0.75 vs. all vehicles Too few recent reports to judge
49 of the 708 complaints about the Tesla Model S (6.9%) concern Body & structure, making it the model's #6 problem area. That share is 0.8× the Body & structure share across all tracked vehicles.
49Complaints · Body & structure
6.9%Share of complaints
0.75×vs. all vehicles
4Last 12 months
4.1%Share involving a crash or fire
5Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Body & structure complaints peak with the 2022 model (12, 9% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (1). 4 Body & structure complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
Owners most often describe: “door”, “opened”, “latch”, “distortion windshield” and “handle”. 2 of these reports (4.1%) describe a crash or fire, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
5 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 24V554000 (2024-07-24, model years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024).
I was driving on the highway utilizing the full self-driving mode. There was traffic and I was behind an 18-wheeler. The 18-wheeler turned into the right lane, but because of the traffic, it couldn't completely clear the lane so the rear was slightly sticking.
Body & structure · 2024-07-05 · ODI 11599199 · Crash
I hit a deer on interstate. Airbags and pretensioner deployed. After vehicle shut down no doors can be opened from inside or outside. No injuries but could have been disaster if someone was trapped inside.
Body & structure · 2022-04-09 · ODI 11460242 · Crash
The rear doors have emergency release cables in case the power is cut during a collision. These cables are hidden, not glowing, and have a small square pull on the end that is difficult to find and pull.
Body & structure · 2025-12-04 · ODI 11703010
Tesla Model S 2021 Long Range: Upon closing the rear trunk close button from the app or close button on the hatch, the hatch goes down but won’t lock. It gives 3 beeps. Upon pressing open, it won’t go up and gives 3 beeps.
Body & structure · 2025-10-11 · ODI 11692785
The design of the emergency opening (No power to normal opening system) of the rear passenger doors is flawed, unsafe and should never have been approved for production.
Body & structure · 2025-10-03 · ODI 11691293
The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver’s side door failed to open from the inside as intended. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure persisted.
Body & structure · 2025-09-16 · ODI 11687625
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Campaign 23V862000 · 2023-12-19 · Model years: 2022, 2023
Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles. The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-009.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR Campaign 22E092000 · 2022-11-01 · Model years: 2021
Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model S exterior side rearview mirrors, part numbers: 1622232-00-B and 1622233-00-B. The driver side exterior rearview mirrors are convex (curved glass) and the passenger side mirrors do not include the "Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear" etched warning. As such, these mirrors fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the mirrors, 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-22-12-002.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Campaign 22V702000 · 2022-09-19 · Model years: 2021, 2022
Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.
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."
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.
How common are Body & structure problems on the Tesla Model S?
49 of the 708 complaints about the Tesla Model S (6.9%) concern Body & structure, making it the model's #6 problem area. That share is 0.8× the Body & structure share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Tesla Model S model years have the most Body & structure complaints?
By model year, Body & structure complaints peak with the 2022 model (12, 9% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (1).
Is there a recall for Tesla Model S Body & structure problems?
5 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 24V554000 (2024-07-24, model years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024).