What 136 owners told NHTSA about the 2022 Tesla Model S 75d

This vehicle came with a YOKE style steering wheel, I did not order it this way, it is how the new car arrived. It is TERRIBLE and I cannot believe TESLAS is allowed to put it in their cars. (This is my second Model S, my first is a 2015 and I love it). It has none of the standard stalks on the side (Directional signal, headlight flash, etc.). I heard that removing the stalks saved the company a pile of money too. It is a very uncomfortable shape to hold and control. I find myself holding it with just my THUMBS, draped over the top corners of the wheel. All the important features: left turn signal, right turn signal, horn, headlight flash, and wiper are controlled by SMALL icons illustrated on the front of the yoke. They are NOT user friendly and you have to LOOK at the wheel every time you want to use them, which takes your eyes off the road!! I have been driving this car for over a year now and I still cannot honk the horn or flash the lights in time to warn other drivers of impending trouble. Many times I end up doing the wrong thing: like flash the lights instead of honk! The turn signals are terrible, it is very hard to determine if I have even engaged the signal I want as it is a small spot to press, and it is easy to press the wrong direction signal. When backing up and having to look over your shoulder (sometimes you can not use the back-up camera), the flat top of the yoke wheel is extremely hard to hold on to while you try to move the wheel from left to right to back up safely: a round wheel is MUCH easier to handle. Also, the layout of the wheel and the monitor screen (it's now horizontal) is such that it blocks the entire lower left corner of the screen. I would also complain about the 2 scroll wheels on the yoke, they are too sensitive and control too many functions depending on how you push them, but that is mostly TESLA "high-tech" stuff which they still can't get right. GET RID OF THE YOKE STEERING WHEEL, and the small icons: it is dangerous to use.

NHTSA ODI 11559457

Tesla, in multiple cars that I own, has repeatedly changed user-preferences of user-selections, without warning, or update notes, for a variety of functions. This seems to be a consequence of sloppy software coding and seems to coincide with new software releases. In recent months, Tesla has attempted to inform people of new software update functionality with ‘release notes’. However, these notes seldom, if ever, explain that a user’s preference is getting discarded (though could be restored -- if the user were aware). One example, is the operation of ‘Traffic Aware Cruise Control’ was changed from a double click of a scroll wheel to a single click. No release nor or manual page was called out to indicate the change — at least prior to this driver’s noticing and diagnosing the problem. Nor was any pop-up message explaining the new, and surprising functionality of a ‘double-click’ — which was to momentary activate and deactivate TACC. Other functions that get changed, without notice: 1) operation of automatic windshield wipers is deactivated (and set to ‘manual) — from the user-preference of ‘auto’; 2) Auto park chimes sounds are turned off — despite a user-preference setting them to 'on'. These changes to the UI, necessitating guesswork using the large glass screen, prove to be highly distracting to a driver in the midst of driving. In addition, these undocumented and un-communicated changes lead the consumer to contact Tesla and even setup ranger service to make a repair for what ends up being a sloppy manual — to the detriment of Tesla’s effectiveness of their Service Department. If Tesla cannot make the user interface operate in a coherent manner day-to-day, there is no hope that any alleged full self driving will avoid reverting to some unknown configuration on unknown time scales. Perhaps Tesla should repurpose engineers that make video games for the car to the purpose of regression testing to avoid surprises like these.

NHTSA ODI 11557795

Today I parked my car front of my house after couple ours I heard the voice and when I come close to my car I see the airbag is deployed I want you know the car doesn’t have any impact any accident when the airbag is deployed the car was off

NHTSA ODI 11552774

Tesla Yoke Steering, horn button is nearly impossible to find in a panic situation. By the time you find the horn button an incident that could maybe have been otherwise avoided may have already occurred. Suggest Tesla, make all horns center steering wheel, it has been proven effective since the 1900's. As the NHTSA this is a complete failure in approving such a failed placement of the horn, one of any car most valued safety devices.

NHTSA ODI 11551967

The backup camera randomly stutters and pauses. Sometimes long as 2-3 seconds. It makes as if a car or pedestrian will wait for you but in fact they just walked behind you. I agree to not rely on the camera but it’s dangerous as this potentially tricks you to go and can hit a person. Tesla has replaced all hardware however dismisses my issue. On the forums there are plenty of post about this but no fix.

NHTSA ODI 11547327

"Tesla Vision" is the ADAS sensor system in the car which relies exclusively on video cameras with no LIDAR or ultrasonic sensors to measure distance. It is highly inaccurate and prone to failure. It consistently reports false warnings and fails to identify actual threats.

NHTSA ODI 11545573

Tire sidewall delaminated above the DOT markings. Vehicle purchased new, with only 8500 miles. No tires impacts and tire pressure maintained within recommended PSI (automatically remotely monitored by vehicle). Second rear tire to fail within last 500 miles of driving - failed in exact same way, and exact same place -delaminated above the DOT markings.

NHTSA ODI 11544002

Tire sidewall delaminated above the DOT markings. Vehicle purchased new, with only 8500 miles. No tires impacts and tire pressure maintained within recommended PSI (automatically remotely monitored by vehicle). Second rear tire to fail within last 500 miles of driving - failed in exact same way, and exact same place -delaminated above the DOT markings. 295/30ZR21 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S T2 Acoustic

NHTSA ODI 11544008

The drivers seatbelt unlatches by itself, without pressing the release button. Effectively, the drivers side seatbelt is unusable. Tesla has repeatedly refused to correct the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11543842

Vehicle became immovable due to sudden rear motor failure. Vehicle came to a complete stop in moving lanes of traffic with minimal warning to react.

NHTSA ODI 11543709

Tesla floor Mats are being held in place by small pieces of Velcro. These mats continually slide and get stuck under the pedals. Tesla has refused to address this common problem.

NHTSA ODI 11541520

Severe inner tire wear on the rear tires of Tesla Model S and X. I have a brand new 2022 Model S Long Range model and started noticing heavy inner tread wear on the OEM tires at only 15k miles. The car defaults the suspension to "Low" which goes into negative camber and wears out the inside of the rear tires. This is a known problem and discussed often online. See such forums from other owners: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/plaid-21%E2%80%9D-rear-tire-woes-factory-defect.269394/page-1 T

NHTSA ODI 11535757

Car has a small capacitive touch button for horn instead of center-press. During emergency incidents, it is not possible to react quickly and hit the horn, which has led to several near-misses due to a delay in alerting other drivers with the horn while searching for the horn button, which moves as the wheel (yoke) turns.

NHTSA ODI 11534339

Phantom braking continues to be a problem. I've never had it happen in the city or in traffic. I also owned a 2015 Tesla MS that NEVER had a phantom braking problem. For me PB has always occurred on a freeway with no traffic around at all. No overpass involved. Suddenly TACC thinks it must apply the brakes. Surely at least Tesla could log this kind of event and fix it. It's aggravating for me as a driver and terrifies passengers.

NHTSA ODI 11529676

Dangerous Phantom Braking: this has occurred many times including very dangerous situations in high speed interstate hwy settings. The car will slam on the brakes for no apparent reason often with cars following closely behind. I have completely stopped using “full self driving” as it is a death trap and people will certainly die because of its use.

NHTSA ODI 11526512

When using traffic-aware cruise control at normal highway speed, on regular, clear days — including when there is no glare — the system often brakes abruptly, despite the absence of obstacles or even shadows that could be misinterpreted as obstacles. This is extremely dangerous, and it has happened (1) when there are no other vehicles on the road, and (2) when the only other vehicle on the road is directly behind me. The latter scenario is particularly dangerous. Notably, the only cruise control available is traffic-aware cruise control. There is no ‘basic’ cruise control, which means there is no way to avoid this scary phantom braking other than by not using cruise control at all. I have tried disabling all ADAS automatic braking features, yet this phenomenon still occurs. This has been occurring with all software up to date. I am scared that my car is going to kill me.

NHTSA ODI 11526515

The horn is a small button on the steering wheel which isn't easily located in an emergency. Tesla has said a software update was coming to move the horn to the center as with all other vehicles but it still hasn't done so. This could cause accidents while a driver is searching for the horn.

NHTSA ODI 11515686

While utilizing the car’s cruise control (TRAAC) and the advanced autopilot features, the car brakes often, unexpectedly and without warning when there are no hazards or vehicles in its path. This is a well documented problem called “phantom braking” involving Teslas. My experiences include traveling on straight open highway with no other vehicle’ within hundreds of yards. Scary and unsafe.

NHTSA ODI 11514107

Yolk turn signal button issues. Does not register a click. Issue has also been reported on the following site with a video demonstrating the issue. https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/yolk-turn-signal-button-issues-does-not-register-a-click.285402/

NHTSA ODI 11511466

The hood/frunk open by itself. I was driving at around 25 MPH when hood/frunk suddenly opened. This is a serious saftey issue luckily I was able to avoid an accident as I could not see with the hood obstructing view. Vehicle will be taken to Tesla for inspection. No warning lamps or indications Also seems as if there is no secondary latch.

NHTSA ODI 11509924

We had the adaptive cruise control, turned on and the car braked violently on I 90 in Washington state heading east. The brakes slammed on so hard that the tires screeched. We were in the fast lane and it was fortunate that no one was directly behind us or there would’ve been a serious accident. It happened again about 5 miles later, but not as violently.

NHTSA ODI 11509551

1) Lower drivers knee airbag panel improperly installed. Photos available. 2) This could cause malfunction of the airbag in an accident 3) No response from Tesla service when reported in the Tesla App, and in person. 4) No, but I have photos and the EPC identifies the parts in question. 5) Loose trim panel made the problem apparent, noted at delivery. Noted loose and broken lower dash trim panel under the steering Yoke. Upon investigation, noted the panel was designed to be held in place by 4 circular magnets, two on the panel and two on the lower dash support. However, in this case, a 10mm high strength steel bolt with a torque stripe was inserted into the mating magnet on the lower dash structure. The strength of the magnet was such that the bolt was apparently fully seated. The problem was, where did this bolt belong? It was found the adjacent lower panel was the knee airbag panel was designed to be secured by two 10mm bolts, and one was missing! The errant bolt was placed into the proper hole and torqued per the SM. The passenger side panels and bolts were found to be properly installed, and torque striped. I believe the placement of the Yoke makes it difficult for assembly personnel to ensure the airbag bolt is placed into the proper hole, and the magnet keeps the bolt in position when it is incorrectly placed. The problem is this leaves the lower knee airbag secured by a single bolt, and that is a potential safety concern. Please contact me for photos and supporting documents.

NHTSA ODI 11508830

The vehicles horn is too difficult to locate during an emergency and requires you to look down at the wheel to find it. The "Yoke" steering wheel does not have the horn in the center as traditional across all other brand vehicles. It's a touch-capacitive area to the right and only about the size of a thumb tack. It's not raised or textured in anyway.

NHTSA ODI 11507724

My car has 10K miles and rear wheels started to layer off. This is the same issue as many other reporting on the web. I tired to reach out to Tesla but they deny any responsibilities. Something needs to be done ASAP before people will get hurt. I am lucky that I noticed this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11507215

Windshield cracked after preheating the car and pulling out of driveway in cold weather. Saw and heard the crack happen. Found hundreds of other complaints online of owners reporting similar issues. Brought into Tesla dealer and they claim it was from an external windshield chip that then spread although no external chip was present. They seemed very knowledgeable about this issue and trained to try to not cover this under warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11505936