2021 Tesla Model S problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2021 Tesla Model S include 1 fatality report, 13 crashes and 2 fires across 176 filings.

176
Complaints
24
Recalls
13
Crash reports
2
Fire reports
4
Injuries
71.4
Severity index

Severity index 71.4 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 71.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 25 of 92 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 73% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 47 complaints (26.7%)47 27%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 43 complaints (24.4%)43 24%SteeringSteering: 29 complaints (16.5%)29 16%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 25 complaints (14.2%)25 14%Service BrakesService Brakes: 16 complaints (9.1%)16 9%SuspensionSuspension: 16 complaints (9.1%)16 9%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 15 complaints (8.5%)15 9%TiresTires: 9 complaints (5.1%)9 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE4726.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4324.4%
STEERING2916.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2514.2%
SERVICE BRAKES169.1%
SUSPENSION169.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL158.5%
TIRES95.1%

Complaints filed per year

034682020: 22021: 172022: 682023: 442024: 242025: 152026: 6 (partial year)2021226823242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20202
202117
202268
202344
202424
202515
2026 (year to date)6
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (83 against 87).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
22V03700027/01/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARETesla, 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 intersec
21V86800009/11/2021AIR BAGSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
22V04500001/02/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the
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
21V84600029/10/2021FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERATesla, 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 (A
22V05000002/02/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance
22V06300004/02/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
22V10400023/02/2022AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATORTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S vehicles. The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly.
22V23500012/04/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
22V29600003/05/2022BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTIONTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S, Model X, and 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating certain firmware releases. The infotainment central processing unit (CPU) may overheat during the preparation or process of fast-charging, causing the CPU to lag
22V70200019/09/2022VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements o
22E09200001/11/2022VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIORTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model S exterior side rearview mirrors, part numbers: 1622232-00-B and 1622233-00-B. The driver side exterior rearview mirrors are convex (curved glass) and the passenger side mirrors do not include the "Objects in Mirror Are Closer
22V81800001/11/2022STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEMTesla, 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.
23V08500015/02/2023STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERINGTesla, 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,
23V48800014/07/2023SEAT BELTS:FRONTTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.
23V74300003/11/2023STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BARTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.
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
24V15300027/02/2024FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERTTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Moto
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
24V55400024/07/2024LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCHTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
25V17200019/03/2025AIR BAGSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
24V96700024/12/2024AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHIONTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protect
26V28300005/05/2026BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and Model X vehicles operating software version 2026.8.6. The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply

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 2026-08-18. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.