Apr 5, 2022Electrical system
The instrument cluster display screen on this model used defective adhesive causing "bubbling" and blurring of the information displayed, and may include the speed of the vehicle. This bubbling defect in the instrument cluster screen is a know defect by Tesla who is currently charging customers approximately $1600 to repair. This defect in the screen can make it impossible to determine the speed of the vehicle, as this is the only place it is displayed. The attached photo is not of my car but it shows what happens as these instrument clusters break down and blur visibility.
NHTSA ODI 11459715
Feb 7, 2022Electrical systemFire
On January 3, 2022, at approximately 7:30pm we plugged our car into a dedicated 240v outlet that was installed by a licensed electrician and permitted by the city of Menlo Park. At approximately 8:30pm the charge was interrupted and then started again (per Tesla's records). We heard a couple of small noises and then a louder noise at 8:38pm. We opened the garage door and saw a large flame where the charging cord plugs into the outlet.
NHTSA ODI 11450891
Dec 21, 2021Electrical system1 injury
The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact noticed that there was acid leaking from the vehicle onto the contact’s foot causing the foot to burn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the screen seal failed which cause the screen to leak and both screens needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.
NHTSA ODI 11444576
Jun 16, 2021Electrical system
Tesla refuses to fix my eMCC recall. Told me that my car doesn't have an issue and will contact me someday.
NHTSA ODI 11421220
Jun 6, 2021Electrical systemDriver assistance
I would experience multiple black outs on the technology system for the vehicle. They have not replaced the eMMC which is under recall
NHTSA ODI 11419825
Apr 27, 2021Electrical system
21V035 RECALL ID UNIT DID NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY FOR 5Y. WAS SUMMARILY DISMISSED BY TESLA SERVICE. FINALLY FAILED, PAID FOR REPAIR . THEN RECALL. NO REIMBURSEMENT DESPITE CLAIM MADE MONTHS AND MONTHS AGO. WAS A MAJOR HAZARD FROM FIRST YEAR. VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI 11414068
Apr 26, 2021Electrical system
2014 TESLA MODEL S. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-035. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A FAILED CHIP RENDERING IT UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REACH A TESLA REPRESENTATIVE. *JS
NHTSA ODI 11413772
Apr 21, 2021Electrical system
DUE TO THE RECENT RECALL OF THE 2014 TESLA MODAL S COMPUTER SCREEN. I HAVE PAID OVER $3,700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE MY SCREEN AND NOW TESLA WROTE AN EMAIL SAYS THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE SCREEN. MY TESLA MODAL S COMPUTER DID NOT TURN ON AND CANNOT CONTROL ANY FUNCTION OF THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI 11413204
Apr 14, 2021Electrical system
MCU FAILED BY GOING BLACK AND NOT REBOOTING, AS HAPPENS WHEN THE EMMC FAILS. TURN INDICATORS, CLIMATE CONTROLS, AND OTHER VITAL VEHICLE INFORMATION ALL BECAME INOPERABLE. TESLA CLAIMS FAILURE WAS DUE TO MCU FLAW AND NOT THE EMMC FAILURE THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY COVERING IN THEIR RECALL, AND REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPAIR OF THIS PART. THE MCU FAILURE, HOWEVER, IS JUST AS DANGEROUS AS THE EMMC FAILURE THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO COVER, AND HAS EXACTLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS, BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO ADDRESS IT IN THE RECALL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE ON THE TESLA FORUMS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME FAILURE AND HAVE HAD TESLA REFUSE TO COVER THEIR FAILURES AS WELL. TESLA CLAIMS IT WAS NOT DUE TO THE EMM AND THUS THEY DON'T HAVE TO REPAIR THE FLAW, BUT EVEN IF IN FACT THIS IS TRUE, THE PROBLEM THIS FAILURE CAUSES RESULTS IN THE SAME OUTCOME AS THE EMM FAILURE AND IS JUST AS DANGEROUS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND MADE THE CARE MORE DANGEROUS TO OPERATE, JUST AS THE EMM FAILURE DOES AND CREATING THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS. BUT TESLA ARGUES THIS IS A DIFFERENT PART AND THUS IS NOT COVERED BY RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE END RESULT IS THE SAME DANGEROUS CONDITION. SO IN SUMMARY, TESLA IS EITHER REFUSING TO COVER A REPAIR THEY PROMISED TO COVER, OR THERE ARE ADDITIONAL FLAWS IN THE MEDIA CONTROL UNIT THAT CAUSE THE SAME DANGEROUS CONDITIONS AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE COVERING AND THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY YOUR AGENCY.
NHTSA ODI 11408069
Apr 12, 2021Electrical system
CENTER SCREEN COMPUTER WOULD DIE WITHOUT WARNING SHUTTING OFF AIR FLOW, NAVIGATION, AIR SUSPENSION AND OTHER CRITICAL CONTROLS LIKE TURN SIGNALS. SOMETIMES IT WOULD TAKE OUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SO I HAD NO IDEA WHAT SPEED I WAS DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65-75MPH. IT WOULD OFTEN BLINK OUT WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AS WELL. THE CAR ALSO HAD A HABIT OF MAKING THE AC SYSTEM ROAR LOUDLY WHILE CHARGING FROM A HOME 220V CHARGER.
NHTSA ODI 11407788
Mar 14, 2021Electrical system
OUR CAR WAS NON FUNCTIONING BECAUSE OF THE MCU NON FUNCTIONING. THE EMMC CHIP WAS DEFECTIVE AND TESLA STATED OUR ONLY OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE UNIT. WE DID, A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND NOW THEY STATE WE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND. TESLA STATES THAT THE CHIP SHOULD ONLY BE REPLACED AND NOT THE UNIT EVEN THOUGH THAT WAS OUR ONLY OPTION GIVEN BY THE TESLA SERVICE CENTER.
NHTSA ODI 11402915
Mar 6, 2021Electrical system
THE SCREEN IN THE MIDDLE/COMPUTER IS KEEP RESTARTING AND SOMETIMES SHUT OFF FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES, AND FROM WHAT HEARD IT DISABLE THE TURN SIGNALS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS IN THE CAR. IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES RANDOMLY AND THE LAST TIME WAS YESTERDAY
NHTSA ODI 11399464
Feb 8, 2021Electrical systemFire
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE, AND OUT OF THE BLUE IT BEGAN TO SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST. IMMEDIATELY THE GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH ELECTRICAL SMOKE.
NHTSA ODI 11395170
Feb 2, 2021Electrical system
 THE VEHICLE'S CENTER DISPLAY IS MALFUNCTIONING IN WHICH WE EXPERIENCE A PERSISTENT BLANK CENTER DISPLAY THAT DOES NOT RECOVER AFTER RESTARTING THE TOUCHSCREEN, LOSS OF CERTAIN FUNCTIONALITIES OCCURS. I TOOK IT INTO THE MANUFACTURER THEY SAID THAT THE "CODE" ISSUE WAS FIXED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.
NHTSA ODI 11394307
Feb 1, 2021Electrical system
I HAVE HAD REPEATED FAILURES RELATED TO THE MAIN DISPLAY (MCU) ON MY TESLA MODEL S, INCLUDED FAILURE TO START WHEN THE CAR WAS POWERED UP, "CRASHING" DURING DRIVING, "LOCKING" OR "FREEZING" OF ENTERTAINMENT SCREENS ONTO THE DISPLAY THAT REMAIN EVEN WHILE DRIVING, AND SLOW RESPONSE TO INSTRUCTIONS. IT WAS INITIALLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY WITH A REMANUFACTURED MCU1 UNIT IN FEBRUARY 2020. THE CAR CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS AND I SCHEDULED SERVICE TWO MORE TIMES DURING 2020 AND TESLA REFUSED TO REPLACE THE HARDWARE EACH TIME. THEY SAID THEY "CLEARED THE MEMORY" AND "RESET THE FIRMWARE". THIS SOLVED THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS BUT THE PROBLEMS RETURNED, SOMETIMES WITHIN DAYS. I HAVE HEARD ANECDOTALLY THAT TESLA REDUCED DATA LOGGING TO TRY AND PRESERVE THE LIFE OF THESE UNITS; IRONICALLY, I BELIEVE, THIS RESULTS IN TESLA SAYING THERE WAS NOTHING LOGGED AND THUS REFUSING TO REPLACE THE HARDWARE. IN JANUARY OF 2021, OUT OF CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CAR, I PAID $2500 TO UPGRADE FROM MCU1 TO MCU2 BASED ON STAFF SAYING THAT WOULD SOLVE MY PROBLEMS. IT HAS NOT. IN THE 10 DAYS SINCE THE UPGRADE, IT HAS "CRASHED" 2 MORE TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND "FROZE" PART OF THE DISPLAY ANOTHER TIME WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE LOST UNEXPECTEDLY : NAVIGATION IN THE MIDDLE OF A COMPLICATED INTERCHANGE, THE REAR CAMERA NEEDED TO REVERSE SAFELY, MANY CONTROLS INCLUDING LIGHTS, HEATING, AC, AND CHARGING. WITH THE MCU2 CRASH, I ALSO LOST THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY (E.G. SPEED). FINALLY, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISPLAY OF THE REAR CAMERA IN MCU2 (THE REAR CAMERA IS THE SAME) IS BAD - AT NIGHT THE DISPLAY IS SO DARK IT IS ALMOST USELESS. THIS IS A STEP BACKWARDS. I HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY TOLD AN IMPENDING FIRMWARE UPDATE WILL FIX THE PROBLEMS. I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL UPDATES, BUT NONE FIXED THE PROBLEMS. THE ATTACHED PHOTO IS THE MOST RECENT CRASH OF THE NEW MCU2.
NHTSA ODI 11391066
Jan 29, 2021Electrical system
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE TOUCH SCREEN SUDDENLY FROZEN DURING DRIVING AROUND 12:35 P.M. DEC. 28 2020. (THE EXACT DATE COULD NOT REMEMBERED, BUT I HAVE FILE WITH TESLA ON THE DAY IT HAPPENED). THE WIND SHIELD GOT FROG UP VERY FAST. I COULD NOT TURN ON DEFROST AND ALMOST HAVE A COLLISION DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. I HAD TO USE PAPER TO CLEAN THE MOISTER OF THE WIND SHIELD AND SO THE VISIBILITY WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR MY DAUGHTER TO DRIVE THE CAR BACK HOME SAFELY.
NHTSA ODI 11390675
Jan 17, 2021Electrical system
THE CENTER INFO SCREEN GOES BLACK AND YOU LOSE THE BACKUP CAMERA , HVAC CONTROLS, RADIO, AND ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS TO THE CAR. HAPPENS RANDOMLY. CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS TESLA MODEL
NHTSA ODI 11388605
Jan 16, 2021SuspensionElectrical systemSpeed control
TOTAL LOSS OF DISPLAY IN THE MIDDLE CONSOLE KEEPS GOING BLACK, TOTAL LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS, SUSPENSION CONTROL, HEATER CONTROLS, DE FOG AND DE ICE, NO REAR CAMERA, NO CRUISE CONTROL, HIGH LOW BEAMS,NO ABILITY TO USE FOG LAMPS. PLUS MANY MORE THINGS TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST. I TOOK IT TO SERVICE DEPT AND THEY DID A TEMP FIX FOR $150 BUT TOLD ME IT WILL GO OUT AGAIN AND IT DID THE VERY NEXT MORNING. SOMETHING TO DO WHAT'S CALLED THE MCU MEMORY FAILING. ITS GONE DARK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MANY DIFFERENT DATES. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN IT WILL DO IT AGAIN. MAKES THE VEHICLE IN MY ESTIMATION MORE LIKELY TO GET INTO A CRASH
NHTSA ODI 11388477
Jan 16, 2021Electrical system
MY TOUCHSCREEN WENT OUT (ALL BLACK) A YEAR AGO. THE REPLACEMENT WAS A REFURBISHED ONE. IT TOOK TWO WEEKS. WHEN I ASKED IF IT WAS IMPROVED, I WAS TOLD IT'S THE SAME BUT HAS A NEW TWO-YEAR WARRANTEE. NOW A YEAR LATER, IT IS STARTING TO "ACT UP" LIKE THE FIRST. ADD TO THAT, THE LAST THREE ROAD TRIPS WITH IT EACH HAD SOMETHING BREAK ON IT OR NEEDED ATTENTION. AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR 800 MILES FROM HOME IN AUGUST 2019. DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE EXTENDING GEAR. AND 12V BATTERY, ONLY TO LEARN WEEKS LATER THAT IT WAS "FIXED" WITH A SOFTWARE UPGRADE. WHAT GOOD IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTEE, IF YOU BREAKDOWN ON A TRIP? THE CAR IS UNRELIABLE. I'M GOING TO GET RID OF IT. JUST ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE LIST OF UNHAPPY OWNERS.
NHTSA ODI 11388497
Jan 16, 2021Electrical systemDriver assistanceBackup camera & sensors
MANUFACTURES KNOWN DEFECTIVE MCU 1 DEFECTIVE MEMORY HOUSED IN DAUGHTERBOARD AND SCREENS LEAKING ADHESIVE IN THE DRIVER'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND 17" SCREEN ON MCU, ADHESIVE DRIPPING DOWN ONTO CABIN AREA .
NHTSA ODI 11388498
Jan 15, 2021Electrical systemDriver assistance
THE ENTIRE SCREEN WENT BLACK AND IT STARTED SHOWING THE BACKUP CAMERA. I COULDN'T FIX IT EVEN BY RESTARTING IT. NOTIFICATIONS INCLUDED- CENTER DISPLAY UNAVAILABLE, IT ALSO AFFECTED THE TURN SIGNAL WHILE DRIVING AND CRUISE CONTROL. OTHER SAFETY FEATURES OF THE VEHICLE WERE ALSO UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI 11388365
Jan 14, 2021Electrical system
THE TOUCH SCREEN FREEZES, BLACKS OUT, AND BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE. THIS IS DUE TO A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE MCU. TESLA HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES BUT MY CAR HAS 106,000 MILES SO IS INELIGIBLE AND THE REPAIR IS THOUSAND OF DOLLARS. THIS ISSUE STARTED BEFORE THE CAR HAD 100,000 MILES BUT TESLA DIDN'T OFFER THE REPAIR UNTIL NOVEMBER, 2020 BY WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 100,000 MILES. WITHOUT THE TOUCH SCREEN MOST VEHICLE CONTROLS CANNOT BE ACCESSED WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. ISSUE STARTED ON 5/10/2019 AND CONTINUE TO OCCUR ALMOST DAILY.
NHTSA ODI 11387986
Jan 3, 2021Electrical systemBody & structure
1. REPLACED MCU, AT MY COST. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER A LESSER EXPENSIVE FIX WAS ANNOUNCED. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THAT ANNOUNCEMENT TESLA NOTIFIED ME THAT I MAY FALL UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. IT TURNS OUT THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS OVER 100,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF REPLACEMENT (114,000) IT DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I PURCHASE THE CAR AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FROM TESLA WITH 22,000 MILES. MY OWNERSHIP MILES WAS UNDER 100,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE REPLACEMENT. CONSIDERING THE FAILURES OF THE MCU IN OLDER MODEL VEHICLES, AND A KNOWN PROBLEM, I WOULD THINK I WOULD BE COVERED. 2. DOOR HANDLES - ALL 4 DOOR HANDLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE SINCE OWNERSHIP. AGAIN, A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE DESIGN. ALL BUT ONE REPLACEMENT WERE COMPLETED AT NO CHARGE. THE LAST REPLACEMENT WAS DONE AFTER 14 MONTHS FROM THE PREVIOUS REPLACEMENT. TESLA ONLY WARRANTIES FOR 1 YEAR SINCE REPLACEMENT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN FAILURE WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBLITY. 3. TPMS SENSORS - AGAIN, A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE ORIGINAL SENSORS WERE A BAD DESIGN. TESLA WILL ONLY REPLACE WITH THE UPGRADED VERSION, AT MY COST OF AROUND $1,000! I AM FORCED TO FIND A NON-TESLA REPAIR FACILITY TO REPLACE THE SENSORS, AT A LOWER COST. AGAIN, WHERE IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY ON TESLA TO STAND BEHIND KNOWN ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI 11386226
Dec 22, 2020Electrical systemWheels
THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL SCREEN IS FAILING AS THE GLASS IS SEPARATING FROM THE GLASS AND UNABLE TO VIEW ICONS ON THE PANEL. TELSA IS NOT GOING TO REPLACE UNLESS 1500 IS PAID FOR REPLACEMENT WITH UPDATED SCREEN THAT DOES NOT SEPARATE FROM THE GLASS. SOME PEOPLE ARE REPORTING IT AS BUBBLING OR IMPRESSION OF WATER MARKS BEHIND THE GLASS BUT IT IS THE GLUE FAILING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. FOR THE WHEEL ISSUE, THE TPMS SYSTEM IS FAILING AND TELSA WILL NOT REPLACE UNLESS 1K IS PAID TO "UPGRADE" THE SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI 11384580
Dec 2, 2020SuspensionElectrical systemLights
MY SUSPENSION IS CONSTANTLY MAKING SOUNDS AND AFTER TAKING TO TESLA IT WAS 3RD TIME IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE FORE LINK, CONTROL ARM AND BUSHINGS HAVE GONE OUT. I REPAIRED IT AND NOW SEEMS THE PROBLEM IS BACK
NHTSA ODI 11377568