Home · 2015 Tesla Model S 60 · Complaints

What 647 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Tesla Model S 60

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 (647)Crash / fire / injury (79)Electrical system (256)Suspension (147)Steering (51)Lights (44)Speed control (40)Visibility & wipers (37)Fuel system (30)Body & structure (29)Transmission & drivetrain (29)Driver assistance (26)

51 of 647 complaints match · Steering · clear filters · page 2 of 3

Jul 6, 2020SteeringElectrical system

I WENT TO TESLA SERVICE CENTER ON 6/26/2020, NOTIFY THEM THE PROBLEM FOR SLOW RESPONSE ON THE TOUCHSCREEN AND ALSO RATTLE SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AREA, TESLA STATED THE STEERING BUTTONS NEED TO BE REPLACE AND THE TOUCHSCREEN IS DUE TO THE OLDER CHIP ON THE MODEL, SO IT'S NORMAL. I PICKED UP THE CAR TWO DAYS AFTER AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, ON 7/4/2020 WHILE I M CHARGING AT THE TESLA SUPER CHARGE STATION THE CAR SCREEN IS COMPLETE DEAD, I CAN'T PLAY RADIO, NO NAVIGATION, SIGNAL LIGHTS NOT WORKING AND BACK UP CAMERAS FAILED ETC. I WENT ON RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN NOW WITH NHTSA AND IS INVESTIGATING. TODAY TESLA SAID MY MCU NEEDS TO BE REPLACE.

NHTSA ODI 11337742

Jul 3, 2020SteeringSuspension

IN 2018 TESLA NOTIFIED ME OF NEEDING TO INSPECT AND REPLACE 5 BOLTS SECURING MY STEERING BOX AND POWER STEERING UNITS. THEY DID THAT AND LEFT. I HAD SERIOUS MEDICAL ISSUES, SO MY TESLA MODEL S HAD ONLY 7,590 MILES. IN 2020 WITHIN JUST A FEW MILES BUT NEARLY 2 YEARS FROM THAT 5-BOLT REPLACEMENT, I WAS DRIVING ON I89 TOWARDS A TESLA SUPERCHARGER, I FELT THE CAR WAS WANDERING EVER SO SLIGHTLY WITHIN MY LANE, SO I WAS UNEASY, BUT ATTRIBUTED IT TO MY 4 STUDDED SWEDISH SNOW TIRES. ARRIVING AT THE SUPERCHARGER, NOTICED MUCH STEERING EFFORT TO BACK INTO CHARGING POSITION. WHEN LEAVING, IT HAD MORE EFFORT TO STEER, AND IT DIDN'T BOTHER ME MUCH ONCE I WAS ROLLING ALONG. SAME WANDERING PROBLEM ON THE INTERSTATE. LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE 38 PAGE SERVICE BULLETIN FROM TESLA. #SB-18-32-002 R1 SEVERAL TIMES IN IT TESLA WARNED THAT IF AT ANY POINT MORE THAN 1 BOLT IS REMOVED AT A TIME, THE STEERING BOX MUST BE REPLACED. THEY DID NOT ELABORATE AS TO WHY. IT SEEMS NOW WE KNOW. ANOTHER ISSUE I MENTIONED TO ELECTRIFIED GARAGE IN SEABROOK, NH IS THE REAR OF THE CAR SETTLES DOWN TO NEARLY TOUCHING THE REAR WHEELS OVERNIGHT. I SUSPECTED AN AIR LEAK AND THEY REPORTED THAT I NEEDED TWO REAR AIR SHOCK ASSEMBLIES AND A NEW STEERING BOX. THEY SAID TESLA OFFERED NO REAR SHOCK REBUILD KIT CONTAINING NEW IMPROVED SEALS. I AM IN SHOCK OVER BOTH THESE PROBLEMS AT 7,600 MILES AND SENT 2 EMAIL LETTERS OFF TO TESLA, AND NO REPLY FROM EITHER LETTER. PERHAPS THE NHTSA SEES THIS AS A REPEATING ISSUE ON LOW MILEAGE 2015 TESLA MODEL S P85D ELECTRIC CARS? MY 2015 TESLA IS STILL SITTING AT THE ELECTRIFIED GARAGE 10 DOWS LANE - SEABROOK, NH 03847 AFTER ALMOST 7 WEEKS. I LOVE THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE MODEL S, BUT AFTER STRUGGLING OVER THE PAIN OF POOR ENGINEERING & SUPPLIER PROBLEMS, I AM LOOKING ELSEWHERE UNTIL THEY WORK OUT THE BUGS. SB-18-32-002 R1 ATTACHED.

NHTSA ODI 11337355

Jul 3, 2020SteeringSuspension

IN 2018 TESLA NOTIFIED ME OF NEEDING TO INSPECT AND REPLACE 5 BOLTS SECURING MY STEERING BOX AND POWER STEERING UNITS. THEY DID THAT AND LEFT. I HAD SERIOUS MEDICAL ISSUES, SO MY TESLA MODEL S HAD ONLY 7,590 MILES. IN 2020 WITHIN JUST A FEW MILES BUT NEARLY 2 YEARS FROM THAT 5-BOLT REPLACEMENT, I WAS DRIVING ON I89 TOWARDS A TESLA SUPERCHARGER, I FELT THE CAR WAS WANDERING EVER SO SLIGHTLY WITHIN MY LANE, SO I WAS UNEASY, BUT ATTRIBUTED IT TO MY 4 STUDDED SWEDISH SNOW TIRES. ARRIVING AT THE SUPERCHARGER, NOTICED MUCH STEERING EFFORT TO BACK INTO CHARGING POSITION. WHEN LEAVING, IT HAD MORE EFFORT TO STEER, AND IT DIDN'T BOTHER ME MUCH ONCE I WAS ROLLING ALONG. SAME WANDERING PROBLEM ON THE INTERSTATE. LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE 38 PAGE SERVICE BULLETIN FROM TESLA. #SB-18-32-002 R1 SEVERAL TIMES IN IT TESLA WARNED THAT IF AT ANY POINT MORE THAN 1 BOLT IS REMOVED AT A TIME, THE STEERING BOX MUST BE REPLACED. THEY DID NOT ELABORATE AS TO WHY. IT SEEMS NOW WE KNOW. ANOTHER ISSUE I MENTIONED TO ELECTRIFIED GARAGE IN SEABROOK, NH IS THE REAR OF THE CAR SETTLES DOWN TO NEARLY TOUCHING THE REAR WHEELS OVERNIGHT. I SUSPECTED AN AIR LEAK AND THEY REPORTED THAT I NEEDED TWO REAR AIR SHOCK ASSEMBLIES AND A NEW STEERING BOX. THEY SAID TESLA OFFERED NO REAR SHOCK REBUILD KIT CONTAINING NEW IMPROVED SEALS. I AM IN SHOCK OVER BOTH THESE PROBLEMS AT 7,600 MILES AND SENT 2 EMAIL LETTERS OFF TO TESLA, AND NO REPLY FROM EITHER LETTER. PERHAPS THE NHTSA SEES THIS AS A REPEATING ISSUE ON LOW MILEAGE 2015 TESLA MODEL S P85D ELECTRIC CARS? MY 2015 TESLA IS STILL SITTING AT THE ELECTRIFIED GARAGE 10 DOWS LANE - SEABROOK, NH 03847 AFTER ALMOST 7 WEEKS. I LOVE THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE MODEL S, BUT AFTER STRUGGLING OVER THE PAIN OF POOR ENGINEERING & SUPPLIER PROBLEMS, I AM LOOKING ELSEWHERE UNTIL THEY WORK OUT THE BUGS. SB-18-32-002 R1 ATTACHED.

NHTSA ODI 11337357

Feb 4, 2020SteeringAirbags

TESLA HAVE THE VEHICLE FOR QUITE A WHILE BUT THEY HAVEN'T GIVEN A REASON WHY THEY HAVEN'T COMPLETED THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11307029

Aug 29, 2019SteeringSuspension

EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON STEERING U-JOINT CAUSING LOCKUP AND EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN WHEEL, REQUIRING REPAIR. EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON CONTROL SUSPENSION ARMS, REQUIRING REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11252156

Apr 24, 2019SteeringAirbags

TESLA WILL NOT RESPOND TO REQUEST TO REPAIR RECALLS THE NUMBER PROVIDED GOES IN CIRCLES IT ASK TO GO THROUGH APP WE ARE A DEALER AND CAR DO NOT HAVE APP I HAVE MADE SEVERAL REQUEST

NHTSA ODI 11203325

Nov 16, 2018SteeringSuspension

I WAS DRIVING MY TESLA MODEL S SLOWLY ON A BUSY DOWNTOWN STREET LINED WITH PARKING SPACES. SPEED WAS LESS THAN 25 MILES PER HOUR. I BRAKED TO ALLOW A CAR TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND MY CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE. I TRIED TO CONTINUE DRIVING BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED SO I PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPOT THAT HAD BEEN VACATED BY THE OTHER DRIVER TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. THERE WAS WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID LEAKING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL WELL AND A VISIBLY BROKEN CONTROL ARM AT THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. I THINK THAT IS WHAT THE PART IS CALLED BUT I AM NOT CERTAIN. THERE IS A PICTURE OF THE BROKEN PART ATTACHED. THE WHEEL WELL WAS DAMAGED AND THE TRIM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR WAS LOOSE. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO CAUSE FOR THIS FAILURE AS THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD, NO POT HOLES, NO OBJECTS, NO BUMPS. THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ABOUT 3 MINUTES AFTER I STARTED THE TRIP. SPEED WAS LOW THE ENTIRE TRIP AS I WAS LEAVING A RESTAURANT IN A DOWNTOWN AREA FULL OF PEDESTRIANS, STOP SIGNS AND PARKING SPACES. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVE-ABLE FOLLOWING THIS FAILURE SINCE THE FRONT WHEEL WAS NO LONGER SUPPORTED. TESLA SENT A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE CAR TO THEIR NEAREST SERVICE CENTER.

NHTSA ODI 11152089

Oct 17, 2018Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V204000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11141051

Aug 14, 2018SteeringAirbagsSeat belts

ON AUG 13, 2018 I WENT TO THE TESLA SERVICE CENTER IN SEATTLE AND REQUESTED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE SEVERAL RECALLS DONE, INCLUDING SEATBELTS, TAKATA AIRBAGS, AND ALUMINUM STEERING BOLTS. I WAS TOLD IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS BY SERVICE MANAGER KASI SMITH, THAT MY CAR IS BLACKLISTED BY TESLA SINCE IT HAS A REBUILT TITLE. THAT IN ORDER FOR THE RECALLS TO BE DONE I MUST GET THE CAR "RECERTIFIED" AT A COST OF BETWEEN $5,000 TO $32,000, DEPENDING ON WHETHER REPAIRS ARE NEEDED. SO I CALLED TESLA'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE (877.798.3752) AND REACHED LOUIS ESCOBAR AT TESLA'S BURBANK, CA LOCATION. AFTER HE CHECKED WITH THE SEATTLE SERVICE CENTER (WHICH I'D ALREADY TOLD HIM REFUSED ME) AND WITH HIS SUPERVISOR, HUNTER CARLSON, MR. ESCOBAR INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR IS BLACKLISTED BY TESLA SINCE IT HAS A REBUILT TITLE, AND IN ORDER FOR THE RECALLS TO BE DONE I MUST GET THE CAR "RECERTIFIED". MY CAR WAS PROFESSIONALLY REBUILT, AND HAS BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING IT FOR TWO YEARS. IF WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT WRECKED CARS ARE -GOING- TO BE REBUILT, THEN WHAT SHOULD TESLA'S POLICY BE? I SHOULD THINK THEY'D WANT TO PROTECT THEIR REPUTATION AND ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. SO FOR RECERT DO THEY CHARGE HIGH FEES AND TAKE AWAY ALL BENEFITS THAT WERE PAID FOR ON PURCHASE OF THE CAR, LIKE NAVIGATION, AUTOPILOT, AND SUPERCHARGING? WELL THE COST ALONE FORCES THOSE OF US WITH REBUILT CARS TO DRIVE AROUND WITH NO INSPECTIONS, EXCEPT THOSE DONE BY THE STATE PATROL, WHICH ARE ONLY CHECKING THAT WE DID NOT USE STOLEN PARTS. SO CLEARLY THEIR GOAL IS NOT TO PROTECT THEIR REPUTATION AND ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. WHAT IS THE GOAL THEN? MAKE MONEY?

NHTSA ODI 11119877

Apr 18, 2018Steering

HERE IS A FORUM POST FROM TODAY WHERE AN OWNER REPORTS THAT HIS ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR HAS FALLEN OFF: HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/POWER-STEERING-FALLING-APART.100951/PAGE-15 **CVRCV, TODAY AT 1:58 AM MY POWER STEERING MOTOR FELL OFF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF MY GARAGE THIS MORNING. 12/2015 DELIVERY, 15K MILES. I WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE BOLTS MYSELF ON THE SATURDAY AFTER THE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT, BUT I DECIDED NOT TO GIVEN TESLA WAS DOING A RECALL. WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO STEER IT. YOU NEVER REALIZE HOW HEAVY THE MODEL S STEERING IS, BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING TURNS ON AS SOON AS YOU OPEN THE DOOR. ALSO I DON'T SEE FSD IS GOING TO WORK WITHOUT DUAL REDUNDANT POWER STEERING MOTORS. SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE. ** THERE IS ALREADY A "VOLUNTARY RECALL" ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT TESLA DESCRIBES IT AS NON URGENT AND NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. JUST ON THAT FORUM THREAD ALONE THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS OF CASES OF THE STEERING MOTOR FALLING OFF COMPLETELY AND THE CAR BEING NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. POINTING OUT THE BLEEDING OBVIOUS - THE TESLA AUTOPILOT RELIES ON THIS MOTOR. PLEASE ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN.

NHTSA ODI 11088871

Mar 31, 2018SteeringSuspension

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD:HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=27797817&ROWNUMBER=76&LOADRECENT=TRUE IT HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH EXCEPT THAT ANOTHER CAR SEEMS TO HAVE GIVEN IT A VERY SLIGHT BUMP UP THE CLACKER. WHAT IS VERY INTERESTING IS THAT THE LH FRONT WHEEL IS POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD BUT THE LH WHEEL HAS GONE ALL WHOMPY. THIS PROBABLY CAUSED THE TESLA TO SLOW DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THE CAR BEHIND TO BOINK IT UP THE REAR QUITE VIGOROUSLY. PLEASE BE SO KIND AS TO INVESTIGATE THIS. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI 11082251

Jan 15, 2018Steering

THERE IS A THREAD RUNNING ON TESLA MOTORS CLUB FORUM IN WHICH AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT OWNERS REPORT THAT THEIR STEERING BOX HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN APART. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/POWER-STEERING-FALLING-APART.100951/PAGE-3 THE LATEST COMPLAINT FROM AN OWNER PROVIDES DETAILED PICTURES THAT SHOW SNAPPED BOLTS AND DAMAGE TO THE STEERING BOX MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS PARTICULAR OWNER LIVES IN CANADA AND HAS TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE CANADIAN AUTHORITIES. HERE IS A LINK TO MORE PHOTOGRAPHS POSTED BY THAT OWNER. HTTP://WWW.TESLAZOOM.COM/POWER_STEERING.HTM - MESSAGE: POWER STEERING REDUCED FUNCTION WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT MADE AN AWFUL GRINDING NOISE AND NO POWER ASSIST AVAILABLE. ALL THEY COULD DO FOR ME IS TO PATCH ME IN TO SERVICE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY. I DECIDED TO TAKE A LOOK FOR MYSELF AND REMOVED THE FRUNK TUB. VOILA!, THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING RACK. ALL 3 ALUMINUM BOLTS HOLDING THIS MOTOR TO THE STEERING RACK HAD SHEARED OFF. HERE IS ONE THAT I FOUND. THERE WAS MASSIVE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT GETTING INTO IT WEB RESEARCH SHOWS AT LEAST FIVE OTHER INSTANCES OF THE SAME FAILURE ON A PRE FACELIFT CAR. POST FACE LIFT CARS HAVE A REDESIGNED STEERING MOTOR WITH COATED STEEL BOLTS HOLDING IT. ** MANY OWNERS ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT ELECTRIC CARS ARE ALMOST MAINTENANCE FREE AND THEY CAN SAVE MONEY BY SKIPPING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE OWNERS ON THE POWER STEERING FAILURE THREAD STATE THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. THE NUMBER OF WRECKED TESLAS SHOWING UP IN SALVAGE CAR AUCTIONS IS EXTREMELY HIGH IN PROPORTION TO THE NUMBER OF TESLAS SOLD. IT IS TIME FOR THESE CARS TO UNDERGO A MANDATORY SAFETY INSPECTION BY A QUALIFIED NON-TESLA AUTHORITY. PLEASE TAKE URGENT ACTION. SNIP**

NHTSA ODI 11062872

Dec 6, 2017SteeringSuspensionCrash

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/44784947/PHOTOS IT HAS BEEN IN A MAJOR COLLISION AND JUDGING BY THE CONDITION OF THE WRECK IT IS ALMOST CERTAIN THAT OCCUPANTS HAVE BEEN KILLED. GIVEN THE MANY REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE ALREADY IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT MECHANICAL FAILURE PLAYED A PART IN THIS CRASH. THE ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPH OF THE FRONT TIRE APPEARS TO SHOW THE TREAD WORN AWAY OVER MOST OF THE WIDTH OF THE TIRE. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH A SUSPENSION COMPONENT FAILURE CAUSING THE TIRE TO RUB UP AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL WHILST THE CAR WAS TRAVELLING. IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR SUCH TREAD WEAR TO OCCUR POST COLLISION AS THE WHEEL WOULD NEED TO HAVE ROTATED HUNDREDS OF TIMES TO CAUSE THE TREAD TO BE WORN SMOOTH. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT MORE DEATHS AND INJURIES BEING CAUSED BY THESE TESLAS. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY CRASHES IN WHICH MECHANICAL FAILURE APPEARS TO BE A PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT THAT AN INVESTIGATION IS OVERDUE. ANY MECHANICAL ENGINEER CAN CONFIRM THAT THE ALLOY SUSPENSION PARTS DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT MARGIN OF SAFETY FOR SUCH A HEAVY AND POWERFUL CAR. DETAILS OF INJURIES, SPEED ETC. ARE ESTIMATIONS BASED ON THE SEVERITY OF DAMAGE TO THE WRECKED CAR. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN.

NHTSA ODI 11052784

Dec 3, 2017Steering

HERE IS A DISCUSSION THREAD IN WHICH MULTIPLE OWNERS COMPLAIN AND POST PHOTOGRAPHS OF TESLA POWER STEERING RACKS THAT HAVE COMPLETELY FALLEN TO PIECES: HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/POWER-STEERING-FALLING-APART.100951/ THE FIRST POST WAS OVER A MONTH AGO AND MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE JOINED IN WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. HOWEVER NONE OF THOSE OWNERS HAVE MADE A REPORT TO NHTSA BECAUSE OF MISGUIDED LOYALTY TO TESLA. PHOTOGRAPHS OF FAILED STEERING COMPONEMNTS ARE ATTACHED. HERE IS A CLIP FROM THE THREAD **PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY AT NOON TODAY. ENTERED THE CAR AT 6PM AND IMMEDIATE MESSAGE "CAR NEEDS SERVICE", "AUTO PARK NOT AVAILABLE", "POWER STEERING " ACCOMPANIED BY AWFUL NOISE AND JERKING WHEN TOUCHING THE STEERING WHEEL. REMOVED THE TUB AND VOILA! THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ORIGINAL POSTER. VIEW ATTACHMENT 263444 CLEANED IT AND GOT 8MM BOLTS AND DID A BEAUTIFUL RE-ATTACHMENT JOB AND NO MORE MESSAGES BUT WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL, AWFUL GRINDING NOISE. SO THE GEAR IS WORN. VIEW ATTACHMENT 263446 OKAY. THAT'S IT. THESE ARE NO LONGER "ONE OFFS" BUT A PATTERN OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS AFFECTING A KEY SAFETY COMPONENT: STEERING. WORST CASE, THE OLDEST MODEL S IS JUST OVER FIVE YEARS OLD. THIS KIND OF WEAR AND DAMAGE--MAJOR STEERING PROBLEMS--IS UNSAT FOR CARS AT TEN OR FIFTEEN YEARS OLD. TESLA: PLEASE GET ON THIS PROBLEM WITH A PLAN TO RECALL THE CARS AND REPLACE THESE COMPONENTS PROACTIVELY, BEFORE THE INEVITABLE BAD PRESS WHICH WILL RESULT FROM DOING NOTHING, NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS SHOULD THERE BE ACCIDENTS. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS VERY MUCH A SUPPLIER ISSUE AND THE SUPPLIER NEEDS TO STEP UP AND OPEN THEIR CHECKBOOK, AND OPEN IT WIDE.** PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. CONCERNED CITIZEN

NHTSA ODI 11052094

Dec 10, 2016SteeringSuspension

HERE IS A 2015 TESLA IN THE SALVAGE YARD. IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN IN A COLLISION BUT THE FRONT LH BALL JOINT HAS POPPED APART CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SKEW OVER AT AN ANGLE. THIS FAILURE COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED MULTIPLE FATALITIES. THERE HAVE BEEN OVER A HUNDRED REPORTS OF TESLA SUSPENSIONS FAILING. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT FURTHER DEATH AND INJURY.

NHTSA ODI 10934473

Nov 2, 2016SteeringSpeed control

I DID NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR TESLA OWNERS TO DRIVE AT ME IN THEIR 3 TON HIGH PERFORMANCE CAR WHILE THE BUG RIDDEN AUTOPILOT IS IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/DANGLY-WEIGHT-TIED-TO-STEERING-WHEEL-TO-FOOL-AUTOPILOT-THAT-YOURE-PAYING-ATTENTION.55681/PAGE-2 RATSBEW SAID: ↑ NOTE: THIS ISN'T A SUGGESTION TO DO ANYTHING DANGEROUS.... CAN YOU TIE A SMALL WEIGHT TO THE 3 O'CLOCK POSITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL SO THE AUTOPILOT THINKS YOUR HANDS ARE ON THE WHEEL? THIS COULD BE GOOD FOR TRULY BORING STRETCHES OF ROAD WHERE YOU DON'T WANT YOUR HANDS TO BE LIGHTLY TOUCHING THE WHEEL FOR 3 HOURS STRAIGHT. HANDS IN THE LAP (PALMS UP) READY TO TAKE OVER, BUT NOT HOVERING. IMMOLATED, 49 MINUTES AGO MY NEW SOLUTION WAS A 1 LB ANKLE WEIGHT (HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.COM/GP/PRODUCT/B005P3LHGI/REF=OH_AUI_DETAILPAGE_O00_S00?IE=UTF8&PSC=1), WORKS PERFECT. I COULDN'T STAND THE NEW NAG HAPPY 8.0. AND TO ADDRESS ALL THE OTHER POSTS IN THIS THREAD, IT'S COMPLETELY SAFE. THE NAGS DON'T ACTUALLY NEED YOU TO GUIDE THE WHEEL, THEY'RE JUST MAKING SURE YOU'RE PAYING ATTENTION, WHICH I AM. I JUST FIND THE NAGS TO BE MORE DISTRACTING AND BEING COMPLETELY HANDS FREE IS A BETTER DRIVING EXPERIENCE FOR ME. MORE RELAXED = LESS FATIGUE AND MORE ATTENTIVE FOR LONG ROAD TRIPS. NOW I CAN GO 100+ MILES WITHOUT HAVING TO TOUCH THE WHEEL ON ROUTES THAT WOULD'VE OTHERWISE NAGGED ME 30 TIMES, AND AP WAS FLAWLESS WITH NO INTERVENTION. IT ACTUALLY LET ME GAIN A TON OF CONFIDENCE IN HOW WELL THE LATEST AP CAN PERFORM. I'M STILL PAYING ATTENTION IF I NEED TO TAKE OVER, BUT IT'S WAY BETTER THIS WAY, AND IT'S THE EXPERIENCE I PAID FOR WHEN I GOT THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10923946

Oct 26, 2016SteeringSpeed controlBrakes

THIS IS ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA AUTOPILOT. OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ON THE FORUMS THAT THE NEW UPGRADE VERSION 8.0 HAS MADE THINGS EVEN MORE DANGEROUS. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/WITH-8-0-I-HAVE-TO-TAKE-OVER-FOR-AUTO-PILOT-MORE.78049/PAGE-2 SAMPLE: THE BAD NEWS: 1) THE 'CREST OF THE HILL' PROBLEM SEEMS JUST AS BAD AS V7.1. ALL BETS ARE OFF WHAT AP IS GOING TO DO WHEN YOU CREST A HILL, SO A FIRM GRIP ON THE WHEEL TO MAKE SURE AP DOES NOT DO SOMETHING SILLY IS REQUIRED WHEN CRESTING A HILL. 2) THERE IS A USE CASE WHICH IS QUITE DANGEROUS. WHEN YOU APPROACH STOPPED TRAFFIC DIRECTLY AHEAD THE RADAR 'SEES' THE STOPPED TRAFFIC, IDENTIFIES THE STOPPED TRAFFIC AS A TARGET, AND BRAKES SENSIBLY. EVERY TIME SO FAR. HOWEVER, WHEN THE ROAD IS CURVED AND THE STOPPED TRAFFIC IS NOT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR (BUT IS OFF TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT) THEN THE AP DOES NOT ACQUIRE THE STOPPED TRAFFIC AS A TARGET, AND DOES NOT BRAKE. YOU HAD BETTER BE PREPARED TO MANUALLY BRAKE HARD IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE. MINE HASN'T IMPROVED. IT STILL WANDERS ACROSS CLEAR LINES INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE LINES ARE INDICATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN BLUE AND THE CAR IS SHOWN STRADDLING THE LINE. IT'S LIKE THE AP HAS GIVEN UP BUT HASN'T WARNED ME. I HAD THE AP SET FOR 50 MPH AND A CAR PULLED OUT AND STOPPED ACROSS MY LANE ABOUT 800 FT AHEAD. AP SHOWED NO SIGNS OF SLOWING, AND AT ABOUT 150 FT I HAD TO COME TO A HARD STOP MANUALLY TO AVOID A COLISION. FUNNY I WAS GOING TO START A NEW THREAD ABOUT HOW AP IS TOO SCARY TO USE IN 8.0. GUESS I'M NOT ALONE. BOTH BRAKING AND STEERING. IF I COULD GO BACK SEVERAL REVISIONS, I WOULD. I DON'T FEEL LIKE USING IT ALMOST ANYWHERE ANYMORE. TTHE CAR BRAKES TOO HARD AND TOO FAR AWAY FROM CARS AHEAD TURNING RIGHT - EVEN WHEN THERE'S A TURN LANE. I'M ALWAYS AFRAID THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO REAR-END ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS

NHTSA ODI 10919196

Sep 29, 2016SteeringSpeed controlBrakes

OWNERS SAY YOU WOULD NOT DARE TO BAN ELON'S AUTOPILOT! HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/RED-HANDS-OF-SHAME.77954/PAGE-2 S4WRXTTCS, GREEN1 SAID: ↑ YOU KEEP CLAIMING THAT THE NHTSA HAS SECRETLY ORDERED TESLA TO DISABLE THINGS ON PEOPLES CARS. EITHER PROVIDE THE STATEMENT FROM THE NHTSA, OR AGREE THAT TESLA IS DOING THIS OF THEIR OWN ACCORD. THE NHTSA TENDS TO WORK WITH MANUFACTURES THEY GIVE THE MANUFACTURE A CHANCE TO COMPLY WITH WHAT THEY "RECOMMEND" WITHOUT OFFICIALLY ORDERING THEM TO DO ANYTHING. US CORPORATIONS HATE REGULATION, AND TEND TO BEND OVER BACKWARDS TO AVOID IT. IN THE US YOU CAN'T EVEN WATCH A VIAGRA COMMERCIAL WITHOUT PART OF THE AD BEING DEDICATED TO SAYING THAT IT WON'T PREVENT STD'S. LIKE HOW IN THE WORLD WOULD I EVEN GET IT IN MY MIND THAT IT WOULD? GREEN1 ALBERTA, CANADA NEW IF YOU WANT THE ADDED HOLD WHEEL NAGS, FEEL FREE TO INSTALL THE DOWNGRADE. THERE IS NOTHING STOPPING YOU FROM DOING SO. I'M JUST POINTING OUT THAT I DON'T HAVE TO. AND THAT TESLA HAS NO LEGAL ABILITY TO FORCE ME TO DO SO. THEY ARE FREE TO CHANGE THE WAY THINGS WORK FOR NEW OWNERS, BUT THEY HAVE NO LEGAL ABILITY TO MAKE ANY CHANGES WHATSOEVER TO SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY WITHOUT THAT PERSON'S EXPRESS CONSENT. IN FACT THAT IS ALMOST GUARANTEED TO BE THE WHOLE REASON WHY YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT SOFTWARE UPDATES MANUALLY. THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO PUSH THEM AUTOMATICALLY, BUT THEIR LAWYERS PROBABLY DIDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE LEGAL FALLOUT OF THAT ONE, THIS WAY THEY CAN SHOW YOU CONSENTED. THERE HAS NEVER, IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF AUTOMOTIVE TRANSPORT, BEEN EVEN A SINGLE TIME WHEN THE GOVERNMENT HAS FORCED OWNERS TO COMPLY WITH AN OFFICIAL RECALL, THEY CERTAINLY WON'T BE FORCING IT FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY WON'T EVEN GO ON RECORD AS HAVING REQUIRED. ENJOY YOUR NAGS. IT'S YOUR CHOICE.

NHTSA ODI 10910463

Sep 19, 2016SteeringSpeed control

ANOTHER YOUTUBE VIDEO JUST UPLOADED. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=DBPQIHWSHOS&LIST=PLGHIWFEZNJ69DIFSUAGINJCL2GGYRRXBC THIS OWNER HAS ASTONISHING OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE AUTOPILOT AND IS USING IT ON UNDIVIDED ROADS WITH PARKED CARS AND MANY OTHER HAZARDS HANDS FREE EXCEPT FOR A LIGHT TOUCH ON THE WHEEL TO DEFEAT THE NAG. THE WAY THAT AUTOPILOT HAS BEEN ADVERTISED HAS LEAD TO A DEADLY FAITH IN THE SYSTEM. PLEASE STOP THIS CRAZY EXPERIMENT IMMEDIATELY

NHTSA ODI 10907504

Aug 6, 2016SteeringSuspensionAirbagsCrash

HERE IS A TESLA MODEL S IN THE WRECKING YARD. THE FRONT TIRE IS WRENCHED OFF THE RIM AND THIS APPEARS TO HAVE HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL ROLLING FORWARD. EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A MAJOR COLLISION THE AIR-BAGS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED. I HAVE PUT TOGETHER A COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FROM TESLA CARS. HTTP://TESLABEARS.CLUB/T/NO-WONDER-THE-WHEELS-SNAP-OFF/68 THE STANDARD OF CONSTRUCTION IS IN MY OPINION ABSOLUTELY APPALLING. TESLA HAS GAINED THE REPUTATION OF BEING THE SAFEST CAR IN THE WORLD. I AM CONVINCED THAT REPUTATION IS MERELY THE RESULT OF TESLA PR HYPE AND THE MYTH IS PERPETUATED BY TESLA ENTHUSIASTS AND INVESTORS. THE NUMBER OF CRASHED TESLAS SHOWING UP IN THE SALVAGE YARDS IS OUT OF ALL PROPORTION TO THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES ON THE ROADS. PLEASE START AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF ALL THESE CRASHES.

NHTSA ODI 10893767

Jul 20, 2016SteeringSuspension

ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTP://WWW.COPART.COM/US/LOT/22864206?SEARCHID=1540816254 THERE IS NO COLLISION DAMAGE TO THE CAR BUR THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED OFF. THIS IS AN AWD MODEL AND SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO HAVE A STRONGER SUSPENSION TO COPE WITH THE ADDED WEIGHT AND POWER. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT THE CASE BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE SNAPPED OFF PLEASE LOOK AT THIS CAR AS PART OF YOUR INVESTIGATION INTO POTENTIAL DEFECTS IN THE TESLA SUSPENSION

NHTSA ODI 10886251

Jul 7, 2016Steering

WE WERE DRIVING ON A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WITH THE AUTO STEER FUNCTIONALITY ACTIVATED. AT A MILD LEFTWARD CURVE IN THE ROAD, THE CAR BEGAN STEERING INTO THE LANE TO OUR RIGHT, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A CAR NEXT TO US IN THAT LANE. THE VISUAL DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THE CAR HAD LOST TRACK OF THE LANE MARKINGS, AND HAD LATCHED ONTO A CAR AHEAD OF US IN THE LANE TO OUR RIGHT AS A VEHICLE TO FOLLOW. MY WIFE, WHO WAS DRIVING, NOTICED THE CAR CHANGING LANES AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE LEFT TO CORRECT IT. THE AUTO STEER DISENGAGED AND WE AVOIDED A COLLISION.

NHTSA ODI 10883165

Jun 16, 2016SteeringSuspension

HERE IS ONE OF MANY THREADS IN WHICH TESLA OWNERS COMPLAIN OF RAPID AND UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/OK-TIRE-WEAR-IS-PAST-RIDICULOUS-PHOTO-ATTACHED.71844/ THERE IS A PHOTO (ATTACHED) SHOWING TIRES WORN DOWN TO THE CORDS ON THE HIDDEN INSIDE EDGE AFTER ONLY 5000 MILES. IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT OWNERS WOULD BE UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THE TIRE FINALLY BLOWS OUT WHICH COULD EASILY CAUSE A CRASH. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AND OWNERS ARE RESORTING TO EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DIY MODIFICATIONS TO REDUCE TIRE WEAR. THESE MODIFICATIONS ARE PROBABLY ILLEGAL AND COULD CAUSE INSTABILITY. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/INSTALLED-ADJUSTABLE-REAR-CAMBER-LINKS-TO-REDUCE-REAR-TIRE-WEAR.38524/ HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/UPPER-REAR-LINK-BUILD-REDUCES-REAR-CAMBER-TO-IMPROVE-TIRE-WEAR.20378/ PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM A CONCERNED CITIZEN FROM OUTSIDE USA AND HAVE ENETERED A FICTITIOUS ADDRES TO COMPLY WITH YOUR WEBSITE REQUIREMENTS. MY CORRECT NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED TO YOU. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS LEGAL FOR A CONCERNED CITIZEN THAT IS NOT A TESLA OWNER AND NOT A US RESIDENT TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND THAT I AM NOT ACTING FRAUDULENTLY IN ANY WAY.

NHTSA ODI 10874736

Mar 10, 2016SteeringSuspension

THIS VEHICLE IS UP FOR SALE AS A SALVAGE WRECK. THE TIP OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAS SNAPPED OFF AGAIN IN THE SAME WAY AS MANY OTHER INCIDENTS. THIS BROKEN PART APPEARS TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH AND NOT THE RESULT OF IT. THIS PART IS WEAK AND IS FAILING REPEATEDLY PUTTING THE PUBLIC AT RISK. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=21255219&ROWID=8&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS

NHTSA ODI 10845878

Feb 13, 2016SteeringSuspensionCrash

I AM RAISING THIS AS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. THIS CAR IS FOR SALE AT A SALVAGE AUCTION. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=21255219&ROWID=10&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS THE TIP OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAS SNAPPED OFF AT THE SAME POINT OF WEAKNESS AS HAS HAPPENED IN MANY OTHER INCIDENTS. THE FACT THAT THIS IS A 2015 CAR SHOWS THAT THE DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED. THE WHEEL AND TIRE ARE RELATIVELY UNDAMAGED. THE PATTERN OF FAILURE POINTS TO THIS WEAKNESS BEING THE CAUSE OF CRASHES AND NOT DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. FAILURE OF THIS PART UNDER BRAKING LOAD WOULD CAUSE THE CASTOR ANGLE TO GO BADLY WRONG AND CAUSE THE WHEEL TO VIOLENTLY SWING TO ONE SIDE. THE STEERING ROD IS FRACTURED IN MANY CASES AND IT IS LIKELY THAT THE SHARP END OF THE BROKEN ROD SPEARING INTO THE WHEEL RIM IS THE CAUSE OF SO MANY SLICED WHEELS AS SHOWN IN FLICKR ALBUMS. HTTPS://WWW.FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/136377865@N05/ALBUMS/WITH/72157664301101256 ONCE AGAIN, I AM REPORTING THIS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC. THESE CARS ARE ON THE ROADS ALL OVER THE WORLD AND PRESENT A SERIOUS DANGER TO THE PUBLIC. I HAVE USED A FICTITIOUS USA ADDRESS TO COMPLY WITH YOUR WEBSITE REQUIREMENTS

NHTSA ODI 10826008

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Working with the data? Download all 647 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 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 2015 Tesla Model S 60 verdict →