NHTSA (USA)Low Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 10 recalls and 662 owner complaints for the 2015 Tesla Model S.
Complaints about the 2015 Tesla Model S cluster most heavily around suspension and electrical issues, with exterior lighting rounding out the top three areas. On the suspension side, owners frequently describe failures and deterioration that affect ride quality and handling, often requiring repeated repairs. The electrical system draws a wide range of reports, owners describe malfunctions affecting cameras, driver assistance features, and door handle mechanisms, with some reporting handles that fail to release or, in the opposite direction, doors that open unexpectedly when the vehicle unlocks. Exterior lighting complaints center on headlights becoming intermittently or fully inoperable, which owners say discourages nighttime driving. A recurring theme across multiple reports is the rear hatch latch failing repeatedly, with owners describing it as a chronic issue rather than a one-time fix.
662
Total Complaints
70
Crash-Related
12
Fire-Related
17
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Tesla Model S has 10 recalls, the most serious being two issues that can cause sudden loss of visibility or occupant injury: a front trunk hood that can fly open while driving, and a passenger airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin.
On the occupant restraint side, front seatbelts on certain vehicles may not be properly connected to the pretensioner, meaning they may not hold an occupant securely in a crash. There is also a seatbelt warning chime and light that can fail to activate when the driver is unbelted. The electric power steering gear can corrode and lose assist, making the car significantly harder to steer at low speeds. On certain 2016 vehicles, the electronic parking brake contains an internal gear that can fracture and leave the vehicle immobilized. The center touchscreen display on some vehicles uses a memory chip that wears out over time, causing the rearview camera, defrost controls, and exterior turn signals to stop working. The Autosteer driver assistance system can, under certain conditions, allow a driver who is not actively engaged to remain unaware that intervention is needed. Rounding out the list, a factory reset can mute the pedestrian warning sound the car emits at low speeds, and brake warning lights on the instrument panel may display in a font size too small to read clearly.
At a glance
What can fail
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The seat belt warning light and chime may not activate when the driver is unbelted, failing to alert the driver to fasten their seat belt.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a software update over the air to fix the warning system so it activates properly for unbelted drivers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A factory reset can silence the Pedestrian Warning System sounds, which alert pedestrians to the vehicle's presence. The vehicle then fails to meet federal sound requirements for electric vehicles.
What the fix does
Tesla releases a free software update (2023.44.30.14) over-the-air to restore the Pedestrian Warning System sounds.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System warning lights on the instrument panel display in an incorrect font size, which does not meet federal brake system safety standards.
What the fix does
Tesla is releasing a free over-the-air software update to correct the warning light font size display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Autosteer controls may not be prominent or clear enough to prevent drivers from misusing this advanced driver-assistance feature when it's engaged.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to improve how Autosteer controls are displayed and managed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, which can prevent the secondary hood latch from engaging properly.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect the latch assembly and reposition it as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The center display's memory storage device wears out over time and eventually loses data integrity, causing some display functions to stop working.
What the fix does
Tesla will replace the display control board with one containing an upgraded memory device that lasts longer, at no cost to owners.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Passenger air bag inflators may explode during a crash due to propellant breaking down from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Aluminum bolts holding the power steering motor to the steering gear can corrode and break, reducing or eliminating power steering assist.
What the fix does
Replace the steering gear mounting bolts and apply corrosion-preventative sealer to protect against future corrosion.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The internal gear in the electric parking brake calipers may be defectively manufactured and could break when you apply or release the parking brake.
What the fix does
Tesla will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver or front passenger seat belt may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner, affecting its function during a crash.
What the fix does
Service centers will inspect both seat belts and correct the connection to the pretensioner if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.