Worst 2017 Tesla Model S Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Electrical Faults
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2017 Tesla Model S.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 107 | 14 | — | 22,539 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 104 | 5 | — | 38,915 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 46 | 5 | — | 27,000 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 45 | 3 | — | 20,129 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 35 | 16 | — | 16,334 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 27 | 3 | — | 23,250 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 26 | — | — | 53,672 mi | |
| Brakes | 25 | 8 | — | 23,980 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 15 | — | — | 51,131 mi | |
| Body Structure | 13 | 6 | — | 12,479 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 13 | 2 | — | 36,304 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 12 | 2 | — | 19,000 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 9 | 2 | — | 39,028 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 9 | 4 | — | 19,267 mi | |
| Visibility | 9 | — | — | 45,102 mi | |
| Backup Camera | 8 | — | — | 43,452 mi | |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 8 | 2 | — | 65,000 mi | |
| Fuel System | 8 | 2 | 2 | 12,867 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Warning | 8 | — | — | 37,185 mi | |
| Airbags | 5 | 4 | — | 42,236 mi | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Adas:Autonomous/Self Driving:Software | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment:Video (Touch)Screen/Monitor/Unit | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Forward-Collision Avoidance Issues | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment | 2 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Tesla Model S. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2017 Tesla Model S
9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,084,190 vehicles.
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."
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."
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.
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.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
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.
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."
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
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.
Other Tesla Model S Years
2017 Tesla Model S — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2017 Tesla Model S reliable?
What are common problems with the 2017 Tesla Model S?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 Tesla Model S?
How safe is the 2017 Tesla Model S?
Does the 2017 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2017 Tesla Model S?
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.
Check Your Specific 2017 Tesla Model S
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99