2023 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.
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Common 2023 Tesla Model s problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Tesla Model S 2023, several common problems have been reported:
- Software Malfunctions:
- Complaints have surfaced regarding software issues in the 2023 Model S, X, and Y vehicles, particularly related to malfunctioning backup cameras and rear-view camera display failures.
- A surge of complaints highlighted concerns about safety due to unreliable driving functions caused by faulty software versions.
- Suspension and Steering Problems:
- Thousands of Tesla owners have experienced premature failures of suspension or steering parts, including issues with upper and lower control arms, fore and aft links, half shafts, and steering racks.
- Tesla has been accused of blaming drivers for these failures, denying some problems, and seeking to shift repair costs to customers, despite internal knowledge of flawed parts and high failure rates.
- Power Steering Outages:
- Instances of sudden power-steering outages have been reported, leading to steering difficulties and safety concerns for drivers.
- Some owners have described terrifying experiences where power-steering failures nearly caused accidents, emphasizing the critical nature of these malfunctions.
- Safety Concerns and Recalls:
- Tesla faced a significant recall of nearly 200,000 vehicles, including the 2023 Models S, X, and Y, due to safety issues related to self-driving technology and potential accidents caused by rear-view camera failures.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlighted the risks associated with these malfunctions, prompting Tesla to address the issues through software updates and recalls.
These reported problems with the Tesla Model S 2023 underscore various challenges faced by owners, ranging from service and reliability issues to critical safety concerns related to software malfunctions, suspension, and steering problems.
What are the disadvantages of Tesla Model S?
Cons: Charging your car at home results in an electricity bill that is not as cheap as I had anticipated. The registration costs are over $1,000, significantly higher compared to the $200 registration fee for my previous car. The car insurance costs considerably more as well.
How long will the 2023 Tesla Model S battery last?
There should be between 300,000 and 500,000 miles of use out of a Model S's battery, or 1,500 battery cycles if you believe Tesla. That equates to an average lifespan of 22-37 years.
What is the common problem with Tesla cars?
Noises and Rattles
Some Tesla owners have reported hearing unusual noises or rattling sounds from the suspension system, especially when driving on rough roads. These noises may indicate a need for inspection and potential repairs.
What is the recall on the Tesla 2023?
Tesla has issued a voluntary recall on certain model year 2023 Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles to inspect the pitch angle of the forward-facing cameras and where necessary, adjust the angle to specification.
2023 Tesla Model s complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2023 Tesla Model s.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2023 Tesla Model s recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 10 recalls for different components of the 2023 Tesla Model s.
- 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.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
- Summary: Tesla, 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 such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, X, and Y vehicles equipped with full self-driving computer 4.0 and running a software release version 2023.44.30 through 2023.44.30.6 or 2023.44.100. Software instability may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
- Consequence: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-002.
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles. The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
- Consequence: An unlocked door may unlatch and open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-009.
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
- Summary: Tesla, 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 prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 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.
- Consequence: An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The forward-facing camera may be misaligned, causing some of the active safety features such as emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane assist to become unavailable without alerting the driver.
- Consequence: Safety features that are unavailable without any warning to the driver may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and adjust the pitch angle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-17-006.
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT
- Summary: Tesla, 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.
- Consequence: A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect the front-row seat belts and connect the seat belts to pretensioner anchors, or replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-004.
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING
- Summary: Tesla, 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, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
- Consequence: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
Negative 2023 Tesla Model s car reviews
Positive 2023 Tesla Model s car reviews
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I recently purchased the Model S REFRESHED Long Range on June 29th, 2021 and I must say, it looks absolutely stunning! The car is incredibly smooth to drive, almost like skating on glass, and the handling is amazing. The technology is also top-notch, with a huge screen in the back for the kids to watch their favorite shows and a well-designed center console. The back seats are spacious and can easily accommodate taller passengers. The car feels luxurious and much more upscale than the previous Model S. The touch screen is super responsive and the seats are way nicer than the old Model S and even better than the Model 3 seats. The cockpit of the car is also very quiet, with noise-cancelling speakers built into the driver and front passenger seats. Although the car is advertised to get 375 miles per full charge, I have found that it actually gets around 330-345 miles per charge, which is still impressive. The only downsides I have noticed are that the car takes longer to charge at a supercharger than advertised, unless you go to a 250kwh supercharger, and the paint behind the back wheels got dinged up from rocks and debris after only 1500 miles of driving. Additionally, the summons feature with full self-driving is not as great as it is advertised to be. Overall, I am very happy with my purchase and would highly recommend the Model S REFRESHED Long Range to anyone looking for a luxurious and high-tech car.It's understandable to feel a bit uneasy about a car that can drive itself, especially with a vehicle as large as this one. While the full self-driving feature only works on highways and not city streets, it's still a helpful feature. However, it may not be worth the 10k price tag. The auto guess direction feature is okay, but not the best and feels like a gimmick. It's surprising that there are no side mirror alerts when changing lanes, although it does show up on the screen. The A/C works well, but it needs to be at speed 6 to cool off the car quickly in hot weather. The charging USB-C port and power mat may charge iPhones slowly. Streaming music from an iPhone to the car is great, but the highlighted song doesn't change with the song, making it difficult to see what song is next. On the bright side, the sound system is stellar. However, the steering wheel buttons are hard to push, especially for those with small hands. Overall, this car is an awesome value and I would definitely buy it again.
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Love this car! I've owned both the 3P and the YP, and this one takes the cake. It's not even a fair apples-to-apples comparison. I've noticed some people on here complaining about the smallest things, but honestly, this car is my absolute favorite to drive. I've owned many cars, and this one is just a dream. The only thing I wish was different is the horn. Hitting that small button for the horn can be quite distracting, but that's about it.
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We had a great experience with a Tesla Model 3 for a few years and decided to upgrade to the Model S Long Range. The air suspension makes a huge difference in ride quality, combined with a quiet interior that makes it feel like you're floating. The performance of the car is incredible; it handles well and is lightning quick! Pre-purchase, the yoke was my biggest concern. After driving a few thousand miles with it, I've grown to love it. The better field of view and easy-to-use flat bottom area to rest your hands make it a joy to use. The yoke's solid grip works well when you let loose on windy country roads. Voice commands work really well, and I'm now used to not having a stalk. I really appreciate the turn-signal auto shutoff when you complete the lane change; it's slick. The tech for this car is the best in the industry, from battery to infotainment. There's plenty of range for us to cart the kids around, shop, and travel anywhere. We love the fact that the instrument panel screen frees up the main 17Final thoughts: I highly recommend the Model S if it fits within your budget. My family and I loved the Model 3, but the Model S is now the best car we have ever driven or owned!
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The car itself is amazing, but there are some areas that need improvement. It seems that Tesla could benefit from improving their delivery process and service. Unfortunately, my Plaid broke down on the third day, and it took three days to get it towed due to my location. I was without a car for two weeks. When I spoke with the service representative, they mentioned that they have been having some issues with the new Plaid models. If you only have one car, I would recommend considering purchasing a backup car or SUV just in case.
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Wow, what can I say! An amazing car. It's very comfortable and really fast, but not too fast. The on-demand performance is great. The yolk took some adjustment, but now I can't go back. The software updates give you a new experience each time. The large screens work at a superior level. I highly recommend driving one before reviewing or even reading reviews!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2023 Tesla Model s problems:
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Jun 6, 2023 ... I would hand-wavily say these are some of the more common problems that people have seen on the 2015 S85D. I'm not going to try to summarize ...
Other years of Tesla Model s
Are you having problems with your 2023 Tesla Model s?
Torey Koelpin 2025-10-09
I have owned 3 Teslas in the past, including a P-85, P-85-D, and P100-D. However, I have noticed a decline in the quality of the vehicles and I am hesitant to purchase a 4th Tesla S Performance/Plaid vehicle due to the high price and potential risks. Unfortunately, the service staff have been unable to fix certain quality of drive functions, such as the auto high beam lights and wind noise on the P-100 front windows. Despite providing video evidence of the issues, they claim they cannot fix them. As an early adopter of Tesla (within the first 15,000 Model S sold), I am disappointed with the service I have received. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Mark Rogahn 2025-09-24
In December 2020, I purchased a Tesla Model S long range to replace my old Lexus. I must say, it's the best car I've ever driven! The acceleration is faster than a Porsche, it handles curves better than a BMW, and the ride is smoother than a Lexus. Of course, the benefits of an all-electric car that can be charged at home are well known by now. However, I did encounter some issues after the initial excitement wore off and the reality of owning a car that cost nearly $90k set in. Firstly, the storage space is limited, and the cup holders are inconveniently placed. Secondly, the user interface of the massive screen is not well designed, especially for someone that needs reading glasses. Lastly, the autopilot feature is still in beta and not ready for city driving. Unfortunately, I did experience some problems with the car, and it took over 3 weeks to get an appointment with their service center. It was difficult to get anyone on the phone to even find out if my car was safe to drive. When I reached out to them to get an earlier appointment, I received a curt one-line reply that they were fully booked. It's disappointing that a premium car maker that charges $90k would treat their customers like this. Hopefully, Tesla will become more customer-centric in the future.
Allan Dietrich 2025-09-22
I recently purchased a 2021 Tesla Model S for almost $120,000. Unfortunately, I have had some issues with the car such as the yoke wheel peeling off, plastic parts breaking, and doors getting jammed. Despite these issues, I have found it difficult to get in touch with customer service as there is no telephone number provided. However, I am hopeful that Tesla will address these concerns through their app. As a luxury car company, I expected better customer service, but I am confident that Tesla will work to improve their customer experience. While I regret leaving Mercedes for this car, I am hopeful that Tesla will learn from their mistakes and improve their product.
Jace Yost 2025-07-16
At first glance, it may seem like a good option, but upon closer inspection, you may notice that the materials used are not of the highest quality and the assembly is not up to par. Additionally, the mileage may not be as advertised. It's probably best to consider other options.
Sedrick Morissette 2025-06-06
The Tesla Plaid is an impressive car filled with advanced technology. However, after owning it for a few months, I noticed that some of the 'cool' features, such as summon, are not as accurate as I expected. Additionally, the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android can be frustrating, and the steering wheel could be improved. Despite having the car for over a year, I still struggle to find the horn button during emergencies. The service center for Tesla could use some improvement, as it can be difficult to get in touch with someone. However, the car does have some great features, and it is undoubtedly the fastest car on the planet. Overall, while I may not purchase another Tesla vehicle, I appreciate the impressive technology and features that the Tesla Plaid has to offer.