2017 Tesla Model S Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 114about this part
- Share
- 27%of 429 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 114 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Tesla Model S, 27% of the 429 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My on board mcu, main screen keeps going blank while driving. This causes the loss of functionality of my vehicle controls. I lose control of the defrost and other climate functions. One morning while driving in extreme fog and high humidity I could barely see because I could not control the defrost function. Having the main screen go out also causes a large distraction”
NHTSA complaint #11391147, filed 2021-02, 21,000 miles“The mcu in my car simply stopped working. I could drive it but had no speedometer, no signals, nothing that is critical to driving safely. It would not start consistently and I was afraid it would stop in the middle of the highway on my way home. The mcu is the central computer in the car that controls everything.”
NHTSA complaint #11330628, filed 2020-06, 67,000 miles“My main screen would completely go black randomly and when that happens my instrument cluster in front of me would also go black and as a result I can't see how fast I'm going or my blind spots or anything really. It's the mcu that continues to have this problem and Tesla won't replace it.”
NHTSA complaint #11330708, filed 2020-06, 35,000 miles“I have been reaching out to Tesla service center repeatedly regarding the emmc unit failure where it has gone completely blank and turns off during my drive several times. I lose all air control, bluetooth, rearview camera, and everything that the main mcu unit controls. I have had this happen when it was very cold outside during the night when I lost visibility due to the fogging inside and no defogging control available. …”
NHTSA complaint #11391175, filed 2021-02, 58,000 miles“I complain that Tesla failed to remedy the defect of malfunctioning emmc by replacing vcm daughterboard (see the letter received) within a reasonable time frame. Since last november I have received a number of letters from Tesla informing the recall and nothing happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11406558, filed 2021-04, 23,000 milesRelated recalls
- 24V051000Jan 30, 2024Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An…Covers: Tesla Model S 2012–2023, Model X 2016–2024, Model 3 2017–2023 +2 more
- 23V838000Dec 12, 2023Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of…Covers: Tesla Model S 2012–2023, Model X 2016–2023, Model 3 2017–2023 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11020189Jun 3, 2025On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the battery powered Pyrotechnic High Voltage (HV) Battery Disconnect will reach the end of its battery lifespan in the near future, which…
- 10172384Feb 19, 2020Tesla is committed to continuous improvement of the security of its products and advises customers to always install the latest mobile app and vehicle software releases to remain…
- 10171176Jan 2, 2020When some Autopilot HW2 and HW2.5 Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles are near airport ASR-9 radar antennae, the vehicle cameras might be affected by electromagnetic…
- 10169818Dec 13, 2019Some Autopilot HW2 or later Model S and Model X vehicles with Tegra Media Control Units (MCUs) may emit a faint static noise coming from the tweeters on the A-pillar. The noise…
- 10145809Sep 13, 2018On some Model X vehicles, incorrect routing of the intrusion sensor wires might result in electrical interference between the intrusion sensor and the intrusion sensor electrical…
- 10143014May 16, 2018On certain Model 3 vehicles, specific issues with the power conversion system might prevent contactors from closing or cause the power conversion system E-fuse circuit to open…
- 10143013May 15, 2018On some Model 3 vehicles, water might leak inside the motors of both front window motor/regulator assemblies. This might cause the motors to fail and potentially make the front…
- 10142988Feb 9, 2018On some Model S and Model X vehicles with charge port part number 1026041-00-M or 1026041-00-N, the charge port insertion guide might prevent the charge port latch from fully…
- 10110753May 1, 2017The 100 kWh HV battery on some Model S and Model X vehicles could lead to a no-start condition.
- 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…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 18% |
| 2023 | 9 | 8% |
| 2022 | 17 | 12% |
| 2021 | 25 | 14% |
| 2020 | 7 | 9% |
| 2019 | 5 | 11% |
| 2018 | 35 | 21% |
| 2017 | 114 | 27% |
| 2016 | 149 | 23% |
| 2015 | 266 | 40% |
| 2014 | 133 | 36% |
| 2013 | 195 | 42% |
| 2012 | 37 | 61% |
Other parts of the 2017 Tesla Model S
107 complaintsOther or unknown
96 complaintsForward collision avoidance
68 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsVehicle speed control
35 complaintsExterior lighting
28 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsLane departure
24 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
20 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsWheels
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 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