VehicleVerdict

Tesla Model S years to avoid

The Tesla Model S years to avoid are 2015, 2016, 2013, 2017, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2020, 2012, 2024, 2019, 2025, 2026 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation.

5,284

Total complaints

39

Recall campaigns

2012–2026

Years covered

15

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Tesla Model S NHTSA complaints by model year1,057 complaints2012: 89 complaints2013: 677 complaints2014: 546 complaints2015: 1,057 complaints2016: 1,027 complaints2017: 674 complaints2018: 288 complaints2019: 73 complaints2020: 123 complaints2021: 279 complaints2022: 198 complaints2023: 162 complaints2024: 78 complaints2025: 7 complaints2026: 6 complaints
Tesla Model S NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Model S years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2015High complaints + open investigation1,057
2016High complaints + open investigation1,027
2013High complaints + open investigation677
2017High complaints + open investigation674
2014High complaints + open investigation546
2018Open safety investigation288
2021Open safety investigation279
2022Open safety investigation198
2023Open safety investigation162
2020Open safety investigation123
2012Open safety investigation89
2024Open safety investigation78
2019Open safety investigation73
2025Open safety investigation7
2026Open safety investigation6

Every Model S year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2026avoid60
2025avoid72
2024avoid786
2023avoid16213
2022avoid19820
2021avoid27924
2020avoid12311
2019avoid7310
2018avoid28811
2017avoid6749
2016avoid1,02710
2015avoid1,0579
2014avoid5469
2013avoid67711
2012avoid898

Common questions

What are the worst Tesla Model S years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Model S years to avoid are 2015, 2016, 2013, 2017, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2020, 2012, 2024, 2019, 2025, 2026.

How many recalls does the Tesla Model S have?

Across all model years, the Model S has 39 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 5,284 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.