Tesla Model S Problems, Recalls and Mobile Repair
3,219 owner complaints and 39 safety recalls are on file with NHTSA for 2008–2024 Model S models. Here is what owners report most, which years drew the most complaints, and which fixes a mobile mechanic can do where the car sits.
NHTSA data pulled September 2026.
The most reported Model S problems
The systems named most often in NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 Tesla Model S models, and whether a mobile mechanic can usually help. A complaint can name more than one system.
| System | Complaints | Share | Mobile mechanic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 960 | 30% | Often in the driveway |
| Suspension | 718 | 22% | Often in the driveway |
| Driver-assist systems | 431 | 13% | Dealer or recall |
| Steering | 329 | 10% | Diagnose first |
| Throttle and cruise control | 253 | 8% | Diagnose first |
| Exterior lights | 190 | 6% | Usually on the spot |
| Brakes | 174 | 5% | Usually on the spot |
| Wipers, windows and mirrors | 166 | 5% | Often in the driveway |
Symptoms owners describe
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA, the federal vehicle-safety agency. NHTSA does not verify each one, and a year or model that sold more cars usually gets more complaints, so treat the counts as a map of what to check, not a reliability score. Data pulled from NHTSA's public complaint and recall databases in September 2026.
Complaints by model year
The 2015 Model S drew the most complaints (646). Newer years have had less time on the road, so their counts are still growing.
Tesla Model S recalls
39 safety recalls cover 2008–2024 Model S models. The most recent 12 are below.
| Reported | Campaign | Model years | System | What can happen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05 | 26V283000 | 2021–2023 | Driver-assist systems | A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2025-03 | 25V172000 | 2021–2024 | Airbags | An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2025-01 | 25V002000 | 2024 | Driver-assist systems | A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2024-12 | 24V967000 | 2021–2024 | Airbags | A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 2024-07 | 24V554000 | 2021–2024 | Door latches and locks | An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2024-05 | 24V376000 | 2012–2024 | Seat belts | A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash. |
| 2024-02 | 24V153000 | 2013, 2018–2021 | Driver-assist systems | Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2024-01 | 24V051000 | 2012–2023 | Electrical system | 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. |
| 2024-01 | 24V035000 | 2023 | Driver-assist systems | A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash. |
| 2023-12 | 23V862000 | 2022–2023 | Door latches and locks | An unlocked door may unlatch and open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 2023-12 | 23V838000 | 2012–2023 | Electrical system | 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… |
| 2023-11 | 23V743000 | 2021–2024 | Steering | 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. |
Plus 27 older recalls. Check your VIN for the full list.
Safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls on your exact car. "Park it" means NHTSA and the maker say not to drive the vehicle until it is fixed.
What Model S owners told NHTSA
“I discovered my car a 0% battery range with a dead 12 volt as well just as it had depleted and discovered the burnt up wires.”
“The car is supposed to send charging error alerts or problems via the Tesla app.”
“Have experienced phantom braking at high speeds which could cause a rear end collision involving the vehicle or vehicles behind me.”
“The contact stated that the failure recurred daily while driving whenever he depressed the brake pedal.”
What a mobile mechanic can do on a Model S
An electric Model S has no oil, spark plugs or exhaust, but it still has a 12-volt battery, brakes, tires, suspension, wipers and cabin filters – and a mobile mechanic can handle most of that where the car is parked.
The high-voltage battery, drive unit, charging hardware, software and driver-assist calibration go to the brand's service center, and Tesla also runs its own mobile service vans for many repairs. Recall repairs are free there. Electric cars: what a mobile mechanic can and can't do
Common jobs on any car
| Job | Repair shop average | Mobile mechanics we list | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake pads, per axle | $335–394 | $125–215 | Pads and rotors: $310–390 mobile, $549–629 at a shop |
| Wheel bearing / hub | $346–504 | Quoted after a look | Per wheel. Too few published mobile prices to show a range |
Repair shop average: RepairPal national estimates, parts and labor before tax (updated Sep 3, 2026); pads and rotors from Kelley Blue Book (Jun 2026). Mobile: the middle half of prices that 90 mechanics listed on MobileMechanics.ai publish on their own websites (checked Oct 2026); some are labor only, so ask whether parts are included. Prices vary by vehicle and city; the mechanic quotes after looking. How we got these numbers
We have no published price range for EV 12-volt batteries yet – ask for a written quote.
More Tesla problem guides
Need a mechanic for your Model S?
Tell us where the car is and what is going on. We pass your request to one local mobile mechanic at a time – never to call centers or marketers. No cost to you.
Tesla Model S recalls and news
No stories here yet.
Tesla Model S: questions
What are the most common Tesla Model S problems?
In NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 models, the systems named most often are the electrical system, suspension, driver-assist systems. The 2015 model year drew the most complaints (646).
How many recalls does the Tesla Model S have?
NHTSA lists 39 safety recalls covering 2008–2024 models. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to your car.
Are Tesla Model S recall repairs free?
Yes, safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work, but can fix most other problems where the car is parked.
Can a mobile mechanic work on a Tesla Model S?
Yes, on the parts shared with any car: the 12-volt battery, brakes, tires, suspension, wipers and filters. High-voltage, charging and software work goes to the brand's service center. Find a mobile mechanic in your city.
Where this data comes from
- NHTSA – vehicle safety complaints (public complaint database)
- NHTSA – recalls lookup by VIN
- NHTSA – Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC)
Complaint and recall records for Tesla Model S model years in range, retrieved September 2026. Owner quotes are short excerpts from public NHTSA complaint records, lightly cased for reading.