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Tesla Model S recalls & complaint record (MY 2017–2025)

By Ivan H., EVCostIQ · reviewed against our public methodology · every source dated on this page

As of , the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists 31 recall campaigns and 310 consumer complaints for the Tesla Model S (MY 2017–2025). The most-reported complaint areas are Forward Collision Avoidance, Steering, Electrical System. Every recall is a free remedy — an open recall is repaired at no cost — so a recall adds nothing to what the Model S costs to own.

Every Tesla Model S recall campaign, by year

All 31 NHTSA recall campaigns on file for the Model S (MY 2017–2025), newest first. A recall is a free remedy — the manufacturer repairs the defect at no cost. Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov), data as of .

2026 — 1 campaign

2025 — 2 campaigns

2024 — 6 campaigns

2023 — 6 campaigns

2022 — 12 campaigns

2021 — 4 campaigns

Where the Model S’s recalls and complaints cluster

Recalls by component (31 campaigns total): Electrical System (7), Back Over Prevention (6), Air Bags (5), Latches/Locks/Linkages (3), Forward Collision Avoidance (3), Steering (3), Seat Belts (2), Visibility (2).

Complaints by reported area (310 total; a single complaint can cite more than one area): Forward Collision Avoidance (80), Steering (49), Electrical System (41), Service Brakes (26), Suspension (25), Vehicle Speed Control (23).

Recall counts are NHTSA campaign records; complaint counts are consumer reports. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA.

Crash, fire, injury and death reports

Across those consumer complaints, NHTSA’s records for the Model S (MY 2017–2025) include 16 crash reports, 2 fire reports, 4 injury reports and 1 report of a death. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA.

Do recalls affect what the Model S costs to own?

Recalls & complaints — FAQ

How many recalls does the Tesla Model S have?

As of July 10, 2026, NHTSA lists 31 recall campaigns for the Tesla Model S (MY 2017–2025). Each is a free remedy — the manufacturer repairs the defect at no cost. The full dated campaign list is above.

What is the most serious Model S recall?

The largest by scale is campaign 24V051000 (, Electrical System), affecting about 2,193,869 vehicles: 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. The remedy is free of charge.

How do I check if my Model S has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s free recall lookup, nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows any open (unrepaired) recall for your exact vehicle, and recall repairs are always free at a franchised dealer.

Do recalls make the Model S cheaper or more expensive to own?

Neither, directly — recall repairs are free, so they add nothing to the cost of ownership. An unrepaired recall can make a used one harder to resell, but our 5-year cost totals use market-level depreciation and are not adjusted per campaign. See the Model S cost to own.

About this data

Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov), data as of .

Related: Tesla Model S Long Range (electric) cost to own → · every model’s cost page · how we calculate cost of ownership.