Tesla Model S Recalls

The Tesla Model S has 57 recalls spanning 2012 through 2025, with the most serious recent issue being a driver's airbag on 2021–2025 models that can tear during deployment and fail to adequately protect the occupant in a crash.

The current generation brings a cluster of occupant protection concerns. On 2021–2025 models, that tearing driver's airbag is the most consequential, but 2021–2024 vehicles also have a separate issue where an incorrect airbag may have been installed during a steering yoke or wheel swap, causing it to deploy incorrectly. Side curtain airbag inflators on 2021–2022 models may have been assembled incorrectly, leading to delayed or improper deployment. Front seat belts on 2021–2023 models can detach from their pretensioner anchors in a crash, and on 2021–2024 models a software fault can prevent the hood latch from detecting an unlatched condition, allowing the hood to fly open and block the driver's view. Cabin doors on 2021–2023 models can unlock during a crash and swing open. On 2021–2022 models, the infotainment processor can overheat during fast-charging and cause the center screen to go blank, taking the rearview camera, defroster controls, and gear selector display with it. A heat pump software error on 2021–2022 vehicles can trap refrigerant and reduce defrost performance. Power windows on 2021–2022 models may not reverse properly when they contact an obstruction. The 2024–2025 model years have a circuit board that can short and kill the rearview camera image entirely.

Full Self-Driving and Autosteer software recalls span a wide range of years. The "rolling stop" feature on 2016–2022 vehicles could allow the car to roll through an all-way stop without halting. A broader FSD Beta recall covering 2016–2023 models addresses the software allowing the vehicle to exceed speed limits or navigate intersections in unpredictable ways. An Autosteer driver monitoring recall covers 2012–2023 vehicles where the system may not adequately prompt the driver to stay engaged. A separate automatic emergency braking recall on 2017–2021 models involves false forward-collision warnings that can trigger a sudden unexpected stop.

Going back to mid-production years, 2012–2016 models with Bosch steering racks have aluminum bolts attaching the power steering motor that can corrode and fracture, causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist. The 2017–2021 model years have a related power steering issue where rough roads or potholes can knock out steering assist entirely. The 2012–2018 models with a specific NVIDIA processor and 8GB flash memory chip can wear out the memory controller over time, disabling the rearview camera, defroster settings, and turn signal indicators. Front trunk latch misalignment on 2014–2021 vehicles can leave the secondary latch unengaged, allowing the hood to open while driving.

The Takata-related passenger airbag inflator recalls cover 2012–2016 models, where propellant degradation from heat and humidity can cause the inflator to rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin. A separate airbag propellant degradation issue affects 2013–2014 models on the same basis. Front seatbelt pretensioner connection problems span 2012–2015 models. The 2012–2