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Tesla Model S problems (2012–today)

The only engine of the Tesla Model S that we have documented, the Tesla Model S / Model X, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for Second stage: 75D, 90D, 100D, P100D, Long Range and Performance (2016-2020); «With caution» for First generation: Model S 60, 70, 85, P85 and D variants (2012-2016) and Redesign: Long Range and Plaid (2021-2026).[1][2][3][4][5]

Outside the engine: Outside the drivetrain, the Tesla Model S has accumulated recalls (power steering, parking brake, seat belts) and owner testimonies record central screen failures and suspension wear. The data is scarce, from few testimonies, and does not allow a solid overall assessment.[1][6]

Tesla Model S (2012–today)
Photo: Charlie from United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468107.1out of 10

Tesla Model S rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 9 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Electric motor7.55 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension6.71 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Brakes8.51 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering7.41 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights6.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.3 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment8.61 fault
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior0.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 6.6 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Tesla Model S

  1. 1High severity: Corrosion of the power steering motor bolts on the Model SSteering
  2. 2Critical severity: High-voltage battery or battery management (BMS) faultTesla Model S / Model X engine
  3. 3Critical severity: Leaks from battery cooling hoses (Model S 2012-2016)Tesla Model S / Model X engine
  4. 4Medium severity: Vibrations from worn front driveshaftsTesla Model S / Model X engine
  5. 5Medium severity: Central touchscreen (MCU unit) failure on the Model SElectronics and infotainment

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

3 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Corrosion of the power steering motor bolts (Model S cars built before April 2016). See the campaigns for the Tesla Model S

8 sourcesHow we work

Tesla Model S / Model X

Tesla Model S and Model X: baterías de 60 a 100 kWh and motores de inducción and de reluctancia · Electrical

In the Model S
2012–2026[1][6]
Names
Model S 60 · Model S 70D · Model S 75D · Model S 85 · Model S 90D · Model S 100D · Model S P100D · Model S Gran Autonomía · Model S Performance · Model S Plaid
Faults that affect it
5 · 3 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
25
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

Faults that affect the Model S

  1. Critical severityFrequency: RareTraction batteryHigh-voltage battery or battery management (BMS) faultNormal degradation is low: Tesla publishes an average loss of 12% at 320,000 km. Real battery faults are rare, with a few BMS cases and replacements before 250,000 km cited by fiches-auto.fr.
  2. Critical severityFrequency: RareCoolingLeaks from battery cooling hoses (Model S 2012-2016)fiches-auto.fr notes that some Model S cars built from 2012 to 2016 have faulty battery cooling hoses that can drip and overheat the cells. It is a single source, with no figures and no confirmed European campaign.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectric motor and reduction gearVibrations from worn front driveshaftsOn dual-motor versions, the front driveshafts can wear and cause vibrations under hard acceleration. Auto Bild cites it on the Model X and fiches-auto.fr records several cases; the motor and reduction gear assembly does not usually fail.
  4. High severityFrequency: RareElectric motor and reduction gearElectric motor or drive unit faultThe motor and reduction gear units of the Model S and X are considered robust: Auto Bild hardly records any faults. fiches-auto.fr says some owners have replaced the motor or battery before 250,000 km, though without frequency figures.
  5. Medium severityFrequency: RareChargingOn-board charger fault (AC charging)The AC on-board charger can fail and stop charging from a domestic socket or AC charging post, sometimes with DC rapid charging still working. fiches-auto.fr documents this mainly on older Model S cars with a dual charger.

Model S Tesla Model S / Model X pageAll versions and faults of the Tesla Model S / Model X

Faults of the Tesla Model S outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Tesla Model S

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 2,744 inspections of 1,286 cars registered between 2012 and 2022, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 6.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.9%.

    Many more defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.4%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.2%.

    Average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 18.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 13.4%.

    More defects than average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 3.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.2%.

    Many more defects than average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.5%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 4.7% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.8%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 23.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 15.8%.

    More defects than average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Tesla Model S

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the Tesla Model S / Model X (2012–2026)

High-voltage battery or battery management (BMS) fault

Critical severity

Leaks from battery cooling hoses (Model S 2012-2016)

Critical severity

Vibrations from worn front driveshafts

Medium severity

Electric motor or drive unit fault

High severity

On-board charger fault (AC charging)

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Tesla Model S

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. More information

Buying a Tesla Model S?

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Own a Tesla Model S? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Tesla Model S reliable?

The only engine of the Tesla Model S that we have documented, the Tesla Model S / Model X, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for Second stage: 75D, 90D, 100D, P100D, Long Range and Performance (2016-2020); «With caution» for First generation: Model S 60, 70, 85, P85 and D variants (2012-2016) and Redesign: Long Range and Plaid (2021-2026). Outside the drivetrain, the Tesla Model S has accumulated recalls (power steering, parking brake, seat belts) and owner testimonies record central screen failures and suspension wear. The data is scarce, from few testimonies, and does not allow a solid overall assessment.

What problems does the Tesla Model S have apart from the engine?

Outside the drivetrain, the Tesla Model S has accumulated recalls (power steering, parking brake, seat belts) and owner testimonies record central screen failures and suspension wear. The data is scarce, from few testimonies, and does not allow a solid overall assessment. The most important documented faults are: corrosion of the power steering motor bolts on the Model S (steering, high severity), central touchscreen (MCU unit) failure on the Model S (electronics and infotainment, medium severity), model S parking brake failure (2017 campaign) (brakes, medium severity) and premature wear of the front suspension and bushes on the Model S (suspension, medium severity).[1][6]

What faults does the Tesla Model S have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: high-voltage battery or battery management (BMS) fault (Tesla Model S / Model X, critical severity), leaks from battery cooling hoses (Model S 2012-2016) (Tesla Model S / Model X, critical severity), vibrations from worn front driveshafts (Tesla Model S / Model X, medium severity), electric motor or drive unit fault (Tesla Model S / Model X, high severity) and on-board charger fault (AC charging) (Tesla Model S / Model X, medium severity).

What is the best year to buy a Tesla Model S?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2026, 2025, 2024 and 2 other years with the same rating (8.3/10); the worst rated is 2012 (7.1/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Tesla Model S have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 3 campaigns for the Tesla Model S, such as corrosion of the power steering motor bolts (Model S cars built before April 2016) (2018). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[6]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiabilité Tesla Model S (2012-2021): tous les problèmesfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  2. Tesla ändert Batteriegarantie: Kilometer statt Laufzeitauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published 6 February 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  3. Gebrauchtwagen-Test Tesla Model X: Der Tesla Model X macht gebraucht nur wenig ÄrgerAuto Bild · Motoring press · published 25 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  4. Tesla Model S Recalls in EUCar-Recalls.eu · Official body · consulted 30 October 2026
  5. Tesla Model X Recalls in EUCar-Recalls.eu · Official body · consulted 30 October 2026
  6. Tesla Model SWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  7. À quel rythme la batterie d'une Tesla se dégrade-t-elle ?Presse-citron · General press · published 26 April 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité Tesla Model X (2016-2021): tous les problèmesfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French