Last updated: 2026-10-10
Tesla Model S Reliability by Year
Tesla Model S used-buyer guide: phantom braking and parking-speed surges lead the complaints, and 2019 is the model year to look at first.
Tesla Model S Reliability Overview
Reliability is mixed for this full-size electric sedan, and it sits well below average among sedans on the site. The 2019 model year is the safer used pick, while 2021 draws the most worry. Owners report phantom braking on cruise control or Autopilot and sudden acceleration while parking, both with crashes on record.
Current generation: 1st gen (2013–present), facelifted 2017, 2021.
Best & Worst Tesla Model S Years
Best Tesla Model S Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2019 year drew 120 complaints, against 1,211 for 2021, and it has been on the road long enough to show its record. Its top issues are suspension, screens going dark, and steering assist dropping out, not heavy braking and acceleration reports. Many suspension excerpts describe the Model X, so check the car's own history.
Tesla Model S Years to Avoid
Phantom braking dominates. The car brakes hard at highway speed with nothing ahead, and some drivers report it about once every 100 miles. Others describe sudden acceleration while parking, ending in hits on cars, trees, and buildings. Dark screens and heat pump failures that leave no cabin heat add to a year with 67 recalls.
Tesla Model S Reliability Score Trend
Tesla Model S reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 41/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 46/100 | Mixed |
| 2019 | 48/100 | Mixed |
| 2020 | 37/100 | Risky |
| 2021 | 26/100 | Risky |
| 2022 | 44/100 | Mixed |
| 2023 | 32/100 | Risky |
| 2024 | 42/100 | Mixed |
| 2025 | 50/100 | Mixed |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2025 Tesla Model S
7 recalls · 94 complaints
Best of the eight scored Model S years, with far fewer complaints and recalls than 2024, though AP4 computer failures hit cars under 1,000 miles.
2024 Tesla Model S
19 recalls · 316 complaints
Middle of the pack among Model S years, yet well below other 2024 sedans, with AP4 computer failures and phantom braking leading owner complaints.
2023 Tesla Model S
43 recalls · 1307 complaints
Risky standing, with 43 recalls and far more complaints than 2022 or 2024, led by steering veers and sudden low-speed acceleration.
2022 Tesla Model S
18 recalls · 796 complaints
Draws fewer complaints and recalls than 2021 and 2023, yet phantom braking and low-speed surging still stand out.
2021 Tesla Model S
67 recalls · 1211 complaints
The weakest of the eight scored Model S years, with more complaints and recalls than the 2020 or 2022, led by phantom braking and low-speed surges.
2020 Tesla Model S
43 recalls · 465 complaints
Mid-ranked among the eight scored Model S years yet risky, with phantom braking and parking-speed acceleration complaints; the 2019 rates better.
2019 Tesla Model S
14 recalls · 120 complaints
One of the stronger of eight scored Model S years, with far fewer complaints and recalls than 2020, though still well below other 2019 sedans.
2018 Tesla Model S
16 recalls · 297 complaints
One of the stronger Model S years, though owner complaints center on sudden low-speed acceleration, freezing screens, and phantom braking, with 16 recalls on file.
Common Tesla Model S problems
Problem areas with the most owner complaints, each with the years affected, symptoms, and fixes.
Found Your Tesla Model S? Check Its History
Electrical system (16) problems come up most in Tesla Model S owner complaints, and 227 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Tesla Model S Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
2/5
Tesla Model S Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Tesla Models
Compare all Tesla models by reliability
Compare Tesla Model S With Similar Sedans
The Tesla Model S competes with other full-size sedans such as BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Audi e-tron GT.
Model S vs BMW 5 Series
8 years tracked · 330 complaints
Model S vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
8 years tracked · 469 complaints
Model S vs Audi e-tron GT
4 years tracked · 21 complaints
Model S vs Volvo S90
9 years tracked · 18 complaints
Model S vs Hyundai Ioniq 6
4 years tracked · 117 complaints
More Tesla Model S comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Tesla Model S?
- The 2019 model year is the site's pick. It has been on the road long enough to build a real record, and its complaint count is far lower than the worst years. The 2025 year also rates well, but it has had less time to collect complaints, so it is not the safer bet.
- Is the Tesla Model S reliable long term?
- Reliability is mixed, and it ranks well below average among sedans on the site. Some years are much weaker than others. Owner complaints and federal recall records show repeat problems with braking, acceleration, steering assist, and screens, so the specific model year and service history matter a great deal.
- What are the most common Tesla Model S problems?
- Forward collision avoidance leads, with phantom braking at highway speed on cruise control or Autopilot. Next come unintended acceleration at low speed, steering assist cutting out, and electrical faults such as frozen or blank screens. Many owners say service visits rarely fix the braking complaints.
- Does the Tesla Model S have a sudden acceleration problem?
- Owners have filed many complaints about it. The pattern is a surge when pulling into a parking space, turning tightly, or entering a garage, sometimes with a foot on the brake. Some reviews of the car's data reportedly showed the accelerator pressed, so the cause is disputed.
- How much do Tesla Model S repairs cost?
- Independent repair-cost data is not quoted here, but owner filings give examples. One 2021 owner cites $3,000 per heat pump repair. In 2019 filings, a squeaking steering problem was quoted at $3,000 and a steering column at $5,600. These are single owner reports, not averages.
How we score the Tesla Model S
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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