

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ONE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR THEN STOPPED. NO INJURIES.

Suspension
Filed Oct 14, 20205,000 milesCA

HERE IS A 2020 TESLA MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/37713473?ROWNUMBER=25 THE SUSPENSION HAS FALLEN TO BITS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. THE STEERING KNUCKLE AND ALL OF THE SUSPENSION GIBLETS ON THE RH FRONT SIDE HAVE SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY. THE TREAD ON THE TIRE IS COMPLETELY WORN AWAY WHICH MEANS THAT IT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL FOR SEVERAL MILES BEFORE THE WHOLE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY WAS WRENCHED OFF AD EVERYTHING TURNED TO FECULENCE. THERE IS NOT SO MUCH AS A BROKEN HEADLIGHT AND EVEN THE ALLOY WHEEL IS UNDAMAGED. THE SUSPENSION COULD NOT POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN WRENCHED OFF AS A RESULT OF AN IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE NOR EVEN BY RUNNING OVER A PEDESTRIAN OR A WARTHOG. THESE CONTINUING SUSPENSION BREAKAGES ARE THE RESULT OF BAD DESIGN, MANUFACTURING AND MATERIALS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A TESLA HITS A BUSLOAD OF SCHOOLCHILDREN. THANK YOU KEEF ( DATE OF INCIDENT AND MILEAGE ARE ESTIMATED)

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 6, 20206,500 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THEY WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 6 MPH, WHEN THEY TAPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LIGHTLY TO MOVE FORWARD SLIGHTLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD AT HIGH SPEEDS CRASHING INTO THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THEIR LEG AREA AND NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER (ACCURATE AUTO BODY 9042 WILLOWS RD, REDMOND, WA 98052; (425) 970-9699) WHO WERE LOOKING INTO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY OFFICIAL DIAGNOSING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.*BF CONSUMER STATED CAR IS TOTALED.*JB

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Sep 18, 2020990 milesFL

ON AUGUST 18 AT 4:30 PM, I HAD POSITIONED MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE AGAINST THE PARKING MAT RISER IN MY GARAGE. I REMOVED PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR AND 'HOLD' TO ENGAGED. I PRESSED THE PARK BUTTON AND THE CAR ACCELERATED 3' FORWARD OVER THE PARKING MAT RISER INTO THE WORKBENCH. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, AND BACKED UP ABOUT 2 FEET AND STOPPED. THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE BUT I MISTAKENLY PUSHED THE STALK DOWN AND PUT IT IN DRIVE INSTEAD OF REVERSE. I BACKED UP, PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, MOVED FORWARD AND PRESSED PARK, AGAIN THE CAR ACCELERATED 2' FORWARD INTO THE WORKBENCH. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD THE CAR IN POSITION. TWICE IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES HAD ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED TWICE OVER THE PARKING MAT RISER AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, ADJUSTED MY SEAT, AND BACKED UP ABOUT 6 FEET FROM THE WORKBENCH, AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE CAR REMAINED STOPPED. WE RELOCATED THE PARKING MAT AND I PARKED THE CAR. THE CAR HAD PENETRATED ABOUT 12 INCHES INTO THE WORKBENCH CABINETS. THE PARKING MAT HAD BEEN THROWN BACK 4 FEET FROM ITS USUAL POSITION ON THE FLOOR BY THE FRONT TIRE AND HAD TO BE RE-POSITIONED. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WERE TWO CHIPS IN THE CHROME STRIP AND THREE DENTS IN THE FRONT BUMPER. ONE SMALLER DENT ABOVE THE LICENSE PLATE BRACKET AND TWO LARGER DEEPER DENTS UNDER IT. I HAD REMOVED BUT REINSTALLED FRONT LICENSE PLATE BRACKET TO COVER THE TWO LARGE DENTS. THE CHROME STRIP UNDER THE TESLA SYMBOL AND THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE 3

Suspension
Filed Aug 29, 20201,000 milesCA

HERE IS A 2020 MODEL S TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/37268222?ROWNUMBER=4 IT HAS DONE JUST 1000 MILES SINCE BEING FACTORY GATED. IT HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH ( BUT THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE THE OWNER GOT LUCKY). THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED AND THE WHEEL IS JAMMED UP IN THE WELL CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BODYWORK. THE STUPIDITY OF NOT HAVING LIMIT STOPS ON THE AIR SUSPENSION IS MIND BOGGLING. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE LEAD TO ANOTHER WHOMPY WHEEL SUDDEN SWERVE CAUSING DEATH AND DESTRUCTION. I'M SORRY IF I AM UPSETTING YOUR BUREAUCRATIC SYSTEM BUT WOULD YOU MIND ISSUING AN IMMEDIATE RECALL ON THESE INSANE AND LUDICROUS CONTRAPTIONS. THANK YOU. KEEF.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 26, 2020661 milesCA

I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY TESLA MODEL S IN A CHARGING SLOT IN THE TESLA KETTLEMAN CITY SUPERCHARGE STATION. AFTER LOCATING A VACANT SLOT TO MY RIGHT, I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO THE SLOT. THE CAR COASTED INTO THE SLOT IN A PERFECT HEAD-IN FASHION WITH NO PROBLEM. MY FOOT WAS ON OR HOVERING OVER THE BRAKE PEDAL, SLOWING AS NECESSARY AS THE CAR REACHED ITS DESIRED POSITION. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD WITH A POWERFUL PROPULSIVE FORCE. IT FELT LIKE WE WERE FALLING OVER A CLIFF OR ROLLER COASTER. I HEARD MY WIFE YELL FOR ME. THEN THE CAR CRASHED INTO A POLE IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT. THE IMPACT CAUSED ALL THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TRYING TO STOP THE CAR. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR COLLAPSED DUE TO THE FORCEFUL IMPACT. THE WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED. IT WAS IMMEDIATELY EVIDENT THAT THE DAMAGE WAS SIGNIFICANT. MY WIFE AND I WERE THE ONLY OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR AND SUFFERED MINOR BRUISES AND CUTS TO OUR ARMS AND LEGS. MY WIFE ALSO BRUISED HER RIGHT FOOT (5TH METATARSAL WAS FRACTURED) AND SUFFERED SOME CHEST INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED ON A FLATBED TO A TESLA FACILITY IN SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA. THE MODEL S HAD 661 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANIFESTATION OF THE SUDDEN UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION SYNDROME.

Suspension
Filed Aug 5, 2020200 milesCA

HERE IS A 2020 MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/36680476?ROWNUMBER=134 THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED ON ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE CAR. THE LOWER FORE-LINK HAS BROKEN ON THE RH FRONT WHEEL. THE LH BACK WHEEL HAS GONE WHOMPY. NO AIR-BAGS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED. THERE IS NO SIGN OF CRASH DAMAGE. IT HAS SIMPLY FALLEN TO BITS SOON AFTER LEAVING THE MANUFACTURING TENT. ELON MUSK HAS JUST COLLECTED ANOTHER FEW BILLION DOLLARS IN BONUS FOR UNLEASHING THESE DEADLY DEFECTIVE JUGGERNAUTS. AIN'T LIFE GRAND? REGARDS KEEF

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 21, 20201,500 milesMA

AS I WAS DRIVING, SUDDENLY MY SPEEDOMETER DECIDED TO STOP WORKING AND SHOWED 0MPH. IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. REBOOTING THE SYSTEM FIXED THE ISSUE. I SPOKE TO TESLA SERVICE CENTER AND THEY TOLD THEY FOUND A FIRMWARE PROBLEM (THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME IT IS THE 1ST TIME HE SAW THIS ISSUE) AND EXPECT A FIX SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. TO MY QUESTION IF SPEEDOMETER COULD STOP WORKING AGAIN, HE SAID "YES, THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES IN LIFE. THE PROBLEM WILL BE SOLVED WITH THE NEW FIRMWARE." TO MY QUESTION WHEN, HE SAID "I HAVE NO CLUE" I AM UPLOADING A PHOTO AND ALSO HAVE A VIDEO

SuspensionCrash
Filed Jul 6, 2020500 milesCA

I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE MY OWN EYES! HERE IS A 2020 MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD AAAAAND...THE BACK WHEEL HAS FALLEN OFF. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/36693460?ROWNUMBER=11 NOT IN A COLLISION. THE BACK SUSPENSION HAS SIMPLY FALLEN TO BITS. OH WELL, AT LEAST THE TESLA SHARE-PRICE IS UNHARMED. I GUESS THAT'S THE MAIN THING. HAVE A GREAT DAY [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 30, 20202,000 milesKY

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ALL SCREENS FROZE AND THE CAR BECAME TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE, THE BRAKES WORKED BUT IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 MIN THE CAR REBOOTED AND SYSTEMS CAME BACK ON LINE. TESLA SAYS THE USB MIGHT BE CORRUPTED AND CAUSED THE CPU TO HAVE A VERY HIGH USAGE. TESLA ALSO HAS NOT BEEN GOOD ON SERVICE MAKING ME DRIVE TWO HOURS TO GO PICK UP MY CAR. THEY SEEMED TO HAVE LITTLE CARE FOR THE UNSAFE SITUATION AND WERE VERY CAVALIER ABOUT THE ISSUE. I WORRY THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN FATALITIES IF IT HAPPENS AT THE WRONG TIME.

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 2020 Tesla Model S → · Every Model S year → · How the figures are calculated →