2015 Tesla Model S Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 5%of 669 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,350miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the fuel system of the 2015 Tesla Model S, 5% of the 669 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,350 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The Tesla's large screen quit working. These are controls that power off the vehicle, turn the defrosters off and on along with the climate control. Control steering modes. Control back up camera, control lights. From the reading I have done it is called the mcu. It partially went out while I was driving, it came back on and then it died while I was working and I found out about it when I started the car after work.”
NHTSA complaint #11348489, filed 2020-08, 42,000 miles“Issue 1). Ever since I bought the car I noticed the drivers seat felt cooked causing low back pain. Eventually the seats power adjustment would only retract one side so it could not be adjusted evenly and I had to pay to have a whole new seat replaced issue 2). I have the 85 kw battery and after an update my battery capacity was reduced 10%. I was told it was due to risk of overheating the battery fire risk Tesla never resolved the issue and never reinstated the missing 10% charge capacity 3). …”
NHTSA complaint #11413862, filed 2021-04, 92,000 miles“On january 2, 2019 between 1:45 and 2 pm I drove from my house into a clinic parking lot. As I drove my 2015 Tesla Model S forward and steered to the right into a parking spot, I consciously eased my right foot off from the accelerator pedal, thus lowering my speed from 10-9 MPH to about 5-6 MPH. The brake pedal was not pressed, allowing regenerative breaking to slow down the vehicle. About a second into the parking turn, the vehicle suddenly jolted forward, accelerating unexpectedly. …”
NHTSA complaint #11297839, filed 2020-01, 26,360 miles“Re: NHTSA action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updates our Tesla Model S software update greatly reduced the amount of total charge, and speed that we can charge our battery. We called Tesla, and initially they said that our battery had degraded and that was causing the problem. We responded that our battery is not even 4 years old (the car was purchased december 22, 2015), and batteries don't suddenly degrade 15 - 20% in one week. …”
NHTSA complaint #11288294, filed 2019-12, 48,350 miles“While driving to pick up my niece from school, the brake light came on and brakes completely locked. I lmost had an accident, if it weren't for me driving off the road and finally coming to a stop because of the sand. Scary scary scary!!!! After it came to a stop all the lights on dashboard came on. Towed it to toyota service they're saying it's the brake actuator I've been doing my research and it just happens last year over more than 1.1 million toyota's were recalled for the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11339926, filed 2020-07, 89,000 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 2% |
| 2018 | 3 | 2% |
| 2017 | 8 | 2% |
| 2016 | 15 | 2% |
| 2015 | 32 | 5% |
| 2014 | 24 | 7% |
| 2013 | 24 | 5% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2015 Tesla Model S
266 complaintsOther or unknown
189 complaintsSuspension
150 complaintsSteering
51 complaintsExterior lighting
46 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
39 complaintsForward collision avoidance
31 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsBrakes
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Tesla Model S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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