2018 Tesla Model S Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 5%of 170 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2018 Tesla Model S, 5% of the 170 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,000 miles.
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.
“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“Backup lights are inadequately bright at night, in dark situations allowing no ability to make out ground features when backing up. Tesla has updated firmware and replaced camera with no improvement. Safety defect of being unable to see behind car when backing up at night not fixed, seems to be a design problem with the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11282440, filed 2019-11, 10 miles“The daytime running lights on both front headlights have stopped working with 45k on the odometer. Tesla service center has refused to cover the safety issue because the car warranty is 5k over warranty mileage. The vehicle no longer has working day time running lights. After doing some research this is a common problem with 2016 to 2020 model s and x and Tesla motor company is refusing to repair the DRL lights.”
NHTSA complaint #11482529, filed 2022-09“Tesla designs a single piece headlight with no serviceable parts. This includes headlights, high beams, and namely daytime running lights. All of these components are on an LED strip that overheats and un-solders due to this high heat, which causes premature failure. Some owners have reported as little as 3 months of life before failing. The daytime running lights are essential for safety driving in low light situations. These daytime running lights are seemingly built to fail. The lights dim then eventually no longer work. …”
NHTSA complaint #11727785, filed 2026-03“Component that failed is daylight running lights and is available for inspection. Daylight running lights are important to be seen easier by other vehicles and pedestrians, since they don’t work my vehicles is more difficult to be seen during the day. Confirmed by service center. Unknown if inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others, most likely not. No warning lights, no messages, no symptoms, first appeared approximately sept 2022”
NHTSA complaint #11499558, filed 2022-12Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 6 | 4% |
| 2021 | 6 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% |
| 2018 | 8 | 5% |
| 2017 | 28 | 7% |
| 2016 | 49 | 8% |
| 2015 | 46 | 7% |
| 2014 | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 | 15 | 3% |
| 2012 | 5 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2018 Tesla Model S
50 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsElectrical system
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsLane departure
13 complaintsBody and structure
10 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 30, 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