CarModelProblems.com

2017 Tesla Model S Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension — runs 4.1× the fleet median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.
420Complaints
9Recalls
54Crashes
4Fires
23Injured
0Deaths

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 — Suspension (25.5% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.

Suspension complaints here are 4.1× the median for that category across the 965 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.

5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Suspension107 · 25.5%Investigation closedPE20020
Electrical System104 · 24.8%RecalledRecall 22V037000 · Recall 23V838000 · Recall 24V051000
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control47 · 11.2%RecalledRecall 21V846000
Steering46 · 11%RecalledRecall 22V818000 · Recall 23V085000
Vehicle Speed Control35 · 8.3%Under investigationDP23002
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking27 · 6.4%RecalledRecall 21V846000

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

SUSPENSION107 · 25.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM104 · 24.8%
Unspecified / other95 · 22.6%
STEERING46 · 11%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL35 · 8.3%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING27 · 6.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING26 · 6.2%
SERVICE BRAKES25 · 6%
VISIBILITY/WIPER15 · 3.6%

Percentages are the share of the 420 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

Electrical System:adas:autonomous/self Driving:software

NHTSA campaign 22V037000 · 2022 · reported 01/27/2022

Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

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

Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Camera

NHTSA campaign 21V846000 · 2021 · reported 10/29/2021

Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Steering:electric Power Assist System

NHTSA campaign 22V818000 · 2022 · reported 11/01/2022

A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Steering:automated/adaptive Steering

NHTSA campaign 23V085000 · 2023 · reported 02/15/2023

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

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

“DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON AUTOPILOT WHEN ANOTHER CAR CUT INTO MY LANE IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING…”NHTSA complaint 11375236 — filed 11/18/2020 · SUSPENSION
“DRIVING HOME FROM SERVICE ON THE HIGHWAY, WHILE ON A STRAIGHT SECTION, I WAS FORCED TO USE MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN FOR ANOTHER CAR…”NHTSA complaint 11360383 — filed 09/22/2020 · SUSPENSION
“I WAS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. THE TIRE WAS UNSTABLE AND…”NHTSA complaint 11352228 — filed 08/31/2020 · SUSPENSION

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

Complaint trend by year filed

252017632018282019119202014720211242022572023502024452025112026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Tesla Model S?

Suspension issues are the most-reported category, cited in 107 of 420 NHTSA complaints (25.5%), followed by electrical system (104), unspecified/other issues (95), forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control (47). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2017 Tesla Model S have?

420 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 54 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 23 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2017 Tesla Model S have any recalls?

Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 22V037000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2017 Tesla Model S's reported problems?

5 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 07/14/2026.