2015 Tesla Model S Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 4%of 668 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,704miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the body and structure of the 2015 Tesla Model S, 4% of the 668 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,704 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Sudden unintended acceleration. I had almost completed a u turn (but not completely) to slowly pull into a parking spot parallel to the sidewalk when the car all of a sudden lounged forward (see skid marks). It only slowed after hitting and damaging the brick wall.I pressed on the brakes, the screen flashed something like: your auto park is now disabled. I was able to slowly ease into my intended parking spot and come out and assess the damages. It all happened over a split second. …”
NHTSA complaint #11325718, filed 2020-05, 43,704 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“Two days prior door handles on front passenger door ,opening and closing by itself. Not even allow entry to car. On 11/8/2020 while car in drive door completely opened. Not handle but door completely opened. I'm afraid of severe consequences. Tesla not admit ant issue like this . Doors were retrofit for a fix about a year ago . Now thi is life and death or severe injury and lost of life . Help me , Tesla only wants me to pay again and coverup again . Must recall before lost of life is the cost.video available”
NHTSA complaint #11373774, filed 2020-11, 220,000 miles“Two of the four door handles failed within a month of each other. In both cases the door handles failed to emerge from the door body. There was no way to open either door from the outside. One was the driver's door, which could pose a safety concern. Additionally, the electrical motor that operates the handle would spin non-stop, no matter if the car was on or not. I was concerned the motor would overheat. The faulty door handle is a known problem to Tesla. I believe a recall is warranted.”
NHTSA complaint #11124157, filed 2018-09, 77,000 miles“On thursday , june 7 around 6:30 pm I met with a bizarre incident on my 2015 Tesla Model S , 70d. Incident took place on rt 83 near oak brook mall near chicago. The car slowly rolled and approached a semi in front in a traffic jam. I heard a beeping sensor as it was about to touch the semi, I immediately pressed the brake but the car started accelerating instead. I thought I must have pressed the gas pedal, so immediately lifted my foot to make sure I was pressing the break pedal. The second time also it started accelerating and kept pushing the semi in front because it was touching it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11220202, filed 2019-06, 27,300 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10166051Sep 24, 2019Excessive water ingress to the latches on the rear doors may damage internal components or impede operation of the rear door latch.
- 10166050Sep 24, 2019On some Model X vehicles, water might enter the door latches on the rear (Falcon Wing) doors, which can damage the electrical components integral to door latching operation.
- 10160518Apr 24, 2019On some Model X vehicles, a pinched electrical wiring harness at the liftgate might create an obstruction alert, causing the power function of the liftgate not to operate. The…
- 10154507Feb 5, 2019Early front door latches are susceptible to water ingress, which might cause the touchscreen to show the door in the wrong position or prevent the door from opening and closing…
- 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…
- 10110745Mar 28, 2017It is possible to accidentally break off the aeroshield support tab from the HV Battery. If the tab breaks, the mid aeroshield is not fully supported, reducing the aerodynamic…
- 10110744Mar 27, 2017It is possible to accidentally break off the aeroshield support tab from the HV Battery. If the tab breaks, the mid aeroshield is not fully supported, reducing the aerodynamic…
- 10110755Oct 4, 2016Instructions for installing the carbon fiber spoiler.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 8 | 6% |
| 2021 | 9 | 5% |
| 2020 | 5 | 6% |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% |
| 2018 | 10 | 6% |
| 2017 | 14 | 3% |
| 2016 | 30 | 5% |
| 2015 | 30 | 4% |
| 2014 | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 | 19 | 4% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2015 Tesla Model S
266 complaintsOther or unknown
189 complaintsSuspension
149 complaintsSteering
51 complaintsExterior lighting
46 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
39 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsForward collision avoidance
31 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 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