Tesla Model S Complaints (2021)

176 consumer complaints on file.

#11469222June 14, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and attempting to switch lanes, he attempted to use the turn signals; however, the turn signals were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 2,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469058June 13, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
While driving with a fully charged battery, the car dash warned “pull over to safe location. Battery cannot support all functions”. We were unable to fully pull over in the time before the car experienced a critical loss of functionality, as the car shut off in less than 1 minute from flashing the warning. The car lost all functionality, including loss of its flashers, putting us at significant risk since we were unable to alert other motorists to our presence on the side of the road as it was getting dark. The car is currently with the dealer and thus far they have been unable to identify the root cause of the issue but have acknowledged the existence of the problem. They’ve claimed the 12v battery died and the car does not have any safety redundancy built in to be able to access power from the main driving battery to power critical features such as the hazard lights. The biggest risk of safety is loss of indicators/flashers while on the side of the road. This feature in vehicles is meant to alert other drivers to the presence of a disabled vehicle. Consumer was told no physical problem was found with the car and a “firmware” problem is suspected. After repeated questioning, the Tesla dealer finally acknowledged that other 2021 Model S cars have experienced similar abrupt shut downs and the California engineers are aware of the problem. They cannot tell me when a firmware update will be available, but in the interim want to return the car to the consumer having done nothing to prevent the problem from recurring.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468099June 8, 2022
AIR BAGS
The airbag module installed in the yoke has popped out while driving. It currently hangs by a wire. This makes the car completely inoperable safely. In fact had the airbag ever gone off in this condition it could cause serious injury and possibly death. Reached out to Tesla for repair and they are estimating 20 days to begin a repair. If cars with this problem get into an accident that activated the airbag I believe there could be very serious consequences for the driver.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467559June 4, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The vehicle put the brakes on when on adaptive cruise, but with very few cars around. The last time, there was no car in front of me, but the vehicle braked so fast the the car behind me almost rear ended me. I’ve noticed that it happened twice on a South bound stretch of I-35 in Temple texas. This needs to be addressed or there is a strong potential for an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466586May 29, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car does not have a proper center horn- extremely dangerous. Only has a small button on the right side of the steering yoke that moves as the wheel is turned. Company owner clearly stated that a center airbag enabled horn would be available on all cars produced from November 2021 forward and would be activated by a firmware update. Either the hardware was never deployed or the update was never activated because no one has received it. Tesla will not confirm or deny that the newer production cars even have the necessary hardware to be updated. Find it shocking that this has not been addressed from a regulatory standpoint by now. Company should be mandated to deliver what their owner has promised after having released a new model that is lacking a practical, safe version of a significant safety feature.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463610May 6, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE:SOFTWARE:PEDESTRIAN/CYCLIST/OBJECT/OBSTACLE/ RECOGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH or slower, the pedestrian alert warning system failed to activate as designed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic found no failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V235000 (Electrical System, Forward Collison Avoidance). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460819April 14, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have had this car for about three months. It is equipped with "yoke" steering. I have fully adapted to it, with the exception of the horn button. Because I use it so infrequently, I have had no chance to develop muscle memory, and I suspect I am not alone. Twice now, while in heavy fast traffic in a middle lane, I've been in the blind spot of a car to my right. That car moved at a reasonable pace into my lane, and I could have stopped the movement with a rapid warning honk. Because I couldn't locate the horn button quickly, I was forced to brake abruptly and swerve left. Fortunately, both times the drivers to my left saw what was happening and moved left as well, but it could have been much worse. I am terrified of a child running toward the street and I can't honk fast enough. I keep practicing the horn, but I have 50 years of middle wheel push to overcome. Much as I love my Plaid, I think they should re-think this critical safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458643March 28, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Horn is supposed to be activated by covering the full right hand side of the yoke or pressing small horn button on the upper hand side of the yoke. Went to honk at car that swerved into my path, but right hand side cover feature is non-functional...horn did not sound...only way to activate the horn is to tap the small horn button that requires a shift in grip to reach and taking eyes off the road to locate since it is never in the same location given the yoke is never fully straight unless going straight (which you are not often doing when taking an evasive maneuver). Horn should not require this level of precision to activate!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457412March 19, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On March 18th and March 19th we have experienced 4 episodes of unexpected emergency phantom braking while using auto pilot. Once on the 18th and 3 times on the 19th. Only once was there another car in our vicinity and that car was next to us within their lane passing us at the time. All 4 times the cars collision warning chimed and hard emergency braking was applied by the car for no reason. If there had been cars following us we would have been rear ended. To date these are the only times this has happened. Tesla says they have no current fix. There was no indication of any problems with the auto pilot/collision warning prior to this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457411March 19, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
It is still unknown, but I believe the brakes failed. My wife was driving and making a left turn into a residential neighborhood when she applied the brake and it didn't respond, even when pushing the pedal to the floor. All that resulted was a clicking noise. The brakes failing to respond, and the emergency braking not engaging did cause an impact with a curb and sidewalk. At the same time, the seatbelt did not lock on impact or when pushing the brake pedal to the floor. The safety of the my wife was put at risk as she could not stop the car. With the cars weight and the amount of power that it has, it creates a dangerous situation for anyone around, especially in a residential area. The vehicle is available for inspection and is currently at the Tesla Service Center. There was a warning light that said something regarding the "Hold" not working and another for "Regenerative Braking." I do have the four angle dash cam videos from the Tesla of both times that it did occur.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457068March 17, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Rear passenger door opened while driving on the highway. I was the only occupant, car doors were locked when this happened
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455714March 8, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
experiencing phantom braking. On a recent trip I had several episodes of phantom braking where the vehicle slammed on the brakes without any obstacles in front of the car. Just an open road. While this has happened on two lane roads with oncoming traffic on this recent trip it happened on a freeway with nothing in front of it. There were a lot of bugs in the air and I'm wondering if a bug hitting a camera was the cause. Also, the car at a stop light gave me a heads up that the light had changed. Without looking at the lights I started to accelerate only to find out that it picked up the left and turn light not the light controlling my lane. Almost crashed into oncoming traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455277March 4, 2022
AIR BAGS
Tesla Service Center canceling appointments to repair driver airbag recall. Numerous attempts to have recall accomplished with Tesla Service Center in Palm Springs, CA. Unsuccessful since November 2021 (3 months).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453408February 22, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
With autopilot engaged, the vehicle will randomly apply brakes at highway speed with no vehicle in front of it at a distance of at least 1/2 mile. The issue seems to be weather independent. The issue occurs on every occasion where autopilot is engaged at highway speed. I scheduled a maintenance appointment for the issue. My last Tesla model S (2018) did same thing with less frequency. Severe auto braking at highway speed presents serious danger to vehicles behind me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453334February 22, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Car experienced “phantom braking” at freeway speeds (it suddenly and unexpected applied brakes by itself) - AutoPilot was engaged and was on freeway. There were no vehicles or objects in front of car. It was a multi lane freeway and multiple lanes on either side. Was extremely dangerous and could have caused a severe accident had i not taken evasive action and taken control/overridden immediately (would have otherwise been rear-ended).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453175February 21, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Third time this has happened on my new Model S Plaid. On Autopilot, the car randomly slams on the brakes when we were driving down the interstate at 70 mph for no reason. There were no other cars around us.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452894February 18, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While in autopilot, the car brakes for no reason, phantom breaking. This happens while in right lane near exits, and happens inconsistently while in other lanes. It dropped from 83 on autopilot to 49 in one instance. The person in the back seat almost drove her head into the back of driver seat. The passengers will never buy a Tesla. Another issue, important controls for the car are not intuitive for use and provide distractions from driving. The blinkers and horn as well as tire pressure gauges and other items necessary for safety are too “non conforming”. Someone please address these issues with Tesla. Also, almost every control is so small and flat with no raised markings, those with essential tremors are susceptible to not be able to reach or activate controls due to the extremely small size of the controls.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452802February 18, 2022
STEERING
The yoke is DANGEROUS, stupid, offers no benefit. The horn is way off center, meaning it's always in a different place, depending on the turn position. This is criminally stupid, and almost caused 3 accidents already for me. When you need a horn, it's to prevent an accident, and everyone intuitively slams the middle of the steering WHEEL.... There needs to be a recall and provide us with a proper steering wheel, with horn in the middle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452601February 17, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Automatic emergency braking on interstate where it is dangerous to slam on the brakes in the middle of traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452586February 17, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
when travelling around 70-75 miles on AutoPilot car makes strong brakes which is known as phantom breaking. This is happening every single day on highway which is really scary.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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