2019 Tesla Model S problems, complaints & recalls

Far fewer Too few recent reports to judge

NHTSA has received 32 owner complaints about the 2019 Tesla Model S, or 4.2 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.10, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #3 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Tesla models its rate is 94% lower; against other Electric vehicles it is 93% lower.

Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count

Complaints filed between 2019-03-18 and 2025-01-27. Median delay from incident to filing: 4 days.

32Complaints

4.2Complaints per year on the road

0.1Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles

10Recalls

12.5%Share involving a crash or fire

0Last 12 months

Analysis

The previous model year (2018) drew 14.8 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 12.0 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 10 complaints, 88% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.

The most common problem area is Wheels, tires & suspension (21.9% of complaints), followed by Electrical (15.6%) and Brakes (15.6%). Wheels, tires & suspension complaints are 8.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 4 reports (12.5%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Half of the reported incidents happened within 36 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (41% of incidents). 0 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls for this model year. 44% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 15 NHTSA defect investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions” (opened 2026-03-18, still open).

Complaint index

vs. all tracked vehicles0.1
vs. other Tesla models0.06
vs. other 2019 models0.09
vs. other Electric vehicles0.07
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (10)0.12
#3 of 76 · 2019Rankings ›

1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.

Other model years

201814.8 per year0.35
20194.2 per year0.1
202012.0 per year0.29
202131.0 per year0.74
202229.1 per year0.69
202330.5 per year0.72
202414.2 per year0.34
20253.6 per year0.09

Tesla Model S problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

What owners complain about

Wheels, tires & suspension7 · 21.9% · 8.79×
Electrical5 · 15.6% · 0.99×
Brakes5 · 15.6% · 2.57×
Transmission / powertrain3 · 9.4% · 0.81×
Steering3 · 9.4% · 1.45×
Body & structure3 · 9.4% · 1.02×
Driver-assist systems2 · 6.2% · 1.08×
Engine1 · 3.1% · 0.14×

vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average

Problem areas: Interior & equipment · Driver-assist systems · Electrical · Wheels, tires & suspension · Steering · Body & structure · Brakes

When complaints were filed

Crashes reported: 4
Fires reported: 0
Injuries: 1
Deaths: 0

Vehicle age at incident

<1 yr18.8%
1–2 yrs18.8%
2–3 yrs9.4%
3–5 yrs40.6%
5+ yrs12.5%

Median age at incident: 36 months

What owners report

On[XXX], at approximately 6:30 PM while I was driving my 2019 Tesla Model S in Fort Lee, NJ. While navigating through congested traffic and executing a right turn from [XXX] on a green light, the auto-pilot system was not using, my vehicle unexpectedly…

Brakes · 2024-01-09 · ODI 11564407 · Crash
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.

Electrical · 2021-10-16 · ODI 11437021 · Crash
Experienced rattling while driving. Brought car in and was told this is a known problem. Obtained copy of the bulletin from Tesla saying this was a “fix upon notification” rather than a recall. Then was forced to pay for the repairs.

Wheels, tires & suspension · 2025-01-27 · ODI 11638835
Vehicle suddenly stopped on highway luckily there were no drivers behind me. The vehicle all of a sudden started beeping even though there was a clear path and no obstructions. Then stopped. I was panicked and in awe at what was happening.

Brakes · 2024-09-10 · ODI 11613861
On [XXX] at approximately 1230 pm my husband loaded my [XXX] child into the car. He shut the door then tried to open the driver site door. At that time the inside the car was 93 degrees. The car shut off. Telsa customer support was contacted multiple times.

Electrical · 2024-06-06 · ODI 11592780

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.

Segment peers · 2019 · Electric vehicles

Models	Complaints	Complaints per year on the road	Complaint index
2019 Tesla Model Y	0	0.0	0.0
2019 Tesla Model S	32	4.2	0.1
2019 Tesla Model X	73	9.5	0.23
2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV	175	22.8	0.54
2019 Tesla Model 3	608	79.2	1.88

Safety recalls (10)

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES Campaign 24V376000 · 2024-05-28 · Over-the-air fix

Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT Campaign 24V153000 · 2024-02-27 · Over-the-air fix

Summary: 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."

Risk: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL Campaign 24V051000 · 2024-01-30 · Over-the-air fix

Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE Campaign 23V838000 · 2023-12-12 · Over-the-air fix

Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

Risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING Campaign 23V085000 · 2023-02-15 · Over-the-air fix

Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

Risk: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Campaign 22V818000 · 2022-11-01 · Over-the-air fix

Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.

Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION Campaign 22V169000 · 2022-03-18 · Over-the-air fix

Summary: 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."

Risk: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE Campaign 22V037000 · 2022-01-27 · Over-the-air fix

Summary: Tesla, 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 allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.

Risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH Campaign 21V00B000 · 2021-12-21

Summary: Tesla, 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 requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System."

Risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-11-003.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 21V846000 · 2021-10-29 · Over-the-air fix

Summary: 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.

Risk: 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.

How to check whether your car has an open recall ›

Investigations

FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions Open

EA26002 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS · Opened 2026-03-18 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Engineering Analysis to evaluate Teslaâs Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) degradation detection system. The focus of this investigation will be to assess the systemâs ability, when encountering reduced roadway visibility conditions, to detect degradation and alert the driver with sufficient t…
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged Open

PE25012 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS · Opened 2025-10-07 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

The Office of Defects Investigation (âODIâ) is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of FSD executing driving maneuvers that constitute traï¬c safety violations. This investigation concerns versions of FSD that Tesla has labeled as "FSD (Supervised)" and "FSD (Beta)." Tesla characterizes FSD as an SAE Level 2 partial automat…
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements Open

AQ25002 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS · Opened 2025-08-20 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

The Office of Defects Investigation (âODIâ) has identified numerous incident reports submitted by Tesla, Inc. (âTeslaâ) in response to Standing General Order 2021-01 (the âSGOâ), in which the reported crashes occurred several months or more before the dates of the reports. The majority of these reports involved crashes in which the Standing General Order in place at the time required a…
Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts. Closed

PE24033 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING · Opened 2025-01-06 · Closed 2026-04-03 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

On January 6, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation 24003 (PE24033) to investigate Actually Smart Summon (Summon) sessions resulting in crashes during active sessions. According to Tesla, Summon is a short-distance SAE Level 2 system, controlled by the user from a cell phone within a certain distance and intended for use in parking lots and on private prope…
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions Closed

PE24031 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS · Opened 2024-10-17 · Closed 2026-03-18 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

On October 17, 2024, NHTSAâs Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24031) of Teslaâs Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) to assess: the ability of the FSD system to detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions; whether any other FSD crashes had occurred under degraded roadway visibility co…
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness Open

RQ24009 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:DRIVER MONITORING:SOFTWARE · Opened 2024-04-25 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening a Recall Query to assess the remedy adequacy of Recall 23V838. On December 12, 2023, Tesla filed a Defect Information Report (Recall 23V838) applicable to all Tesla models produced and equipped with any version of its Autopilot system, which Tesla described as an SAE Level 2 (L2) Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). Autopilot is the simulta…
Sudden Unintended Acceleration Open

DP23002 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Opened 2023-06-29 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP20-001 on the basis that intermittent high electrical current demands on the vehicles' 12VDC systems may have caused some or all of the incidents examined by ODI in DP20-001. The petitioner bases this information on a review of open-source research and the DP20-001 denial. The petiti…
Defect Petition Interlock Request Closed

DP23001 · UNKNOWN OR OTHER · Opened 2023-04-07 · Closed 2026-03-18 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

On March 21, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting a ârecall of all Tesla carsâ produced from 2013 to the date on which the petition was filed due to what Petitioner considers to be the increased likelihood of pedal misapplication. Attached to the Petition is a paper authored by Petitioner. According to Petitioner, the differences in the operator contro…
Pedestrian alert sounds Closed

DP22005 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM · Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07 · Campaign 22V063000 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
Autopilot System Driver Controls Closed

EA22002 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · Opened 2022-06-08 · Closed 2024-04-25 · Campaign 23V838 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded PE21020 to EA22002 on June 8, 2022, to extend work and deepen the PE21020 crash analysis, to supplement that analysis with additional data, and to perform vehicle evaluations to understand how Teslaâs Autopilot system may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the driverâs supervision. To suppor…
Tesla Passenger Play Closed

PE21023 · EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:120/240 VAC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:RECEPTACLE · Opened 2021-12-21 · Closed 2023-05-26 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-023) on December 21, 2021, to evaluate the driver distraction potential and use frequency / circumstances of in-vehicle game-play functionality referred to as ?Passenger Play? in certain model year (MY) 2017-2022 Tesla Model 3, S, X, and Y vehicles. Distracted driving can result in an increased risk of a crash. PE21-023 …
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open

EA21002 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Opened 2021-09-17 · Model years: 2018, 2019

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupt…
Autopilot & First Responder Scenes Closed

PE21020 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS · Opened 2021-08-13 · Closed 2022-06-08 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

On August 13, 2021, NHTSA?s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-020) to assess the performance of Tesla?s Autopilot system (a system characterized by Tesla as an SAE Level 2 driving automation system designed to support and assist the driver in performing the driving task) available in Tesla vehicles. The investigation opening was motivated by an accumulatio…
Sudden Unintended Acceleration Closed

DP20001 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:SPRINGS · Opened 2020-01-13 · Closed 2021-01-08 · Model years: 2018, 2019

On December 19, 2019, NHTSA received a petition from Mr. Brian Sparks requesting that the Agency recall all [Tesla] Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles produced from 2013 to the present due to sudden unintended acceleration (SUA). In his petition and follow-up submissions, the petitioner identified a total of 232 non-duplicative complaints to NHTSA, including 203 reporting crashes. On January 1…
Battery Management Software Updates Closed

DP19005 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY THERMAL:MANAGEMENT:SOFTWARE · Opened 2019-10-01 · Closed 2021-09-28 · Model years: 2018, 2019

In a letter dated September 17, 2019, Mr. Edward Chen petitioned the NHTSA to initiate a defect investigation of certain Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles that received revised battery management software in one or more over-the-air (OTA) updates from Tesla, beginning in May 2019. The petitioner bases his request on vehicle fires that took place worldwide and OTA software updates Tesla made to th…

Frequently asked questions

How many complaints were filed for the 2019 Tesla Model S?

32 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Tesla Model S, or about 4.2 per year on the road.

What is the most common problem reported for the 2019 Tesla Model S?

The most common category is Wheels, tires & suspension, accounting for 21.9% of complaints.

Does the 2019 Tesla Model S have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 safety recall(s) for this model year. 15 NHTSA defect investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions” (opened 2026-03-18, still open).

Is the 2019 Tesla Model S still generating complaints?

0 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.