VehicleVerdict

2019 Tesla Model S driver assistance problems

The 2019 Tesla Model S has 20 driver assistance complaints filed with NHTSA — 29% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

20

Driver Assistance complaints

29%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Driver Assistance complaints by year

Model S driver assistance complaints by model year132 complaints2012: 3 complaints2013: 17 complaints2014: 17 complaints2015: 73 complaints2016: 89 complaints2017: 132 complaints2018: 84 complaints2019: 20 complaints2020: 37 complaints2021: 77 complaints2022: 51 complaints2023: 32 complaints2024: 34 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Model S driver assistance complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

24V153000Driver AssistanceFebruary 27, 2024 · 6,557 units

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Consequence

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.

22V169000Driver AssistanceMarch 18, 2022 · 947 units

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-004.

21V846000Driver AssistanceOctober 29, 2021 · 11,728 units

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.

Consequence

Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.

What owners report

I have a Tesla with Full Self Driving software. On Oct 15, around 1:15 PM Central, in Austin, we had finished lunch. Testa was parked around 100 ft away and I pressed Summon to have the car come to where we were. Completely line of sights. The car while pulling out hit the car parked next to it and…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · October 15, 2021 · crash

Common questions

How many driver assistance complaints does the 2019 Tesla Model S have?

NHTSA has 20 complaints about the 2019 Tesla Model S driver assistance — 29% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2019 Tesla Model S driver assistance?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the driver assistance: 21V846000, 22V169000, 24V153000.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.