CarModelProblems.com

2018 Tesla Model S Problems & Recalls

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

Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 1.7× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
168Complaints
11Recalls
36Crashes
3Fires
21Injured
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 — Electrical System (18.5% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Electrical System complaints here are 1.7× 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.

4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System31 · 18.5%RecalledRecall 22V037000 · Recall 23V838000 · Recall 24V051000
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control30 · 17.9%RecalledRecall 21V846000 · Recall 24V153000
Vehicle Speed Control27 · 16.1%Under investigationDP23002
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking27 · 16.1%RecalledRecall 21V846000 · Recall 24V153000
Service Brakes25 · 14.9%No official action
Suspension20 · 11.9%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

Unspecified / other36 · 21.4%
SERVICE BRAKES25 · 14.9%
SUSPENSION20 · 11.9%
STEERING15 · 8.9%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS10 · 6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING8 · 4.8%

Percentages are the share of the 168 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 — 11 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

Back Over Prevention:display Function

NHTSA campaign 22V169000 · 2022 · reported 03/18/2022

A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, 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

Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings:external/pedestrian Alert

NHTSA campaign 24V153000 · 2024 · reported 02/27/2024

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, 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

“The emergency release pull for the manual trunk open does not work. Truck is stuck closed and the release cable does nothing in case of…”NHTSA complaint 11476835 — filed 08/01/2022 · UNKNOWN OR OTHER
“As I was driving alone on July 13th 2022 on the Capital Beltway 495 and was nearing exit 44 the rear passenger window exploded spontaneously…”NHTSA complaint 11474202 — filed 07/15/2022 · UNKNOWN OR OTHER
“Unknown component Car shut off while moving This has only happened once so far Vehicle has not been inspected. I am not sure it is…”NHTSA complaint 11431733 — filed 09/04/2021 · UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Complaint trend by year filed

102018202019432020322021632022402023352024312025142026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Tesla Model S?

Unknown or other issues are the most-reported category, cited in 36 of 168 NHTSA complaints (21.4%), followed by electrical system (31), forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control (30), vehicle speed control (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2018 Tesla Model S have?

168 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 36 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 21 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2018 Tesla Model S have any recalls?

Yes — 11 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 2018 Tesla Model S's reported problems?

4 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.