2017 Tesla Model S Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 3%of 429 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,552miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the body and structure of the 2017 Tesla Model S, 3% of the 429 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,552 miles. 6 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.
“While pulling into a parking spot at a busy shopping center, and applying the brake pedal (having moved it over from accelerator) to stop the car at about 5 MPH, the Model S suddenly lurched forward at full acceleration hitting not 1 but 2 parked cars. Nothing would stop the car as it took over and went forward with both my feet pressing the brake pedal as hard as I could. Finally it stopped after hitting a second parked car. Tesla has not responded, despite 2 days of emails and calls.”
NHTSA complaint #11089262, filed 2018-04, 24,473 miles“I was making a legal u turn on a city street to park. I pulled behind a parked car and was going about 1mph when my car suddenly accelerated and hit the parked car. There were no warning sounds until the car hit the other car and then the horn and lights on my car went off. The car was not on auto park and no air bags were deployed however my car and the car that was hit had extensive body damage. There were not injuries to people. I don't know why the car accelerated instead of stopping. I have never hit the accelerator peddle instead of the brake and I doubt if I did it in this case.”
NHTSA complaint #11121147, filed 2018-08, 4,900 miles“I was attempting to park, the car was traveling at perhaps 2 miles/hour, when the car suddenly accelerated, climbed a burm, hit a tree, and stopped on the other side of the burm in the middle of the street.”
NHTSA complaint #11300180, filed 2020-01, 18,000 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“At our driveway on sun. 1/14/18, coming back from shopping a few minutes before four pm, suddenly the car took off by itself. It accelerated tremendously with the speed which was felt around 65-80 m/hr, hitting our heavy garage door, which was closed at the time, went through the garage, hit my parked porsche and pushed it to the left to the water heater. …”
NHTSA complaint #11065563, filed 2018-01Related service bulletins
- 10173429Mar 17, 2020On some Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles, condensation might build up inside of the B-pillar applique, potentially obscuring the B-pillar camera. This condition might cause…
- 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…
- 10143011May 2, 2018Certain Model 3 vehicles were manufactured with the upper bolt of each rear door lower hinge being longer than necessary. These bolts might rub against the front seat belt…
- 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…
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 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 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