2017 Tesla Model S Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 429 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,052miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2017 Tesla Model S, 1% of the 429 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,052 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2017 Tesla Model S started to accelerate on its own over 100 MPH, when traveling on highway around 70 MPH, without autopilot engaged. As soon as it started to accelerate, the car took control over the steering wheel and drove into the guardrail on the left of the lane, then quickly steered to the right lanes and steered to the left again. Slammed on the brake but did not work at all, and steering wheel did not respond. …”
NHTSA complaint #11174732, filed 2019-02, 15,000 miles“While attempting to park the car in a parking space the car accelerated on it's own and crashed over a small concrete retaining wall and crashed into another vehicle. My car and the car that was struck were totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #11229124, filed 2019-07, 9,103 miles“I am reporting a suspected defect in the rear Large Drive Unit (LDU) of my vehicle, a 2017 Tesla Model S P100D with approximately 40,815 miles. The component involved is the rear drive unit’s rotor seal, which is known to allow engine coolant to leak into the motor. The concern is safety-related. Tesla coolant is electrically conductive and can form a conduction path inside the motor and inverter, and coolant can also damage bearings. Once coolant enters the drive unit, the result can be electrical faults, loss of drive power. …”
NHTSA complaint #11769887, filed 2026-10Related service bulletins
- 10143012May 9, 2018On certain Model 3 vehicles, the rear drive unit inverter might lose power, causing the vehicle to go into limp mode.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 1% |
| 2015 | 17 | 3% |
| 2014 | 12 | 3% |
| 2013 | 21 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2017 Tesla Model S
114 complaintsSuspension
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 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