2014 Tesla Model S Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2014 Tesla Model S. Part of Generation 1 — 2012–2020.

20132015
Complaints
536
Crashes
74
Fires
12
Injuries
26
Fatalities
27
Recalls
9

Worst 2014 Tesla Model S Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1130 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:74,796 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:5
#289 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:38,578 mi
Crash-related:29
Fires:1
#327 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:56,870 mi
Crash-related:5
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2014 Tesla Model S.

Electrical Faults
130
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
5
Avg Miles
74,796
Suspension Failures
89
complaints
Crashes
29
Fires
1
Avg Miles
38,578
Steering Defects
27
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
56,870
Headlight/Taillight Failures
26
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
84,615
Transmission / Drivetrain
25
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
57,015
Body Structure
25
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Avg Miles
60,038
Fuel System
23
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
60,358
Unintended Acceleration
21
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
Avg Miles
35,312
Wipers & Visibility
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
64,988
Airbags
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
23,725
Engine Problems
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
51,256
Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
16,002
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
76,182
Wheel Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
49,292
Electronic Stability Control
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
51,917
Backup Camera
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Assist
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2014 Tesla Model S. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2014 Tesla Model S

9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,845,932 vehicles.

24V376000Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices
~125,233 affected

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."

24V051000Instrument Cluster
~2,193,869 affected

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."

23V838000Electrical System:adas:driver Monitoring:software
~2,031,220 affected

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.

21V00B000Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
~130,441 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System."

21V035000Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal · Back Over Prevention:software
~134,951 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.

19V002000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~68,673 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2014-2016 Model S vehicles equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

18V204000Steering:electric Power Assist System
~70,421 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.

17V260000Parking Brake
~31,709 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.

15V780000Seat Belts:front
~59,415 affected

Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Model S vehicles manufactured May 31, 2012, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver or front passenger seat belts that may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.

Other Tesla Model S Years

2014 Tesla Model S — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2014 Tesla Model S reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2014 Tesla Model S has 536 NHTSA complaints, 74 crash-related, and 9 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 130 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2014 Tesla Model S?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (130 complaints, avg 74,796 mi); Suspension Failures (89 complaints, avg 38,578 mi); Steering Defects (27 complaints, avg 56,870 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2014 Tesla Model S?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 58,015 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2014 Tesla Model S?
NHTSA complaints for the 2014 Tesla Model S include 74 crash-related reports, 12 fire reports, 26 injuries, and 27 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2014 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,845,932 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2014 Tesla Model S?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Tesla Model S reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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