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2024 Tesla Model S Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20264 Critical Recalls
Ryan Davis

Complaint Summary

The 2024 Tesla Model S has 73 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve unknown or other and lane departure: assist.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

6.2/ 10

Based on 73 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

22 30.1%

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

17 23.3%

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

15 20.5%

STEERING

4 5.5%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 4.1%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, accounting for 30.1% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 14 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 2024 Tesla Model S

The 2024 Tesla Model S has 73 owner complaints in this dataset. UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the most common complaint category, representing about 30% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2024 Tesla Model S are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (22), LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST (17), LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING (15).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 12 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 2024 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 intervals2023 Model S complaints2025 Model S complaints2022 Model S complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 14 of 14 systems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

22 Reports30% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Car lacks a turn signal stalk. The turn signal buttons on the steering wheel move with the wheel, making it almost impossible to figure out where to press when the wheel is turned, without taking your eyes off the road. It's not a good idea to take your eyes off the road while turning. This makes signalling while exiting a round-a-bout essentially impossible. In addition, even when going straight, it is easy to press the wrong button & signal left when you intend to turn right and vice versa, unless you look at the buttons. I don't think it is a good idea to keep looking away from the road for this purpose. I thought I'd get used to this & be able to operate them easily after a few thousand miles. So far, after 2,000 miles I still press the wrong button occasionally. This is not safe. This is a distraction.

5/21/2024

I have lane departure, avoidance in lane departure assist both turned off in the settings. Despite this, The alarms are constantly going off (Even when I am not departing a lane). It even overrides my steering inputs incorrectly! 8:28am 5/24/2024 for example, I am pulling into my garage and it’s yanking the steering wheel trying to crash me into the wall. I immediately verified the settings are all still turned off. I have an open service ticket with Tesla where I am supplying them dates and times every time it happens and no one is responding. Previously had them replaced the whole vehicle (lemon law), and it still happening.

5/24/2024

20 more complaints are available in this category.

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

17 Reports23% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I have lane departure, avoidance in lane departure assist both turned off in the settings. Despite this, The alarms are constantly going off (Even when I am not departing a lane). It even overrides my steering inputs incorrectly! 8:28am 5/24/2024 for example, I am pulling into my garage and it’s yanking the steering wheel trying to crash me into the wall. I immediately verified the settings are all still turned off. I have an open service ticket with Tesla where I am supplying them dates and times every time it happens and no one is responding. Previously had them replaced the whole vehicle (lemon law), and it still happening.

5/24/2024

Driving into my garage the vehicle is swerving the wheel and sounding alarms that I am “departing a lane” even though I do not have a lane departure Alerts or assistance enabled. Unlike Tesla response to my reports, this is when I am driving manually auto pilot is not engaged like they keep asserting

9/25/2024

15 more complaints are available in this category.

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

15 Reports21% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Driving into my garage the vehicle is swerving the wheel and sounding alarms that I am “departing a lane” even though I do not have a lane departure Alerts or assistance enabled. Unlike Tesla response to my reports, this is when I am driving manually auto pilot is not engaged like they keep asserting

9/25/2024

Oct 31 4:03pm blinker on turning into gus’ parking garage off noriega I have lane departure disabled, am manually driving under 15mph, and use proper blinker but this “safety feature” causes it to “jerk” the wheel and display warnings to the detriment of safety. This affects the entire fleet and was never an issue before around 2022-2023.

10/31/2024

13 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

4 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I have lane departure, avoidance in lane departure assist both turned off in the settings. Despite this, The alarms are constantly going off (Even when I am not departing a lane). It even overrides my steering inputs incorrectly! 8:28am 5/24/2024 for example, I am pulling into my garage and it’s yanking the steering wheel trying to crash me into the wall. I immediately verified the settings are all still turned off. I have an open service ticket with Tesla where I am supplying them dates and times every time it happens and no one is responding. Previously had them replaced the whole vehicle (lemon law), and it still happening.

5/24/2024

Problem: turn signal based on buttons on the wheel (Tesla removed the stalks) After three months of ownership, I still can't signal in case of emergency, when a fast lane change is required, or when exiting from parking with the wheel turned. Issues: 1. I Can't find the buttons when the wheel is turned (buttons rotate with the wheel) 2. The buttons are located below the hand and not above it, so I need to search for them. I practically need to take my eyes off the road to find the buttons because they have no unique touch and feel. It does not work for emergencies and fast lane changes. 3. The pressure required is not unified. Extreme pressure is required toward the edges of the button and other is no feeling where the edges are.

7/31/2024

2 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

My Tesla was parked unlocked in my garage. I came out to drive it and all the doors were locked and would not open with my key card. It also would not unlock with my cell phone app. Tesla customer service also could not remotely unlock it. The vehicle had to be towed to a Tesla Service Center where they forced open the window to gain access. They stated the car needed a new control panel. I have read where Teslas have locked up with children in the car and parent could not gain access to the car. These situations need to be looked into since the Teslas locking up are not isolated incidences.

6/26/2024

The contact owns a 2024 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while making a right turn, in self-driving mode, the vehicle began accelerating inadvertently and crashed into the front driver area of the other vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. There were no injuries and medical attention was not needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

2/3/2025

1 more complaint is available in this category.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

My new car has severe distortion of the windshield and the tailgate glass which could make driving the car unsafe by distorting the lane markings, cars and streets, and/or by inducing dizziness. I took the car to Tesla service and was told that the issue is within specifications and that all other similar Teslas have the same glass issue and replacing the glass would not help the issue. It seems that the glass supplier that Tesla is using has a poor manufacturing quality. The company does not seem to care. I hope you can investigate the issue and request that Tesla address the defective glass with the current supplier or switch to a better quality supplier.

5/7/2024

Windshield with distortions causing driving distractions and headaches. I am on my third windshield with the same problem. This seems to be a widespread issue in reviewing online forums.

5/31/2024

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

2 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

“Full self driving” was sitting at a red light at 5:07 PM and observed a light a block ahead of us turn green and accelerated through the red light with no warning or time to react

1/19/2025

Speed offset is set to 10% but it keeps setting the max speed 40% higher, and then furthermore exceeds this max speed

3/1/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE

2 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I was using summon to pull my car forward out of the parking spot and when I let go of the button the car continue driving forward indefinitely until I chased it down and touch the door handle

2/12/2025

After updating to FSD 13.2.7 yesterday the vehicle turns left at a particular intersection and then drives on the left side of the road the wrong side of the road. Issue has been present for several versions and has been reported repeatedly.

2/12/2025

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

My Tesla was parked unlocked in my garage. I came out to drive it and all the doors were locked and would not open with my key card. It also would not unlock with my cell phone app. Tesla customer service also could not remotely unlock it. The vehicle had to be towed to a Tesla Service Center where they forced open the window to gain access. They stated the car needed a new control panel. I have read where Teslas have locked up with children in the car and parent could not gain access to the car. These situations need to be looked into since the Teslas locking up are not isolated incidences.

6/26/2024

SUSPENSION

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

-The front suspension half shafts or CV joints produce a known vibration through the accelerator pedal, steering wheel at 25-40 mph during cold starts for the first 3-5 minutes of driving. This is a factory new vehicle. The problem is regularly addressed on Tesla owner forums, noting it is present in all new Tesla Model S vehicles 2019 through 2024. -CV joint vibration is typically caused my misalignment that can ultimately lead to premature wear and failures in the suspension system and potentially the vehicle pulling to one side unexpectedly, potentially wobbling, and ultimately leading to a failure resulting in a potential impact with another object/vehicle. -Tesla Dealership acknowledged that the vibration concern is coming from the CV half shafts but did not have a solution and described the condition as a known issue that is just "inherent to high performance vehicles." In the past, TSBs were posted guiding users to lower the vehicle to reduce the misalignment, but it ultimately did not solve the problem. However, the TSB highlights/indicates that Tesla is aware of CV misalignment, which causes vibration.

9/4/2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

“Full self driving” was sitting at a red light at 5:07 PM and observed a light a block ahead of us turn green and accelerated through the red light with no warning or time to react

1/19/2025

AIR BAGS

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

My car is displaying a message that the "Front left safety restraint issue". Airbags are off. brought the car in for service, they said they fixed some low voltage pin. Less than a week later the message appeared again. Tesla did not take this issue seriously -- I'm driving around with no airbags? The next available appointment is a month out for Tesla. I've uploaded my Tesla invoice where they fixed it and a photo from today when the message is back again.

7/25/2025

SEAT BELTS

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

My car is displaying a message that the "Front left safety restraint issue". Airbags are off. brought the car in for service, they said they fixed some low voltage pin. Less than a week later the message appeared again. Tesla did not take this issue seriously -- I'm driving around with no airbags? The next available appointment is a month out for Tesla. I've uploaded my Tesla invoice where they fixed it and a photo from today when the message is back again.

7/25/2025

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH:EMERGENCY MECHANICAL RELEASE

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The design of the emergency opening (No power to normal opening system) of the rear passenger doors is flawed, unsafe and should never have been approved for production. This rear door emergency opening requires an occupant to reach below the seat, remove carpet and pull a manual release cable. During a fire with smoke in the passenger compartment, an occupant may not be able to visually locate the release cable, and has a much higher chance of becoming incapacitated and dying from smoke inhalation, as demonstrated in a Tesla Cybertruck accident with multiple smoke inhalation deaths in California Thanksgiving 2024. Another potential scenario is a frontal impact causing a front seat to move rearward, reducing the floorboard space between the front seat and access to the carpet and release cable. This system needs to be redesigned for this vehicle. If I had known about this system prior to purchase, it would have negatively impacted my buying decision.

10/3/2025

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 2024 Tesla Model S?

The most reported complaint category for the 2024 Tesla Model S is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, with 22 owner reports. That is about 30% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include UNKNOWN OR OTHER, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING.

Are complaints about the 2024 Tesla Model S a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 12 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 2024 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 2024 Tesla Model S severe?

12 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
73
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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