2014 Tesla Model S Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 7%of 367 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2014 Tesla Model S, 7% of the 367 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on the highway, and suddenly the main screen goes black, and the turn signals stop working and I had to use hand signals ( most of the ppl didn't understand them) and the AC system turned off ( I was driving with the kids in the car and until got home they were dehydrated, as it was over 100 degrees outside)”
NHTSA complaint #11341986, filed 2020-07, 148,000 miles“When starting my vehicle, the vehicle's center console screen did not power on. The instrument cluster (behind steering wheel) did power on, but the vehicle was very slow (about 2 minutes) before it could be put into drive (the instrument cluster said that vehicle was powering up). I then attempted to restart the center console screen (mcu) manually (by pressing both buttons on steering wheel for 20 seconds), but nothing happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #11340296, filed 2020-07, 46,000 miles“When I went to start the car the central touchscreen failed. Could not control the lights, A/C, heating, could not recharge the car. Tesla charged me out of warranty over $2000 to replace the touchscreen with a refurbished one. They refused to give the old part to me even though this was replaced in nevada where the law states that they have to give the old parts back to the owner. I had to pay them another $1000 to get the part back as it contained so much private information.”
NHTSA complaint #11330856, filed 2020-06, 74,000 miles“My suspension is constantly making sounds and after taking to Tesla it was 3rd time it has been determined that the fore link, control arm and bushings have gone out. I repaired it and now seems the problem is back”
NHTSA complaint #11377568, filed 2020-12, 149,000 miles“While parked with the sunroof open, when I went to re-enter the vehicle, the main screen (mcu) remained blank and never came back to life. While driving home, I was unable to use turn signals, adjust basically any driving items including suspension, drive mode, steering controls, HVAC, lights, or close the sunroof. The car was technically able to be driven, but I also had no light control, no back up camera, and it could only charge at a basically unusable speed. Tesla's only fix was to replace the entire mcu unit.”
NHTSA complaint #11331412, filed 2020-06, 59,750 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10153419Jan 3, 2019On certain Model S vehicles, the liftgate has plugs that do not allow water to drain, causing condensation to build up inside the tail light assembly. Tail light functionality is…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 6 | 4% |
| 2021 | 6 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% |
| 2018 | 8 | 5% |
| 2017 | 28 | 7% |
| 2016 | 49 | 8% |
| 2015 | 46 | 7% |
| 2014 | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 | 15 | 3% |
| 2012 | 5 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2014 Tesla Model S
133 complaintsSuspension
90 complaintsOther or unknown
83 complaintsSteering
27 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsBrakes
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2014 Tesla Model S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology