2014 Tesla Model S problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2014 Tesla Model S include 13 fatality reports, 52 crashes and 9 fires across 365 filings.

365
Complaints
9
Recalls
52
Crash reports
9
Fire reports
19
Injuries
214.0
Severity index

Severity index 214.0 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 214.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 2 of 139 by severity index among 2014 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 99% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2014 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 132 complaints (36.2%)132 36%SuspensionSuspension: 90 complaints (24.7%)90 25%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 82 complaints (22.5%)82 22%Power TrainPower Train: 27 complaints (7.4%)27 7%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 27 complaints (7.4%)27 7%SteeringSteering: 27 complaints (7.4%)27 7%StructureStructure: 26 complaints (7.1%)26 7%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 23 complaints (6.3%)23 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13236.2%
SUSPENSION9024.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8222.5%
POWER TRAIN277.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING277.4%
STEERING277.4%
STRUCTURE267.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM236.3%

Complaints filed per year

0601202014: 22015: 152016: 172017: 252018: 192019: 332020: 1132021: 452022: 302023: 262024: 172025: 132026: 10 (partial year)14151617181920113212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20142
201515
201617
201725
201819
201933
2020113
202145
202230
202326
202417
202513
2026 (year to date)10
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.3x those in 2020 to 2022 (56 against 188).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V00200007/01/2019AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2014-2016 Model S vehicles equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passeng
17V26000019/04/2017PARKING BRAKETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.
18V20400029/03/2018STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEMTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering a
15V78000023/11/2015SEAT BELTS:FRONTTesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Model S vehicles manufactured May 31, 2012, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver or front passenger seat belts that may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.
21V03500029/01/2021BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARETesla, 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 life
21V00B00021/12/2021LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCHTesla, 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
23V83800012/12/2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARETesla, 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
24V05100030/01/2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANELTesla, 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
24V37600028/05/2024SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICESTesla, 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 comp

Other Tesla Model S model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 5 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.