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2014 Tesla Model S Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20263 Critical Recalls
Ryan Davis
2014 Tesla Model S Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2014 Tesla Model S has 529 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve electrical system and suspension.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.3/ 10

Based on 529 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

128 24.2%

SUSPENSION

89 16.8%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

79 14.9%

STEERING

26 4.9%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

26 4.9%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 24.2% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 33 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2014 Tesla Model S

The 2014 Tesla Model S has 529 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 24% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2014 Tesla Model S are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (128), SUSPENSION (89), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (79).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 302 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2014 Tesla Model S?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2013 Model S complaints2015 Model S complaints2012 Model S complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 19 of 19 systems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

58 Reports23% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

P85D LOST POWER ON ROAD, "PULL OVER SAFELY". WITH TESLA'S LATEST FIRMWARE UPDAT E0.167 PUSHED OTU UNTESTED TO ALL P85D CARS, THE CAR LOSES ALL POWER SUDDENLY WHEN DRIVING. IT LEAVES THE DRIVERS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF ROADS DANGEROUSLY. TESLA IS NOT ISSUING A RECALL, AND IS TRYING TO SUPPRESS THIS AND MANY MANY OTHER QUALITY AND SAFETY ISSUES BY LIMITING THE INFORMATION TO ITS FORUMS ONLY, AND SOMETIMES REMOVING THOSE INFORMATION TO SUPPORT ITS HIGH QUALITY IMAGE, AND SUSTAIN ITS BUBBLE STOCK VALUATION. MORE DETAILS HERE IN THIS THREAD. HOPE THEY DON'T REMOVE THE ENTIRE THREAD. HTTP://WWW.TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/43075-P85D-LOST-POWER-ON-ROAD-PULL-OVER-SAFELY -- WAS HEADING DOWN A 45 MPH ROAD AT ABOUT 57. HAD THE CRUISE SET. NO CARS IN FRONT. WAS TAKING A VERY SLIGHT CURVE IN THE ROAD AND THE CRUISE DISENGAGED BY ITSELF. NO ERRORS OR ANYTHING, JUST AS IF I HAD TAPPED THE BRAKE OR SOMETHING. HMM... SO I RESUMED IT AND IT WENT BACK TO WORK. LESS THAN HALF A MILE LATER I DISENGAGED CRUISE TO REGEN TO A STOP TO MAKE A LEFT AT A LIGHT. A COUPLE OF SECONDS INTO THAT AND I GOT THIS DREADED MESSAGE: "CAR NEEDS SERVICE; PULL OVER SAFELY". *JS

2/25/2015

MY 2 DAY OLD P85D SUDDENLY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION: TESLA BUILT THESE P85D CARS WITH FAULTY ELECTRICAL CONTACTORS THAT IT WAS SECRETLY RECALLING THROUGH ITS FORUMS. THE FAULTY CONTACTORS CAUSED SOME NEWLY RELEASED P85D CARS TO LOSE ALL POWER WITHIN FIRST 100 MILES. TESLA SHOULD ISSUE A PUBLIC RECALL TO REPLACE THE FAULTY CONTACTORS. TESLA SHIPPED THE P85D CARS WITH OLD SEATS , EVEN WHEN IT CHARGED CUSTOMERS FOR NEXT GENERATION SEATS. TESLA NEEDS TO IMPROVE ITS PROCESSES AND MAKE SURE IT RELEASES CARS ONLY WHEN SAFE FOR PUBLIC ROADS. I SHOULDN'T BE PAYING OVER $100K TO GO THROUGH THESE PAINS AND DANGERS. MORE HERE: HTTP://WWW.TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/40527-MY-2-DAY-OLD-P85D-SUDDENLY-DIED-IN-THE-MIDDLE-OF-AN-INTERSECTION MY 2 DAY OLD P85D SUDDENLY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION:- WELL ... MY SHORT RANGE BRAND NEW P85D WITH 191KM (120MI) DIED SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION (COMPLETELY STOPPED MOVING) ON -12C WEATHER. EVEN THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING. MY 10 YEAR OLD SON AND I HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH IT TO THE SIDE. CALLED MY DS WHO CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHO PUT HIM ON HOLD FOR 30 MINUTES AND THEN TOLD ME THAT IT WILL BE AN HOUR BEFORE A TOW TRUCK ARRIVES. MY SON AND I WERE FREEZING WITH NO HEATER SO I MADE MY 80 YEAR OLD DAD COME AND PICK US UP. NEEDLESS TO SAY ... I AM NOT IMPRESSED. I KNEW I WAS BUY BLEEDING EDGE BUT A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN 2 DAYS AND 140KM AFTER LEAVING THE SHOWROOM? REALLY?

2/26/2015

56 more complaints are available in this category.

SUSPENSION

50 Reports20% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THIS CAR IS UP FOR SALE AS A TOTAL WRITE OFF SALVAGE. HTTPS://WWW.EASYEXPORT.US/VEHICLE-FINDER/LOT-14402615/2014-TESLA-TESLA-CERTIFICATE-OF-DESTRUCTION-FL-WEST-PALM-BEACH FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHS IT APPEARS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE IS THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION HAS SHEARED OFF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE DEFECT SAME AS HAS BEEN REPORTED ON SEVERAL THREADS EG HTTP://MY.TESLAMOTORS.COM/FORUM/FORUMS/MODEL-S-PULLS-LEFT-PLEASE-READ THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS IN WHICH THE REAR SUSPENSION HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM THE MODEL S. HTTP://JALOPNIK.COM/TESLA-MODEL-S-TOTALLED-IN-VIOLENT-NEW-YORK-CRASH-1444083171 THIS WAS NOT A CRASH, THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE ROADWAY AFTER THE SUSPENSION FELL OFF. TESLA HAS A CULTURE OF DENIAL AND COVER UP. CONSIDERING THE VERY SMALL NUMBER OF CARS PRODUCED THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS IS EXTREMELY ALARMIN.

6/13/2015

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY MODEL S REAR SUSPENSION COMING LOOSE. I HAVE ARCHIVED THE AUCTION DETAILS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS PARTICULAR EXAMPLE. THE CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH BUT THE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOR THE REAR WHEEL AND AXLE HAS TORN LOOSE AN IS JAMMED IN THE WHEEL ARCH AT 90 DEGREES. THE FRACTURED SUSPENSION ARMS ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE. YOU CAN FIND THE ADVERT IN GOOGLE CACHE SALVAGE RESELLER DAMAGED 2014 TESLA MODEL S .0L LOT # 23807485 YOU CAN FIND THE CLOSE UP PHOTOGRAPH ON MY FACEBOOK ALBUM [XXX] --- FACEBOOK THERE ARE SEVERAL MORE TESLAS WITH THE SAME FAILURE CURRENTLY UP FOR SALE ON THE COPART WEBSITE. HERE IS A CLASSIC ONE... 4000 MILES, NOT EVEN DUE ITS FIRST SERVICE AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF COPART AUTO AUCTIONS DAMAGED 2015 TESLA MODEL S .0L LOT # 30043205 THERE HAS BEEN A DELIBERATE COVER UP BY TESLA OF THIS LETHAL DEFECT. I CAN SUPPLY PLENTY MORE EXAMPLES. THANK YOU [XXX] PLEASE NOTE: I HAVE SUPPLIED A FICTITIOUS USA ADDRESS BECAUSE OTHERWISE YOUR SYSTEM WILL NOT ACCEPT MY COMPLAINT. I AM NOT A US RESIDENT OR A TESLA OWNER. I AM A CONCERNED CITIZEN TRYING TO PREVENT FURTHER ACCIDENTS BEING CAUSED BY THIS DEFECT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

9/23/2015

48 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

33 Reports13% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I LEFT MY GIRLFRIEND IN THE CAR WHILE I WENT INTO A COURTHOUSE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. I TOOK THE KEY (PROXIMITY SENSOR) WITH ME, BECAUSE SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T NEED THE AIR CONDITIONER OR RADIO. WHILE I WAS GONE, SHE DISCOVERED SHE WAS LOCKED IN. SHE COULDN'T OPEN THE DOOR OR WINDOWS. THIS SITUATION IS A DEATH TRAP. FORTUNATELY, I THINK THIS CAN BE FIXED BY A SOFTWARE UPDATE, WHICH TESLA DOES REMOTELY AND ROUTINELY. WHEN I CALLED THE COMPANY, I SPOKE TO A SALESMAN, WHO REFERRED ME TO TECH SUPPORT, WHO DROPPED MY CALL AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON HOLD. THIS WOULD HAVE KILLED HER IF I HAD BEEN DETAINED LONGER. JDL

6/29/2015

HAZARDOUS FEATURE -- DO NOT USE -- NOTIFY TESLA IMMEDIATELY -- INCIDENT 1) I TESTED THE RECENTLY DOWNLOADED "AUTOPILOT" FEATURE ON A FREEWAY WITH SOLID LINES AT BOTH EDGES AND A DASHED LINE BETWEEN THE TWO LANES. SPEED WAS 70MPH, WIND LIGHT, VISIBILITY GOOD IN DAYLIGHT, TRAVELING IN THE RIGHT LANE. WHEN THE VEHICLE ENCOUNTERED AN OFF-RAMP (ON THE RIGHT) WHERE THE RIGHT EDGE WHITE LINE FOLLOWED THE RAMP'S RIGHT EDGE, ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. THE CAR TRIED TO FOLLOW THE LINE FOR THE RAMP. I BRAKED AND STEERED LEFT, WINDING UP IN THE TRIANGULAR NO-MANS-LAND DEFINED BY THE RIGHT LANE OF THE FREEWAY, THE RAMP, AND THE VARIOUS BARRIERS AND LANDSCAPING AT THE TOP OF THE TRIANGLE. I ACCELERATED OUT OF THE TRIANGLE, WONDERING WHY THIS FEATURE WAS RELEASED BY TESLA. INCIDENT 2) A FEW MILES LATER, NOT HAVING LEARNED ANYTHING I GUESS, I REACTIVATED "AUTOPILOT." ANOTHER FEW MILES LATER A SMALL BIRD FLEW IN FRONT OF THE CAR. HELL BROKE LOOSE AGAIN AS THE CAR BRAKED AND SWERVED OUT OF THE SLOW LANE INTO THE FAST LANE. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC NEARBY. I RECOVERED MY TRACK AND DEACTIVATED THE "AUTOPILOT." THIS FEATURE IS JUST KIDS' STUFF, NOT READY FOR THE REAL WORLD. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1) INSTRUCT TESLA TO DELETE THIS FEATURE FROM THEIR CARS IMMEDIATELY; LIVES COULD BE SAVED IF THEY DO SO. 2) OTHER MANUFACTURER'S CARS WITH AN "AUTOPILOT" KIND OF FEATURE MUST BE TESTED FOR HAZARDOUS BEHAVIORS. GOOD LUCK. THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS. I WILL ALSO BE NOTIFYING TESLA OF THESE INCIDENTS.

12/10/2015

31 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

19 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE CAR GAVE A FAILURE MESSAGE AND THEN LOST ALL POWER. IT SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AS I NAVIGATED THROUGH TRAFFIC IN NEUTRAL ONTO THE SHOULDER. I CALLED TESLA AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN SOFTWARE RELEASE BUG. THEY SAID TO TURN OFF RANGE MODE AND THE ISSUE WILL NOT RECUR. MEANWHILE THEY ARE WORKING ON A SOFTWARE FIX. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A LIFE AND DEATH ISSUE. IT IS BEING REPORTED BY MANY OTHER MODEL S P85 D OWNERS ON THE TESLA FORUM. I BELIEVE THAT TESLA SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT ALL OWNERS AS THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND MAY CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS - THE ERROR CAUSES THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND HAS AFFECTED MANY TESLAS ALREADY. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IN MY CASE AND WILL CERTAINLY CAUSE A MORE SERIOUS EVENT IF NOT ADDRESSED. *TR

2/27/2015

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/39926687/PHOTOS IT HAS BEEN TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION INTO TESLA FIRES BACK IN 2014 AND IT WAS CLAIMED THAT FIRES WERE CAUSED BY ROAD DEBRIS PUNCTURING THE BATTERY PACK AND THIS PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BY FITTING A BATTERY SHIELD. TESLAS ARE STILL CATCHING FIRE AT AN ALARMING RATE. I BELIEVE THAT THE CAUSE OF MANY OF THESE FIRES IS NOT THAT THE LITHIUM BATTERY CATCHES FIRE FIRST BUT THAT THE ETHYLENE GLYCOL LEAKS OUT AND CATCHES FIRE. THE ATTACHE PHOTOGRAPH OF A 2013 FIRE CLEARLY SHOWS THE COOLANT BLAZING BENEATH THE CAR. A GOOGLE IMAGE SEARCH FOR "TESLA FIRE" SHOWS MANY OF THESE GLYCOL FIRES. THE LITHIUM BATTERIES MAY WELL IGNITE AS WELL BUT IN MOST CASES IT SEEMS THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF FIRE IS THE GLYCOL. ADVICE TO FIRST RESPONDERS SHOULD BE MODIFIED BECAUSE USING WATER IS NOT THE BEST WAY TO EXTINGUISH A FLAMMABLE LIQUID FIRE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. CONCERNED CITIZEN.

10/30/2017

17 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

13 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

P85D LOST POWER ON ROAD, "PULL OVER SAFELY". WITH TESLA'S LATEST FIRMWARE UPDAT E0.167 PUSHED OTU UNTESTED TO ALL P85D CARS, THE CAR LOSES ALL POWER SUDDENLY WHEN DRIVING. IT LEAVES THE DRIVERS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF ROADS DANGEROUSLY. TESLA IS NOT ISSUING A RECALL, AND IS TRYING TO SUPPRESS THIS AND MANY MANY OTHER QUALITY AND SAFETY ISSUES BY LIMITING THE INFORMATION TO ITS FORUMS ONLY, AND SOMETIMES REMOVING THOSE INFORMATION TO SUPPORT ITS HIGH QUALITY IMAGE, AND SUSTAIN ITS BUBBLE STOCK VALUATION. MORE DETAILS HERE IN THIS THREAD. HOPE THEY DON'T REMOVE THE ENTIRE THREAD. HTTP://WWW.TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/43075-P85D-LOST-POWER-ON-ROAD-PULL-OVER-SAFELY -- WAS HEADING DOWN A 45 MPH ROAD AT ABOUT 57. HAD THE CRUISE SET. NO CARS IN FRONT. WAS TAKING A VERY SLIGHT CURVE IN THE ROAD AND THE CRUISE DISENGAGED BY ITSELF. NO ERRORS OR ANYTHING, JUST AS IF I HAD TAPPED THE BRAKE OR SOMETHING. HMM... SO I RESUMED IT AND IT WENT BACK TO WORK. LESS THAN HALF A MILE LATER I DISENGAGED CRUISE TO REGEN TO A STOP TO MAKE A LEFT AT A LIGHT. A COUPLE OF SECONDS INTO THAT AND I GOT THIS DREADED MESSAGE: "CAR NEEDS SERVICE; PULL OVER SAFELY". *JS

2/25/2015

MY 2 DAY OLD P85D SUDDENLY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION: TESLA BUILT THESE P85D CARS WITH FAULTY ELECTRICAL CONTACTORS THAT IT WAS SECRETLY RECALLING THROUGH ITS FORUMS. THE FAULTY CONTACTORS CAUSED SOME NEWLY RELEASED P85D CARS TO LOSE ALL POWER WITHIN FIRST 100 MILES. TESLA SHOULD ISSUE A PUBLIC RECALL TO REPLACE THE FAULTY CONTACTORS. TESLA SHIPPED THE P85D CARS WITH OLD SEATS , EVEN WHEN IT CHARGED CUSTOMERS FOR NEXT GENERATION SEATS. TESLA NEEDS TO IMPROVE ITS PROCESSES AND MAKE SURE IT RELEASES CARS ONLY WHEN SAFE FOR PUBLIC ROADS. I SHOULDN'T BE PAYING OVER $100K TO GO THROUGH THESE PAINS AND DANGERS. MORE HERE: HTTP://WWW.TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/40527-MY-2-DAY-OLD-P85D-SUDDENLY-DIED-IN-THE-MIDDLE-OF-AN-INTERSECTION MY 2 DAY OLD P85D SUDDENLY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION:- WELL ... MY SHORT RANGE BRAND NEW P85D WITH 191KM (120MI) DIED SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION (COMPLETELY STOPPED MOVING) ON -12C WEATHER. EVEN THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING. MY 10 YEAR OLD SON AND I HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH IT TO THE SIDE. CALLED MY DS WHO CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHO PUT HIM ON HOLD FOR 30 MINUTES AND THEN TOLD ME THAT IT WILL BE AN HOUR BEFORE A TOW TRUCK ARRIVES. MY SON AND I WERE FREEZING WITH NO HEATER SO I MADE MY 80 YEAR OLD DAD COME AND PICK US UP. NEEDLESS TO SAY ... I AM NOT IMPRESSED. I KNEW I WAS BUY BLEEDING EDGE BUT A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN 2 DAYS AND 140KM AFTER LEAVING THE SHOWROOM? REALLY?

2/26/2015

11 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

13 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TESLA'S RECENT OVER THE AIR SOFTWARE UPDATES HAS CHANGED THE STEERING PERFORMANCE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOW THE STEERING IS LESS RESPONSIVE. IT IS HARDER TO STEER TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND AND ROAD CONDITIONS. IT'S HARDER TO CONTROL AND STAY IN A LANE IN LESS-THAN-PERFECT CONDITIONS. *TR

3/14/2015

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=24154272&ROWID=37&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE FRONT RH TIRE IS GOUGED AND COMPLETELY PEELED OFF THE RIM. IT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLR FOR THIS TO HAVE OCCURRED POST COLLISION. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS THAT IT POINTS TO A DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION WEAKNESS. PLEASE START AN URGENT INVESTIGATION. THESE CARS ARE LARGE HEAVY AND HIGH POWERED AND PRESENT A DANGER TO ALL ROAD USERS. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT THE OWNER, THE DATE OF INCIDENT AND OTHER DETAILS ARE BASED ON MY ANALYSIS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS. YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INSPECT THE CAR AND INVESTIGATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CRASH.

1/31/2017

11 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

11 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE DEFAULT SETTING ON A TESLA MODEL S IS TO LOCK THE CAR IF YOU LEAVE YOUR KEYS IN IT FOR EVEN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND RESULTED IN MY TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS BEING LOCKED IN THE CAR ALONG WITH MY KEYS. ON 1/28 I ARRIVED HOME WITH MY DAUGHTERS. I LEFT MY PURSE WITH MY KEYS IN IT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT WHILE I WENT TO UNSTRAP THE GIRLS FROM THEIR CAR SEATS. IT WAS COLD, SO I CLOSED MY DRIVER'S DOOR. I PLUGGED THE CAR IN AND WALKED AROUND TO THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. I WAS WALKING SLOWER THAN USUAL BECAUSE OF THE ICE, BUT I WAS NOT WALKING SLOWLY OR LINGERING. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND PUT MY HAND ON THE HANDLE, THE HANDLES RETRACTED WITH MY HAND ON IT AND ALL THE CAR DOORS LOCKED. I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HAPPENED TO HAVE MY PHONE IN MY COAT POCKET AND HAD THE TESLA APP INSTALLED AND HAD CELL SERVICE. I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM MY PHONE. IF ANY ONE OF THOSE ELEMENTS HAD NOT BEEN PRESENT, I COULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN MY DAUGHTERS OUT. IT TERRIFIES ME TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS OCCURRED IN A REMOTE LOCATION OR SOMEWHERE WHERE I WOULD BE FORCED TO LEAVE MY DAUGHTERS LOCKED IN THE CAR IN ORDER TO GET HELP. THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AT ALL AND IT MOST CERTAINLY SHOULDN'T BE THE DEFAULT SETTING. WE CALLED THE SERVICE CENTER THINKING IT WAS A BUG AND WAS TOLD THAT TESLA WAS AWARE AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WAS TO DISABLE THE AUTOLOCK FEATURE ENTIRELY. WE CAN DO THAT, BUT I WORRY ABOUT OTHER PARENTS LEARNING THE HARD WAY. I EMAILED TESLA'S FEEDBACK LINE AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD MAKE A REQUEST FOR A NEW "FEATURE" FOR THE CAR TO NOT AUTOLOCK WITH THE KEYS INSIDE. THAT'S NOT A "FEATURE," THAT SHOULD BE BASIC. THIS AUTOLOCKING WITH THE KEYS INSIDE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED ON TESLA'S OWN MESSAGE BOARDS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS SO IT IS NOT SOMETHING OF WHICH THEY ARE UNAWARE. *TR

1/30/2015

THE CAR WAS STOPPED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON LAS VEGAS BOULEVARD WITH AUTO-PILOT ENGAGED (BOTH ACCELERATION/DE-ACCELERATION/BREAKING AND STEERING). WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT BEGAN TO MOVE, THE TESLA BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND ANOTHER CAR TRIED TO MERGE INTO MY LANE. THE AUTO-PILOT FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE OTHER CAR AND COLLIDED AT APPROXIMATELY 10MPH, CAUSING MINOR EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. DAMAGE FOR TESLA CAME TO $600. VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL FROM TURO

12/18/2016

9 more complaints are available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

11 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TESLA MODEL S DO NOT CONFORM TO LIGHTING STANDARD 108. THE MODEL S DO NOT HAVE A YELLOW REFLEX REFLECTOR LOCATED ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE VISIBLE FROM THE SIDE. NATL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMIN., DOT 571.108, NT.TABLE IAREQUIRED LAMPS AND REFLECTIVE DEVICES PAGE 476. HTTP://WWW.GPO.GOV/FDSYS/PKG/CFR-2011-TITLE49-VOL6/PDF/CFR-2011-TITLE49-VOL6-SEC571-108.PDF THEY NEED TO ADD THE REFLECTOR TO MAKE THE VEHICLE LEGAL FOR STREET USE.

8/14/2015

CONDENSATION IN THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS SINCE 2013 ON THE TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM WEBSITE UNDER MODEL S FORUM AND EXTERIOR. SEARCH WATER IN TAIL LIGHTS AND YOU GET MANY POSTS AND PHOTOS.

2/6/2019

9 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

10 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TESLA MODEL S. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, JUMPED THE CURB, AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

9/29/2014

I PULLED SLOWLY IN TO A PARKING SPOT & MY CAR WAS AT A STOP POSITION JUST READY TO PUSH PARK BUTTON. WITHIN A SPLIT OF A SECOND, MY CAR (TESLA) JUMPED THE CURB AND TRAVELED 5' OF SIDEWALK BREAKING A GLASS WALL & TRAVELING THROUGH A RESTAURANT BREAKING TABLES & CHAIRS WITHIN COUPLE OF SECONDS W/O ME ACCELERATING THE PEDAL. BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BY ME HALF WAY THROUGH THE RESTAURANT BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED. NO SERIOUS INJURIES TO ANYONE. TESLA WAS NOTIFIED & THIS IS THE LOG FILE DATA WORD BY WORD FROM THEM. ?AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE, YOU INCREASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION FROM 1% TO 50% IN LESS THAN ONE SECOND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONE SECOND LATER, YOU INCREASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO 100% WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONE SECOND LATER, YOU CONTINUED DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT 100% WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE'S TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED & THEREFORE LIMITED THE VEHICLE'S TORQUE DESPITE THE FACT YOU WERE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT 100% UNTIL YOU DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL IN THE FOLLOWING SECOND.? INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY TESLA. HOW MUCH WAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED? SPEED OF THE CAR? DISTANCE TRAVEL? HOW DOES THIS PROVE THAT THIS IS NOT SUDDEN ACCELERATION? THE LOG DOES PROVE THAT I WAS AT A STOP. MY CAR WILL BE TOTALED BUT IS STILL SITTING AT STORAGE WITH INSURANCE COMPANY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. MANY ACCIDENTS WITH TESLA HAS OCCURRED, EVEN JUST LIKE MINE IN TO A RESTAURANT( HTTP://INSIDEEVS.COM/TESLA-MODEL-S-CRASHES-THROUGH-RESTAURANT-DRIVER-BLAMES-IT-ON-UNINTENDED-ACCELERATION/) (HTTP://WWW.MOTORAUTHORITY.COM/NEWS/1087171_TESLA-MODEL-S-UNINTENDED-ACCELERATION-COMPLAINT-FILED-WITH-NHTSA.) THEY CAN'T ALL BE DRIVERS FAULT. NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THE BOX IN THE CAR BEFORE FATAL INJURIES OCCUR. PUBLIC SAFETY SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY. *TR

9/29/2014

8 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

8 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V031000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TESLA MOTORS (457 PLEASANT ST, WATERTOWN, MA 02472) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY BEING IN A CRASH, THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC FEES PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO FOLLOW THE DEALER'S INSTRUCTIONS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY DIAGNOSTIC FEES IN ORDER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

4/4/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V002000 (AIR BAGS), WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

3/11/2019

6 more complaints are available in this category.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

7 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE DEC 2014. I HAVE REPLACED 2 WINDSHIELDS AND HAD 2 OTHER ROCK-CHIPS FILLED. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS THINGS ON TESLA BLOGS REGARDING MULTIPLE WINDSHIELD CRACKS & CHIPS FROM OTHER OWNERS. I JUST HAD ONE TODAY DUE TO A SMALL ROCK WHERE I WAS 2 CAR LENGTHS BACK ON THE INTERSTATE. I RECALL ONLY 2 OTHER WINDSHIELD REPAIR/REPLACEMENTS ON MY CARS SINCE 2001.

9/19/2017

VEHICLES MEDIA CONTROL UNIT (MCU) HAS A KNOWN AND WELL-PUBLICIZED DEFECT CAUSED BY OVER-LOGGING ON THE EMMC CHIP. THIS DEFECT CAUSES THE MCU TO GLITCH, REBOOT AND FAIL ELIMINATING THE ABILITY TO CONTROL BOTH SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE FEATURES INCLUDING CLIMATE CONTROL, DEFROSTER, GPS, AUDIBLE SAFETY WARNINGS AND OTHER SYSTEMS. VEHICLE CAN ALSO STOP CHARGING. THIS IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED DESIGN FLAW THAT TESLA IS WELL AWARE OF (SIMPLY GOOGLE TESLA MCU FAILURE) BUT REFUSES TO COVER OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MOST RECENT "FIX" VIA AN OVER THE AIR UPDATE SIMPLY DELAYS THE ISSUE UNTIL VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT BASED ON CURRENT EVIDENCE THIS DEFECT WILL EFFECT 100% OF CARS, BOTH MODEL S AND X, MADE BETWEEN 2012 AND EARLY 2018.

11/14/2019

5 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

P85D LOST POWER ON ROAD, "PULL OVER SAFELY". WITH TESLA'S LATEST FIRMWARE UPDAT E0.167 PUSHED OTU UNTESTED TO ALL P85D CARS, THE CAR LOSES ALL POWER SUDDENLY WHEN DRIVING. IT LEAVES THE DRIVERS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF ROADS DANGEROUSLY. TESLA IS NOT ISSUING A RECALL, AND IS TRYING TO SUPPRESS THIS AND MANY MANY OTHER QUALITY AND SAFETY ISSUES BY LIMITING THE INFORMATION TO ITS FORUMS ONLY, AND SOMETIMES REMOVING THOSE INFORMATION TO SUPPORT ITS HIGH QUALITY IMAGE, AND SUSTAIN ITS BUBBLE STOCK VALUATION. MORE DETAILS HERE IN THIS THREAD. HOPE THEY DON'T REMOVE THE ENTIRE THREAD. HTTP://WWW.TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/43075-P85D-LOST-POWER-ON-ROAD-PULL-OVER-SAFELY -- WAS HEADING DOWN A 45 MPH ROAD AT ABOUT 57. HAD THE CRUISE SET. NO CARS IN FRONT. WAS TAKING A VERY SLIGHT CURVE IN THE ROAD AND THE CRUISE DISENGAGED BY ITSELF. NO ERRORS OR ANYTHING, JUST AS IF I HAD TAPPED THE BRAKE OR SOMETHING. HMM... SO I RESUMED IT AND IT WENT BACK TO WORK. LESS THAN HALF A MILE LATER I DISENGAGED CRUISE TO REGEN TO A STOP TO MAKE A LEFT AT A LIGHT. A COUPLE OF SECONDS INTO THAT AND I GOT THIS DREADED MESSAGE: "CAR NEEDS SERVICE; PULL OVER SAFELY". *JS

2/25/2015

SOFTWARE UPDATES BY TESLA HAVE LIMITED RANGE USAGE BY LOWERING THE AVAILABLE VOLTAGE MAX CAPACITY FOR CHARGING. *TT 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

8/13/2019

3 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

REPORTEDLY SEVERAL TESLA MODEL S' HAVE HAD ANTILOCK AND POWER ASSIST FAILURES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR

1/12/2015

SEEING THE VEHICLES A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE AHEAD OF ME STOPPED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND ALLOWED THE REGENERATIVE BRAKES TO SLOW MY TESLA DOWN. WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR IT ACCELERATED VERY FAST AND I HIT THE PICKUP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WHICH HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO INFLATE. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO INJURIES THE PICKUP DRIVER IS SUING GEICO FOR NECK INJURY. THIS WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING SITUATION. MY CAR SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO REPAIR. IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST 30 DAYS TO REPAIR. THE PICKUP ALSO SUSTAINED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. THE CAR IT HIT HAD VERY LITTLE DAMAGE.

6/8/2015

2 more complaints are available in this category.

WHEELS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL ON A SLIGHT TURN TO TRANSFER FREEWAYS. I SWIPED INTO THE RIGHT FREEWAY WALL AND SPUN OUT DOING A COMPLETE 180 AND ENDED UP ON THE LEFT FREEWAY WALL. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW I LOST CONTROL WHEN I WAS NOT GOING THAT FAST, AND THE TURN WAS NOT AT ALL ABRUPT NOR SEVERE IN ANGLE. THE SIDE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED, AND WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE REAR RIGHT TIRE AND AXLE WAS COMPLETELY DISLODGED. I NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT, AND I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

6/17/2016

LUG NUTS SECURING WHEELS TO THE CAR HAVE A METAL COVER. THIS METAL COVER IS DISTORTING AND COMING LOOSE. YOU HAVE TO USE A SOCKET THAT IS ONE SIZE LARGER IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE LUG NUTS TO SERVICE THE WHEEL. THE ORIGINAL SIZE SOCKET STATED IN THE MANUAL NO LONGER FITS BECAUSE THIS METAL COVER OVER THE LUG NUT IS DISTORTED.

3/22/2017

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

FROM A COASTING POSITION IN AN UNDERGROUND GARAGE, I TURNED RIGHT TO ROUND A 90 DEGREE CORNER. AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN MY CAR BEGAN TO SPEED UP RAPIDLY. WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE ACCELERATION BEGINNING, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, WHICH HAD NO EFFECT. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE OVER A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 50 FEET AND COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A CONCRETE WALL. FRONT AIRBAGS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DEPLOYED AND MY BODY STRUCK THEM: FACE, CHEST, AND LOWER LEGS. I HAVE INJURIES FROM THE INCIDENT.

1/21/2020

DUE TO RECENT NEWS THIS WEEK OF NHTSA INVESTIGATING THE TESLA MODEL S FROM 2012 TO 2015 REGARDING THE FAULTY SCREEN, I WANTED TO REPORT THAT I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THE LARGE SCREEN CALLED MCU OR MEDIA CONTROLLED UNIT ON MY MODEL S WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS OF BLACKING OUT WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN TRYING TO START FROM A PARKED POSITION. ULTIMATELY, IT SHUT DOWN ALTOGETHER. I HAD REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO TESLA WHEN THE SCREEN BLACKOUT PROBLEMS WERE HAPPENING IN 2018 AND 2019 BY CALLING CUSTOMER SERVICE. TESLA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME TO REBOOT THE SYSTEM BY HOLDING DOWN THE TWO SCROLL BUTTONS. AFTER MULTIPLE REBOOTS OVER A PERIOD OF 6+ MONTHS, THE SCREEN BLACKED OUT PERMANENTLY, AND THE REBOOT SOLUTION NO LONGER WORKED. I HAD TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED AT A COST OF $2,614.50. *TR

6/25/2020

SEATS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

MY 2 DAY OLD P85D SUDDENLY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION: TESLA BUILT THESE P85D CARS WITH FAULTY ELECTRICAL CONTACTORS THAT IT WAS SECRETLY RECALLING THROUGH ITS FORUMS. THE FAULTY CONTACTORS CAUSED SOME NEWLY RELEASED P85D CARS TO LOSE ALL POWER WITHIN FIRST 100 MILES. TESLA SHOULD ISSUE A PUBLIC RECALL TO REPLACE THE FAULTY CONTACTORS. TESLA SHIPPED THE P85D CARS WITH OLD SEATS , EVEN WHEN IT CHARGED CUSTOMERS FOR NEXT GENERATION SEATS. TESLA NEEDS TO IMPROVE ITS PROCESSES AND MAKE SURE IT RELEASES CARS ONLY WHEN SAFE FOR PUBLIC ROADS. I SHOULDN'T BE PAYING OVER $100K TO GO THROUGH THESE PAINS AND DANGERS. MORE HERE: HTTP://WWW.TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/40527-MY-2-DAY-OLD-P85D-SUDDENLY-DIED-IN-THE-MIDDLE-OF-AN-INTERSECTION MY 2 DAY OLD P85D SUDDENLY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION:- WELL ... MY SHORT RANGE BRAND NEW P85D WITH 191KM (120MI) DIED SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION (COMPLETELY STOPPED MOVING) ON -12C WEATHER. EVEN THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING. MY 10 YEAR OLD SON AND I HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH IT TO THE SIDE. CALLED MY DS WHO CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHO PUT HIM ON HOLD FOR 30 MINUTES AND THEN TOLD ME THAT IT WILL BE AN HOUR BEFORE A TOW TRUCK ARRIVES. MY SON AND I WERE FREEZING WITH NO HEATER SO I MADE MY 80 YEAR OLD DAD COME AND PICK US UP. NEEDLESS TO SAY ... I AM NOT IMPRESSED. I KNEW I WAS BUY BLEEDING EDGE BUT A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN 2 DAYS AND 140KM AFTER LEAVING THE SHOWROOM? REALLY?

2/26/2015

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

BEGINNING IN JUNE, THE SUBJECT VEHICLE SUFFERED FROM A SEVERE AND SUDDEN DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF RANGE AVAILABLE AS A DIRECT RESULT OF SOFTWARE UPDATES ISSUED BY TESLA WITHOUT DISCLOSURE TO OWNERS. PRIOR TO THE UPDATES, THE SUBJECT VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 255 RATED MILES AVAILABLE. FOLLOWING UPDATES 2019.16.1 AND 2019.16.2, THE SUBJECT VEHICLE SUFFERED IMMEDIATELY FROM A RANGE DROP TO 225 AVAILABLE MILES. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN UNABLE TO CHARGE FULLY AND NOW SUFFERS FROM DECREASED CHARGING SPEEDS. THE OWNER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WENT TO NCDS ARBITRATION, SEEKING A MANUFACTURER REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE ARBITRATOR DECIDED THAT THERE WAS NO PROOF OF DEFECT. TESLA CLAIMS THAT THIS IS NORMAL DEGRADATION. HOWEVER, THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS WERE CAUSED SOLELY BY TESLA'S SOFTWARE UPDATES, FOR WHICH IT HAS YET TO DISCLOSE WHETHER THERE ARE CARS AFFECTED AND POTENTIALLY AT HIGHER RISK OF CATCHING ON FIRE. TESLA HAS FAILED TO COMMUNICATE ANYTHING WITH REGARDS TO THE SAFETY OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES AND HAS CONTINUED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SOFTWARE WITHOUT PROVIDING OWNERS WITH ANY NOTICE OR INFORMATION THAT THEIR VEHICLE MAY BE AFFECTED. THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE WAS DENIED A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT AFTER HAVING THE CLAIMS ARBITRATED WITH NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT, WHERE THE ARBITRATOR FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SUFFER FROM A HIGH RATE OF BATTERY LOSS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND NOT IN OPERATION. THE CAR HAS NOT REGAINED ANY MILEAGE AS A RESULT OF TESLA'S MOST RECENT UPDATES THAT HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE SUFFERS FORM REDUCED CHARGING SPEEDS AND IS NOT CAPABLE OF REACHING THE SAME NUMBER OF MILES AS IT DID BEFORE.

8/23/2019

SUSPENSION:REAR

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A DIP IN HIS DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TESLA (881 BOSTON POST RD, MILFORD, CT 06460) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN UPPER CONTROL ARM FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,127.*JB

6/18/2020

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN YOUR OPEN INVESTIGATION, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE20010. THE TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY WENT BLACK ON 02/23/20, NO TOUCHSCREEN-RELATED FUNCTIONS WORKED (INCLUDING CAMERA DISPLAYS, NAVIGATION, CHARGING, ETC). TESLA SERVICE STATION REPLACED THE MCU (3/10/20-3/20/20), AT MY EXPENSE, EVEN THOUGH THIS FLASH DEVICE FAILS BECAUSE OF TESLA'S OWN EXTREMELY HIGH NUMBER OF PROGRAM-ERASE CYCLES -- AND THAT MASSIVE DATA TRANSFER BENEFITS ONLY TESLA, NOT THE CAR OWNER. THEY INSTALL MCUS THAT FAIL DUE TO THE HIGH DEMANDS PLACED ON THEM BY THE COMPANY, FOR THE COMPANY. THEN THEY CHARGE THE CONSUMER FOR A REPLACEMENT, AND THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. *TR

6/25/2020

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2014 Tesla Model S?

The most reported complaint category for the 2014 Tesla Model S is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, with 128 owner reports. That is about 24% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Are complaints about the 2014 Tesla Model S a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 302 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2014 Tesla Model S?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2014 Tesla Model S severe?

302 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Tesla Model S: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
529
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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