2018 Tesla Model S Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 21%of 170 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Tesla Model S, 21% of the 170 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,750 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 3 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 september 2018 build Tesla Model S experiences the same screen failures (both the dash + media control unit) as the recalled versions, but mine falls outside of the recall period. The latest incident occurred while I was driving on a desolate highway traveling at 85 MPH. I lose my speedometer as well as features such GPS which occurred once in an unfamiliar area.”
NHTSA complaint #11399238, filed 2021-03, 14,000 miles“I dropped my personal Tesla at Tesla service to get an mcu/center screen failure repaired. As I left the lot, the screen in the loaner car rebooted itself. Apparently that is the precursor to failure. It feels weird knowing this car is probably about to fail the way mine did.”
NHTSA complaint #11337666, filed 2020-07, 20,270 miles“The touch screen has become completely unresponsive/went dark. I first discovered the problem while the car was parked in the garage, infrequently used. This has been the case for the last 4 weeks, also rendering the mobile app unresponsive/unable to connect to my car. As a result, the AC has been stuck on, running continuously for a month since this issue started. My Tesla service appt. Has been delayed twice due to replacement parts unavailable. …”
NHTSA complaint #11330506, filed 2020-06, 17,500 miles“The main console center screen in my would stop responding and will basically freeze up. The indicator clicker sound would stop working. The navigation system would remain stuck. The air conditioner would stop working. All these are happening while the driving. I have to reboot the screen by holding the 2 scroll buttons down and then the screen would go dark for 10 min before it starts working. I have bought this to service few times and they don't do anything saying everything is just fine.”
NHTSA complaint #11389517, filed 2021-01, 36,000 miles“On at least 2 occasions, while driving the car, the electrical system stopped working. One time, the car just shut down at a stop sign nearby my office; the second time, while driving on the highway, the car continued to run but all of the other electrons: speedometer, turn signals, radio stopped working. When I pulled over, the entire car shut down. Both instances required a hard stop to re-start the car. The dealer informed me that this can happen when the software has not been recently updated. …”
NHTSA complaint #11270166, filed 2019-10, 6,800 milesRelated recalls
- 24V153000Feb 27, 2024Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted…Covers: Tesla Model S 2013, 2018–2021, Model 3 2018–2022, Model Y 2020–2022 +1 more
- 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…
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 2018 Tesla Model S
50 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsLane departure
13 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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