Tesla Model S Complaints (2021)

176 consumer complaints on file.

#11577236March 13, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The blinkers on the steering wheel inadvertently stop working from time to time causing a dangerous situation for myself and the drivers around me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11572308February 16, 2024
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
I have never received an audible alert for my blind spot warning. There is no light on the outside mirrors or anywhere else inside the vehicle to catch your attention. If I am looking at my display in front of my steering wheel I will see a car that is in my blindspot change from GRAY to RED when I activate my blinker; however, the car has never beeped or alerted me beyond passively changing the car color to red on my display screen. If I'm changing lanes I am not looking at my screen which is directly in front of me, I'm looking at the road and I'm looking left or right. I have almost hit many other vehicles multiple times because my car will not audibly notify me that theres a car in my blind spot or a car that is speeding up behind me which I might have missed. This is a feature which I paid for and I feel is defective in it's current state. The car is available upon request for inspection. The lack of an audible BSW alert puts myself and others on the road at an increased risk of collision. I have mentioned it to the dealer but after over two years no update has been made. I have not made a big attempt to correct this issue with the dealer since it's difficult to speak to someone at Tesla. No, the issue has not been inspected by anyone. I discussed it with a rep shortly after I purchased the vehicle but it seems like an issue that Tesla knows about if they only programed the vehicle color to change and didn't program an audible alert. No, there have not been any alerts before this issue as it appears to be a simple programing issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11572290February 16, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V051000 (Electrical System), 23V838000 (Electrical System), 23V862000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Electrical System) and 23V488000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the recall remedies were over-the air (OTA) software updates, and OTA updates had not been performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a Tesla Service Center, who informed the contact that he needed to pay the diagnostic test fee prior to the recall repairs. The contact declined to pay the fee because recall repairs were free of charge. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565388January 13, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn is a button. As someone almost steered into me, I looked down to find the horn and almost ran into a child as my car swerved!!! This is incredibly unsafe to hide the horn button in an incredibly small area next to the wiper button and cruise control. How this was approved is beyond me!! Tesla needs to make all current cars correct by having the horn be accesible. Like every other car in the world!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11563661January 5, 2024
STEERING
Left turn signal button randomly stops working, have to click right signal then left again for it to work. Happens about 2-3 times per week
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11562326December 28, 2023
STEERING
Went to a Tesla dealership to get my car aligned. 4 days later they told me that my car couldn’t be aligned because my fron lower control arm was bent or broken. I purchased the car from Tesla with 5700 miles. The cad had about 19k miles when it went in for alignment. Seen owning the vehicle I never had an accident or damage to vehicle that would cause such damage. Like always they like to blame the customer to we can cover the defects of there vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11562107December 27, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Driving on divided highway at night, the car slowed dramatically at each exit from the highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11560538December 17, 2023
SUSPENSION
The suspension is very stiff and to the point when the smallest of pot holes, road bumps, or going over the road divider marker sends the shock to the body of the passenger. My family complaints of neck pain after a short ride. I live in San Jose, CA. I drive with the comfort mode with the soft ride setting for the suspension. This deep discomfort, pronounced for rear passengers is also increasingly deteriorating. Tesla inspected my car on Sept 8, 2023 - partially fixed the suspension noise. No change to the ride stiffness causing deep discomfort to passengers. Tesla inspected my car on Nov 8, 2023 for the same issue. No resolution. Tesla inspected my car on Dec 17, 2023 for the same issue. No resultion. I was told by Tesla technician who drove with me, that the ride is stiff, however, there are no fixes currently. A change to the setting and / or suspension will happen if there is a volume of complaints. Initially, the suspension had sound issues and frequent cranking. Tesla fixed it partially. However, this did not resolve the stiff suspension. I went to the Tesla dealership three times, each of the times, Tesla toggled with the settings but not avail. Tesla now claims that the suspension is what it is, any relief has to come from NHTSA or I have to sell my car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11560406December 16, 2023
STEERING
Dear Sir/Madam, I am highly concerned about the safety of the newest versions of Tesla Model S, Model X (without stalks), CyberTruck and Model 3 with the code name Highland. These models pose a significant danger when operated without intuitive direction signals, especially in the following situations: 1) Roundabouts: It is nearly impossible to correctly activate the signal lights. Please refer to the following example: [XXX] 2) Complete distraction of our focus from the road is required to operate signalling (eyes are EVERY TIME off a road), as shown in this example: [XXX] 3) In the event of a slightly dangerous occurrence, it is impossible to effectively and intuitively use the signals (or honk with the "Yoke" steering wheel). Please see: [XXX] Naturally, all of these points contribute to a significantly higher risk of accidents and undoubtedly impact the flow of traffic. Regards Alardo INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556759November 25, 2023
WHEELS
Have just learned (on routine check) that Front/Rear tire configuration has been backwards since delivery from the FACTORY; 24 mo, 24k miles. Factory specified FRONT REAR 255/45R19 285/40R19 NOTE REVERSAL Actual upon delivery FRONT REAR 285/40R19 255/45R19 ONLY service has been 1 left/right switch at 19k with NO front/back, per tire service recommendation; not detected then. And there’s NO chance it was reversed after delivery. I'm wondering effect on tread life, safety, drive-ability. Tech said this error would vastly affect performance, "Haven't you noticed car 'driving really funny'?" Notified Tesla; no response yet. In photos, Note door decal, fender placement will show front/rear.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555470November 16, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side indicator was inoperable on the yoke steering wheel. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 24,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551552October 24, 2023
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
The 2021 and beyond Tesla Model S comes installed with camber arms that cause the wheel to be tilted in and thus wears the tire on the inside to the point of wearing out within 6 months. This is a flaw in the building and pertains to all the model S's 2021 and greater. This is a safety issue and is not addressed by Tesla. I think Tesla should be forced to provide a recall for this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551459October 23, 2023
WHEELS
The OEM 21 inch wheel cracked which resulted in a flattening tire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11545272September 18, 2023
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, SEAT BELTS
I have had my Tesla to their shop FOUR times to try to fix a safety airbag issue in the drivers side which they have had my car for weeks and weeks on end, only for me to get it back with the same issue after only a few days of repair! I asked them for a refund and other things and they have done nothing! They still make me pay full price for my lease even though they have had my car in their shop more than I have driving it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11542041September 1, 2023
TIRES
Tire tread delaminated from the body of the tire, leading to loss of pressure and dangerous loss of vehicle control. Both rear tires had the same issue. 295 /30 R21
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11541775August 30, 2023
SEAT BELTS
Rear passenger seat belt came unattached from receiver on braking. 7 year old in booster seat lunged forward
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11541564August 29, 2023
STEERING
After backing out of a parking space and turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel locked up. I could still drive forward and reverse but had no ability to steer the car. I left the car in order to turn it off and when I returned and turned it back on, the steering unlocked. I had this happen two times today.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11541526August 29, 2023
TIRES
My rear driver side tire failed on the interstate and lost pressure so quickly I had to pull over immediately. Thankfully the tire remained intact enough for me to safely pull over and no one was injured. After realizing this wasn’t just a puncture, I was shocked. This is either a major defect with the tire or with Teslas installation of the tire. The inner part of the tire was shredded but the rest of the tire has significant tread left. These tires are less than 1 year old and less than 16500 miles of use. The tires offer a 30,000 mile warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540692August 25, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Vehicle braked without warning with cruise control engaged. Luckily there were no other vehicles near us when this phantom braking occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11536291August 3, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn is a tiny button on the steering wheel. Several times when someone inadvertently started entering my lane I couldn't find the horn fast enough to warn them so had to veer away and brake suddenly to avoid them as I couldn't warn them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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