118 of the 708 complaints about the Tesla Model S (16.7%) concern Driver-assist systems, making it the model's second-largest problem area. That share is 2.9× the Driver-assist systems share across all tracked vehicles.
118Complaints · Driver-assist systems
16.7%Share of complaints
2.91×vs. all vehicles
6Last 12 months
7.6%Share involving a crash or fire
3Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Driver-assist systems complaints peak with the 2021 model (33, 19% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2019 model (2). 6 Driver-assist systems complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 22 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
Owners most often describe: “autopilot”, “cruise control”, “phantom”, “lane” and “braking”. 9 of these reports (7.6%) describe a crash or fire, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 24V153000 (2024-02-27, model years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021).
I was in full self driving mode and was travelling North bound 110 freeway transitioning to 405 freeway Northbound. In the right lane. Transition curved left.
Driver-assist systems · 2026-05-11 · ODI 11737104 · Crash
Vehicle was tested for concern about self driving after test drive with tech told ok 3 days later Summoned car and immediately turned into adjacent vehicle all captured on video in 1-2 seconds.
Driver-assist systems · 2025-02-10 · ODI 11641683 · Crash
My car had a software update last night. This morning, there is now a forced "feedback" prompt that comes on the information screen whenever I disengage the autopilot.
Driver-assist systems · 2026-04-29 · ODI 11734662
Auto emergency braking is occurring when vehicle recognizes leaves as people. This has happened on three occasions. It is startling to say the least and a matter of time that I am rear ended due to this.
Driver-assist systems · 2025-12-26 · ODI 11707195
While operating my 2023 Tesla Model S Long range using Full Self Driving Supervised and software version 14.2.1.25, the speed control no longer is available and has been replaced by speed profiles.
Driver-assist systems · 2025-12-22 · ODI 11706639
Vehicle: 2022 Tesla Model S (HW 3.0) System in Question: Full Self-Driving (FSD) Capability, initially purchased (Level 1 equivalent) for $6,000, and then upgraded (Level 2 equivalent) for an additional $3,000 (Total $9,000). I.
Driver-assist systems · 2025-11-11 · ODI 11698829
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
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."
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.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 23V489000 · 2023-07-14 · Model years: 2023
Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The forward-facing camera may be misaligned, causing some of the active safety features such as emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane assist to become unavailable without alerting the driver.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and adjust the pitch angle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-17-006.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 21V846000 · 2021-10-29 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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.
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 common are Driver-assist systems problems on the Tesla Model S?
118 of the 708 complaints about the Tesla Model S (16.7%) concern Driver-assist systems, making it the model's second-largest problem area. That share is 2.9× the Driver-assist systems share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Tesla Model S model years have the most Driver-assist systems complaints?
By model year, Driver-assist systems complaints peak with the 2021 model (33, 19% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2019 model (2).
Is there a recall for Tesla Model S Driver-assist systems problems?
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 24V153000 (2024-02-27, model years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021).