2022 Tesla Model S

Routine

Owners filed 140 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the automatic emergency braking. It has been recalled 20 times.

Not among the Tesla Model S years to avoid. Which Tesla Model S years to avoid →

Most common 2022 Tesla Model S problems

22 of the 140 complaints (16%) are about the automatic emergency braking.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Unknown or Other28
000
Steering16
100
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control · automatic emergency braking16
000
Electrical System12
000
Service Brakes · brakes8
000
Wheels6
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration5
000
Suspension5
000
Visibility/Wiper · wipers4
000
Tires4
000

20 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Back Over Prevention › Software26V283000
Filed May 4, 2026218,868 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and Model X vehicles operating software version 2026.8.6. The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk. A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-001.

Air Bags25V172000
Filed Mar 19, 202591 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.

Risk. An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Cushion24V967000
Filed Dec 23, 2024487 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 212, "Windshield Mounting."

Risk. A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.

Electrical System › Software24V554000
Filed Jul 24, 20241,849,638 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.

Risk. An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.

Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light/Devices24V376000
Filed May 28, 2024125,233 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk. A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy. Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel24V051000
Filed Jan 30, 20242,193,869 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Risk. Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

Electrical System › Software23V862000
Filed Dec 19, 2023120,423 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles. The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Risk. An unlocked door may unlatch and open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-009.

Electrical System › Adas › Driver Monitoring › Software23V838000
Filed Dec 12, 20232,031,220 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

Risk. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy. Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar23V743000
Filed Nov 3, 2023194 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.

Risk. An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy. Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.

Seat Belts › Front23V488000
Filed Jul 14, 202315,869 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.

Risk. A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. Tesla Service will inspect the front-row seat belts and connect the seat belts to pretensioner anchors, or replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-004.

Steering › Automated/Adaptive Steering23V085000
Filed Feb 15, 2023362,758 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

Risk. FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls22V702000
Filed Sep 19, 20221,096,762 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

Risk. A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.

Air Bags › Frontal22V526000
Filed Jul 21, 20225 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2022 Model S vehicles. The front bumper carrier structure may alter the vehicle's crash detection, causing the front passenger air bag to deploy incorrectly during certain low speed crashes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk. A passenger air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury.

Remedy. Tesla Service will replace the front bumper carrier structure, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 19, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-10-006.

Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Video (touch)screen/Monitor/Unit22V296000
Filed May 3, 2022129,960 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S, Model X, and 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating certain firmware releases. The infotainment central processing unit (CPU) may overheat during the preparation or process of fast-charging, causing the CPU to lag or restart.

Risk. A lagging or restarting CPU may prevent the center screen from displaying the rearview camera image, gear selection, windshield visibility control settings, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will improve CPU temperature management, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-009.

Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings › External/Pedestrian Alert22V235000
Filed Apr 12, 2022594,894 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V-063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V-063 will need to have the new remedy software installed.

Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain › Inflator22V104000
Filed Feb 23, 20229 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S vehicles. The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly.

Risk. An incorrectly assembled inflator can cause a delayed or improper deployment of the side curtain air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy. Tesla Service Centers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-001.

Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings › External/Pedestrian Alert22V063000
Filed Feb 4, 2022578,607 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall has been superseded by Recall 22V-235. Tesla's number for the new recall is SB-22-00-003.

Electrical System › Software22V050000
Filed Feb 2, 202226,681 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."

Risk. Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.

Seat Belts › Front22V045000
Filed Feb 1, 2022817,143 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk. The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy. Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.

Steering › Automated/Adaptive Steering22V037000
Filed Jan 27, 202253,822 vehiclesTesla, Inc.

Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.

Risk. Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.

All 20 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Oct 29, 2026VA

2022 Model S Long Range, 21″ Arachnid wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 295/30ZR21 rear, 265/35ZR21 front. Rear tires wear through to the cords on the inner shoulder while the rest of the tread looks new; fronts wear the outer shoulder. Nine replacement tires from Tesla in 47,000 miles (rears May 2025 and Oct 2026; fronts May 2024, Apr 2026, Jun 2026), plus two loaner-wheel flats (May and Aug 2026). Every failure presented as a slow leak or flat with no visible wear. Tesla performed four-wheel alignments on 5/18/2024 and 4/22/2026, both recorded “within specifications”; a front tire fitted at the second alignment failed about 2,300 miles later. Tesla never identified a cause. On 10/22/2026 the Tysons Corner, VA service manager attributed the wear to lack of tire rotation; Tesla's own invoices of 12/23/2022, 7/19/2023, 4/22/2026 and 10/22/2026 record “Tire rotation recommended: No,” and the service manual allows only side-to-side swaps on this staggered setup, which cannot move inner-shoulder wear. The cause appears to be the non-adjustable negative rear camber on 2021+ Model S, as described in ODI 11636646, 11645675, 11710217, 11732580 and 11580793. Hidden inner-edge failure on a 4,800-lb car at highway speed is a blowout risk. Requesting investigation of the 2021+ Model S rear suspension geometry on 21″ wheels.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 6, 2026IL

I am getting an error of the Tesla Front Passenger Restraint System Fault. This is a known issue among Tesla owners and Tesla wants to charge for repair/replacement when this is a design flaw.

Steering
Filed Sep 15, 2026NV

Back tires are popping in the inner wall I’m on my 6th tires for the years same thing keeps happening. Steering wheel is falling apart Tesla is refusing to fix it.

Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control
Filed Sep 11, 2026NY

Since a XXX Tesla software update, Full Self-Driving on VIN [XXX] applies the brakes suddenly with no visible obstacle. This phantom braking occurs at least 5–6 times every day. Vehicles behind me have slammed on their brakes and I have had near rear-end collisions. I purchased FSD outright. I have taken the car to Tesla Service in Mount Kisco, NY and White Plains, NY. Neither location restored the feature or issued a software fix. Customer support said they cannot reach engineering. This is an ongoing safety hazard to following traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Wheels
Filed Jul 13, 2026MN

This vehicle has a recurring suspension defect causing a chassis or suspension component to make physical contact with the inner shoulder of the rear tires during normal operation, producing a sharp linear cut progressing to full cord exposure and fraying of internal steel and aramid belts. This has occurred on at least three sets of rear tires between July 2025 and June 2026. Tesla's own service records document the damage pattern on multiple occasions. No root cause has ever been identified or corrected by Tesla's service department. A tire with exposed and fraying cords on a vehicle producing over 1,000 horsepower presents a serious risk of catastrophic blowout at speed.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 7, 2026OR

Turn signal inaccessible.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 1, 2026FL

See attached document for complaint.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 30, 2026VA

The vehicle was being driven northbound in the regular (non-HOV) lanes of Route I-95 under the control of Version 12 of FSD software. I believe that the vehicle would have crashed into the lowered gates preventing vehicles from entering the HOV lanes, which operate in only one direction at a time. Beyond the gates, the HOV lanes contained high-speed oncoming traffic. The problems occurred south of the Dale City exit from northbound I-95. The car’s navigation system gave an audio instruction to keep left to bear onto northbound I-95 and the car did exactly that. Twice. I believe that both crashing into the lowered gates or crashing head-on into oncoming vehicles would likely have resulted in multiple deaths, including my own. I saw the developing problem and took control of the vehicle before it could bear left onto the closed ramp to the HOV lanes.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 24, 2026CA

This car does not have reliable horn system. I have the steering wheel version (not the “yoke” version) but I believe it’s a similar problem on both. The steering wheel center (airbag) does NOT operate as a horn. Instead there is only a extremely small horn sensor on one side of the wheel that cannot be reliably accessed in an emergency situation b/c of its tiny size and b/c its position depends on where the steering wheel has been turned. This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. On a recent drive a car pulled into our lane from a side street and I was unable to locate the horn in a timely manner. Fortunately the car braked and I was able to pull around but it was very close and could have resulted in a head on crash. I contacted Tesla about this issue. The service rep acknowledged the problem and said it was an “issue” that had gotten numerous complaints but that all he could offer was a Tesla aftermarket replacement that would cost nearly $1,000 to install. I presume NTSB has gotten many complaints about this incredibly dangerous and egregious latent safety defect in the car’s design. Tesla (at least for the 2024 and on Model 3 - which I also own) has corrected this design defect such that the center area does operate as a horn (as I am sure 99% of cars do). The NTSB should investigate and require Tesla to retrofit any of its cars which have this safety defect. I have no doubt that people will (or likely have been) seriously injured (or even killed) in car crashes that could have been

Electrical System
Filed May 13, 2026FL

2022 Tesla Model S Plaid purchased CPO from Tesla Florida Inc. Jacksonville on 8/29/2025 for $75,533.19. Multiple unresolved safety defects. (1) Trunk closure obstacle-detection failure 10/15/2025: key fob fell in gap between liftgate and roof; powered liftgate continued upward opening cycle and compressed fob against fixed roof glass until rear glass shattered. $4,100 repair. Same cycle on a child hand or finger would cause crush injury or amputation. Tesla Model X tailgate and falcon doors have obstacle detection; Plaid liftgate lacks it. (2) Passenger-side rear door handle requires extreme pressure to operate, raised 10/25/2025; iced over 1/19/2026 compounding egress hazard. (3) Center console haptic backup gear selector non-functional plus observed main touchscreen reset/blackout events: no manual gear control during foreseeable touchscreen failure event. (4) HV battery umbrella valves and flood port plunger required replacement 10/25/2025. (5) Rear spoiler bilaterally detached as of 5/13/2026 on 200mph-capable vehicle. (6) Front trunk latch unreliable; requires 2-3 commands to open; risk of hood opening at speed. (7) USB charging circuit melted a portable battery bank 11/2/2025; fire-risk overcurrent indicator. (8) Tire sidewall damage Tesla circled "OK" at CPO delivery; refused replacement 5 times; Tesla SMS 1/13/2026: "sidewall damage would need to be replaced." (9) Multiple unauthorized digital-access events: Track Mode created post-service; Charge Current set to 5A;

Wheels
Filed May 12, 2026CA

My 2022 Tesla Model S is equipped with 21" Arachnid cast alloy wheels. The wheel on the front driver side developed a structural crack under normal driving conditions with no road hazard impact or unusual driving events. The crack has caused a significant air leak, with tire pressure dropping from 44 PSI to 34 PSI over approximately 10 miles of normal driving. At 34 PSI on a 265/35ZR21 low-profile tire, there is meaningful risk of rim-to-road contact. The vehicle shakes noticeably during normal driving as a direct result of the pressure loss. The tires have approximately 13,000 miles on them. We are aware of multiple other Tesla Model S Arachnid wheel owners reporting identical cracking under normal use on [XXX] , suggesting a pattern consistent with a manufacturing defect in the cast alloy wheel design. This is a safety concern as the leak rate is significant and the condition could deteriorate without warning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 8, 2026CO

The center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL / third brake light) fails on 2021 and newer Tesla Model S vehicles (including Plaid). This is a common issue reported by many owners, particularly as vehicles exit the warranty period. No redesigned or corrected replacement part has been made available by Tesla. Pre-2021 CHMSL units are incompatible and will not fit. Repair requires removal and replacement of the entire rear liftgate glass assembly, which is extremely expensive and labor-intensive for owners. Prior model years did not experience this problem. A non-functional CHMSL reduces the vehicle's visibility to following traffic and increases the risk of rear-end collisions, especially at night or in poor weather. This appears to be a design or manufacturing defect affecting safety. Discussions [XXX] Repair process [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags
Filed Mar 24, 2026FL

The vehicle developed a leak in the AC condensate drain. The leak is directly above the safety restraint control module. The module got wet deactivating the vehicle and causing havoc with the airbag system. Many electrical systems turned off such as the power to the steering wheel buttons( the left blinker, the right blinker, and the horn). Luckily this happened while my vehicle was parked but if this happened while someone was accelerating or driving on the highway they would lose control of the vehicle. I spoke to a Tesla Service Tech about the concern and he informed me that this AC leak happens very often in the 2021 and newer Tesla Model S vehicles and that Tesla is aware that the AC drain leaks onto the Restraint Contol Module but has not created a technical service bulletin or a recall for the safety issue.

Wheels
Filed Jan 11, 2026MD

Complaint Category: Tires / Suspension Summary of Issue: I am reporting a recurring and deceptive safety defect involving extreme inner-edge tire wear on my Tesla Model S. On three separate occasions, my rear tires have worn down to the metal structural cords exclusively on the innermost shoulder, while the remaining 90% of the tread appeared in excellent, near-new condition. Safety Hazard: This defect creates a high risk of catastrophic blowout at highway speeds. Because the wear is hidden on the far interior edge of the tire, it is invisible to the driver during standard daily visual inspections. The vehicle’s non-adjustable rear suspension geometry (aggressive negative camber) places extreme stress on the inner shoulder, causing it to fail structurally while the rest of the tire looks safe. Tesla’s Response: Tesla Service has been unable to provide a permanent remedy, stating the vehicle is "within spec," despite the recurring nature of the failure. I am filing this to urge the NHTSA to investigate whether this suspension geometry constitutes a design defect that requires a mandatory recall or corrective hardware.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 25, 2025TX

Incident Description: While driving through a parking lot at 20 mi/hr, my vehicle's AEB system activated in response to another vehicle approaching from a perpendicular direction. However, the system's response was dangerously delayed and inappropriate stopping the car right in front of the other car: The system failed to provide any advance warning or alert before applying the brakes The braking occurred too late to create adequate separation from the approaching vehicle The vehicle stopped directly in the path of the oncoming car, increasing rather than decreasing collision risk The abrupt stop left my vehicle in a position where I was at greater risk of being T-boned Only the other driver's quick reaction prevented a collision. Had that driver not stopped in time, the AEB system would have contributed to, rather than prevented, a serious accident.

Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control
Filed Nov 11, 2025CA

Vehicle: 2022 Tesla Model S (HW 3.0) System in Question: Full Self-Driving (FSD) Capability, initially purchased (Level 1 equivalent) for $6,000, and then upgraded (Level 2 equivalent) for an additional $3,000 (Total $9,000). I. Initial FSD Purchase and Unsafe Performance (Level 1) Upon initial purchase of the FSD package, the system (what Tesla later called FSD Beta, or its precursor) consistently demonstrated unsafe and aggressive behavior that necessitated immediate driver intervention to prevent a crash. Specific Safety Concern: The system would often execute turns, both in city and highway off-ramp scenarios, with excessive speed and aggressive lateral acceleration. This erratic behavior felt uncontrolled and risky, frequently causing the driver to feel unsafe and to rapidly override the system by taking manual control of the steering wheel. Resulting Risk: The system was virtually unusable for anything beyond basic highway cruising (a feature standard on many vehicles), yet its aggressive behavior posed a safety risk on the highway when attempting lane changes or taking exits. II. Upgrade and Deterioration of Practical Safety (Level 2) I upgraded to the top-tier FSD package with the hope of receiving a safer, more functional system that matched the "Full Self-Driving" name. Instead, the system introduced new safety and usability defects: Forced Disengagement/Driver Monitoring Defect: The system's driver monitoring is overly aggressive and interferes with safe, necessary

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 29, 2025TX

VIN: [XXX] 2022 Tesla Model S Delivery: 10/27/2025 Passenger seatbelt was cut/frayed — FMVSS 209 + 208 violation. Tesla replaced belt but **ignored 8 other defects** (paint, body, sand, maintenance). Closed ticket early, **refused FSD goodwill**. Car still unsafe — **airbag system not recalibrated**. Loaner required. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Wheels
Filed Oct 20, 2025NY

Since purchase, I have experienced nine tire-related failures, including four separate blowouts at highway speed, leaving the vehicle disabled on major roads multiple times. The most recent occurred on [Insert Date], when the car suffered another blowout and is now disabled at my residence. This pattern of failure has occurred despite tire replacements and service visits by Tesla. The issue began on the day of delivery, when a tire failed within 70 miles, and service staff admitted the car had not been safety inspected prior to delivery. Tesla has replaced nearly all tires, reimbursed a third-party shop once, and confirmed on a recorded call that the level of tire failure is abnormal. Still, no root cause has been identified. The failures have occurred under normal driving conditions and pose a serious safety hazard to me, my family (including children), and others on the road. My family now refuses to ride in the car. This issue is ongoing, unresolved, and I believe there is a systemic defect involving the vehicle’s suspension, alignment, or structural components that is contributing to abnormal tire wear and catastrophic blowouts. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this vehicle and Tesla’s CPO inspection process, and that appropriate safety action be taken before someone is seriously injured or killed.

Tires
Filed Oct 18, 2025CO

Vehicle: 2022 Tesla Model S Tire: Goodyear ElectricDrive 2 255/45R19 104W XL Date of incident: October 15, 2025 Location: Chambers Rd., approximately 1.7 miles from Cosmopolitan Rd., Colorado Speed: Approximately 35 mph (speed limit 40 mph) Mileage on tire: Installed October 31, 2024 — approximately 10,000 miles of light local driving Description of the Problem At approximately 1:30 PM on October 15, 2025, while driving my Tesla Model S southbound on Chambers Road at around 35 mph, the driver-side front tire suddenly exploded and detached completely from the vehicle. I heard a loud thump, then saw a tire rolling ahead of me on the road. The car’s display immediately showed “tire pressure 0.” When I stopped and exited the vehicle, I found that the tire had either blown apart or peeled off the rim and separated entirely from the car. Weather was clear and around 70°F, road conditions were normal, and traffic was light. My tire pressures had been checked earlier that day and were all around 42 PSI. I was unable to retrieve the tire because I have limited mobility and use a scooter. My daughter arrived soon after but could not locate the missing tire either. The vehicle was towed by AAA to a tire shop. The technician stated that the tire appeared to have peeled off the wheel, but could not explain why. The tire was less than one year old and had very low mileage. I drive short local trips daily (around 10–15 miles) and had only taken one 700-mile trip earlier this year. Goodyear

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 24, 2025TX

Car vents emit moldy smell when started , reported this to Tesla , they changed the filters but the smell still comes back, it seems other models besides S are facing it too, the technician from Tesla tells me to run high heat to kill any mold that might accumulate as condensation water from air conditioning is getting accumulated somewhere and not draining properly. This seems to me like a recall that should be done to fix it .

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 13, 2025TX

Tonight, shortly after dusk, on a lightly traveled road near my home, the high-beams failed to function as described in the manual, or according to any alternative way to activate them. Traffic is 30 MPH with a single lanes divided by a double yellow center line with cat-eyes. This area frequently has deer and other wildlife. Accordingly, whenever possible, high beams should be activated. Conditions were dry, and clear, without oncoming traffic -- while driving at or near the posted limit. Pushing and persistently holding the high-beam light maintained high-beam only while pressing the high-beam marked part of the steering wheel. Typical operation, in the past, operated the high beam if the button (capacitative sensitive surface on the steering wheel) was held in for about a full second and then released. This is no longer how it operated tonight. Driver pushed the high-beam for a full second. Upon release the high beams reverted to normal low beams. Driver repeated this 2 more times. After doing this twice, the driver is already distracted from wildlife and starting to focus on the car -- looking for error messages of some kind. After three times, its clear that it is Tesla software that is broken. Although the car is in good repair, no messages were presented. Again, conditions were clear and dry. Failure to operate visibility mechanisms is highly contrary to safe driving. Some features which should always work: 1. Wind shield wipers; 2. Defogger 3. Defroster 4. head lights

Suspension
Filed Aug 15, 2025AZ

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S T2 295/30R/21 102Y. These tires are engineered by Michelin specifically for a Tesla Model S 2022+ hence the T2 mark. These are a second generation as the previous ones were a T1. Everything is supposed to be factored in by Michelin to cater to the vehicles specifications and needs. I bought a set of 4 of these mentioned tires brand new from Discount Tire. In less 10000 miles and 7 months the sidewalls have completely decoupled from the tread section/rest of the tire. The treadwear itself shows and even smooth normal wear pattern. Discount tire and Michelin are trying to claim this is an alignment issue citing too much camber. This is a false claim. The area of separation is not in the contact patch with the surface of the road. This is a defect in engineering and construction in the tire itself. This calls for a mass recall. I put the trust of my pregnant wife into these tires and she complained to me about a wallowing car ride with a decrease in handling, especially over bumps and on the highway. I could not see an issue. A few days later she informed me of a tire pressure indicator on the dashboard. It indicated tow low rear tires. Upon inspecting the tires I found both sides with a decoupled sidewall. Driver side being far worse than passenger. I immediately drove to Discount tire and the tire pressure sank from 26psi to 8psi in less than 4 miles. This could have proved fatal for my wife and unborn child on the highway. The tire company and the stor

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Aug 11, 2025WI

The front right door top hinge bolts fell out. Believe the bottom one is broke off. Also have vehicle has a seat belt warning alarm indicated. There is a vehicle appointment scheduled for the Thursday August 14, 2025. Did not notice any warning signs. The door separated in the parking lot of a food establishment.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 12, 2025NJ

Driver door does not unlock after a trip, with passengers inside the vehicle. Driver is unable to exit the vehicle from the driver door. This has happened a couple times now, a Tesla mechanic stopped by after the first time, but didn’t find any issue. It’s happening again.

Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control
Filed May 13, 202550,320 milesPA

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH in inclement weather with no other vehicles nearby, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. The contact stated that the brakes were applied without driver input. The contact stated that the emergency stop message was displayed during the failure. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stopped. The contact had since stopped using the Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,320.

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Apr 15, 202547,000 milesNH

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the message “Electrical System Power Reduce - Vehicle will Shut down” was displayed. The contact stated the vehicle had stopped charging and turned off once removed from the charger. The contact stated that the message “Climate Keeper Unavailable Due to System Fault” was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 12, 2025NY

The rear seatbelt on the left stopped latching all of a sudden creating a safety issue to ride with family.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Apr 2, 2025CA

While driving at approximately 5 MPH, the front passenger side window spontaneously shattered without any external or internal impact. I was alone in the vehicle and no one was seated in the front passenger seat. There were no objects in the car that could have made contact with the glass, and there was no indication of any road debris or other outside force. The window failure caused microshards of glass to scatter into the cabin, creating a potential safety hazard to the driver and any possible occupants. There were no warning lights, alerts, or symptoms before the failure occurred. The vehicle was inspected by a manufacturer service center, but the request for an engineering-level inspection was denied. The service center did not identify any external cause for the failure but still refused warranty coverage and did not escalate the issue for further analysis. The issue has not been reproduced but has not been properly investigated by the manufacturer either. Given the complete absence of impact and the sudden nature of the failure, this appears to be a glass defect or an installation issue. The broken component is available for inspection.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Mar 17, 2025GA

The manual door release on the front passenger side of my car was released automatically without anyone in the seat. I was the only one in the car. I was making a turn off of an exit and went over the seam between the bridge and the street. After I went over the seam, the front passenger door manual release was triggered and opened the door. I was able to pull over the close the door immediately after. This is a route I take daily for work and haven't had this problem before. This is a safety issue should someone been sitting in that seat or if there was a car to the right of me and the door fully opened outward. This could result in someone potentially falling out of the car or an accident if someone hit the door if it had swung out. I have tried to reproduce the problem and it has not done it since 3/13/2025 at 4:27pm when the original incident occurred. I did receive an error on the screen stating the manual release button was triggered when I went over the bump. I have tried to book an appointment with Tesla to investigate, but the earliest appointment they had available was April 1, 2025.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 27, 2025CA

My AC heater stopped functioning when I was driving through sub zero temperatures in salt lake city, Utah. At that time Tesla said they will need to replace the entire system and estimated 3000 dollars. However the system started working on its own and when they inspected the vehicle, they said everything looks good with HVAC. Now after 3 weeks, AC heater has stopped working again and they are again quoting 3000 dollars to replace entire system. There are many Tesla owners who are complaining about the same issues across their models. My issues started happening again a day after a software update and I suspect that these are issues caused by their negligence that they are using to charge their customers who's warranty has expired. I have owned other cars but never had AC replacement needed after 3yrs 75K miles.

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Jan 27, 2025MN

The driver side rear view mirror vibrates at most speeds in a way that renders it useless. This is a well described issue. Tesla is aware of it but refuses to fix it. It renders the mirror useless at some speeds.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 16, 2024FL

My Tesla Model S 2022 unexpectedly shut down while parked in a covered garage on [XXX], after I had driven for an hour. This occurred after I returned from a family trip to Lima, Peru, where I did not use the car. Tesla service center diagnosed it as water damage requiring a $20,578.50 battery pack replacement, which was covered by my insurance. There were no warning signs prior to failure. Within 20 minutes of the tow truck dropping off my car at Tesla, a representative informed me it was water damage, citing a system error and claiming over 20 vehicles had the same issue. This suggests a widespread problem and Tesla's awareness of it. This incident raises serious safety concerns about a potential design flaw and the lack of a water intrusion warning system. If this occurred while driving, it could lead to a sudden loss of power and an accident. I urge the NHTSA to: - Investigate if a design flaw exists in the Model S 2022. - Investigate Tesla's awareness of this issue and their failure to implement a warning system. - Require Tesla, and all EV manufacturers, to submit water mitigation plans. - Mandate water intrusion detection and warning systems in all EVs. This incident highlights a critical safety risk for Tesla - and perhaps all EV - drivers, and I urge the NHTSA to take immediate action. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 11, 2024FL

This vehicle has a well documented issue with tearing the inner side walls of the tires. I've gone through 4 sets in 30K miles, with no end in sight. What's worse it's 3 times the tire failed while I was driving at 60mph. Very dangerous

Steering
Filed Aug 26, 2024CA

The yoke steering is not intuitive and makes it really hard to instinctively press the horn or use the directionals, without taking your eyes off the road. This presents a serious safety hazard especially in the case of an emergency, where milliseconds count to avert an accident. At a minimum the horn button should be placed on the center of the steering or be replaced with a traditional wheel. In fact, if the car were to spin out of control, the rectangular shape of the yoke would likely prevent me from regaining control of the car. When I purchased the car in 2022 a regular steering wheel was not option. Tesla is now allowing retro fits but at a significant cost to the owner. There have been several instances in the two years where i pressed the center of the yoke with no effect, which could have led to an accident. I am surprised this kind of serious hazard is still permitted to exist and I kindly ask for your immediate attention.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Jul 5, 2024TX

I was driving on the highway utilizing the full self-driving mode. There was traffic and I was behind an 18-wheeler. The 18-wheeler turned into the right lane, but because of the traffic, it couldn't completely clear the lane so the rear was slightly sticking. The Tesla stopped because it couldn't clear the lane while the 18-wheeler was sticking out. I didn't intervene because it had stopped. Then all of a sudden, it surged forward causing the Tesla's right side mirror to be hit by the 18-wheeler's back. The right side mirror's paint job was completely taken off. I didn't have time to intervene because of the sudden surge.

Suspension
Filed Jun 26, 2024TX

Air Suspension system throws an error. Car attempts to lift but it feels like a limit switch or some upper bound is not working properly, as the car lifts in the rear, then suddenly kicks back down before trying to lift again. This process repeats 5-6 times before stopping. Initially, I could hear a motor or compressor running for about 30 seconds while initially driving the car. Since then, I've not heard any sounds from the suspension and it consistently says that the suspension is either not available or not functional in the driver heads up screen. Tesla is forcing me to pay for this repair, it is uncertain or unclear whether this should be covered under a recall, especially considering the issues on Suspension faced in China. Tesla has ridiculous wait times at their service centers - it will take me at least until late July to get this fixed.

Electrical System
Filed May 27, 2024MA

Being total disabled and driving over 46 years tesla moved horn from it’s original place they want 1,800.00 put back in middle of steering wheel this is hardship and safety issue

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 28, 2024CA

While driving suddenly in the middle of the road the car stopped with the warning Pull over immediately. Rear motor disabled. The biggest safety issue was the vehicle would not respond to any shift in gear drive , reverse or neutral. It wouldn’t move at all. I had to call 911 and cops also tried but the vehicle would not respond to any movement

Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings
Filed Apr 24, 2024CA

The horn is in a difficult place to access compared to ALL other vehicles in the USA making it a safety concern and hazard will driving should an emergency arise and you can’t get to the horn quickly. This has happened to me driving the 2022 Tesla Model S and I could not get to the horn swerving violently to avoid a collision.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 17, 2024TX

This vehicle does not have a fully functional horn. To activate the horn, you must press a tiny area located in the upper right part of the yoke. The area to activate the horn is less than 1-inch wide. The horn is virtually worthless when you need it such as when someone is running a light or changing into your lane, etc. Because you can't find the horn activation area in an emergency, you are unable to warn others about dangers as you are required to do by Texas law. This has been corrected in later made Model S and they now have the horn sound by pressing anywhere in the large area in the center of the yoke. I've brought this to Tesla's attention but they refuse to repair or replace the yoke. They will do so at a cost of $2,300. Ironically, they will replace the yoke under warranty if the yoke's cover is peeling or cracking - a known defect. Cosmetic - they fix. Safety - they refuse to fix. Please consider issuing a notice to Tesla that they fix the horns on their 2022 Model S.

Steering
Filed Apr 14, 2024CA

RECALL ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE. HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE AUTO STEER/AUTO PILOT THAT COMES IN THE CAR. THE AUTO STEER AUTOMATICALLY GOES OFF AND WHENEVER YOU MAKE A TURN, THERE'S A WEIRD SOUND.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 26, 2024NJ

Lack of blinker stalk: After driving this vehicle since September 2022, buttons in place of a blinker stalk are dangerous. In real driving conditions, there are many times I have to take my eyes off the road to look at the wheel and make sure I'm pressing the correct blinker button. Often times when I think my fingers are in the right position, I'd like to shift right but wind up pressing the left blinker button and vice versa. I always thought it was me not being aware until I saw other Tesla drivers do the same. Lack of center horn: For the Model S, the center horn is not active. Instead you need to press a tiny button to activate the horn. This is also very dangerous since you have a split second to alert other drivers but you have to take your eyes off the road to activate the horn. Tesla's solution to "mash" the right controls on the wheel will activate the horn is terrible. I usually wind up activating the wipers or voice recognition when I follow that suggestion. Rear passenger door emergency release: The location of the rear door emergency release is located behind a small cutout of the rug behind your legs. In case of emergency, time is wasted having to explain to find the cut out, open the cut out, look for a wire and pull. No trunk emergency release: That's right... There is no interior trunk release. If you get stuck in the trunk, you cannot release/open it from the inside. You will have to somehow fold down the rear seats and crawl into the back seats to exit. I'

Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control
Filed Feb 17, 2024VA

The update that you required for Auto Steer has made the car undrivable. I get a written and audible warning IMMEDIATELY when I engage Auto Steer. Literally within 2 seconds. I always keep my hands on the wheel, lightly, while I drive on the highway. Anything short of a death grip on the wheel causes the warning to go off. However, the nag feature (after the changes you required) goes off constantly. Honestly, it's very distracting. If I look at the radio to change the channel, the warning goes off. You need to undo the changes you required. It makes Auto Steer less safe, not more.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 11, 2024CA

Horn is not located in the center where it can be found in the event of an emergency. Instead it is in tiny non-tactile button on the right side. Have had incidents in which I almost got into an accident and needed the horn to alert the other vehicle of an impending collision. In each instance I was not able to locate the horn in a timely manner.

Wheels
Filed Feb 10, 2024SC

Tire separation on the inside rear tires. I purchased my car new and had continued slight loss of air pressure at 12,000 miles. I inspected the rear tires and found one of the tires and begun to split open (at the seam where tread adheres to the tire), the other tire once sprayed with soap water had tiny pin hole leaks all the way around the same seam. I had tires replaced and filed a tire warranty claim. The original tires were Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and the tires I replaced them with were the same. Now at 30,343 miles the same problem occurred, both tires show separation around the inside seam with the tread still remaining. If left uncorrected/addressed the tires would eventually blow out driving.

Back Over PreventionCrash
Filed Jan 30, 202411,544 milesCA

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while reversing in her driveway, the front driver's side camera did not indicate there was a gate in the viewing area. The driver crashed into a metal gate on her property. The front bumper was damaged. There was no beeping sound while approaching the object. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was taken to a body shop, where it was diagnosed that the bumper needed to be replaced. The rear bumper was damaged while at the body shop. The mechanic stated that the clips were missing. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact removed the USB and was unable to locate the incident. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred her to an approved body shop. The approximate mileage was 11,544.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 23, 2024CA

All tesla models have excessively bright headlamps, blinding oncoming traffic. There are many teslas where I live and commute. I had many instances where I could not see what was in front of me on a two lane road due to a tesla coming in the opposite direction at night. It is seriously dangerous to have these cars with such bright lights on the road. They create a hazard for every driver in the oncoming lane. I strongly believe that these bright headlamps ought to be illegal, as they jeopardize safety of drivers.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 13, 2024NE

The placement of the horn and turn signals onto the steering wheel is highly flawed. In normal driving, the turn signal buttons on the wheel are not intuitive, even after months and 10,000mi of ownership. The horn is also a button, and will never be useful in an emergency situation. These items should be required to be placed in the same spot for every street legal vehicle. Muscle memory and ease of use for safety.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 13, 2024LA

The horn button is to difficult to use during an emergency. Tesla knows this that’s why there cybertruck has the horn in the center of the wheel.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 13, 2024WA

The horn is very difficult to hit in case of emergency. You have to look down and find the horn button, which is especially problematic for example if a child runs in front of the car, you have to take your eyes off the road and find the horn button and press it. All other cars in the world use the center of the steering for a horn, this model of Tesla S does not.

Complaints 1-50 of 140, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2015
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20268010Routine
20256200Routine
202438600Routine
20231151300Routine
2022 — this page1402000Routine
20211792421Fatalities reported
2020801100Routine
2019441000Routine
20181701130Routine
2017431940High concern
201665010128Fatalities reported
20156699124Fatalities reported
20143679913Fatalities reported
201346111195Fatalities reported
201261811Fatalities reported

Compare every Model S year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 4, 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.