Home · 2017 Tesla Model S 75d · Complaints

What 379 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Tesla Model S 75d

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 (379)Crash / fire / injury (50)Electrical system (104)Suspension (104)Steering (42)Driver assistance (41)Speed control (33)Lights (24)Visibility & wipers (23)Brakes (20)Lane Departure (19)Backup camera & sensors (17)

Newest first · 379 complaints · page 15 of 16

Mar 3, 2018SuspensionCrash1 injury

HERE IS A MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=26437884&ROWNUMBER=77&LOADRECENT=TRUE IT HAS BEEN IN A ROLLOVER CRASH. IT IS BADLY DAMAGED AND HAS BIO-HAZARD STICKERS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT OCCUPANTS HAVE BEEN INJURED. THE LH BACK WHEEL IS WHOMPY. WHEEL AND TIRE AND THE BODYWORK ON THAT AREA OF THE CAR ARE COMPLETELY UNDAMAGED. THE TESLA WHEELS ARE KNOWN TO BE MADE DELIBERATELY FRAGILE SO THAT THEY WILL NOT INTRUDE INTO THE BODY OF THE CAR DURING A CRASH. IF THE WHEEL HAD BEEN STRUCK HARD DURING THE ROLLOVER THEN IT WOULD BE EXPECTED THAT THE WHEEL WOULD HAVE BROKEN. IT SEEMS HIGHLY PROBABLE THAT THE ROLLOVER WAS CAUSED BY THE SUSPENSION FAILURE. THE TESLA SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ARE BADLY DESIGNED. CAST ALUMINUM IS A VERY POOR CHOICE OF MATERIAL. CAST ALUMINUM HAS POOR TENSILE STRENGTH AND IS PRONE TO CASTING DEFECTS AND FATIGUE. I REQUEST THAT YOU OBTAIN SUSPENSION PARTS FROM NEW AND WRECKED CARS AND HAVE THEM TESTED BY A MATERIALS LAB FOR MECHANICAL STRENGTH, CASTING FLAWS, AND FACTOR OF SAFETY. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN. DATE OF CRASH AND NUMBER OF INJURIES IS AN APPROXIMATION BASED ON APPEARANCE OF WRECKED CAR. HERE IS A MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD: IT HAS BEEN IN A ROLLOVER CRASH. THE LH REAR WHEEL IS WHOMPY. THE WHEEL AND TIRE ARE UNDAMAGED. THE BODYWORK ON THAT PART OF THE CAR IS UNDAMAGED. ROLLOVER WAS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY THE WHOMPY WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI 11076079

Feb 25, 2018SteeringSuspension

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT FRAGILE ALLOY STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS USED ON ALL MODELS OF TESLA CARS INCLUDING THE S, X, AND MODEL 3. HERE IS A THREAD IN WHICH SEVERAL OWNERS REPORT THE SAME SNAPPED STEERING ARM. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/CRACKED-FORELINK.95637/PAGE-2 PHOTOGRAPHS ARE ATTACHED WHICH SHOW THAT THE EYELET OF THE STEERING ARM HAS SNAPPED. THIS IS A CLASSIC "BRITTLE FRACTURE" *BRITTLE FRACTURE IS THE SUDDEN, VERY RAPID CRACKING OF EQUIPMENT UNDER STRESS WHERE THE MATERIAL EXHIBITED LITTLE OR NO EVIDENCE OF DUCTILITY OR PLASTIC DEGRADATION BEFORE THE FRACTURE OCCURS.* SOME OF THE POSTERS ON THAT THREAD HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT THIS FAILURE SHOULD BE REPORTED TO NHTSA. OTHERS HAVE SUGGESTED JUST LEAVING IT TO TESLA. SINCE IT SEEMS THAT THE ORIGINAL POSTER HAS NOT SO FAR FILED A COMPLAINT I AM FILING THIS REPORT IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THIS IS NOT A ONE OFF FAILURE. IT IS THE RESULT OF POOR DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE. LIVES ARE AT RISK. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI 11074874

Feb 23, 2018SteeringSpeed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TESLA S75. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AUTOPILOT MODE, IT INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, IT INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED, MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN, AND DROVE INTO VEGETATION ON THE OFF RAMP OF A FREEWAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. TESLA OF SANTA BARBARA (400 HITCHCOCK WAY, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93105, (805) 770-6090) WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE OWNER WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. AFTERWARDS, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WOULD BE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ODI 11074547

Feb 14, 2018SuspensionCrash

HERE IS A TESLA MODEL 3 IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=27388371&ROWNUMBER=56&LOADRECENT=TRUE THIS IS THE CAR THAT CRASHED INTO THE CREEK A FEW WEEKS AGO. HERE IS AN ACCOUNT OF THE CRASH. HTTPS://ELECTREK.CO/2018/01/15/TESLA-MODEL-3-JUMPS-CREEK-MAJOR-ACCIDENT/ THE WRECKED MODEL 3 HAS A VERY WHOMPY BACK WHEEL. THE AREA AROUND THE WHEEL LOOKS AS THOUGH IT HAS BEEN BATTERED BY THE WHEEL THRASHING AROUND AFTER THE SUSPENSION FELL APART. THE AUCTION SITE LISTS THE CAR AS HAVING SUSPENSION DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH AND THE BLACK TIRE RESIDUE CAN ONLY HAVE BEEN SELF INFLICTED. IT SEEMS THAT THE SUSPENSION ON THE MODEL 3 IS JUST AS FRAGILE AS ON THE MODEL S AND X. PLEASE GO AND INSPECT THIS CAR AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SUSPENSION FAILURE. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN. ## VIN PASSED ## TESLA MODEL 3 ##

NHTSA ODI 11072981

Feb 3, 2018SuspensionWheels

ON MONDAY MORNING(29.01.18) MY TESLA BROKE DOWN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TYRE DISLODGED FROM THE SUSPENSION WHILE I WAS REVERSING INTO MY BAY. THE ISSUES BEGAN FROM THIS POINT 1 AT ONLY 4526 MILES AND 122 DAYS OF AGE, ENDING UP WITH 3 WHEELS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE. 2 THEN ENSUED THE CONFUSION: I HAD TAKEN BREAKDOWN COVER FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY INCLUSIVE OF COURTESY CAR. THIS WAS DESPITE THE SALES PITCH RECOMMENDING TESLA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE MOMENT I CALLED TESLA IT WAS A CASE OF FIGHTING WITH THEM REGARDING WHOSE FAULT IT WAS RATHER THAN WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. I DIDN'T FEEL SUPPORTED AT ALL. TESLA SERVICE AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WERE CONFIDENT THAT THIS WAS A CASE FOR THE INSURERS 3 SO I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY . THEY QUICKLY PICKED UP THE CAR AND HAVE DELIVERED THE SAME TOTESLA MANCHESTER SOUTH, WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT. WITH A PARTING SHOT THAT IF THIS RECURS IN THE NEXT 28 DAYS THEY WILL NOT HELP. 4 HENCE AS I AM SURE YOU WILL UNDERSTAND, I HAVE BEEN LEFT BY TESLA ON THE WAYSIDE, QUITE LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY. I AM FORTUITOUS TO BE IN ONE PIECE, WRITING THIS MESSAGE TO YOU. THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE.... I DRIVE 25 MILES DAILY EACH WAY TO WORK AND BACK. AND MOSTLY THIS IS ON THE MOTORWAY. 5 NOW WHERE DID WE GO WRONG? THUS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A MANUFACTURING DESIGN ISSUE BUT MY CONFIDENCE IN TESLA HAS TAKEN A BEATING. MY MAIN CONCERN AT THE MOMENT IS: AM I FEELING SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE? THE ANSWER IS NO.

NHTSA ODI 11066755

Jan 29, 2018

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA MODEL 3 I HAVE HAD TO FILE THIS UNDER MODEL S BECAUSE YOUR SITE DOES NOT YET ALLOW MODEL 3 COMPLAINTS TO BE FILED. THE FOLLOWING VIDEO SHOWS CLEARLY THAT THE MODEL 3 IS THE MOST DANGEROUS CAR ON THE ROAD. HTTPS://WWW.DAILYMOTION.COM/VIDEO/X6DWS5D THE REVIEWERS SHOW HOW ALMOST ALL OF THE IMPORTANT CONTROLS REQUIRE THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD WHILE HE FIDDLES WITH TINY ICONS ON THE SCREEN. THIS IS THE MOST BADLY DESIGNED CAR EVER MADE IN TERMS OF DRIVER DISTRACTION. ADD THE FACT THAT THIS CAR IS AIMED AT THE YOUTH MARKET AND YOU HAVE A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO. PLEASE TAKE ACTION BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN.

NHTSA ODI 11065776

Jan 28, 2018AirbagsBody & structureSpeed controlCrash3 injuries

AT OUR DRIVEWAY ON SUN. 1/14/18, COMING BACK FROM SHOPPING A FEW MINUTES BEFORE FOUR PM, SUDDENLY THE CAR TOOK OFF BY ITSELF. IT ACCELERATED TREMENDOUSLY WITH THE SPEED WHICH WAS FELT AROUND 65-80 M/HR, HITTING OUR HEAVY GARAGE DOOR, WHICH WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME, WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE, HIT MY PARKED PORSCHE AND PUSHED IT TO THE LEFT TO THE WATER HEATER. IT THEN HIT AND BROKE THE WALL BETWEEN OUR GARAGE AND COURTYARD, BROKE AND PUSHED OUR CONCRETE PLANTER AND STOPPED HALFWAY BETWEEN THE GARAGE AND OUR FAMILY ROOM WINDOWS IN THE COURTYARD.I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS THE RESULT OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THIS IS OUR NEW AND SECOND TESLA MY WIFE AND I OWNED AND DROVE.WHEN MY WIFE TALKED TO LOCAL TESLA REPRESENTATIVE, HE REFUSED TO GIVE US ANY COMPUTER GENERATED REPORT.THE CAR STILL ON THE WALL BETWEEN GARAGE AND COURTYARD. WE UNDERSTAND, TESLA HAS A BLACK BOX THAT WE DO NOT KNOW WHERE IT WILL END UP IF WE TAKE IT TO TESLA CERTIFIED BODY SHOP.WE APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH IF YOU ADVISE US WHAT TO DO.

NHTSA ODI 11065563

Jan 24, 2018Electrical systemSpeed controlCrash

TESLA MODEL S 2017 SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION- 1/18/2018, MORNING 9:05 AM. I WAS PULLING IN TO MY OFFICE PARKING SPOT WHERE I PARKED FOR 6 YEARS, I LET THE CAR SLOW TO ROLL CLOSER IN FRONT OF THE CURB. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED, GOT ON THE CURB, HIT THE OFFICE BUILDING. THE CAR WAS STILL GOING UNTIL I APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION POINT WAS RIGHT BEFORE THE CURB, MEASURING FROM THE POINT TO THE WALL IS ONLY 7 FEET. TESLA SAID I WAS ON THE PEDAL FOR A SECOND LONG, I APPLIED PEDAL FROM 0-18%, AND QUICKLY APPLIED THE BRAKE. IF I APPLIED THE PEDAL, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO APPLY MY BRAKE IN A SPLIT SECOND. TESLA REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE FORCE GIVEN TO THE PEDAL AND ANY TELEGRAPHY. TESLA SAID THEY WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE AND SAID IT IS DRIVER'S ERROR. I TOLD MY CAR WAS ONLY 6 WEEK NEW, I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, I REQUEST TO RETURN THE CAR. TESLA REFUSED. TESLA CLAIMED THERE IS NO PARTS FAILURE AND REFUSED TO DO ANY FAILURE ANALYSIS WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT THE CAR AND ACCIDENT PICTURES. CONSUMER FIGHTING WITH ODDS?-- WHEN INSURANCE COMPANY SENT TOW TRUCK DRIVER ON THE NEXT DAY(1/19/2018), THE DRIVER SAID MY CAR WAS THE SECOND BRAND NEW MODEL S HE TOWED IN THE SAME WEEK WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE OTHER LADY RAN THRU HER DRYWALL AND GOT IN HER LAUNDRY ROOM WHILE PARKING, SAME SITUATION- WHILE LETTING THE CAR "SLOW", ROLL ITSELF. GIVEN TESLA HAS MANUFACTURED CLOSE TO 200,000 CARS, LAUNCHED 5 YEARS SINCE 2012, DIVIDED BY 52 WEEKS A YEAR, THE ODD IS PRETTY HIGH FOR THE SAME ISSUE---0.7%. AT A TOTAL OF 1400 TESLA CARS OUT THERE, THESE 1400 CARS ARE ACTING AS TICKING BOMB FOR THE DESIGN FAILURE CAUSING SUA. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE REQUIRES NHTSA OR FEDERAL REGULATION TO TAKE A LOOK.

NHTSA ODI 11064628

Jan 23, 2018Steering

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA AUTOPILOT. DESPITE SEVERAL SERIOUS CRASHES INVOLVING AUTOPILOT OWNERS ARE STILL PLACING TOO MUCH TRUST IN THE DEVICE. VIDEOS HAVE BEEN POSTED OF OWNERS ATTACHING WEIGHTS AND WATER BOTTLES TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO DEFEAT THE WARNING TO HOLD WHEEL NAG. A STEERING WEIGHT CALLED AUTOPILOT BUDDY IS NOW ON SALE. HTTPS://WWW.AUTOPILOTBUDDY.COM/ I BELIEVE THAT TESLA HAS BEEN HIGHLY IRRESPONSIBLE IN ITS MARKETING AND PROMOTION OF THE AUTOPILOT AND THAT USE OF A "NAG DEFEATER" WILL MAKE IT EVEN MORE DANGEROUS. IT DOES NOT MATTER THAT TESLA AND THE MAKERS OF AUTOPILOT BUDDY ISSUE DISCLAIMERS THAT DRIVERS MUST ACT RESPONSIBLY. REALITY IS THAT TESLA OWNERS REALLY BELIEVE THEY ARE DRIVING THE SAFEST CAR IN THE WORLD. RECENT CRASHES INVOLVING DRUNK DRIVERS AND YET ANOTHER CRASH INTO A STATIONARY OBJECT SHOW JUST HOW DANGEROUS THE SITUATION HAS BECOME. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN.

NHTSA ODI 11064487

Jan 13, 2018

I GOT IN MY CAR ON 1/12/2018 AROUND 430PM PST AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE BACKUP CAMERA PICTURE WAS A FROZEN PICTURE FROM AN EARLIER TIME, IT WAS NOT LIVE. I AM CERTAIN OF THIS BECAUSE IT WAS SHOWING MY GARAGE DOOR AS CLOSED, WHEN IT WAS IN FACT OPEN. I REBOOTED THE CAR AND THAT SEEMED TO FIX IT. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO TRUST THE CAMERA WHEN BACKING UP OUT OF A SPOT IN A PUBLIC SPACE? THE SCREEN COULD SHOW A CLEAR SPACE BEHIND ME WHEN IN FACT THERE IS PERSON OR CAR BEHIND ME. THE FAILURE MODE FOR THE CAMERA SHOULD BE TO SHOW NO PICTURE, NOT AN OLD ONE. THE CAR IS FEEING THE DRIVER FALSE VISUAL INFORMATION THAT COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA ODI 11062576

Jan 13, 2018Suspension

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA FRESHLY ARRIVED IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=27093880&ROWNUMBER=48&LOADRECENT=TRUE THE LH BACK WHEEL HAS GONE A BIT WHOMPY. THE RH BACK WHEEL AND SUSPENSION HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN OFF. I DOES NOT LOOK AS THOUGH THE CAR HAS BEEN IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SUSPENSION HAS SIMPLY FALLEN APART IN THE USUAL TESLA FASHION. I THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME YOU INVESTIGATED THE REASON BEHIND THESE CONTINUING INCIDENTS OF TESLA SUSPENSION FAILURES.. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN ETC.

NHTSA ODI 11062639

Dec 18, 2017Crash

TESLA S TRUNK OPENS AFTER MANUAL PRESSING CLOSE BUTTON FROM INSIDE TRUCK

NHTSA ODI 11055311

Nov 23, 2017Speed controlBrakesCrash

WE WERE IN A PARKING LOT OF "KIDQUEST MUSEUM" IN BELLEVUE , WA. , TAKING OUR GRAND DAUGHTER, ONE YEAR OLD, TO THE MUSEUM. OUR CAR WAS IN STATIONARY POSITION. WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO PARK. DURING THIS TIME, OUR MODEL X, TOOK OFF WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND WE COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. IT WAS INSTANTANEOUS, OUR CAR WENT AND HIT A PARKED CHEVY VAN. THIS VAN FWENT UPSIDE DOWN AND WENT OVER THE FENCE INTO THE LOT NEXT TO IT. AFTER THE IMPACT OUR CAR WENT AND HIT ELETRIC POLE, WENT INTO BUSHES AND OVER AN ELECTRICAL BOX OF 5 BY 5. I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE CAR (MY WIFE THINKS SMOKE MIGHT HAVE STARTED WHILE THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING"). MUSEUM STAFF CAME AND OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR. AFTER SHE GOT OUT, FIRST THING THEY DID WAS TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND TOOK OUT OUR GRANDDAUGHTER. I CAME OUT THRU PASSENGER DOO. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT. MANY OF THE AIRBAGS CAME OUT. WE ARE UNBELIEVABLY LUCKY. THE PARKING LOT IS APPROXIMATELY 100 FT X 100. THIS IS THE PARKING LOT USUALLY WHERE MANY KIDS ARE IN THE LOT. FORTUNATELY THAT MOMENT THERE WAS NONE. ACCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND 4:20 P.M . WEATHER WAS GRAY BUT NO RAIN. WE STILL CAN NOT COMPREHEND HOW CAR CAN TAKE OFF AT THAT SPEED. NONE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM OR THE CAMERAS WORKED TO STOP THE CAR

NHTSA ODI 11048161

Nov 22, 2017Steering

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE ABSOLUTE MADNESS OF TESLA AUTOPILOT. HERE IS JUST ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF HOW DANGEROUS THIS SO CALLED AUTOPILOT REALLY IS. FROM TODAY'S FORUM POSTS. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/NAG-REDUCED-WITH-2017-46.102558/ D21MIKE, TODAY AT 6:01 PM BERTX SAID: ↑ HOLD THE WHEEL LIGHTLY WITH ONE HAND JUST ABOVE THE FLAT PORTION AT THE BOTTOM, ALONG THE SIDE, JUST LETTING THE WEIGHT OF YOUR HAND BEAR DOWN. DON'T STEER, BUT DON'T KEEP THE AP FROM STEERING. YOU WILL NEVER, EVER GET A NAG. IF YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR HANDS, THEN DO IT AND PUT ONE BACK WHEN YOU CAN. SWITCH HANDS IF YOU NEED TO. PROP YOUR ELBOW ON THE CONSOLE. THIS IS WHAT I DO AS WELL. WORKS REALLY WELL. *** THIS IS CONTRARY TO THE ADVICE GIVEN BY EVERY DRIVING SCHOOL AND EVERY REGULATORY AUTHORITY IN THE WORLD. HAVING ONE HAND LOOSELY RESTING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WHEEL WILL NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE . THE MARKETING OF THIS AUTOPILOT FEATURE HAS BEEN GROSSLY IRRESPONSIBLE AND THE CLAIM THAT IT IS 40% SAFER THAN A HUMAN DRIVER IS SIMPLY LUDICROUS. INTERNET FORUMS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS SHOW THAT OWNERS ARE PUTTING LIVES IN DANGER BY USING THIS FEATURE ON NARROW WINDING ROADS AND IN INAPPROPRIATE SITUATIONS. TESLA WILL ALWAYS CLAIM THAT AUTOPILOT WAS NOT ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH BECAUSE IT DISENGAGES THE MOMENT BEFORE IMPACT. THIS IS NOT A LAUGHING MATTER. PLEASE STOP THIS MADNESS BEFORE MORE LIVES ARE LOST.

NHTSA ODI 11047950

Nov 14, 2017SuspensionCrash

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=26400583&ROWNUMBER=38&LOADRECENT=TRUE&ISNEXT=TRUE THIS IS A VIRTUALLY BRAND NEW CAR HAVING ONLY DRIVEN 3000 MILES. THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION AND DRIVE SHAFT HAS SNAPPED OFF. THERE IS NO COLLISION DAMAGE THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO BE TORN OFF. THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR FAILURES. IT IS PERFECTLY OBVIOUS THAT THE TESLA SUSPENSION PARTS ARE TOO WEAK FOR THE JOB AND DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT MARGIN OF SAFETY. PLEASE TAKE ACTION BEFORE MORE PEOPLE GET KILLED. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN. DATE OF CRASH IS AN APPROXIMATION.

NHTSA ODI 11046106

Nov 14, 2017SuspensionCrash

HERE IS A BRAND NEW MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=26401554&ROWNUMBER=39&LOADRECENT=TRUE&ISNEXT=TRUE IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED ON ALL WHEELS. OWNERS HAVE BEEN REPORTING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR SUSPENSION SINCE THE LATEST SOFTWARE UPDATE AND POSTING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT ON THE FORUMS. THEY CLAIM THAT TESLA HAS JUST ADVISED THEM TO REBOOT THE CAR AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. IT LOOKS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THIS CAR'S SUSPENSION COLLAPSED CAUSING IT TO SLOW DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY AND GET RAMMED UP THE REAR BY ANOTHER CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. CONCERNED CITIZEN ETC.

NHTSA ODI 11046111

Nov 13, 2017Suspension

HERE IS A MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=26530615&ROWNUMBER=47&LOADRECENT=TRUE IT IS LISTED AS HAVING SUSPENSION DAMAGE. THE ONLY PART OF THE CAR THAT IS DAMAGED IS THE RH WHEEL AREA. THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE NOT VERY CLEAR BUT IT DOES LOOK AS THOUGH THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS HAVE SNAPPED APART. THERE IS ALMOST NO DAMAGE FORWARD OF THE FRONT WHEEL THAT WOULD ACCOUNT FOR THE DAMAGE. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY HAS AN ALERT THAT SAYS "SUSPENSION NEEDS SERVICE" YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN MISTER GARRISON! PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT FURTHER UNNECESSARY DEATHS AND INJURIES. CONCERNED CITIZEN.

NHTSA ODI 11045744

Nov 3, 2017

PARK, DRIVE, PARK, DRIVE, REVERSE AND NEUTRAL INDICATORS ("P,D,R,AND N" ARE ABOUT THIS SIZE) ON DASH ARE WAY TOO SMALL FOR AGING DRIVERS. SPEED INDICATOR IS MUCH LARGER, AND THERE IS ROOM ON THE DASH TO MAKE THESE INDICATORS MUCH LARGER. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO TESLA SEVERAL TIMES. I BELIEVE THESE WOULD TAKE A SIMPLE SOFTWARE CHANGE.

NHTSA ODI 11043055

Nov 3, 2017Suspension

HERE IS A NEW VIDEO THAT HAS JUST BEEN UPLOADED: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=2M64KSYWTFU IT SHOWS A TESLA MODEL S WITH A COMPLETELY BROKEN SUSPENSION. IT HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH. BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE SNAPPED. WHEEL HAS GONE AMAZINGLY WHOMPY. THE LOCATION IS A CITY STREET. THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A CRASH OR ANY FORM OF ABUSE. THE WHEEL AND TIRE ARE COMPLETELY UNDAMAGED AND THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE BODYWORK. HOW MUCH MORE EVIDENCE DO YOU NEED TO SHOW THAT THESE CARS ARE "UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED"? PLEASE INVESTIGATE. CONCERNED CITIZEN.

NHTSA ODI 11043131

Oct 27, 2017SuspensionCrash2 injuries

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=26437884&ROWNUMBER=57&LOADRECENT=TRUE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT AND IS SEVERELY DAMAGED. IT HAS BIO-HAZARD STICKERS WHICH MEANS THAT OCCUPANTS HAVE BEEN INJURED. THE CAR IS BADLY DAMAGED AND I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CRASH. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE MANY OTHER CASES OF SUSPENSION FAILURES IN THE TESLAS IT IS A LEAST A POSSIBILITY THAT A SUSPENSION FAILURE DID CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BACK LH WHEEL IS SLANTED OVER AT AN ANGLE. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE BODYWORK ON THAT PART OF THE CAR. IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE A SCENARIO IN WHICH THAT WHEEL COULD HAVE BEEN FORCED OUTWARDS AT THE BOTTOM IN A ROLLOVER PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT CLAIMING THERE IS ABSOLUTE PROOF THAT A SUSPENSION FAILURE CAUSED THIS CRASH, ONLY THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF IT. VEHICLE CRASHES ARE AN EVERYDAY EVENT AND IT IS LIKELY THAT THE INVESTIGATORS AT THE SCENE WERE UNAWARE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY CASES OF TESLA SUSPENSION FAILURES AND THAT SHOULD LOOK VERY CLOSELY AT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS CRASH TO SEE IF THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A FACTOR. NOT ONLY ARE THERE MANY WRECKED TESLAS SHOWING UP IN THE JUNKYARDS WITH BROKEN SUSPENSIONS BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CRASHES CAUSED WHEN TESLAS SUDDENLY VEERED OFF THE ROAD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. CONCERNED CITIZEN ETC. ETC.

NHTSA ODI 11040636

Sep 26, 2017SteeringBrakes

PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA MODEL 3 WHICH DOES NOT YET APPEAR ON YOUR DATABASE. AT LEAST 50 OF THESE HAVE ALREADY BEEN RELEASED TO TESLA EMPLOYEE GUINEA PIGS AND ARE LOOSE ON THE HIGHWAYS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THOUSANDS MORE WILL BE ON THE ROADS SOON. THE FOLLOWING VIDEO SHOWS JUST HOW MUCH OF A DANGEROUS DISTRACTION THE CENTRAL TOUCH-SCREEN IS: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=JL7A-9DGSB0 ALMOST EVERY FUNCTION OF THE CAR IS CONTROLLED BY THE TOUCH SCREEN. THE MAN WHO POSTED THIS VIDEO IS PROBABLY TYPICAL OF THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO WILL BE DRIVING THESE CARS. HE IS YOUNG, ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGY AND OVERCONFIDENT IN HIS ABILITIES. HE STATES THAT HE CAN SEE THE TOUCH-SCREEN OUT OF HIS PERIPHERAL VISION WHILE STILL WATCHING THE ROAD AHEAD. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. A SIMPLE EXPERIMENT USING MY OWN LAPTOP WHILST SITTING IN FRONT OF A WINDOW PROVES THAT ALTHOUGH I CAN SEE THE IMAGE OF THE SCREEN IN MY PERIPHERAL VISION IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLACE A FINGER ON ANY OF THE ICONS WITHOUT LOOKING DIRECTLY AT THE SCREEN. THIS IS THE SAME KIND OF THINKING THAT LEADS YOUNG PEOPLE TO TEXT AND DRIVE AND IS CAUSING A SHARP RISE IN THE ROAD TOLL. THE NARRATOR OF THE VIDEO REPEATS THE CLAIM OF ELON MUSK THAT IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER BECAUSE TESLAS WILL SOON BE CAPABLE OF SELF DRIVING AND ALREADY HAVE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (SOMETIMES!) IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD IT IS ILLEGAL TO EVEN TOUCH A PHONE WHILST DRIVING. THIS CAR IS EVEN MORE DANGEROUS THAN THAT. EVEN TO CONTROL THE SCREEN WIPERS AND AIR FLOW IT IS NECESSARY TO FIDDLE WITH THE SCREEN. PLEASE STOP THIS DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT BEFORE IT GOES ANY FURTHER. THIS REPORT WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE MEDIA SO THAT IT IS ON RECORD THAT NHTSA HAS BEEN WARNED OF THE DANGER. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN DUMMY USA ADDRESS USED TO SATISFY YOUR WEBSITE. GENUINE CONTACT DETAILS SUPPLIED.

NHTSA ODI 11025501

Sep 4, 2017Speed control

THE TESLA SPED UP AND HAD A SUDDEN UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY SLOWLY AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A VERY HIGH SPEED. IT ALMOST WENT OVER A WALL AND I HAD TO SWERVE THE WHEEL TO AVOID GOING OVER A WALL. WHEN I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, THE CAR STOPPED FULLY ONLY A FEW INCHES AWAY FROM ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11021371

Aug 30, 2017Fuel systemFire

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE ISSUE OF FIRES IN THE TESLA CARS. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FIRES IN 2013. TESLA CLAIMED THAT THE FIRES WERE STARTED BY AN OBJECT PUNCTURING THE BATTERY PACK AND THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN SOLVED BY THE ADDITION OF A BATTERY SHIELD. SINCE THAT TIME THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS MORE TESLA FIRES. IT IS OBVIOUS FROM LOOKING AT VIDEOS OF FIRES THAT IN MOST CASES IT IS NOT THE BATTERIES BURNING (THEY BURN WITH A WHITE FLAME AND WITH CELLS EXPLODING LIKE FIRE-CRACKERS) IN ALMOST EVERY CASE IT IS THE COOLANT FLUID THAT IS BURNING. PROPYLENE GLYCOL IS FLAMMABLE. EVEN WHEN DILUTED WITH WATER 50:50 IT IS STILL FLAMMABLE WHEN THERE IS SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BOIL OFF THE WATER CONTENT. WHEN THE BATTERY CELLS ARE HOT FROM RECENT CHARGING OR FROM HARD DRIVING THEN THERE IS SUFFICIENT THERMAL MASS TO BOIL OFF THE FLUID ESPECIALLY IF THE RADIATOR PRESSURE IS LOST. THE TESLA RADIATORS AND FLUID HOSES ARE AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND ARE HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO IMPACT DAMAGE. TESLAS CONTAIN OVER 6 GALLONS OF FLAMMABLE GLYCOL. THE BATTERIES THEMSELVES WILL NOT SELF IGNITE UNLESS THEY ARE CRUSHED IN A HEAVY IMPACT. THE RISK OF FIRES FROM A LEAKAGE OF HOT PROPYLENE GLYCOL IS FAR GREATER. A GOOGLE IMAGE SEARCH FOR TESLA FIRE SHOWS DOZENS OF CASES WHERE POOLS OF FLUID ARE BURNING ON THE GROUND BENEATH THE CAR AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. MOST OF THESE FIRES ARE NOT ACCOMPANIED BY BATTERY PYROTECHNICS THEY ARE SIMPLY COOLANT FIRES. PLEASE REOPEN THE FIRE INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA ODI 11020673

Aug 17, 2017Brakes

WHILE TURNING RIGHT AND SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND JUMPED OVER THE BUMPER AND LANDED IN A GRASSY SPOT. FORTUNATE IT DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING OR ANYONE, I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND NOT HAVE A BENIGN OUTCOME. TESLA'S FIRST REACTION IS "I" MUST HAVE HIT THE GAS PETAL BY MISTAKE; I WOULD LIKE TO ACCEPT THAT HOWEVER I DON'T. TO START A TESLA YOU TOUCH THE BRAKE, MORE TESTING IS NEEDED TO ASSURE BRAKES DON'T CREATE FALSE ACCELERATION THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME ON A BUSY STREET WHERE PEDESTRIANS CROSS AT STOP LIGHT; IMAGINE THAT OUTCOME? TESLA NEEDS TO RUN TEST TO DETERMINE IF THIS MALFUNCTION OF RAPID ACCELERATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM AND NOT WRITE IT OFF AS DRIVERS HITTING THE GAS!

NHTSA ODI 11015893

Aug 15, 2017

AUTOPILOT 2 IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS MAJOR ISSUES ON HILLS, TURNS AND TURN LANES THAT CAUSE CAR TO DEPART LANE, NEW AUTOPILOT 2.5 RELEASED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF AUTOPILOT 2 BUT COMPANY IS FAILING TO UPGRADE THE CURRENT UNSAFE AUTOPILOT 2

NHTSA ODI 11015359

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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 2017 Tesla Model S 75d verdict →