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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)

Newest first · 647 complaints · page 20 of 26

Jan 28, 2020Electrical system

THE MAIN INSTRUMENT PANEL (CALL THE MEDIA CONTROL UNIT OR "MCU") EVENTUALLY FAILS IN ALL OLDER TESLAS (PRE 2018) DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF MCU AND OVERUSE BY EXCESSIVE WRITING OF DATA TO THE MEMORY WITH FIRMWARE UPDATES AS WELL AS LOGGING FOR TESLA'S OWN PURPOSES. THE CONSUMER HAS NO ABILITY TO TURN OFF UPDATES OR LOGGING WHICH MEANS THAT TESLA IS CAUSING THE FAILURES WITH ITS OWN ACTIONS. THE MCU HAS BEEN SHOWN TO FAIL WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 4-5 YEARS (OR RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES). THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS ONCE THE MCU FAILS, MANY FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR FAIL. THIS INCLUDES THE BACKUP CAMERA, THE AUDIO INDICATORS FOR TURN SIGNALS AND OTHER ALERTS, CLIMATE CONTROL, AS WELL AS THE SAFETY MONITORS ASSOCIATED WITH "AUTO-PILOT" (E.G. ALL RESTRICTIONS ARE REMOVED). TESLA'S POSITION IS THAT THE CONSUMER MUST PAY TO REPLACE THE MCU ONCE IT FAILS IF THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY HAVE UPGRADED THE MCU DESIGN AND LOGGING PROCESS FOR NEWER TESLAS (POST 2018) BUT ALL CARS FROM 2012 TO 2018 ARE AFFECTED BY THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND PROCESS. HENCE, THIS PETITION IS TO REQUIRE TESLA TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT IN THE ORIGINAL MCU AND REPLACE VIA RECALL, AND/OR COMPENSATE CUSTOMERS WHO WERE FORCED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11302674

Jan 27, 2020Electrical systemLights

12V BATTERY HAS STARTED FAILING, BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS, TESLA KEEPS CANCELLING APPOINTMENTS TO FIX. CAR IS GOING TO DIE ON THE ROAD ON ME.

NHTSA ODI 11302278

Jan 19, 2020Electrical systemFuel system

APRIL, 2019- MY MODEL S WAS STATIONARY AT A SUPERCHARGING STATION, BATTERY NOT CHARGING NORMALLY, INTERRUPTING WITH ERROR MESSAGE: BATTERY "RECALCULATING". A 90% CHARGE NORMALLY RESULTED IN 242 MILES OF RATED RANGE. SUDDENLY, A 90% CHARGE NOW RESULTS IN ONLY 210 MILES RATED RANGE. SINCE NEW, THE BATTERY GRADUALLY LOST A TOTAL OF 3% OF RANGE, OR 8 MILES, OVER 3.5 YEARS. SUDDENLY, THE LOSS OF RANGE IS AN ADDED 15% OR ANOTHER 32 MILES. THE CAR NOW CHARGES AT A MUCH SLOWER RATE. NORMAL SUPERCHARGER RATE OF CHARGE STARTS AT 116 KW. NOW, STARTS AT ONLY 60-80 KW. CHARGING NOW TAKING MUCH LONGER. I CONTACTED TESLA MULTIPLE TIMES, WITH THE ABOVE INFORMATION. I HAVE RECEIVED NO REPAIR OF ISSUE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AT RECEIVING SERVICE. I'VE RECEIVED MANY NEBULOUS, CONFLICTING, AND UNTRUE STATEMENTS FROM TESLA, REFUSING TO CONFIRM CLEARLY WHAT HAS CAUSED THIS BATTERY PERFORMANCE AND CHARGING PROBLEM. AT ONE POINT, THEY INDICATED "THE CHARGING RATE AND YOUR BATTERY'S CAPACITY WAS LIMITED TO PREVENT OVER DEGRADATION OF CELLS AND DAMAGE CAUSED BY OVERUSE OF SUPERCHARGING." ANOTHER TESLA REP STATED IT WAS CAUSED BY A FIRMWARE UPDATE, BUT NO ONE HAS PUT THAT STATEMENT IN WRITING. BUT, THEY STILL INSIST THE BATTERY HAS NO PROBLEM, AND NEEDS NO REPAIR. IF THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH MY BATTERY THEN WHY DID TESLA CAP IT'S VOLTAGE AND CHARGING RATE WITH A FIRMWARE UPDATE? WHY WILL TESLA NOT RESTORE MY CAR'S PERFORMANCE? INDICATIONS ARE SUCH THAT EITHER THE BATTERY SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. CONSIDERING THAT THIS FIRMWARE UPDATE COINCIDED WITH SOME TESLA BATTERY FIRES, I AM CONCERNED THAT A FAULTY BATTERY COULD PRESENT A DANGEROUS CONDITION. TESLA HAS NOT BEEN FORTHCOMING WITH INFORMATION, ONLY REFUSING TO REPAIR THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11300363

Jan 15, 2020Suspension

SLOW DRIVING IN THE VILLAGE. AT A SHARP TURN TO RIGHT (AFTER THE STOP SIGN) I HEARD SCRATCHING THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL ON THE CHASSIS. IT WAS DARK AND I DID NOT FIND SOMETHING STRANGE SO I DROVE SLOWLY TO MY HOUSE, WHERE I HAD A CLOSER LOOK: ONE PHOTO IS THE GOOD SUSPENSION ON THE LEFT AND THE OTHER IS THE BROKEN ON THE RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11299567

Jan 12, 2020Suspension

PLEASE NOTE, VIN OF A RANDOM TESLA USED TO MAKE THIS COMPLAINT. THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE BROKEN FORE-LINKS WHICH AFFECTS ALL TESLA CARS. THE TESLA FORUMS HAVE DOZENS OF REPORTS OF FORELINKS BREAKING. GO TO HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/FIND-NEW/10309935/POSTS AND ENTER "BROKEN FORELINK" "SUSPENSION FAILURE" OR SIMILAR. AN EXPERT HAS NOW GIVEN HIS OPINION. SNIP **ELECTRICDAVE, YOU HAVE PROVIDED THE PROOF OF THE PRIMARY FAILURE MODE THESE ARE EXPERIENCING! THEIR CASTING IS PROBABLY COOLING TOO QUICKLY AT THAT END AS THE BREAK APPEARS AT THE END WHERE THE LIQUID METAL IS POURED IN. YOU SEE HOW JAGGED THAT BREAK IS? THAT IS THE BOUNDARY WHERE THE TWO SIDES OF THE MOLD TRIED TO JOIN, AND DIDN'T QUITE FULLY JOIN BEFORE STARTING TO COOL AND CRYSTALLIZE. I AM NOT A CASTING EXPERT, BUT MY LIMITED EXPERIENCE WOULD SUGGEST THEY NEED NEED TO INCREASE THE POOL OF METAL ABOVE THE PART SO THIS SECTION CAN FULLY JOIN TOGETHER, OR POUR THAT END AS A SOLID, AND THEN DRILL THE HOLE OUT DURING MACHINING. PROBABLY DOING BOTH SHOULD YIELD THE PROPERTIES THAT THEY NEED. IF THIS WERE AN AIRPLANE AND THAT WAS A DEVICE CONTROLLING A FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACE, IT WOULD BE RECALLED. ** SOURCE: HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/ANOTHER-FRONT-SUSPENSION-CONTROL-ARM-FAILURE.114967/PAGE-10 TO MAKE THINGS EVEN WORSE MUSK HAS NOW UNLEASHED GAMES TO PLAY IN THE TESLA THAT USE THE STEERING WHEEL AS A GAME CONTROLLER AND PUT HUGE FORCES ON THE LINKAGES BY "DRY STEERING" PHOTOGRAPH OF BROKEN LINKS SHOWING BAD CASTING IS ATTACHED.

NHTSA ODI 11298872

Jan 12, 2020Electrical system

THE CINCH MOTOR THAT HOLD THE REAR TRUNK CLOSED HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE TRUNK WILL NO LONGER CLOSE FULLY. IT RATTLES CONSTANTLY AND WARNING SOUNDS GO OFF FOR THE FIRST MINUTE OF DRIVING. THE TRUNK COULD FLY OPEN WHEN I GO OVER BUMPS. IT IS GOING TO TAKE TESLA OVER TWO WEEKS TO REPAIR. AND THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS IN ORDER, GIVEN THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11298873

Jan 8, 2020Body & structureSpeed controlFuel systemCrash

ON JANUARY 2, 2019 BETWEEN 1:45 AND 2 PM I DROVE FROM MY HOUSE INTO A CLINIC PARKING LOT. AS I DROVE MY 2015 TESLA MODEL S FORWARD AND STEERED TO THE RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPOT, I CONSCIOUSLY EASED MY RIGHT FOOT OFF FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THUS LOWERING MY SPEED FROM 10-9 MPH TO ABOUT 5-6 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT PRESSED, ALLOWING REGENERATIVE BREAKING TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. ABOUT A SECOND INTO THE PARKING TURN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JOLTED FORWARD, ACCELERATING UNEXPECTEDLY. I FELT AS IF THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WHEN I REFLEXIVELY REMOVED MY RIGHT FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, AND STOMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD. MY VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP ONLY AFTER COLLIDING WITH A CHEVROLET SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLE PARKED IN THE SPOT ACROSS. AS I REGAINED MY BEARINGS, I CAUGHT MYSELF STILL FLOORING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MY RIGHT FOOT, AND CONTINUED TO FLOOR IT UNTIL I AFTER I HAD SHIFTED IT INTO PARKING GEAR, AND MADE SURE THERE WAS NOBODY WALKING IN THE VICINITY. THE IMPACT FROM THE TESLA MODEL S BUMPED THE CHEVROLET SUV PARKED IN FRONT ABOUT 5 FEET BACK. THE MODEL S ITSELF STOPPED BETWEEN 2-3 FEET INTO THE NEXT PARKING SPACE, SLIGHTLY INTO THE OPPOSING PARKING SPACE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AS SEEN IN THE INCLUDED PHOTOS. THIS WOULD INDICATE THE BRAKES **EVENTUALLY** WORKED. HAD THEY NOT, THE TESLA WOULD HAVE BEEN EXPECTED TO ROLL FORWARD AND INTO THE SUV'S BUMPER AFTER THE COLLISION. THIS IS CALLED TESLA CREEP MODE, WHICH I HAVE ENABLED (SLOWLY ROLL FORWARD WHILE NO PEDAL IS PRESSED). I ASKED THE POLICE OFFICER TO POSITION HIS PATROL CAR BEHIND MY VEHICLE BEFORE I MOVED IT AND ADVISED THE POLICE OFFICER I DID NOT TRUST THE CAR. I USED AN APP TO CALL FOR A TOW THROUGH MY INSURANCE, BUT THE TOW'S NUMBER WAS DISCONNECTED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF WITH THE PATROL CAR IN ESCORT.

NHTSA ODI 11297839

Jan 8, 2020Suspension

NOTE, VIN OF JUNKYARD TESLA USED TO BE ABLE TO FILE THIS URGENT REPORT. THREAD POSTED TODAY ON TESLAMOTORSCLUB FORUM. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/SUSPENSION-FAILURE.181184/ **MY LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED. I HAVE LESS THAN A MONTH WARRANTY. THE CAMBER ARM OR FORE ARM BROKE AT THE INSIDE END. THERE ARE ARE PLENTY OF REFERENCES ON THE US PART OF THE FORUM. MINE IS A 2015 85D. IT IS NOT DRIVEABLE & HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY ON A FLATBED. I HAVE NOW LOST ALL CONFIDENCE IN TESLAS & REGRET MY PURCHASE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A SUSPENSION FAULT IN ANY VEHICLE IVE OWNED BEFORE & THIS INCLUDES A 911 PORSCHE. IVE BEEN TO COOKETOWN & BACK TO MELBOURNE. WHAT IF THIS FAULT HAD OCCURRED BACK OF TOWNSVILLE? FIX WITH FENCING WIRE? TESLA NEEDS TO DO A RECALL & ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.** I AM FILING THESE REPORTS IN ORDER TO TRY AND PREVENT MORE PEOPLE BEING KILLED BY THIS FAILURE. ELON MUSK CLAIMS THESE COMPLAINTS ARE FRAUDULENT AND THAT THE COMPLAINANT IS UNHINGED. I'M NOT ANYWHERE NEAR AS UNHINGED AS THE TESLA SUSPENSIONS. PLEASE ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. THANK YOU. KEEF (UNHINGED) WIVANEFF

NHTSA ODI 11298046

Dec 26, 2019Speed controlCrash

2015 MODEL S 85D WAS REVERSED ONTO DRIVEWAY THEN PLACED IN PARK AND DOORS WERE CLOSED AND LOCKED. A FEW MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING FORWARD TOWARDS THE STREET AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. FRONT WHEELS WERE RECEIVING POWER WHILE REAR WHEELS WHERE LOCKED AND DRAGGING RATHER THAN WHEELS SPINNING. I REVERSED VEHICLE BACK ONTO DRIVEWAY AND IT HAPPENED ANOTHER 2 TIMES AFTER FIRST INCIDENT WITHIN A 30 MINTUE TIME SPAN.

NHTSA ODI 11291423

Dec 23, 2019Suspension

HERE IS A TESLA MODEL S IN THE SALVAGE YARD. THE BACK WHEEL HAS WHOMPED ABOUT AND KNACKERED THE WHEEL WELL AND THE DOOR. THIS IS CLEARLY A SELF INFLICTED INJURY. THE EXTRUDED ALUMINUM TORQUE LINK HAS STRETCHED UNTIL IT SNAPPED ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO WHOMP ABOUT AND SMASH THE BEGEEZUS OUT OF THE DOOR. THIS IS DOUBLEPLUS UNGOOD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU. KEEF

NHTSA ODI 11290914

Dec 10, 2019Suspension

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT A 2015 TESLA 85D THE FULL VIN OF THE AFFECTED CAR IS UNAVAILABLE SO I HAVE USED THE VIN OF A SIMILAR CAR IN ORDER TO MAKE THE COMPLAINT. REASON BEING THAT THIS MATTER IS URGENT. HERE IS A LONG THREAD OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT BROKEN TESLA SUSPENSIONS. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/ANOTHER-FRONT-SUSPENSION-CONTROL-ARM-FAILURE.114967/PAGE-10#POST-4272985 A UK OWNER HAS POSTED THIS: ** DRIVING DOWN THE MOTORWAY IN THE UK, A NEW SMOOTH FLAT STRAIGHT ROAD, I TOUCHED THE BRAKES TO AVOID A CAR CUTTING IN, HEARD A SUDDEN POP AND THEN A CRUNCH AND GRINDING AS I HEADED TOWARDS THE CRASH BARRIER AT 70MPH! I MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL BY LETTING GO THE THE BRAKES! I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THE CAR IN FRONT DIDN'T SLOW DOWN - IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CHOICE BETWEEN THE CRASH BARRIER & THE CAR IN FRONT TO HIT! FORTUNATELY IT WAS LATE EVENING BUT STILL HAD A NUMBER OF NEAR MISSES GETTING ACROSS 5 LANES TO THE HARD SHOULDER. I WAITED 9 HOURS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO GET RECOVERED BY THE AA. THE AA WAS CONVINCED I MUST HAD HIT SOMETHING FOR THIS TYPE OF DAMAGED TO HAVE OCCURRED, HE HAD A CLOSER LOOK AND WAS SHOCKED THAT HE COULDN'T FIND ANY SIGN OF ANY IMPACT. THIS HAPPENED AT 4YRS & 11HRS OLD / 55,000 MILES AND JUST PASSED AN MOT TWO WEEKS PRIOR, SO NO SIGN OF ANY DAMAGE THEN. MINE IS A NOV 2015 85D VIN 96,XXX MY CAR IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE SC MANAGER WAS QUITE RUDE & ABRUPT. THEY REPEATED 5+ TIMES THAT MY CAR IS OUT OR WARRANTY. I'M LUCKY NOT TO HAVE INJURED MYSELF OR OTHERS. CRITICAL SUSPENSION ARMS SHOULDN'T FAIL SO EARLY ON, CONSIDERING THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE I EXPECT TESLA TO FIX THIS FOC & REPLACE THE OTHER FRONT FOREARM AS PRECAUTION. **** IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THIS UK OWNER WILL FILE A NHTSA REPORT. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND THE SUBJECT OF A TSB. THE NEW PARTS ARE NO BETTER. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. THANK YOU. KEEF.

NHTSA ODI 11288259

Dec 10, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

RE: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP19005 - INVESTIGATION SUBJECT : BATTERY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE UPDATES OUR TESLA MODEL S SOFTWARE "UPDATE" GREATLY REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF TOTAL CHARGE, AND SPEED THAT WE CAN CHARGE OUR BATTERY. WE CALLED TESLA, AND INITIALLY THEY SAID THAT OUR BATTERY HAD "DEGRADED" AND THAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. WE RESPONDED THAT OUR BATTERY IS NOT EVEN 4 YEARS OLD (THE CAR WAS PURCHASED DECEMBER 22, 2015), AND BATTERIES DON'T SUDDENLY "DEGRADE" 15 - 20% IN ONE WEEK. TESLA MAINTENANCE THEN ADMITTED THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT REDUCED THE SPEED AND TOTAL CHARGING OF THE BATTERY "OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION". THE SERVICE REP ASSURED US THAT HE WAS LOOKING AT OUR BATTERY STATS ON LINE AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH OUR BATTERY. FINE, WE SAID, IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, TAKE THE CRIPPLING SOFTWARE UPDATE OFF. SORRY, CAN'T DO THAT, WAS THE RESPONSE. YOUR CAR IS ONE OF A NUMBER OF CARS THAT HAVE HAD BATTERY FIRES. IT HAS A GEN 1 BATTERY (BUILT BEFORE APRIL 2016). WE ARE RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. OK, IF YOU ARE AWARE OF DEFECTIVE BATTERIES, JUST REPLACE OUR BATTERY. THE RESPONSE WAS "SORRY, WE CANNOT DUE REPLACEMENTS AT THIS TIME." MY WIFE NEEDED TO DRIVE 500 MILES UP TO OREGON TO BE PRESENT FOR HER MOM'S CANCER SURGERY LAST WEEK. SHE COULD NOT TAKE HER TESLA, AS IT NOW TAKES AN HOUR AND A HALF TO "SUPERCHARGE" THE AMOUNT IT USED TO RECEIVE IN 35 TO 40 MINUTES. SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. WE READ THAT IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE TESLA BATTERY FIRES, THE ELECTRIC DOOR HANDLES WOULD NOT OPERATE AND THE PASSENGERS COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. THE TESLA CARRIES OUR FAMILY AND LOVED ONES. TESLA APPEARS TO BE PUTTING ECONOMICS ABOVE SAFELY IN THIS MATTER. WE NEED NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE TO DETERMINE IF IT IS SAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THIS CAR. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11288294

Dec 3, 2019

TRY TO BACK UP & CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO PARK. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY -~20 TIMES OVER LAST ? 45 DAYS, DID NOT RAISE MY BODY TO LOOK OVER SHOULDER. LAST FRIDAY, I WAS ON THE ON RAMP OF A INTERSTATE (I-5), & THE CAR WENT FROM DRIVE TO PARK. FIRST & ONLY TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI 11286627

Nov 30, 2019

THE TRUNK SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED RESULTING IN THE TRUNK REGISTERING AS OPEN BUT BEING CLOSED. AS THERE ARE 3RD ROW SEATS IN THE TRUNK THIS MAKES IT PASSENGER SPACE AND THE EMERGENCY TRUNCK OPEN DID NOT WORK, MANUAL OPEN DID NOT WORK, KEY FOB OPEN DID NOT WORK RESULTING IN THE TRUNK PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BEING LOCKED SHUT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR CHILDREN IN IT WITH NO WAY TO GET THEM OUT OTHER THAN TO SMASH THE REAR WINDOW. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFTEY RISK!

NHTSA ODI 11282994

Nov 29, 2019Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TESLA MODEL S. AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN OR OPERATED WHEN NEEDED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND THE REPAIR COST WAS ESTIMATED AT $600. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11282928

Nov 29, 2019Suspension

ANOTHER MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/56210209/PHOTOS NO CRASH.... JUST THE USUAL WHOMPY WHEEL. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET THESE THINGS OFF THE PUBLIC ROADS. THEY ARE UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED. THANK YOU. KEEF

NHTSA ODI 11282944

Nov 23, 2019Electrical system

NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP19005 - INVESTIGATION SUBJECT : BATTERY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE UPDATES

NHTSA ODI 11281919

Nov 23, 2019SuspensionCrash

HERE IS A MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS?ITEMID=34369828&ROWNUMBER=4&SIMILARVEHICLEITEMID=&ISNEXT=&LOADRECENT=TRUE IT HAS BEEN IN A ROLLOVER CRASH AND HAS BIO-HAZARD STICKERS. OCCUPANTS HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN INJURED. THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE CAR IS ALMOST COMPLETELY UNDAMAGED BUT THE LEFT HAND REAR SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED OFF. THAT WHEEL IS LYING ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THE WRECK. IT DOES NOT HAVE SO MUCH AS A BROKEN SPOKE OR DAMAGED TIRE. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THE CAUSE OF THE ROLLOVER WAS THE LEFT HAND SUSPENSION FAILURE. IN ANY OTHER MAKE OF CAR EVEN IF A WHEEL RECEIVED A HARD IMPACT IT WOULD BE THE WHEEL ITSELF THAT WOULD BREAK AND NOT THE SUSPENSION ITSELF. THIS IS NOT A ONE OFF FREAK ACCIDENT. THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR CASES OF SUSPENSION BREAKAGE ON TESLAS. IF TESLA NEEDS TO USE ALLOY SUSPENSION PARTS FOR WEIGHT REDUCTION IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE LUDICROUS ACCELERATION THEN AT LEAST IT SHOULD BE USING BETTER QUALITY CASTINGS AND REGULAR INSPECTION AND CRACK TESTING. SAME THING APPLIES TO TESLA EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS. THERE IS A CHILD SEAT IN THE BACK OF THIS TESLA. HOW MANY DEAD CHILDREN DOES IT TAKE FOR YOU TO LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION? PLEASE DO YOUR JOB AND DEMAND A RECALL OF THESE CARS WHICH ARE SIMPLY UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED. THANK YOU. OUTRAGED CITIZEN.

NHTSA ODI 11281936

Nov 22, 2019

ON MAY 15TH, 2019 WITH 103,249 MILES ON MY ODOMETER, I UPGRADED MY TESLA MODEL S 70D FIRMWARE FROM VERSION 2019.12.11 TO 2019.16.1.1. ON MY NEXT CHARGE TO 80%, MY MILEAGE CAPACITY WAS DRASTICALLY REDUCED FROM 199 MILES TO 167 MILES FOR A LOSS OF OVER 30+ MILES FOR NO KNOWN REASON. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH A COWORKER WHO HAS A SIMILAR EARLY 2016 MODEL S 70D WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME SAME LOSS OF RANGE. MY RESEARCH HAS LEAD ME TO UNDERSTAND TESLA TOOK ACTION TO DOWNGRADE HORSEPOWER AND RANGE ALONG WITH ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF PERFORMANCE THROUGH A TOTAL VOLTAGE CAP AFTER CLAIMING TO BE RELEASING A FIRE-SAFETY UPDATE, BUT OFFICIALLY NO SAFETY UPDATE WAS RELEASED. THIS CHANGE HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI 11281892

Nov 19, 2019Visibility & wipers

TOUCHSCREEN THAT CONTROLS MOST VEHICLE FUNCTIONS INCLUDING HVAC BECAME DISABLED BECAUSE A CHIP IN THE TOUCHSCREEN WENT BAD. THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO CHARGE AND WOULD TAKE APPROX 5 MINS TO START AT TIMES. UNABLE TO CLEAR FOGGED WINDOWS WITH HVAC

NHTSA ODI 11281197

Nov 18, 2019Fuel system

SHORTLY AFTER A SOFTWARE UPDATE IN JUNE, 2019 I NOTICED THAT MY CHARGE CAPACITY HAD DIMINISHED SIGNIFICANTLY (APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES OR 15%). I RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT MY BATTERY KNOWING THAT TESLA REPRESENTS AN UNLIMITED MILE 8 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE BATTERY. MY BATTERY WAS TESTED REMOTELY AND I WAS ASSURED IT WAS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I BECAME AWARE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND ACTUALLY THE SUBJECT OF CLASS ACTION LITIGATION. I HAVE TEXT MESSAGES WITH TESLA GOING BACK TO JUNE, 2019 AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER, 2019 - THE DATE OF MY MOST RECENT SERVICE. TESLA HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PLAN OF ACTION RELATED TO THE ISSUE AND WILL NOT "ROLLBACK" THE UPDATE. I WANT TESLA TO STAND BEHIND THEIR BATTERY WARRANTY AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO ENSURE SAFETY AND PROVIDE ME WITH WHAT I PAID FOR. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT SLOWDOWNS OF CHARGING RATES AT VARIOUS SUPERCHARGERS.

NHTSA ODI 11280841

Nov 12, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V002000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NO ONE ANSWERED THE PHONE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR LISTED IN THE NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11279649

Nov 8, 2019SuspensionCrash

THAT'S THE WHOMPIEST TESLA I EVER DID SEE. HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/55588059/PHOTOS PLEASE INVESTIGATE. PERPLEXED CITIZEN.

NHTSA ODI 11278796

Nov 5, 2019Speed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TESLA MODEL S. WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH FOR THIRTY MINUTES WITH THE AUTO PILOT ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED TESLA (6701 AMADOR PLAZA RD, DUBLIN, CA 94568, (925) 361-1173) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. *DT*JB *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI 11278322

Nov 4, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

MY CAR'S CHARGING SPEED WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FOLLOWING A SOFTWARE UPDATE. I USED TO CHARGE AT 116KW UNTIL ABOUT 25% STATE OF CHARGE BUT NOW I BARELY GET 90KW AT THAT STATE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA ODI 11278185

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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 →