What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2017 Tesla Model S

Typical pattern

2.7% of complaints about the 2017 Tesla Model S came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2017 vehicle — around the middle of the 203 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (114 complaints), typically at 4.3 yr or about 35,250 miles.

Complaints
674
Median age at failure
4.4 yr
Median mileage
25,000 n=327
Crash / fire / tow
15.3% of reports
Safety recalls
9

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
114 reports · 35,250 mi
4.3 yr
6.1%
Suspension
107 reports · 14,500 mi
3.9 yr
16.8%
Other
96 reports · 27,000 mi
4.3 yr
9.4%
Collision avoidance
87 reports · 31,000 mi
5.4 yr
13.8%
Steering
48 reports · 10,000 mi
6.2 yr
6.2%
Speed control
35 reports · 12,000 mi
3.3 yr
45.7%
Lane departure
26 reports · 24,500 mi
6.3 yr
15.4%
Exterior lighting
26 reports · 58,000 mi
5.4 yr
0%
Service brakes
25 reports · 24,473 mi
5.2 yr
32%
Back over prevention
20 reports · 40,000 mi
5.0 yr
10%
Visibility / wipers
15 reports · 58,000 mi
4.3 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

24V376000 2024-05-28
Seat belts:front:warning light/devices

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."

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

24V051000 2024-01-30
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

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."

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.

23V838000 2023-12-12
Electrical system:adas:autonomous/self driving:software

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.

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.

23V085000 2023-02-15
Steering:automated/adaptive steering

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 pos

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.

22V818000 2022-11-01
Steering:electric power assist system

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.

A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

22V037000 2022-01-27
Electrical system:adas:autonomous/self driving:software

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.

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

21V00B000 2021-12-21
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

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."

If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

21V846000 2021-10-29
Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: camera

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.

Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

21V035000 2021-01-29
Back over prevention:software

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.

The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Speed control 5,602 mi 1.0 yr in service
THE TESLA SPED UP AND HAD A SUDDEN UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY SLOWLY AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A VERY HIGH SPEED. IT ALMOST WENT OVER A WALL AND I HAD TO SWERVE THE WHEEL TO AVOID GOING OVER A WALL. WHEN I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, THE CAR STOPPED FULLY ONLY A FEW INCHES AWAY FROM ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE.
Speed control 1,772 mi 1.7 yr in service crash / fire / tow
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA MODEL S. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO JUMP THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO SOME BUSHES. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE, DURING, OR AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT?S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,772.
Speed control 10,000 mi 1.8 yr in service crash / fire / tow
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA MODEL S. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GARAGE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TESLA BUENA PARK (6692 AUTO CENTER DR, BUENA PARK, CA 90621, (714) 735-5696) AND WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
Steering 10,000 mi 1.5 yr in service
YET ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/29600438 FRONT RH SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. WHEELS GONE WHOMPY AND CROSSEYED. THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR TESLA SUSPENSION BREAKAGES THAT ARE DUE TO FRAGILE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND NOT THE RESULT OF CRSH DAMAGE. PLEASE RECALL THESE DANGEROUS CARS BEFORE MORE PEOPLE GET KILLED.. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN.

Other Model S model years

2024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012

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