CarModelProblems.com

2015 Tesla Model S Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 3.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
665Complaints
9Recalls
70Crashes
12Fires
29Injured
4Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (39.1% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Electrical System complaints here are 3.6× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

An open NHTSA investigation (DP23002, opened Jun 2023) covers Vehicle Speed Control, but no recall has been issued for it yet.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System260 · 39.1%RecalledRecall 23V838000 · Recall 24V051000
Suspension148 · 22.3%Investigation closedPE20020
Steering51 · 7.7%RecalledRecall 18V204000
Exterior Lighting43 · 6.5%Investigation closedEA20003 → recall 21V035
Vehicle Speed Control40 · 6%Under investigationDP23002
Fuel/propulsion System32 · 4.8%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM260 · 39.1%
Unspecified / other189 · 28.4%
SUSPENSION148 · 22.3%
STEERING51 · 7.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL40 · 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM32 · 4.8%
VISIBILITY/WIPER30 · 4.5%
POWER TRAIN29 · 4.4%
STRUCTURE:BODY27 · 4.1%

Percentages are the share of the 665 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 9 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V002000 · 2019 · reported 01/07/2019

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Parking Brake

NHTSA campaign 17V260000 · 2017 · reported 04/19/2017

If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:electric Power Assist System

NHTSA campaign 18V204000 · 2018 · reported 03/29/2018

Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front

NHTSA campaign 15V780000 · 2015 · reported 11/23/2015

If the seat belt is not correctly attached to the pretensioner, it may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Back Over Prevention:software

NHTSA campaign 21V035000 · 2021 · reported 01/29/2021

The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

NHTSA campaign 21V00B000 · 2021 · reported 12/21/2021

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:adas:autonomous/self Driving:software

NHTSA campaign 23V838000 · 2023 · reported 12/12/2023

In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

NHTSA campaign 24V051000 · 2024 · reported 01/30/2024

Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES

Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices

NHTSA campaign 24V376000 · 2024 · reported 05/28/2024

A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“ON MAY 20, 2019, THIS CAR WAS ISSUED A FORCED, OTA-UPDATE FROM TESLA, VERSIONS 2019.16.1 AND 2019.16.2 AS A RESULT OF WHAT IS BELIEVED TO…”NHTSA complaint 11254112 — filed 09/09/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SCREEN WAS ILLEGIBLE BECAUSE IT WAS FILLED WITH A LIQUID…”NHTSA complaint 11245322 — filed 08/20/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“REAR DRIVER DOOR HANDLE STOPPED PRESENTING RESTRICTING ACCESS TO THE CAR. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN COMMON BREAK ON CARS WITH SOME CARS EXPERIENCING AS…”NHTSA complaint 11181695 — filed 02/21/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

8201576201642201730201873201946020201432021692022682023462024242025142026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Tesla Model S?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 260 of 665 NHTSA complaints (39.1%), followed by unspecified/other issues (189), suspension (148), steering (51). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2015 Tesla Model S have?

665 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 70 involved a crash, 12 involved a fire, and 29 reported injuries. 4 deaths were reported.

Does the 2015 Tesla Model S have any recalls?

Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V002000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2015 Tesla Model S's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. NHTSA has an open investigation (DP23002) into vehicle speed control that has not led to a recall. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.