2015 Tesla Model S Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 4%of 669 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,401miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 Tesla Model S, 4% of the 669 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,401 miles. 2 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.
“The main vehicle screen stopped working. Complete loss of rear camera image display when reverse gear is selected, resulting in reduced rear visibility when backing. No control over battery charging commands. Many times when I place the vehicle in reverse the camera would not display a rear image. Now my screen is completely black and nonreponsive”
NHTSA complaint #11338496, filed 2020-07, 36,000 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“With the recent news on NHTSA investigating Tesla Model S touchscreen unit problems, I like to add my experience for the record: on 01/31/20, my computer screen died which limited the car's functionality (e.g. No HVAC, radio, bluetooth, etc). On 02/06/20, Tesla came out to inspect my car, and verified I needed to replace the computer. The technician admitted how bad the problem was for productions with mcu v1 computers. But before the technician left, he performed a battery disconnect which made it worse. …”
NHTSA complaint #11337651, filed 2020-07, 117,826 miles“My car's charging speed was significantly reduced following a software update. I used to charge at 116kw until about 25% state of charge but now I barely get 90kw at that state of charge.”
NHTSA complaint #11278185, filed 2019-11, 60,000 miles“After having my battery coolant heater replaced on february 22, 2021 I noticed problems with my car starting up slowly. Note error messages were noted on my vehicle however. On march 10 while driving home from work on a smooth straight freeway the entire electrical system in my car failed causing propulsion to go off line and the brake pedal to lock up and become non-functional until the system rebooted. For approximately 20 to 30 seconds it was impossible to depress the brake pedal. Fortunately I was on the freeway and pressing the brake pedal wasn't required. …”
NHTSA complaint #11415096, filed 2021-05, 48,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251045Jan 18, 2024Some versions of Model S and X front drive unit halfshafts might cause excessive vibrations during hard acceleration at higher ride height settings. This is exclusively an NVH…
- 10212803Dec 10, 2021Some versions of Model S and X front drive unit halfshafts might cause excessive vibrations during hard acceleration at higher ride height settings. This is exclusively an NVH…
- 10162295Jun 25, 2019Older versions of the Model S and Model X LH front drive unit clevis mount contain a bushing that allows the front drive unit to move side-to-side more than expected during hard…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 33% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 3 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 8% |
| 2019 | 3 | 7% |
| 2018 | 5 | 3% |
| 2017 | 10 | 2% |
| 2016 | 18 | 3% |
| 2015 | 29 | 4% |
| 2014 | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 | 35 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 8% |
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 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsForward collision avoidance
31 complaintsBody and structure
30 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