Tesla Model s problems
The Tesla Model S is a battery electric executive car with a liftback body style built by Tesla, Inc. since 2012. The Model S features a battery-powered dual-motor, all-wheel drive layout, although earlier versions featured a rear-motor and rear-wheel drive layout.
Development of the Model S began prior to 2007, under the codename "WhiteStar". The Model S was officially announced on June 30, 2008, and a prototype vehicle was unveiled in March 2009. The Model S debuted on June 22, 2012. A revised, dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version, known as the 60D, debuted on October 9, 2014. The 60D was followed by the 70D, which made dual-motor and all-wheel drive the standard, followed by the 85D, P85D, and P90D. Along with these updates, Tesla offered the Autopilot driving assistance system. The first major design refresh came in April 2016 when the Model S was updated with a new front hood design. In October of the same year, hardware became standard that supports Tesla's Full Self Driving (FSD) capability. As part of the update, integrated standard cameras around the car were added. In February 2017 the Tesla Model S P100D debuted, which included a revised motor and was the first electric vehicle to have an EPA estimated range exceeding 300 miles (483 km). The second major design refresh, codenamed "Palladium", was introduced in June 2021, offering a new "Plaid" performance model, along with a revised interior, powertrain, and suspension.
The Model S became the first electric car to top the monthly new-car-sales ranking in any country, leading twice in Norway, in September and December 2013 and in Denmark in December 2015. Sales passed 250,000 units in September 2018. The Model S was the top-selling plug-in electric car worldwide in 2015 and 2016, although it was later surpassed by the Model 3. Upon its release, the Model S received positive reviews, with praise for its acceleration and range, although initial models received criticism for their high cost and braking issues.
Social links
Tesla Model s model years
Common Tesla Model s problems
Common Problems with Tesla Model S Cars
Based on complaints from owners, the Tesla Model S has faced several issues that have affected its reliability and performance. Some of the most common problems include:
- Exterior accessories problems: The 2013 Tesla Model S faced several complaints related to exterior accessories, such as sensor and door issues. These problems were commonly between $1,000 and $2,000 to repair.
- Interior accessories problems: The 2014 Tesla Model S had issues with interior accessories, including problems with the charging port, which faced a significant recall.
- Electrical problems: Electrical issues have been reported in various Tesla Model S years, including problems with the vehicle display screen and other electrical components.
- Suspension problems: Suspension failure has been reported in the 2013 Tesla Model S around 50,000 miles, as well as other suspension-related issues in various model years.
- Transmission problems: Transmission issues have been reported in the 2013 and 2014 Tesla Model S, with some cars requiring replacement of the transmission.
- Battery problems: Battery failure has been reported in the 2013 Tesla Model S due to coolant and heater malfunctioning.
- Door problems: Door knobs, door handles, and door latch/lock issues have been reported in various Tesla Model S years, causing inconvenience and requiring repairs.
- Seat problems: Seat incline and seat heater issues have been reported in the 2016 Tesla Model S, requiring seat replacement and costing thousands of dollars.
- Sunroof problems: Leaking sunroofs have been reported in various Tesla Model S years, causing inconvenience and requiring repairs.
- Touchscreen malfunctions: Touchscreen malfunctions have been reported in various Tesla Model S years, affecting the car's infotainment system and other functions.
While these issues have affected the Tesla Model S's reliability, many of them are covered by the regular 4-year/50,000-mile warranty. However, they can be costly to repair once the warranty term has expired. Despite these concerns, overall owner satisfaction with the brand is quite high, and the Model S is still a popular choice among electric vehicle enthusiasts.
How reliable is Tesla Model S?
The 2024 Tesla Model S has a predicted reliability score of 75 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
What's the most common problem with Tesla?
Battery and Charging Related Issues
One of the key components in any Tesla vehicle is its high-capacity battery pack. While Tesla's battery technology has come a long way, issues related to charging and battery life can still arise.
What year is the Tesla Model S most reliable?
Overall, the Tesla Model S is not a very reliable selection if you care about dependability. If you get the car, we recommend the 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 options for the best results.
What is the lifespan of a Tesla Model S?
You can get 300,000-500,000 miles out of the Tesla Model S. However, to reach this number, it's critical to care for your electric vehicle. Even small items like not overcharging your battery will make a big difference in the long run. With excellent care, your Model S will provide thousands of miles with ease.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Tesla Model s years
We have researched Tesla problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Tesla Model s cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Tesla Model s model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Tesla Model s model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Tesla Model s years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Tesla Model s car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Tesla Model s , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Suspension problems
- Steering problems
- Forward collision avoidance problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Tesla Model s vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Model s model years
A total of 108 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Model s model years
There were a total of 31 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Model s model years
There were a total of 50 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Model s model years
There were a total of 20 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 1092 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Tesla Model s . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Tesla Model s vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Tesla Model s 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-26
- VIN: 5YJSA1H18EF
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The rotor seal on the Large Drive Units on Tesla Model S and X fail, causing coolant to leak into the drive unit, flooding it and damaging the inverter. This leads to a replacement cost from Tesla for approximately $7 - $8,000. As this is a design failure this should be a recall and Tesla should at least repair all units prior to their failure or replace them with an updated motor.
Tesla Model s 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-23
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-25
- VIN: 5YJSA1E50MF
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Due to the yoke not having a traditional horn button it is hard to remember to push the tiny capacative touch button... very dangerous. Also the yoke feels more dangerous than a normal wheel.
Tesla Model s 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-17
- VIN: 5YJSA1E5XMF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: See attached document for complaint.
Tesla Model s 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-07
- VIN: 5YJSA1E52MF
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I received recall notice for 24V-554 on 9/22/2024. The recall notice informs that Tesla will resolve the recall safety defect by over-the-air update via the car's WIFI capabilities. I have informed Tesla that my car's WIFI capabilities are broken and I scheduled service for October 3rd. Tesla informed that parts for my vehicle are not yet ready and rescheduled my service for October 24th. I informed Tesla that I am missing a required safety recall update, and asked if they able to push the update to me via the car's internet or otherwise remedy the issue of my car not having capability to resolve the safety defect. Tesla responded "Due to contraints at the service center we unfortunately had to reschedule you" for October 24th. The Safety Recall notice informed that if the manufacter is unable to remedy the safety defect within a reasonable time, I may notify the NHTSA.
Tesla Model s 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-04
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-07
- VIN: 5YJSA1CP5DF
- Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: When parked and opening the drivers door or rear passenger doors, the front passenger door will unlatch. Something is setting off the relay to open the front door when other doors open. Does not happen 100% of the time, but 50%+
Tesla Model s 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-19
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-19
- VIN: 5YJSA1E62MF
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: There is a repeated issue with my vehicle and I looked it up online and it seems all Tesla Model S vehicles have this issue. This is the 2nd time I've had this same issue. As I go over any bumps, accelerate, or decelerate there's a clicking sound coming from the front wheels. While driving there's a whistling sound. Based on websites and videos I've seen all over the internet, it's the result of a loose nut and bolt. It apparently continually occurs because of the very high amount of torque these cars have and the quality of the parts used for this torque doesn't suffice. Tesla needs to fix this on all their Model S vehicles. Instead apparently all they do at service center is apply grease to the affected area to temporarily make the noise go away but that grease melts away annually.
Tesla Model s 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-05
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-18
- VIN: 5YJSA1E51MF
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Front suspension has a popping and creaking sound when driving and turning steering wheel. Safety issue as sounds something is loose but Tesla says no issue it’s the body flexing which is even scarier to hear the panels rattling if this is in fact true. Tesla will not do anything about it. Additionally the brakes and rotors squeal when pressed at slow speeds coming to full hard stop. Both front and back. Both brakes and rotors have 90% life and according to Tesla shouldn’t need replacing until 90k miles due to the regen braking. The braking system does not engage as it should or how it is designed and car has 40k miles. Tesla uses the excuse that that they don’t cover this as it’s a wear and tear component. Which another issue because they don’t know the reason of why it’s doing this. They want customers to pay and replace the brakes and rotors. Many owners with same car experience this issue and is a design defect that can pose safety issues
Tesla Model s 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-10
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-10
- VIN: 5YJSA1H18EF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Overnight while plugged in and after the battery showed it was fully charged, the battery suddenly lost charge, and the car sent repeated alerts to immediately pull over and stop driving. A notice on the car showed mileage was reduced and to immediately schedule a service call. After returning home, I downloaded to the car a recent software update that cleared the error. However, after the software upgrade, Tesla messaged that they did removed tests and the high voltage battery must be replaced.
Tesla Model s 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-26
- VIN: 5YJSA1E5XNF
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The yoke steering is not intuitive and makes it really hard to instinctively press the horn or use the directionals, without taking your eyes off the road. This presents a serious safety hazard especially in the case of an emergency, where milliseconds count to avert an accident. At a minimum the horn button should be placed on the center of the steering or be replaced with a traditional wheel. In fact, if the car were to spin out of control, the rectangular shape of the yoke would likely prevent me from regaining control of the car. When I purchased the car in 2022 a regular steering wheel was not option. Tesla is now allowing retro fits but at a significant cost to the owner. There have been several instances in the two years where i pressed the center of the yoke with no effect, which could have led to an accident. I am surprised this kind of serious hazard is still permitted to exist and I kindly ask for your immediate attention.
Tesla Model s 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-17
- VIN: 5YJSA1E65MF
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: Tires wear less than 1k miles. Deflate, side wall wear, separation, tread wear etc. Have purchased around 8 tires from January 2022 - Present FRONT - 265/35/ZR21 101Y Extra Load REAR - 295/30/ZR21 102Y Extra Load Michelin honored tire failure for side wall separation then denied all other claims. And this is the only tire Tesla has on hand since there is no spare.
Tesla Model s 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-28
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-30
- VIN: 5YJSA1E68MF
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: To avoid collision on the highway with a deer crossing in front of me, I braked very hard. The left rear brake caliper mount broke as a result. I did not lose brake fluid pressure, thankfully but this could’ve been a catastrophic failure. I contacted Tesla who seemed indifferent and blaming the incident on my driving and the mileage of the car ( 48,000 ). I have never in my life heard of a caliper mount breaking on any car with any number of miles. I’m sure it happens, but it should not happen on a car with 1000 hp.
Tesla Model s 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-24
- VIN: 5YJSA1CNXDF
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Without warning, vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating while driving on freeway. Driver had to manouver to avoid a potentially fatal situation. Manufacturer's service center noted this malfunction was due to a failed Drive Unit (electric motor.) Only during incident was there any warning to driver - dashboard indicated "PRND" in red. No prior symptoms at any point were noted by driver in advance. This specific Drive Unit was a replacement unit that lasted only around 40,000 miles (stated by vendor records - installed at approx. 131,000 miles three years ago.) Drive Units on these vehicles can fail at similar mileage due to a known manufacturing defect. This vehicle and early model S vehicles are impacted. This defect is due to a flawed design of a rubber seal that causes coolant fluid to leak into the Drive Unit and results in sudden catastrophic failure. Manufacturer has been aware of failing Drive Units for years. Manufacturer does not notify drivers about this potentially deadly design flaw. Drivers are unaware about this issue so vehicles can be checked for proactive maintenance. Also, vehicle does not show any advance indication of sudden lack of acceleration. This major safety issue has been noted by other drivers in online forums: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] / [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Tesla Model s 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-10
- VIN: 5YJSA1S19EF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Vehicle failed to charge at a tesla charging point. 60 miles from home , raining, had to have vehicle towed to house. Failed to charge at home charging point. Cost to have tesla fix, too expensive. Took 4 months to find another charge port for vehicle Vehicle continues to have issues
Tesla Model s 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-25
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-10
- VIN: 5YJSA1S19EF
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The steering assist failed while driving. Causing near collision and very difficult to drive.
Tesla Model s 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-03
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-05
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 5YJSA1E59NF
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: I was driving on the highway utilizing the full self-driving mode. There was traffic and I was behind an 18-wheeler. The 18-wheeler turned into the right lane, but because of the traffic, it couldn't completely clear the lane so the rear was slightly sticking. The Tesla stopped because it couldn't clear the lane while the 18-wheeler was sticking out. I didn't intervene because it had stopped. Then all of a sudden, it surged forward causing the Tesla's right side mirror to be hit by the 18-wheeler's back. The right side mirror's paint job was completely taken off. I didn't have time to intervene because of the sudden surge.
Latest 5 recalls Tesla Model s
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 136 recalls for different components of the Tesla Model s.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Tesla Model s 2022
- Report Received Date: 2024-07-24
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
- Summary: Tesla, 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.
- Consequence: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
- Model: Tesla Model s 2023
- Report Received Date: 2024-07-24
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
- Summary: Tesla, 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.
- Consequence: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
- Model: Tesla Model s 2021
- Report Received Date: 2024-07-24
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
- Summary: Tesla, 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.
- Consequence: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
- Model: Tesla Model s 2019
- Report Received Date: 2024-05-28
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
- Summary: Tesla, 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 comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
- Model: Tesla Model s 2013
- Report Received Date: 2024-05-28
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
- Summary: Tesla, 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 comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
Latest negative Tesla Model s car reviews
Latest positive Tesla Model s car reviews
-
Vehicle year: 2014
Hi everyone, I was just like you, skeptical at first that an EV could be as enjoyable to drive as one with an ICE and as green as described. However, after driving my 'S for 14,000 trouble-free kilometers without any issues, I can confidently say that it has exceeded all of my expectations. I have even hauled four people and their equipment around all day, driven all over southern Ontario without any anxiety, and saved countless tanks of gas from being burned (I drive a lot). It's amazing to see technology implemented smartly, not just for its own sake. The car is not only reliable but also a joy to drive!
-
Vehicle year: 2018
The Tesla is a blast to drive, especially with its wickedly fun acceleration. Plus, the Autopilot feature is a huge convenience in stop-and-go highway traffic. When considering purchasing a Tesla, it's important to take into account your proximity to superchargers and service centers. However, maintenance is almost non-existent, with only the occasional glitchy software or mechanical part function requiring attention. In fact, I only needed one routine check in a year of driving, compared to 4 or 5 oil changes for a traditional car. It's worth noting that in freezing temperatures, the battery range can be impacted, but as someone who never travels more than 130 miles per day for work, range has never been an issue for me. On hot, sunny days, the cabin can get quite warm, but the automatic temperature features can help keep it under control. It's also important to note that vehicle inspections can be interesting, as many garage attendants have not inspected a Tesla before. However, with a little guidance, they can easily perform the necessary checks.
-
Vehicle year: 2014
The Tesla's silent yet powerful torque is truly unmatched. At stop lights, I've had Mustangs, Chargers, and Vettes try to race me, but I didn't even notice until I heard their gas engines revving. Before they could even shift, I was already gone. The car is incredibly easy to drive and fits my family just as well as our old minivan did. As a car enthusiast who has owned many vehicles, I can confidently say that I won't be going back to gas. I've had no issues with the car and am already looking forward to buying another one in the future. On a recent road trip from Sacramento, CA to Maine, we stopped at as many national parks as possible and had free charging the whole way. The ride was comfortable and easy, whether we were camping or staying in hotels. Every campground in America is a charging station, but we only used them for convenience since there were plenty of Tesla Supercharging stations along the way. I've found that using 70,000 mile warranty tires works great because they tend to last about 35k miles. I can turn them in and get 50% off the next set. While my range has dropped about 10% in 122k miles, my car is a 2013 model with an early battery. The newer models have batteries that are twice as good according to the specs. My extended family drove my Tesla and now they all have one too! I'm saving up for another one now and really want the 500 mile range so I don't even have to charge on the road. I charge with solar power at home, so I can drive on sunshine and don't need to pay the oil companies or the electric company! Hope you have as much fun as I have!
-
Vehicle year: 2018
The Tesla Model S is truly a remarkable work of art. I have heard from Model 3 and Model X owners who absolutely rave about their vehicles, although I have yet to drive either myself. Having owned and driven an Audi A7, Porsche Panamera, an M5 BMW, and Mercedes S500, I can confidently say that none of these ICE vehicles can compare to the Model S in terms of performance (acceleration and cornering on winding roads) and especially reliability (although the Audi was pretty reliable). I have driven my Model S for 51,000 miles (in just 2 years) and I would never even consider going back to an ICE vehicle. With well over the gas equivalent of 100 mpg and free supercharging (for the Model S and X) on road trips, it's a no-brainer. I simply plug my vehicle in at night and it's charged and ready to go the next morning. You do need to install a NEMA 14-50 (220 v) plug in your garage/driveway, but that can be done easily by an electrician. Mine charges at about 23 mph (so that gives me over 200 miles of charge in 10 hours). My cost is about $1 for 200+ miles of charge, but I have solar panels. Before the panels, and in the winter when it's overcast, I'd estimate that it cost/costs about $4 per 200 miles of charge. I truly believe that Tesla has revolutionized the way people think about electric cars, and has done so 40 years ahead of its time. Tesla has also given away its technology (by removing patents) for the greater good of our planet. I think that anyone who has the means to spend $50k on a car and does so without test driving a Tesla (or at least an electric car), is making a huge mistake. It's easy for us (baby boomers, Gen Xers) to go out and buy ICE vehicles without any regard for our planet, as the global warming problem may not affect us directly with that large of an impact. However, it will affect our kids and certainly their kids, so it's important that we all do our part. I encourage you to try it out for yourself, I'm sure you'll love it. Additionally, I would like to share some of my experiences with road trips in the Model S 100D.I've taken several 5-8 hour trips without any charging issues, mainly from Asheville, NC to DC and the panhandle of Florida. By the 4th hour of driving, especially if I'm drinking coffee, I'm ready for a break. We usually plan our road trips to start by 8 am (after breakfast), get on the road by 9 am, and stop for lunch between 12:30 pm and 2 pm, depending on the location of the supercharger. Yes, we have to stop for 30 minutes to charge, but in doing so, we allow ourselves time to sit and eat at a restaurant and relax a bit. My one recommendation to Tesla for their next 1000 superchargers is to put them near (within a 1/4 mile walk) of a good restaurant. There are usually a handful, or at least one decent place to eat near them, which is okay for a road trip, but it would be nice to have something a bit nicer. Having weighed in on all of these factors, if you are spending $50k on ICE vehicles, I feel you owe it to yourself, your kids, and your kids' kids to at least test drive an electric vehicle, and my vote is to make one of those test drives a Tesla.
-
Vehicle year: 2017
The car may not be the cheapest option, but with gas savings and the $7500 tax credit, it becomes a much more affordable choice. This car is a true testament to practical technology. Throughout the year that we have owned the car, we have received several updates that added thousands of dollars worth of
Are you having problems with your Tesla Model s?
Hobart Romaguera 2025-09-08
Vehicle year: 2014
I have been a proud owner of the P85D since December. While the car is incredibly fast and fun to drive, I have been disappointed with a few aspects. Unfortunately, the front seats are quite uncomfortable and the promised new seats have yet to arrive. Additionally, I have found the navigation system to be subpar, although it is not the worst I have ever used (that title goes to BMW). Despite these setbacks, I was excited to hear about all the amazing features that the New D would offer, so I decided to purchase one. However, I have found that the car does not live up to all of the promises made by Mr. Musk. In fact, my wife's Kia has more safety features than the D. While I have been told that these features are coming, I am an elderly individual and I can only hope that I live long enough to see them implemented in my Tesla. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Reymundo Wisozk 2025-09-08
Vehicle year: 2022
The design of this car is amazing! I really enjoy using the auto pilot on the highway, although it can be a bit annoying having to jiggle the steering wheel (yoke) to let the car know you're still there. Unfortunately, the build quality is not up to par. There are panel gaps all over the place and even though they have a tool to fix it, they only rehung my door and left the rest crooked. This is unacceptable for the price. The crooked panels cause a loud whistling sound at higher speeds, which they initially refused to fix. After 14 service visits and 5 weeks out of service in the first 3 months of ownership, they finally found the problem: a missing roof seal. However, they had to replace the roof twice and now it rattles and squeaks. They gave up on fixing it and said it wasn't a warranty issue for a brand new car. I also had 2 parking sensors fail. Despite all of this, I was still excited when I finally got my car. The technology is quite impressive, but the build quality and service were abysmal. As a side issue, the range isn't quite what they say it is, more like 300 miles on a long range with 19-in wheels. That being said, it's still enough for me. I did notice that sentry mode uses about 10% of the battery while parked at work.I am one of the people who paid for full self-drive, but currently, the only benefit I get is that it changes lanes for me on the highway. It's like a very good cruise control, but not quite what was promised. Despite this, I must say that the engineering is impressive, although the build quality leaves something to be desired.
Greyson Koepp 2025-08-28
Vehicle year: 2020
The car has not met my expectations as I have experienced several issues with it. The battery, door handles, and steering box have all failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the hood latches tend to seize up in cold weather. It is unfortunate for me to have to share this negative experience as I was initially excited about the car. However, I have had difficulty reaching the service department by phone. I would advise caution when considering purchasing a Tesla. Thank you for your understanding.
Ubaldo Cormier 2025-08-26
Vehicle year: 2020
After owning our Alfa Romeo Stelvio for a year, we decided to test drive a Tesla Model S performance vehicle. We were impressed with the Tesla's speed, which was even quicker than our Alfa. However, we did encounter some issues during the test drive. The seat did not raise high enough for my wife, who is only 5 ft tall, to comfortably drive the car. Additionally, the air conditioning did not perform adequately on a hot day. Despite these issues, we found the Tesla to be a quiet ride. While the dashboard may not be the most exciting, we appreciated the wealth of information available on the flat screen display. We did have some trouble finding what we were looking for at first, but we quickly got the hang of it. One issue we did encounter was that the passenger door required a bit of force to close properly. We understand that some people have had issues with Tesla's quality control, but we did not experience any major problems during our test drive. The ride was a bit hard and noisy on rough roads, but we still enjoyed the overall experience. It's worth noting that Tesla offers a 7-day return policy, although refunds may take some time to process. We encourage anyone considering a Tesla to do their research and make an informed decision.
Urban Tromp 2025-08-20
Vehicle year: 2013
Driving the Tesla is a pleasure! It's fast, comfortable, and safe. However, there have been some quality control issues such as windows or trunk not opening or closing, computer screen leaking, inside cloth doors wearing down and ripping too fast, rattling, and rear drive train breaking (an $8000 repair!). The 'high tech service' on the app unfortunately does not allow for discussion with Tesla. Hopefully, more recent cars are better built. Although my car is a lot of fun to drive, it has been unreliable and constantly breaking down, resulting in weeks of service because Tesla does not have enough spare parts to fix it. I have unfortunately spent thousands in repairs. The service center is primarily interested in sending estimates and getting them approved (i.e. paid). Uber credits for 3 weeks is how Tesla deals with delays in fixing and customer inconvenience. While the seats are uncomfortable, the Tesla is still a fun car to drive. However, it is not what I would consider a luxury car. I will not be buying a second Tesla as they are overpriced and poorly constructed.