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.

5,250

Total complaints

39

Recall campaigns

2012–2026

Years covered

15

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Tesla Model S NHTSA complaints by model year1,053 complaints2012: 89 complaints2013: 677 complaints2014: 545 complaints2015: 1,053 complaints2016: 1,018 complaints2017: 669 complaints2018: 288 complaints2019: 69 complaints2020: 123 complaints2021: 276 complaints2022: 194 complaints2023: 158 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 investigation1,053
2016High complaints + open investigation1,018
2013High complaints + open investigation677
2017High complaints + open investigation669
2014High complaints + open investigation545
2018Open safety investigation288
2021Open safety investigation276
2022Open safety investigation194
2023Open safety investigation158
2020Open safety investigation123
2012Open safety investigation89
2024Open safety investigation78
2019Open safety investigation69
2025Open safety investigation7
2026Open safety investigation6

Every Model S year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2026avoid60
2025avoid72
2024avoid786
2023avoid15813
2022avoid19420
2021avoid27624
2020avoid12311
2019avoid6910
2018avoid28811
2017avoid6699
2016avoid1,01810
2015avoid1,0539
2014avoid5459
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 5,250 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.