Home · 2014 Tesla Model S P90d · Complaints

What 365 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Tesla Model S P90d

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (365)Crash / fire / injury (59)Electrical system (132)Suspension (90)Lights (27)Steering (27)Transmission & drivetrain (27)Body & structure (26)Fuel system (24)Speed control (22)Visibility & wipers (17)Airbags (13)

59 of 365 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 3 of 3

Mar 28, 2016SuspensionCrash

THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A TESLA WITH A REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY THAT HAS FALLEN COMPLETELY OFF THE CAR. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=21617174&ROWID=10&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS# THE CAR HAS SUFFERED HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE BUT THERE IS NO SIGN OF DAMAGE AT THE REAR LEFT THAT COULD EXPLAIN WHY THE WHEEL HAS FALLEN OFF. THE FRONT LH SUSPENSION HAS ALSO BROKEN BUT IT IS UNCLEAR IF THAT WAS THE CAUSE OR THE RESULT OF THE COLLISION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY SIMILAR CASES OF SNAPPED OFF WHEELS FOR THIS TO BE MERELY A FREAK ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 10852100

Mar 8, 2016Crash

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION THE EVENING OF MARCH 2, 2016, WITHOUT ANY NOTICE, THE CAR ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY FOOT WAS ONLY ON THE BRAKE, SO THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO MY CAR, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND A THIRD CAR. I EXPERIENCE THIS ACCELERATION PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH THIS CAR BEFORE, BUT NO HAZARDOUS EVENT OCCURRED. IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER OVERRIDING THE CONTROL OF THIS CAR?

NHTSA ODI 10845619

Feb 15, 2016Speed controlCrash

DRIVER PURCHASED A 2014 TESLA MODEL S CAR IN JUNE 2015 FROM THE HANGZHOU CHINA DEALERSHIP. THIS CAR WAS DRIVEN MODERATELY IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS. IN SEPTEMBER 14, 2015, THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN WITHIN A SMALL, ENCLOSED HOUSING COMPOUND. THE CAR WAS GOING VERY SLOW AS THE DRIVER WAS TURNING TO EXIT THE COMPOUND THROUGH A GATED ENTRANCE. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S ASSISTANCE AND DROVE THROUGH THE TRAFFIC GATE BEFORE THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY BREAK AND BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. ELECTRONIC RECORDS ACCESSED ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 REVEALED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY BEING DRIVEN AT 4.7 KM/HR WITH THE ACCELERATION PEDAL DEPRESSED AT 2.8%. WITHIN ONE SECOND, THE ACCELERATION PEDAL WENT FROM BEING DEPRESSED 2.8% TO 84.8% AND THE CAR INCREASED TO 10.75 KM/HR. DURING THE FOLLOWING SECOND, THE CAR'S RECORDS SHOW THE ACCELERATION PEDAL TO CONTINUE TO BE COMPRESSED AT 84% WITH THE SPEED INCREASING TO 18.35 KM/HR, BUT WITH THE BREAK PEDAL ALSO BEING SIMULTANEOUSLY COMPRESSED. IN THE SUBSEQUENT SECOND, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES INITIATED, AND THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO A STOP A SECOND LATER. WE REJECT THE DEALERSHIP'S DECISION THAT THIS WAS DRIVER'S ERROR. IN SUCH A NARROW ENVIRONMENT AS THE HOUSING COMPOUND, AND DURING A SLOW AND CONTROLLED TURN, THERE THE DRIVER HAD NO REASON TO PUT SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATION PEDAL AS THE RECORDS SHOW ' WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL. WE ALSO FEEL THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO PUSH BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BREAK PEDAL TO SUCH A DEGREE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THEREFORE, WE BELIEVE THAT THE CAR EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, WHICH WAS NOT OF THE DRIVER'S CAUSING. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SIMILAR REPORTS OF TESLA MODEL S UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CRASHES IN CHINA. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD WHICH NEEDS TO BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA ODI 10836289

Feb 8, 2016SuspensionCrash

I HAVE SUBMITTED MANY EXAMPLES OF TESLA SUSPENSION COMPONENTS SNAPPING OFF. THIS TESLA IS FOR SALE AS A SALVAGE WRECK. HTTP://WWW.SALVAGERESELLER.COM/VEHICLES/DETAILS/14406666-2014-TESLA-MODEL-S-MA-MENDON# WHILST IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE WHEEL WAS RIPPED OFF IN THE CRASH IT IS REMARKABLE THAT SO MANY OF THESE CARS ARE FAILING IN A SIMILAR FASHION. THE DAMAGE TO THE BODYWORK DOES NOT LOOK CONSISTENT WITH A SEVERE ENOUGH IMPACT TO TEAR THE SUSPENSION OFF THE CAR. THE TIP OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE AKA KING-PIN IS ONCE AGAIN SNAPPED OFF IN THE SAME FASHION AS MANY SIMILAR FAILURES. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT UNDER THE HIGH TORQUE APPLIED DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING THIS TIP SNAPS OFF WITH CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. THIS IS A LARGE HEAVY CAR WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE BRAKES BUT THOSE BRAKES ARE VERY RARELY USED HARD. DRIVERS PREFER TO USE REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO REDUCE BATTERY DRAIN IN THIS ELECTRIC CAR. I HAVE SUPPLIED A FICTITIOUS ADDRESS TO COMPLY WITH YOUR WEBSITE REQUIREMENTS. I AM NOT A US RESIDENT.....JUST A CONCERNED CITIZEN

NHTSA ODI 10824742

Jan 25, 2016SuspensionCrash

HERE IS A FRESH EXAMPLE OF A TESLA MODEL S IN WHICH THE SUSPENSION HAS FAILED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BE COMPLETELY SLICED IN HALF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ROLLING FORWARD. HTTP://WWW.SALVAGERESELLER.COM/VEHICLES/DETAILS/38358495-2014-TESLA-MODEL-S-TX-HOUSTON# THERE IS NO ACCIDENT TO THE CAR WHICH COULD ACCOUNT FOR THIS. I HAVE COLLECTED MANY OTHER IMAGES OF TESLAS WITH THE SAME KIND OF DAMAGE. THESE CAN BE VIEWED ON FLICKR ALBUM HTTPS://WWW.FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/136377865@N05/22456780543 MOST IMPORTANTLY THE SAME SLICED WHEEL EFFECT CAN BE SEEN ON MANY SERIOUS CRASH EVENTS INCLUDING THE FATAL ONE IN HOLLYWOOD. THE WHEEL MUST HAVE BEEN SLICED IN HALF BY A BROKEN SUSPENSION COMPONENT BEFORE THE CRASH AND WHILE THE WHEELS WERE STILL ROTATING. HTTPS://WWW.FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/136377865@N05/ALBUMS/72157661343139261 PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS URGENTLY. I AM NOT A TESLA OWNER BUT I AM FORCED TO SHARE THE ROADS WITH THESE DANGEROUS CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10822151

Nov 1, 2015SuspensionCrash

THIS CAR IS FOR SALE AS A SALVAGE WRECK. THE SUSPENSION HAS FAILED BOTH FRONT AND REAR. HTTP://WWW.COPART.COM/US/LOT/29535665/PHOTOS?SEARCHID=311640899 THERE IS NO DAMAGE VISIBLE TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD ACCOUNT FOR BOTH WHEELS COMING OFF LIKE THAT. THE WHEELS AND TIRES ARE UNDAMAGED SO IT CAN NOT BE EXPLAINED AWAY AS BEING THE RESULT OF A COLLISION. THE AIR-BAGS HAVE NOT BEEN DEPLOYED. THE FRONT DAMAGE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED ONLY BY THE FAILURE OF THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND THE WHEEL IS COMPLETELY DETACHED. THE REAR OF THE CAR IS UNDAMAGED AND YET THE WHEEL IS SKEWED BADLY. THERE IS A PATTERN OF SIMILAR FAILURES PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10787534

Jun 8, 2015BrakesCrash

SEEING THE VEHICLES A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE AHEAD OF ME STOPPED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND ALLOWED THE REGENERATIVE BRAKES TO SLOW MY TESLA DOWN. WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR IT ACCELERATED VERY FAST AND I HIT THE PICKUP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WHICH HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO INFLATE. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO INJURIES THE PICKUP DRIVER IS SUING GEICO FOR NECK INJURY. THIS WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING SITUATION. MY CAR SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO REPAIR. IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST 30 DAYS TO REPAIR. THE PICKUP ALSO SUSTAINED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. THE CAR IT HIT HAD VERY LITTLE DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI 10723925

Sep 29, 2014Speed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TESLA MODEL S. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, JUMPED THE CURB, AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

NHTSA ODI 10639849

Sep 29, 2014Speed controlCrash1 injury

I PULLED SLOWLY IN TO A PARKING SPOT & MY CAR WAS AT A STOP POSITION JUST READY TO PUSH PARK BUTTON. WITHIN A SPLIT OF A SECOND, MY CAR (TESLA) JUMPED THE CURB AND TRAVELED 5' OF SIDEWALK BREAKING A GLASS WALL & TRAVELING THROUGH A RESTAURANT BREAKING TABLES & CHAIRS WITHIN COUPLE OF SECONDS W/O ME ACCELERATING THE PEDAL. BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BY ME HALF WAY THROUGH THE RESTAURANT BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED. NO SERIOUS INJURIES TO ANYONE. TESLA WAS NOTIFIED & THIS IS THE LOG FILE DATA WORD BY WORD FROM THEM. ?AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE, YOU INCREASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION FROM 1% TO 50% IN LESS THAN ONE SECOND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONE SECOND LATER, YOU INCREASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO 100% WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONE SECOND LATER, YOU CONTINUED DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT 100% WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE'S TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED & THEREFORE LIMITED THE VEHICLE'S TORQUE DESPITE THE FACT YOU WERE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT 100% UNTIL YOU DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL IN THE FOLLOWING SECOND.? INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY TESLA. HOW MUCH WAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED? SPEED OF THE CAR? DISTANCE TRAVEL? HOW DOES THIS PROVE THAT THIS IS NOT SUDDEN ACCELERATION? THE LOG DOES PROVE THAT I WAS AT A STOP. MY CAR WILL BE TOTALED BUT IS STILL SITTING AT STORAGE WITH INSURANCE COMPANY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. MANY ACCIDENTS WITH TESLA HAS OCCURRED, EVEN JUST LIKE MINE IN TO A RESTAURANT( HTTP://INSIDEEVS.COM/TESLA-MODEL-S-CRASHES-THROUGH-RESTAURANT-DRIVER-BLAMES-IT-ON-UNINTENDED-ACCELERATION/) (HTTP://WWW.MOTORAUTHORITY.COM/NEWS/1087171_TESLA-MODEL-S-UNINTENDED-ACCELERATION-COMPLAINT-FILED-WITH-NHTSA.) THEY CAN'T ALL BE DRIVERS FAULT. NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THE BOX IN THE CAR BEFORE FATAL INJURIES OCCUR. PUBLIC SAFETY SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10639935

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Working with the data? Download all 365 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 23, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2014 Tesla Model S P90d verdict →