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)

40 of 647 complaints match · Speed control · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Dec 13, 2023Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlFuel systemCrash

The Model S, which was bought in 2015, had a sudden acceleration while I was trying to park near the entrance gate of the parking lot. The accident happened on May 25, 2023. Fortunately, nobody got hurt and the car was totaled. I feel strongly that this should be investigated, as this can be a very serious public safety issue. It was inspected by the insurance company. There were no warning messages prior to the failure.

NHTSA ODI 11560001

Dec 11, 2023Speed controlBrakesCrash3 injuries

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while he, his wife, and his son were in the vehicle he had begun veering right pulling into the driveway, at approximately 5 MPH, he had begun slightly releasing the brakes when the vehicle suddenly accelerated at accelerated high speeds. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal however the vehicle speed continued to accelerate. As a response, the contact attempted to maneuver the vehicle to avoid crashing into the garage. The contact crashed into a nearby tree, jumped the curb, and became airborne crashing into the side of the home. The driver's side of the vehicle crashed into the side of the home where the laundry room was located ricocheting hitting the kitchen and bedroom windows and eventually coming to a stop. Due to the home being on a slope, the vehicle ended up falling into a nearby embankment after coming to a stop. All air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed. The contact was informed by insurance the vehicle would more than likely be totaled however this had not been confirmed. A police report was filed. The contact received emotional distress, cuts, and bruising to their hands. arms and forehead. The contact also suffered from back pain. The contact's wife sat in the rear on the driver's side and received emotional distress, trouble breathing, bruising on their face, and bleeding in the mouth. Their wife also received neck, back, and head pain. The contact stated that their wife ended up falling to the floor of the vehicle as a result of the crash. The contact's son sat in the rear on the passenger's side and received emotional distress, and back and neck pain. All persons received medical attention on-site, such as cleaning the wounds and icing any bruising. They were advised to seek additional care, however, have not been able to do so as of yet. The crash caused damage to the wall and flooring structures, electricity, and water systems in the home. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The cause of the failure had not been determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11559471

Jun 5, 2023Speed control

My instrument cluster is delaminating in my tesla model S. When I took it to the service center for the recall service the service center stated that the main screen was also delaminating. Service tech told me that the instrument cluster (and main screen) would eventually fail because of the delamination. I have had the car for less than 8 years. both the instrument cluster and the center screen have a lot to do with safe operation of the vehicle so I believe they should be replaced for free under recall or at least have a much cheaper upgrade option. It is extremely rare for any car to have a common problem of the intstument cluster delaminating and this should be a recall since it is an ongoing, common issue. This is a problem Telsa knows about and hasn't done anything to remedy for a reasonable price. They want $1,750 for the upgrade of the instrument cluster and the main center screen. I bought the car when they were talking about self driving features that are not even possible for this car so I was mislead on that too. Here is other documentation of this issue. https://www.carproblemzoo.com/tesla/models/instrument-cluster-panel-problems.php

NHTSA ODI 11525419

May 23, 2023Speed control

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently swerved in and out of the lane and accelerated unintendedly for approximately 8 to 10 seconds and then performed as designed. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that no failure was detected and informed that a report would be filed. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 11523468

Feb 11, 2023Speed controlBrakesDriver assistance

When driving with autopilot engaged, the vehicle sometimes gives alerts even when there is no vehicle or obstacle in its path. Immediately once the driver takes control, the autopilot does not disengage but continue as usual. The autopilot suddenly brakes or slows down even when there is no obstacle on a freeway.

NHTSA ODI 11506804

Aug 26, 2022Electrical systemSpeed controlDriver assistance

Instrument cluster not powering on or crashes/glitches while operating the vehicle. This makes the vehicle unsafe to drive while auto pilot is engaged because the auto pilot system stops operating which could lead to a serious accident. The vehicle speedometer and all other instrument cluster warning systems are unavailable because the screen is off/not working. Tesla has performed a remote diagnostic and claims no issues are identified. They then proceed to upsell me the new infotainment system that will rectify this problem for $3,000 dollars.

NHTSA ODI 11481478

Feb 19, 2022Speed controlBrakesDriver assistance

When using auto pilot on the freeway my vehicle sometimes comes to a halting stop for no reason putting myself and passengers in great danger.

NHTSA ODI 11453023

Feb 18, 2022Speed controlBrakesDriver assistance

On two or three occasions now my Model S will slow down for no apparent reason while autopilot is engaged. It's happened at speeds between 35 - 45 mph and highway speeds. Problem seems to have started after OTA updates. Car never had this problem before prior to the most recent OTA updates.

NHTSA ODI 11452661

Jun 11, 2021Electrical systemAirbagsSpeed control

My vehicle was having issues during 2020 with the eMMC recall. I took the vehicle to the dealership to be repaired and paid for the repair out of pocket. After this repair took place, the NHTSA forced Tesla to do a recall for the part that failed. I subsequently was reached out by Tesla who denied a refund for the repair that I paid out of pocket and did not and has not (3 months of following-up with the company) explained the denial nor offered repayment as directed by the NHTSA. Unfortunately, I am not the only individual who has had this same experience. Many individuals online have ran into the same unfortunate circumstances. See instances linked below. https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/emmc-recall-reimbursement.222189/

NHTSA ODI 11420616

Jan 15, 2021Electrical systemSpeed controlDriver assistance

THE MAIN SCREEN STAYS BLANK AND THE BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK. ALL CONTROLS THAT WERE ON THE MAIN TOUCH SCREEN DO NOT FUNCTION INCLUDE SAFETY FEATURES SUCH AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND EMERGENCY BREAKING.

NHTSA ODI 11388333

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 8, 2020SuspensionSpeed control

AFTER THE 12V BATTERY ON OUR CAR DIED, IT WAS REPLACED BY TESLA SERVICE. AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE CENTER SCREEN (MCU) WOULD NOT COME ON. THIS SCREEN CONTROLS ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE CAR, INCLUDING BACKUP CAMERA, PARK DISTANCE CONTROLS, AUTO-PILOT, DOOR LOCKS, SUSPENSION, ADJUSTING BRAKING AND COLLISION WARNINGS, OPENING AND CLOSING SUNROOF, CHARGING (IT'S AN ELECTRIC CAR - NONFUNCTIONAL IF WE CAN'T ADJUST CHARGING), CLIMATE CONTROL, REMOTE COMMUNICATION, SOFTWARE UPDATES, ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM, ETC. WE CONTACTED TESLA, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD US THESE SCREENS REGULARLY FAIL AT AROUND 4 YEARS (OUR VEHICLE IS 4-1/2 YEARS OLD). IN ADDITION, FAILURE IS APPARENTLY ACCELERATED BY THE FAILURE OF THE 12V BATTERY. AFTER WAITING MANY WEEKS FOR A "REPLACEMENT PART," WE WERE CONTACTED AND TOLD THEY HAD ACCIDENTALLY ORDERED A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT, WHICH WOULD COST $2,700 (WE HAD BEEN QUOTED $1,300). THE CAR HAS BEEN UNDRIVEABLE FOR MONTHS. IN ADDITION, IF THIS IS A PART THAT REGULARLY FAILS, IT SEEMS LIKE TESLA SHOULD COVER THE REPLACEMENT. WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY $2,700 TO REPLACE A PART THAT IS APPARENTLY KNOWN TO PREDICTABLY FAIL. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA ODI 11344124

Aug 2, 2020Electrical systemLightsSpeed control

AFTER WE RETURNED FROM OUR SUMMER HOME, I TRIED TO DRIVE THE TESLA. THE MAIN SCREEN DID NOT LIGHT UP BUT I FIGURED THAT A NORMAL RESET WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. AS I DROVE, I ATTEMPTED A RESET BUT THE SCREEN REMAINED BLACK. I ALSO LEARNED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT WORK INCLUDING THE CRUISE CONTROL, WINDSHEILD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHT HIGH BEAMS. WORRIED ABOUT OTHER PROBLEMS, I RETURNED HOME AND HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE. OVER THE SUMMER THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL UPDATES TO THE CARS FIRMWARE AND I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE IMPROVEMENTS. PRIOR TO THAT. WE WERE DRIVING WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY, ALL WITH THE TESLA APP ON THEIR PHONES. THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP HOME" MODE ON I-95 AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE SEAT HEATERS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF, THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK AND THE ENTIRE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE A MIND OF IT'S OWN. I ASKED EVERYONE TO TURN OFF THEIR PHONES AND THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. TESLA SERVICE SAID THEY'D NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING.

NHTSA ODI 11342809

Jun 24, 2020Electrical systemLightsSpeed control

THE MCU/SCREEN STOPPED WORKING AND I WAS ABLE TONDRIVE, BUT NOT USE ANY SAFETY FEATURES, INCLUDING BLINKERS, BACK-UP CAMERA, OR NAVIGATION. IT TOOK OVER A WEEK TO GET A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND THE ITEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, SO I HAD TO PAY OVER $1600 OUT OF POCKET. THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, AND I WAS ABLE TONDRIVE, THOUGH NOT AS SAFELY AS EXPECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330588

Jun 24, 2020Electrical systemSpeed control

MCU FAILURE (MARCH 2020) FROM EMMC MEMORY WEAR-OUT RESULTED IN NON-FUNCTIONING CAR. CAR WOULD NOT "TURN OFF," THEREBY ENTIRELY DRAINING BATTERIES. SINCE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON DURING MCU FAILURE, IT WOULD REMAIN ON, NO MATTER WHAT I DID, THEREBY (A) RUNNING DOWN THE BATTERY, AND (B) POTENTIALLY CREATING A MAINTENANCE OR FIRE HAZARD (AC RUNNING FOR 12 HOURS). ALSO NON-FUNCTIONAL WAS CRUISE CONTROL, RADIO, REAR CAMERA, AUDIBLE WARNINGS (LIKE TURN-SIGNAL CLICKS), INABILITY TO CONTROL BATTERY CHARGING, LOSS OF NAVIGATION, PARKING WARNING CHIMES, ENERGY USAGE GRAPH, CELL FEATURES, ETC. SIGNIFICANTLY, THE "CREEP" FEATURE, WHICH MOVES THE CAR FORWARD WHEN PEDAL IS LIFTED, ALSO DID NOT WORK -- CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO RELEARN CERTAIN DRIVE FEATURES, AND AT ONE POINT ALLOWING THE CAR TO ROLL BACKWARD WHEN IT USUALLY WOULD HAVE CREEPED FORWARD. IT'S UNKNOWN IF CERTAIN EMERGENCY BRAKING FEATURES WOULD HAVE WORKED. MAIN VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEMS FUNCTIONED (STEERING & BRAKES), BUT NOTHING ELSE DID, AND DRIVING WAS VERY CONCERNING. COST TO REPAIR WAS $1575. HOWEVER, THE SAME TYPE OF COMPUTER WAS INSTALLED, WHICH LEADS TO CONCERNS THAT THE SAME PROBLEM MAY OCCUR IN THE FUTURE. SEE ALSO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE20010. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330617

Jun 24, 2020Electrical systemSpeed control

MCU FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 3,400 MILES ON CAR. TESLA CLAIMED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR CAN NOT CHARGE OR DO ANYTHING WITHOUT MCU. NO WINDOWS, NO CLIMATE, NO CHARGING, ETC. A SOLID STATE DEVICE LIKE THE MEMORY SHOULD NOT FAIL. IT IS BEING OVERWRITTEN TWO OFTEN AND TESLA SHOULD HAVE SPEC OUT BETTER MEMORY. FURTHER THE UNIT FAILED WITH VERY LOW MILES AND USAGE. I TRIED TO FIND THE INVOICE BUT IT SEEMS TESLA KEEPS THE INVOICE ON THEIR SERVER. A FAILURE OF MCU BECAUSE OF UNDER SPEC MEMORY SHOULD NOT BE THE CONSUMER ISSUE. TESLA SHOULD REPLACE THE MCU OR MEMORY FOR FREE. I AM VERY UPSET THE WAY THIS WAS HANDLED. FURTHERMORE I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE GETTING A NEW MCU WITH UPGRADED MEMORY BUT NOW I HAVE DOUBTS AFTER READING TESLAMOTORFORUM.COM THAT I WILL HAVE ANOTHER FAILURE IN THE SAME TIME PERIOD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE MCU CONTROLS MORE THAN ENTERTAINMENT BUT MANY CAR FUNCTIONS NECESSARY TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330618

Jun 11, 2020Electrical systemSpeed controlVisibility & wipers

ON JUNE 9 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30PM, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF, AS SUCH, SO WAS THE DRIVER ASSIST MODE. IN ADDITION, WITHOUT PROMPTING, THE SUNROOF OPENED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS TO REBOOT THE COMPUTER. THE FACT THAT TESLA DENIES THIS IS A PROBLEM IS RIDICULOUS. THERE IS CLEARLY A SOFTWARE ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN RECENTLY INTRODUCED. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM UNTIL NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328382

Feb 4, 2020Speed controlCrash

THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A STOP LIGHT. AS THE LIGHT CHANGED, I BELIEVE THAT I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING. I TRIED TO PUT THE FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE BUT I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED. I CANNOT BE 100% CERTAIN THAT THERE WAS NOT HUMAN ERROR INVOLVED, BUT ALL I REMEMBER IS FEELING THE ACCELERATION AND TRYING TO BRAKE AND BEING UNABLE TO STOP.

NHTSA ODI 11307035

Jan 29, 2020AirbagsBody & structureSpeed controlCrash1 injury

MY TERSLA EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION EVENT ON JULY 31, 2019. IT WAS BEING PARKED IN A TARGET PARKING LOT ABOUT TO BE PUT IN PARK WHEN IT SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED A FULL ACCELERATION. IT JUMPED OVER A 6 TO 8 FOOT WIDE CONCRETE MERIDIAN, TOOK OUT A BUSH AND HIT A PARKED PICK-UP, MOVING IT ABOUT 15 FEET AND TOTALING THE TRUCK. THE CAR HAD ALMOST $40,000 IN DAMAGE AND THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. TELSA FIRST SAID THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR READ OUT IN ONE WEEK THEN 3, THEN 4 - FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 4 MONTHS THEY SAID IT WAS DRIVER ERROR BUT THE DRIVER DENIES TOUCHING THE GAS OR BRAKE. SHE WAS ALREADY STOPPED AND IT HAPPENED SO FAST SHE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO REACT.

NHTSA ODI 11302858

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

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

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

Aug 23, 2019Speed control

MODEL S FLOOR MATS ARE SECURED VIA 4 VELCRO PADS, SCREWED INTO THE FLOOR ON ONE SIDE, "GLUED" ONTO THE MATS ON THE OTHER. AFTER 3.5 YEARS OF NORMAL USE, DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT CAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND REMOVED MAT UNTIL I GOT HOME. FOUND TWO PADS COMPLETELY UNSTUCK FROM MAT, TWO OTHERS ROLLED INTO THEMSELVES AND PARTIALLY STICKING TO THE MAT. CAUSE APPEARS TO BE THE ADHESIVE GLUING THE VELCRO PADS TO THE MAT BREAKING DOWN/DEGRADING, RENDERING THE ADHESIVE INEFFECTIVE. SUSPECT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT MAY AFFECT OTHER TESLAS OF SIMILAR AGE/DESIGN OVER TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11246086

May 15, 2019Electrical systemLightsSpeed control

THERE IS A FLAW IN THE TESLA EMMC WHICH WILL INEVITABLY CAUSE A CRITICAL PORTION OF THE CHIP TO FAIL PREMATURELY, DUE TO CONSTANT EXCESSIVE LOGGING WITHIN THE TOUCHSCREEN SYSTEM. ULTIMATELY THE MEMORY CHIP FAILS AND THE TOUCHSCREEN GOES BLACK, PLACING THE CAR IN LIMP HOME MODE, THE PARKING SENSORS AND REAR VIEW CAMERA NO LONGER WORK, IT WILL NOT CHARGE AND EFFECTIVELY BECOMES UN-DRIVABLE WHEN THE BATTERY RUNS OUT. THE EMMC IS A LINCHPIN COMPONENT FOR THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE CAR. THE EMMC, THOUGH IT DOES NOT CONTROL THE CAR'S PROPULSION, BRAKING OR STEERING, IS THE HEART OF THE TOUCHSCREEN WHICH IS USED TO TURN ON HEADLIGHTS, ADJUST HVAC AND ALL CAR SETTINGS RUN THROUGH THE TOUCHSCREEN. THE HVAC UNIT NOW HAS A "DOG MODE" WHICH KEEPS THE CABIN COOL FOR DOGS OR OCCUPANTS WAITING IN CAR. THE FAILURE OF THE TOUCHSCREEN UNIT WHILE IN DOG MODE COULD RESULT IN HEAT-RELATED FATALITY, SHOULD AN OWNER. FOR MORE INFORMATION HERE ARE SOME REFERENCES: - VIDEO SHOWING AN ENGINEER WHO'S HELPED SEVERAL HUNDRED CUSTOMERS DISABLE LOGGING BETWEEN MINUTES 8 THROUGH 12: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/O-7B1WAOJ9Q?T=499 - A RECENT ARTICLE EXPLAINING THE FLAW: HTTPS://WWW.THEDRIVE.COM/NEWS/27945/A-SINGLE-COMPONENT-CAN-BRICK-OLDER-TESLAS-AND-TESLA-WONT-FIX-IT THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM BY THE TESLA OWNERS COMMUNITY FOR UPWARDS OF A YEAR NOW AND REQUIRES A SIMPLE SOFTWARE UPDATE TO REMEDY - DISABLE LOGGING TO EMMC MEMORY. ACCORDING TO OTHER OWNERS, THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON ALL CURRENT AND PAST TESLA MODELS AND IT IS A MATTER OF "WHEN" NOT "IF" FOR ALL CHIPS TO FAIL UNLESS THEY MAKE A CHANGE TO THEIR SOFTWARE LOGGING.

NHTSA ODI 11207819

Jan 20, 2019Speed controlCrash

AS I PARKED MY CAR IN MY GARAGE ON 1/19/2019, I HAD PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND WAS PREPARING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY GARAGE WALL. THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND NOT MOVING. I HAD MY HAND ON THE DOOR HANDLE TO EXIT. I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED THE BREAKS BUT THE CAR SEEMED TO KEEP GOING INTO MY WALL AND THEN IT JOLTED AND STOPPED. IT WAS LIKE IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO ALERT OR ANYTHING. IT JUST SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE IN PARK. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THIS IS A VERY SCARY OCCURRENCE AND I AM NOT GOING TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS RENDERED SAFE. I'M VERY CONCERNED WITH WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF THIS OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT OR AREA WITH PEOPLE. I CONTACTED TESLA IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT TO FILE A REPORT AND SHARE MY CONCERN. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD PULL LOGS AND BE IN TOUCH. I ALSO CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT 5:50 PM.

NHTSA ODI 11171052

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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 →