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)

44 of 647 complaints match · Lights · clear filters · page 1 of 2

May 10, 2023LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the center display screen became inoperable. The contact stated that the defroster, exterior lights, back-up camera and radio were inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the center display screen needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 11521301

Feb 16, 2023Lights

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH with the autonomous self-driving feature activated, the contact attempted to use the turn signal while changing lanes and almost struck another vehicle. The contact was able to control the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic made the contact aware that the failure was a known issue however, no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 11507689

Jun 3, 2022LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the backup camera functioned intermittently and on other occasions, the image would remain frozen on the screen. The contact also stated that the MCU Unit failed and went blank on several occasions. While driving on some occasions, the MCU Unit would reboot. In addition, the defroster and turn signal chimes failed to function. The failure had gotten progressively worse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the failure persisted. The service center offered the contact a special offer of $2,000 for an Entertainment System Upgrade (NVIDIA Tegra 3 to Intel Atom Processor). The contact declined and Tesla acknowledged that there was a known issue with NVIDIA Tegra 3 Processor in the MCU and that an upgrade to the NVIDIA Tegra 3 would resolve the known failure. The contact was concerned that the backup camera failure might result in a crash with another vehicle or pedestrian. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer on three separate occasions and on each occasion, the vehicle remained in their possession for approximately 2 weeks. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11467373

Apr 4, 2022LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lightning) however, the failure occurred after the recall was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an 60 mph, the center display screen went black and then rebooted, causing the defroster, the rearview camera display, and the navigational system to become inoperable. The auto pilot function and other unknown warning messages were displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000. When he reported the failure to Tesla, they believe a firmware update in the near future should fix this problem.

NHTSA ODI 11459567

Feb 8, 2022LightsDriver assistanceCrash

System Failure: Adaptive speed control Safety Risk: My 2015 Tesla Model S, at highway speeds, smashed into the rear of a jacked up Ford F250 Pickup. A Head on collision at highway speeds put my wife (and dog) and I at great risk. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I am unsure if or how Tesla is dealing with the problem of adaptable speed control failure. Has the vehicle been inspected? Yes. Dan's Paint & Autobody and USAA Insurance Company adjuster My accident happened in the southbound passing lane at mile marker 178 on I-10, south of chandler on the Gila River Community in Maricopa/Pinal County It was dark outside with heavy traffic in both southbound lanes. My software version was 2021.40.6 I had the distance between cars at the closest setting , and had the adaptive speed control set at ~75. I was attentive with both hands on the wheel, eyes forward watching traffic with my wife whom was also watching the traffic. Without warning a Ford F250 stopped hard in front of me and my adaptive speed control did not react. The few beats I gave the adaptive speed control to respond first cost me precious braking time. I did hit my abs brakes and could feel the vibration as they attempted to slow down, but it was too late. I submarined under the bumper of the truck at a very high speed. There was no warning lamps, messages at the time of the accident. There was one early symptom that I recall. There was a Tesla software update a few days before the collision. On 11/27/22 before leaving for my trip, the dash screen to the far left did not display the map which it usually does when you set the GPS to map the path. I rebooted with the steering wheel toggles, and the display returned to normal. There were no other software malfunctions that I recall prior to the adaptive speed control failure.

NHTSA ODI 11450994

Jan 24, 2022LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11448586

Sep 29, 2021LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The Contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was exhibiting failure. The failure mileage was not available. The manufacturer was not contacted. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11434878

Jul 21, 2021LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the main center display failed not allowing the contact to use the rearview camera, the turn signals, and all the electrical functions. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the eMMC flash memory device needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that a couple of days later he received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior lighting). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 49,274.

NHTSA ODI 11425871

Jul 8, 2021LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had to experience the failure for the recall repair to be completed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11423973

Apr 6, 2021LightsVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V035000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION, VISIBILITY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11406706

Jan 27, 2021LightsVisibility & wipersDriver assistance

WHILE DRIVING MAIN SCREEN TURNS OFF - REBOOTS ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES OFF- WHILE OFF- TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT AUDIBLE INSIDE CAR ALL OTHER SAFETY PARAMETERS ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE: COLLISION AVOIDANCE, BRAKE ASSISTANCE, THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES - I MUST TAKE A PICTURE WHILE OCCURRING WHICH HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. TESLA HAS FULL ACCESS TO LOGS. DIAGNOSTICS BY TESLA REPRESENTATIVE TELLS ME THAT MY MEMORY CHIP IS WITHIN PARAMETERS AND THUS NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH I MUST CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THE REBOOTS THAT SHUTDOWN MOST OF ITS FEATURES WHILE IT OCCURS. NOT TO MENTION MY DAILY OCCURRENCES: - CHARGING SYSTEM ADJUSTMENT PANEL DOES NOT DRAW ON SCREEN PROPERLY; WHICH CAUSES INCORRECT SELECTION OF AMOUNT OF CHARGE NEEDED. CENTER ARROW WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO SHOW DOESN'T UNTIL AFTER SELECTED.

NHTSA ODI 11390339

Jan 25, 2021Electrical systemLights

CAR RANDOMLY FREEZES. MANY NAVIGATION FUNCTIONS SUCH AS TURN SIGNALS WILL STOP WORKING. NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION. REPLACED MCU PER TESLA'S ADVICE. ISSUES CONTINUE. THE LAST WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM TESLA IS "KNOWN CHARACTERISTIC OF CURRENT FIRMWARE." UNWILLING TO ADDRESS OR FIX ISSUES AT ANY COST.

NHTSA ODI 11389873

Dec 25, 2020Electrical systemLightsLane Departure

MY GUESS IS THE MCU OR THE COMPUTER CHIP OF THE CAR STOPPED WORKING. I READ THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION ON TESLA FOR THIS ISSUE WITH MODEL S. EVERY LAST FEW SOFTWARE UPDATES THE CAR HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE AND NOW THE ELECTRICAL STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. I CAN USE MY BLINKERS EVEN! THE CAR DRIVES AND CHARGES, BUT THAT IS ABOUT IT. 40K MILES TOTAL AND BUILD 2015.

NHTSA ODI 11384929

Dec 13, 2020Electrical systemLights

I BELIEVE A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE EMBEDDED MULTIMEDIACARD. NO TOUCH SCREEN USE, NO CAMERA, NO AUDIBLE SOUNDS FOR TURN SIGNAL OR WARNINGS, NO CONTROL OVER LIGHTS OR DOOR LOCKS. EARLIER IN THE YEAR, I NOTICED NON RESPONSIVE REQUEST TO START UP THE CAR, UNDRIVABLE FOR 45 SECONDS, NOW IT IS UP TO A FEW MINUTES UPON ENTERING THE CAR, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ESPECIALLY WHEN COMBINED WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCK THE DOORS WITH THE LCD. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SCREEN ISSUE THAT TESLA IS OFFERING REPAIRS NOW, BUT I HAVE TRIED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, AND THE EARLIEST ONE IS TWO WEEKS OUT, WHICH I HAVE MADE.

NHTSA ODI 11383241

Nov 26, 2020Electrical systemLightsFuel system

THE MCU IN THIS CAR WENT BLACK SEVERAL OCCASION WHILE DRIVING. I LOST ALL CONTROLS OF LIGHTINGS AND WIPER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS....THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND I HAVE TO COAST TO THE AIDE OF THE HIGJWAY

NHTSA ODI 11376470

Oct 23, 2020Electrical systemLights

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM HAS STOPPED WORKING, ALONG WITH IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES LIKE LIGHTING, BLINKERS, CRUISE CONTROL, CLIMATE.

NHTSA ODI 11365900

Oct 22, 2020Lights

HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. NEITHER HIGH NOR LOW BEAMS WOULD ENGAGE! A DRIVER BEHIND ME SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND TURNED ON HIS HIGH BEAMS TO GUIDE ME APPROX 1 MILE TO A SAFE STOPPING PLACE. ONCE STOPPED, I EXPERIMENTED: HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON. NO OTHER LIGHTS TURNED ON. I REBOOTED BOTH THE "MCU" (CENTRAL 15" SCREEN) AND "IC" (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER) PER EARLIER INSTRUCTIONS FROM TESLA IN CASE OF AUTOMATION FAILURE IN THE CAR. THE MCU TOOK AN EXTREMELY LONG TIME TO RESTART AND DISPLAYED SCREEN CORRUPTION, PROBLEMS WHICH IN THE PAST HAD LED TESLA TO REPLACE THAT COMPONENT OF THIS VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN THE MCU DID START UP, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYED "DRIVER ASSISTANCE FEATURES DISABLED". I ATTEMPTED TO USE TESLA'S VOICE-ACTIVATED "REPORT" FUNCTION TO GET HELP FROM TESLA, BUT THIS RESULTED IN A MESSAGE STATING THAT "THE MICROPHONE IS BEING CALIBRATED". THIS ENTIRE TIME, THE HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS REMAINED OFF AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. FINALLY I USED THE MCU TO ACCESS THE LIGHTING SETTINGS OF THE CAR. I OBSERVED THAT THE "EXTERIOR LIGHTS" SETTING DISPLAYED "AUTO". HOWEVER, IT WAS 6:40PM AND ALMOST COMPLETELY DARK AND THE LIGHTS HAD BEEN ON PREVIOUS TO SUDDENLY TURNING OFF. ALSO, WITH THE "AUTO" SETTING, THE HIGH BEAMS SHOULD STILL ENGAGE WHEN PULLING THE LEFT STALK - BUT THIS DID NOT WORK. I NEXT USED THIS SAME SCREEN TO TURN ON THE FRONT FOG LIGHTS. THIS WORKED! I THEN TURNED OFF THE FOG LIGHTS, CHANGED THE "EXTERIOR LIGHTS" SETTING TO OFF THEN BACK TO "AUTO" AND ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS (HEAD AND TAIL) FINALLY CAME BACK ON! IT IS MY OPINION, BASED ON OVER 20 YEARS IN EMBEDDED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT, THAT THE MCU'S "EXTERIOR LIGHTS" SETTING HAD BECOME CORRUPTED AND FORCED ALL VEHICLE LIGHTS OFF WHILE I DROVE IN DARKNESS AT 45MPH. I COULD HAVE DIED. MAKE TESLA FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES!

NHTSA ODI 11365827

Aug 13, 2020Electrical systemLights

THE MEDIA CONTROL UNIT ON THE CAR FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION TO ALL CONTROLS OPERATED BY THE TOUCH SCREEN, INCLUDING THE BACK-UP CAMERA, THE CAR'S BLINKERS DO NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11349132

Aug 11, 2020Electrical systemLights

THE MAIN CENTER SCREEN COMPUTER BEGAN DEGRADING IN PERFORMANCE OVER TIME (CAUSING MORE DRIVER ATTENTION TO BE DIVERTED AWAY FROM DRIVING TO DEAL WITH FUNCTIONS IT CONTROLS, AS IT WAS LAGGY AND NOT VERY RESPONSIVE). THEN, ONE DAY, I GOT INTO THE CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE AND WASN'T ABLE TO BOOT THE MAIN COMPUTER/SCREEN AT ALL. IN ADDITION TO EVERYTHING IT CONTROLS NO LONGER BEING ACCESSIBLE OR WORKING (E.G. CLIMATE CONTROL, MANUAL HEADLIGHTS, DOME LIGHTS, ANTI-THEFT ALARM, POWER STEERING STRENGTH, SUSPENSION HEIGHT, ETC.), I ALSO FOUND THAT I NO LONGER HAD WORKING TURN SIGNALS AND HAD TO USE OUT-THE-WINDOW HAND SIGNALS WHEN I DROVE TO THE SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11348651

Aug 10, 2020Electrical systemLightsFuel system

THE TESLA'S LARGE SCREEN QUIT WORKING. THESE ARE CONTROLS THAT POWER OFF THE VEHICLE, TURN THE DEFROSTERS OFF AND ON ALONG WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL. CONTROL STEERING MODES. CONTROL BACK UP CAMERA, CONTROL LIGHTS. FROM THE READING I HAVE DONE IT IS CALLED THE MCU. IT PARTIALLY WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, IT CAME BACK ON AND THEN IT DIED WHILE I WAS WORKING AND I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AFTER WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11348489

Aug 10, 2020LightsSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT TESLA'S FIRST GENERATION MEDIA CONTROL UNIT (MCU). THE MCU IS THE BRAINS OF THE CAR AND CONTROL THE BIG CENTER SCREEN THAT THE TESLA MODEL S IS KNOWN FOR. WHEN IT FAILED NOT ONLY DID I LOSE THE ABILITY TO USE THIS BIG SCREEN BUT I ALSO LOST KEY SAFETY ITEMS SIGNALS, BACKUP CAMERA, CRUISE CONTROL, AUTOMATIC BREAKING, AND AUTO PILOT. ALL THE SOUND FEATURES ARE ALSO DISENGAGED AS WELL AND THIS WAS EVIDENT IN THE LACK OF SOUND FOR THE TURN SIGNAL AS WELL AS THE LACK OF SOUND FOR THE ALERT IF YOUR SEATBELT IS UNDONE. SPECIFICALLY IN REGARDS TO THE TURN SIGNAL FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU PUT THE TURN SIGNAL DOWN TO AS IF YOU ARE TURNING LEFT THE NOB WILL LOCK INTO THE DOWN POSITION LEADING YOU TO BELIEVE YOUR TURN SIGNAL IS WORKING BUT UNLESS YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE CAR YOU HAVE NO AWARENESS TO THE FACT THAT THE SIGNALS ARE NOT BLINKING. IN ADDITION TO THIS MY CAR LOST ITS CONTROL OF THE AIR CONDITION AND ANY MILLAGE TRACKING FEATURES WERE LOST. THE MCU COMPLETELY FAILED ON ME 3 TIMES. THE FIRST TWO TIMES IT CAME BACK AFTER A FEW HOURS AND THE THIRD TIME IT NEVER CAME BACK (WAS DRIVEN TO THE SERVICE CENTER AFTER 3 DAYS AND IT STILL HADN'T COME BACK). THE FAILED MCU ALLOWS YOU TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND YOU HAVE NO AWARENESS TO THE SAFETY FEATURES THAT ARE DISENGAGED. ALSO, ALL THE SENSORS ARE DISENGAGED TO ME THE USER WHICH STOPS THE CAR FROM ALERTING ME TO OBJECTS AHEAD, BEHIND AND TO EITHER SIDE OF ME. THERE ARE ENDLESS ARTICLES ABOUT THE FIRST GENERATION MCU FAILURES. THE CHIPS INSIDE THESE CARS ARE KNOWN TO FAIL AFTER A CERTAIN NUMBERS OF CYCLES AND TESLA HAS YET TO ADDRESS THIS KNOWN ISSUES LEAVING THE CONSUMER TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES AND HOLD TESLA ACCOUNTABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11348502

Aug 7, 2020Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

THE MCU (VERSION 1) OF MY CAR STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE PARKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE (EMMC FAILURE). THE CAR WAS STILL OPERATIONAL HOWEVER THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ISSUES RESULTED FROM THE MCU MALFUNCTION: - TURN SIGNALS AND AUDIBLE CHIME BOTH BEAME NONOPERATIONAL - REVERSE CAMERA BEAME NONOPERATIONAL - HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS BEAME NONOPERATIONAL - LANE DEPARTURE WARNING MAY HAE BECOME NONOPERATIONAL - CLIMATE CONTROL STUCK AT ONE LEVEL - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING SETTING BECAME UNABLE TO BE CHANGED ADDITIONAL ISSUES RESULTING FROM THE MCU1 FAILURE: - ALL SYSTEMS AND SETTINGS ACCESSED THROUGH THE CENTER CONSOLE SCREEN BEAME UNACCESSIBLE - NAVIGATION SYSTEM BEAME NONOPERATIONAL - AUDIO CONTROLS BEAME NONOPERATIONAL - AUTO-PILOT (LANE ASSIST) BEAME NONOPERATIONAL - ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) CHARGING SPEED REDUCED TO 2KW - REMOTE ACCESS VIA SMARTPHONE BEAME NONOPERATIONAL *BF

NHTSA ODI 11343961

Aug 7, 2020Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

TURN SIGNALS ALL FAILED, REAR CAMERA FAILED, TOUCHSCREEN INTERFACE FAILED

NHTSA ODI 11343988

Aug 5, 2020Electrical systemLights

THE EMMC CHIP IN THE MEDIA CONTROL UNIT FAILED RESULTING IN THE LARGE TOUCH SCREEN NO LONGER WORKING. I LOST CONTROL OF THE TURN SIGNALS, CLIMATE CONTROL, REAR VIEW CAMERA, CHARGING, NAVIGATION, AND AUDIO. IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN YOUR PE 20-010 INVESTIGATION DOCUMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11343403

Aug 3, 2020Electrical systemLights

MY MEDIA CONTROL UNIT FAILED IN THE VEHICLE MAKING IT UNSAFE TO OPERATE AS THE TURN SIGNALS, DEFROST, HEADLIGHT CONTROLS, AMONG MANY OTHER FEATURES OF THE VEHICLE WERE NO LONGER ACCESSIBLE OR FUNCTIONING.

NHTSA ODI 11343083

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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 →