Tesla Model S Reliability
5,163 NHTSA complaints (2012–2026). Complaint rate: 281.5 per 1,000 vehicles.
Tesla Model S Generations
Manufacturer redesigns the car every few years (a “generation”). Each generation has different engineering and common issues. Click a generation to see year-by-year breakdown.
| Generation | Years | Code | Complaints | Crashes | Volume | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 1 | 2012–2020 | — | 4,472 | 600 | Hide years | |||
| 2012 | 86 | 4 | View 2012View→ | |||||
| 2013 | 665 | 61 | View 2013View→ | |||||
| 2014 | 536 | 74 | View 2014View→ | |||||
| 2015 | 1,045 | 114 | View 2015View→ | |||||
| 2016 | 1,000 | 154 | View 2016View→ | |||||
| 2017 | 665 | 95 | View 2017View→ | |||||
| 2018 | 286 | 63 | View 2018View→ | |||||
| 2019 | 69 | 10 | View 2019View→ | |||||
| 2020 | 120 | 25 | View 2020View→ | |||||
| Gen 2 | 2021–present | Plaid refresh | 691 | 45 | Show years | |||
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2013–2017 Tesla Model S (498 crash-related complaints). The 2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Tesla Model S Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 939 | 4.2% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 847 | 9.0% |
| SUSPENSION | 720 | 17.6% |
| STEERING | 336 | 11.0% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 261 | 42.9% |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 211 | 8.5% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 193 | 27.5% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 188 | 1.6% |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 156 | 12.8% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 139 | 20.1% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012GOOD | Gen 1 | 86 | 4 | 1 | View 2012View→ |
| 2013AVOID | Gen 1 | 665 | 61 | 27 | View 2013View→ |
| 2014AVOID | Gen 1 | 536 | 74 | 12 | View 2014View→ |
| 2015AVOID | Gen 1 | 1,045 | 114 | 16 | View 2015View→ |
| 2016AVOID | Gen 1 | 1,000 | 154 | 23 | View 2016View→ |
| 2017AVOID | Gen 1 | 665 | 95 | 4 | View 2017View→ |
| 2018 | Gen 1 | 286 | 63 | 9 | View 2018View→ |
| 2019GOOD | Gen 1 | 69 | 10 | — | View 2019View→ |
| 2020GOOD | Gen 1 | 120 | 25 | — | View 2020View→ |
| 2021 | Gen 2(Plaid refresh) | 271 | 28 | 2 | View 2021View→ |
| 2022 | Gen 2(Plaid refresh) | 186 | 4 | — | View 2022View→ |
| 2023GOOD | Gen 2(Plaid refresh) | 149 | 11 | — | View 2023View→ |
| 2024TOO NEW | Gen 2(Plaid refresh) | 75 | 2 | — | View 2024View→ |
| 2025TOO NEW | Gen 2(Plaid refresh) | 7 | 0 | — | View 2025View→ |
| 2026TOO NEW | Gen 2(Plaid refresh) | 3 | 0 | — | View 2026View→ |
See also: Tesla Model Saccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Tesla Model S?
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