The 2021 Tesla Model S has 174 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 24 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance and steering. Owners most often flag poor long-term reliability (older models): multiple expensive failures per year out of warranty, including door handles, trunk latches, 12v battery systems, infotainment screens, and suspension components (control arms). frequency: very frequent (for older models).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Tesla Model S vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 7 Model S model years we track, complaint volume runs from 59 (2012) to 2,588 (2015). With 174 complaints, the 2021 Model S sits belowthe model's median of 364.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
electrical system:adas:autonomous/self driving:software
Campaign 22V037000Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may a…
air bags
Campaign 21V868000Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
electrical system:software
Campaign 22V045000Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their s…
latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Campaign 21V00B000Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the re…
Sentiment is mixed and varies significantly by vehicle generation. Long-term owners of older models (specifically pre-2021, with mentions of a 2015 model) report severe dissatisfaction with long-term reliability and ownership costs,…
Owner insights cover all generations of the Model S. See the full Model S owner picture and every model year.
Used Model S listings typically run $16,795–$31,876 across 2012 to 2023 model years.
Compare every Model S year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.