2022 Tesla Model S Reliability Report

Unintended acceleration from a stop, with the brake pressed, shows up repeatedly here. Some owners report three or four events, and service says nothing is wrong. Summon and Smart Summon scrape or hit parked cars and walls. Other reports describe a sudden "vehicle shutting down" stop with the rear motor disabled, and a power liftgate closing on its own and striking a person. One owner reports the driver-assist computer failing after the warranty ran out, at 64,000 miles, with a $2,800 replacement bill.

Two brake problems dominate. The car stops hard with no traffic ahead, both on adaptive cruise and with no assist engaged, sometimes several times per drive. Some drivers report neck and head pain from the jolt. Other reports describe the brake pedal failing to stop the car while it creeps or surges forward from a stop, with the pedal feeling tight. Some owners say automatic emergency braking did not act before an imminent collision. Six reports involve crashes, including one at roughly 32,000 miles.

Sudden, uncommanded wheel movement is the core complaint, sometimes at highway speed, pulling the car toward walls or into adjacent lanes. Some reports describe the wheel locking for about 3 seconds during a slow turn, or becoming uncontrollable in heavy rain with Autopilot or Full Self-Driving engaged. Twelve reports involve crashes, and three involve fire, including a fatal crash into a tree. Other complaints describe abrupt stops with battery and drive system errors, and Summon driving the car toward people and parked cars.

Front lower control arm bolts back out and fall off. The arm detaches, the wheel collapses, and the car cannot steer or move. Most failures happen while backing out of a parking space, often after a clicking noise that becomes a loud bang. Some cars fail again after a warranty repair. One report describes a rear camber bolt missing its nut. Separate complaints describe tire cupping within 7,500 miles on Performance models and rear camber out of spec with no adjustment possible. Several owners say service called these wear items or impact damage and refused coverage.

The front passenger airbag fails to switch on for adults above the 100-pound threshold, including riders weighing 102 and 120 pounds. Some owners say it stays off most of the time. An intermittent "front passenger safety restraint system fault" message keeps coming back after repeated repairs, including a seat harness and a full seat replacement. One owner's claim was denied past 50k miles. Five crash reports say the airbags did not deploy, including a side impact.

Autosteer and Autopilot swerve into adjacent lanes or turn lanes without warning, and one report describes a sideswipe of a passing car. Lane departure avoidance overcorrects and pulls the car back during intended lane changes. Phantom braking happens next to trucks and on curves. Cameras report being blocked or blinded nearly every trip because of condensation or dirt behind the windshield camera glass, which disables Autopilot. One owner says service called it a known issue with no repair. A Smart Summon collision is also reported.

The rearview camera goes blank while reversing, sometimes on and off, and owners have backed into other cars because of it. Other reports say the backup prevention system did not stop the car before it hit a parked vehicle. One car lost its rear camera, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning at 51,000 miles. Service said the car computer needed replacing, at about $3,200, just after warranty. Owners of crashed cars describe long shop stays waiting for parts.