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2019
New 2022
Used 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
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Tesla Model S

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The Tesla Model S rewrites the rulebook for cars, as it's a different kind of car from a different kind of company, a Silicon Valley startup. The fully electric Model S is a remarkable car that combines performance, agility, styling, high-tech, no emissions and low operating costs. It's one of the best cars we've ever tested.
Alerts
There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
GREEN CHOICE
2019
New 2022
Used 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

Tesla Model S

Reliability

We expect the 2022 Model S will be much less reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2019 and 2020 models. Select the used car model year to see reported issues with those similar past models.

Overall Reliability
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot
See all 2019 Potential Trouble Spots
The 2019 Tesla Model S has been recalled 4 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
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Overall Reliability Verdict
NA
NA
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Engine Major
NA
NA
Engine Minor
NA
NA
Engine Cooling
NA
NA
Transmission Major
NA
NA
Transmission Minor
NA
NA
Drive System
NA
NA
Fuel System
NA
NA
Electric System
NA
NA
Climate System
NA
NA
Suspension
NA
NA
Brakes
NA
NA
Exhaust
NA
NA
Paint/Trim
NA
NA
Body Integrity
NA
NA
Body Hardware
NA
NA
Power Equipment
NA
NA
In-car Electronics
NA
NA
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Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2021 vehicles are holding up in 17 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical system. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.

Learn more about car Reliability.

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2019 Tesla Model S owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Display screen freezes up

"While driving on highway, the display screen was frozen with speed of 58 mph. The car continued to operate. When I put the lane change signal, the signal status was not shown. In about a minute, the screen went completely blank as it did an automatic reboot. The screen came back within a minute of going blank. The same problem occurred again on the same day. I reported the problem to Tesla about a week ago. They have not responded to me yet."

George K., MD (2019 Tesla Model S 100D Electric)
Display screen goes blank

"Several times the Tesla entire I terior screens would go black, the car would slow down, you have no blinker, you can't change gears. Once this happened on a 5 land highway and was very scary. Another time I was in a dark parking lot and it went black while I was reversing. I was then stuck, blocking several other cars from entering or leaving the parking lot until I was able to reset by pressing 2 buttons on the steering wheel in complete darkness."

Anonymous, CT (2019 Tesla Model S 100D Electric)

"Already discussed this problem as described below: While driving on highway, the display screen was frozen with speed of 58 mph. The car continued to operate. When I put the lane change signal, the signal status was not shown. In about a minute, the screen went completely blank as it did an automatic reboot. The screen came back within a minute of going blank. The same problem occurred again on the same day. I reported the problem to Tesla about a week ago. They have not responded to me yet."

George K., MD (2019 Tesla Model S 100D Electric)
Hardware replacement

"The car was not able to communicate with the Tesla app. Tesla had to replace the dashboard electronic."

Anonymous, CO (2019 Tesla Model S Long Range Electric)
In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"The onboard system was not able to update the onboard map."

Anonymous, CO (2019 Tesla Model S Long Range Electric)
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Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

Headlights

"Headlights are starting to dim. They are not as bright as they were when first purchased. Overtime the lights continue to dim."

Anonymous, VA (2019 Tesla Model S 100D Electric)
Wiper motor or washer

"The wiper motor could use more speed settings. When it downpours the motor speed barely keeps up with the rain. This issue has been voiced to Tesla and they have worked to send out updates."

Anonymous, VA (2019 Tesla Model S 100D Electric)

Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"body noise when driving slowing over bumps."

Anonymous, CA (2019 Tesla Model S 75D Electric)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Loose exterior trim or moldings

"a piece of trim under passenger front door came loose. Took into service. They felt I had driven over something that knocked it loose. Replaced it immediately."

Anonymous, CA (2019 Tesla Model S 100D Electric)

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

What Owners Say

Tailgate, hatch or trunk

"trunk (hatchback) stuck open. Couldn't drive because it would not have been safe. Was towed to service and fixed immediately"

Anonymous, CA (2019 Tesla Model S 100D Electric)

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Automatic climate control

"Being that the car is driven by software, often buggy software, the climate control is unpredictable and problematic with each software update. The thermostat in the car seems to be often impacted, causing a '65 degree' setting to sometimes blow A/C (as it should) and other times blow heat (not very pleasant when it's 85 degrees outside)"

Anonymous, CA (2019 Tesla Model S 75D Electric)

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

Compare 2019 Models

No Data Available
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Mar 18, 2022
A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
What should you do:
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-004.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 22V169000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 947
Hide Recall Details
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jan 27, 2022
Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
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.
What should you do:
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 22V037000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 53822
Hide Recall Details
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Dec 21, 2021
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.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
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."
What should you do:
Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-11-003.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 21V00B000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 119009
Hide Recall Details
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Oct 29, 2021
Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
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.
What should you do:
Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 21V846000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 11728
Hide Recall Details
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