2021 Tesla Model S Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2021 Model S most often report unexpected braking while cruise control or Autopilot/FSD is engaged, along with dissatisfaction about the steering yoke's horn and stalk-less controls. Complaints span the whole ownership period, from cars with a few hundred miles to well past 60,000, and many describe the behavior as recurring rather than a single event. A separate cluster involves rear tire wear and suspension noise on 21-inch wheel cars.

1. 1
   Forward collision avoidance

   Phantom braking under cruise control / Autopilot

   • 32 complaints (18%)
   • median 36,697 mi at 1.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe the car braking hard on its own at highway speed with cruise control, Autopilot or FSD engaged, often with no vehicle ahead or only distant traffic. Several owners note a collision warning chime before the braking, and some report the event recurring on the same stretch of road or bridge, every time. Owners say service often told them the behavior was normal for the software or that no fix was available, and one owner linked it to a specific FSD Beta release. Reported from a few hundred miles up to about 65,000 miles, most often at highway speeds of 45-75 mph.

   Recall 21V846000Recall 23V085000Recall 23V838000

   What to check: Ask the seller which software version is installed and whether forward-collision or Autopilot-related recalls have been done; drive the car on a highway with cruise control set and see how it behaves in overpass and bridge shadow conditions.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle put the brakes on when on adaptive cruise, but with very few cars around. The last time, there was no car in front of me, but the vehicle braked so fast the the car behind me almost rear ended me. I’ve noticed that it happened twice on a South bound stretch of I-35 in Temple texas. This needs to be addressed or there is a strong potential for an accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #11467559, filed 2022-06

   “Driving on highway at 65-70 MPH with auto pilot and speed control engaged. Went to change lanes from left to right. Put on turn signal, cancelled auto pilot by turning steering wheel to right and moved to open right lane. There were no vehicles around us at all. The car suddenly, unexpectedly, and very shockingly slammed on the brakes causing items to be tossed around in the car, engaging all of our seat belts with some discomfort, and sending some loud alarm or warning sound to go off in the car. It scared me, my wife and daughter very much. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11373709, filed 2020-11, 275 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Horn button location on the steering yoke

   • 34 complaints (19%)
   • typically at 1.9 yrs old
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2024

   Owners describe the horn as a small button on the right side of the yoke rather than the center pad, so in a panic the instinctive press on the center does nothing. Some say the button is hard to reach while the wheel is turned, and a few report paying out of pocket for a retrofit yoke with a center horn. Complaints also describe the airbag module in the yoke coming loose and hanging by a wire. Reported across a wide mileage range, including cars at delivery and used purchases, so it is a design concern rather than a wear item.

   Recall 25V172000Recall 23V743000Recall 21V868000Recall 24V967000

   What to check: Sit in the car and confirm where the horn is and whether it works while the wheel is turned; ask whether the yoke or steering wheel has been replaced and under which campaign, and check that the recall repairs for the horn pad and driver airbag have been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The horn button on the yoke steering wheel is a safety hazard. In a situation that requires quick responsiveness immediate reaction is to press the center of the steering wheel. Tesla has come out with a retro fit and the new yoke has it in the center. I am paying $1,000 for the retro fit for my safety and the safety of others. I expect the NHS to also look at this concern and address to assist with the prevention of accidents.”

   NHTSA complaint #11629404, filed 2024-12

   “I bought my car used last year! I have almost been involved in many accidents with this car! There is only 1 small button for the horn mixed in with other buttons on the right side of the steering wheel! When stress hits because somebody is heading right for you and you are frantically looking for a small button to lay in the horn it’s almost too late! It’s a MAJOR safety issue and they are offering a new steering wheel for almost 1900.00!!!! I already replaced the yoke wheel it came with! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11629578, filed 2024-12
3. 3
   Wheels

   Rear inner tire wear and tread separation

   • 20 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 2.9 yrs old
   • filed 2022–2025

   Complaints describe the inside edge of the rear tires wearing to the cords within roughly 10,000-12,000 miles on cars with 21-inch wheels, with some reporting tread separating from the sidewall or a sudden loss of pressure. Several owners say alignments at the service center found nothing wrong or did not stop the wear from returning, and one reports a wheel coming off shortly after delivery. Tires replaced repeatedly is a recurring theme. Typically reported between about 1,000 and 25,000 miles, mostly on 21-inch wheel and tire combinations.

   What to check: Look at the inner edge of both rear tires with the car raised, ask for recent alignment records, and check whether the rear camber and toe settings have been adjusted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased my Tesla in September 2021. At 12000 miles, I had to replace both rear tires due to severe inside wear. I replaced them and continued driving, but at 22000 miles, the same issue occurred. Each time, I performed service exclusively at Tesla, where they checked the alignment and assured me everything was fine. At 39,000 miles, the issue repeated. Tesla performed another alignment and TOE adjustment, assuring me it was resolved. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11636646, filed 2025-01

   “My rear driver side tire failed on the interstate and lost pressure so quickly I had to pull over immediately. Thankfully the tire remained intact enough for me to safely pull over and no one was injured. After realizing this wasn’t just a puncture, I was shocked. This is either a major defect with the tire or with Teslas installation of the tire. The inner part of the tire was shredded but the rest of the tire has significant tread left. These tires are less than 1 year old and less than 16500 miles of use. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11541526, filed 2023-08
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Touchscreen and electrical glitches

   • 17 complaints (10%)
   • median 300 mi at 0.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe the instrument cluster or center screen going blank while driving, a startup chime that plays continuously and masks other warning sounds, and a rear camera image with a green line that service called a known concern. Some owners also report the screen tilt feature promised at purchase was not fitted to their cars. Others mention charging and software faults, including one car entering an unexpected drive mode while plugged in. Reported from as little as 45 miles up to tens of thousands of miles, often shortly after delivery.

   Recall 26V283000Recall 22V296000Recall 24V554000Recall 24V0510002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that all screens power up and stay on during a test drive, confirm the rear camera image is clean in reverse, and ask whether the over-the-air recall updates have actually been installed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received recall notice for 24V-554 on 9/22/2024. The recall notice informs that Tesla will resolve the recall safety defect by over-the-air update via the car's WIFI capabilities. I have informed Tesla that my car's WIFI capabilities are broken and I scheduled service for October 3rd. Tesla informed that parts for my vehicle are not yet ready and rescheduled my service for October 24th. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11618371, filed 2024-10

   “My safety concern is with the 17 inch screen. Originally in the information about the car before it was purchased, said that the screen would tilt left or right to give the drive better a better view and access to the touch screen. I have talked to service about this and they have said they do not plan to retrofit our cars with the motors to make the screen move. This is now working on the same car that is one year newer. We were promised this and I believe this issue with the screen not moving is a serious concern. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11478950, filed 2022-08
5. 5
   Suspension

   Suspension noise and stiff ride

   • 15 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 3.0 yrs old
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners report clunking or noise from the front end over bumps and, in some cases, a ride harsh enough that passengers complain of discomfort. Some describe being quoted a substantial repair bill for front suspension work just outside warranty, and one says the noise returned after a partial fix. Others link the problem to rear camber wear on the tires. Mostly reported from about 40,000 miles upward, and in one case at around 12,000 miles.

   What to check: Drive over broken pavement at low speed with the windows down and listen for clunks or rattles, and ask whether any front suspension components have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The suspension is very stiff and to the point when the smallest of pot holes, road bumps, or going over the road divider marker sends the shock to the body of the passenger. My family complaints of neck pain after a short ride. I live in San Jose, CA. I drive with the comfort mode with the soft ride setting for the suspension. This deep discomfort, pronounced for rear passengers is also increasingly deteriorating. Tesla inspected my car on Sept 8, 2023 - partially fixed the suspension noise. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11560538, filed 2023-12

   “4 months after warranty and only 42,774 miles, I am being hit with a massive bill of almost $2,700 from Tesla service in Lyndhurst, OH. This to correct right and left front end basic suspension issues that should not occur. Clearly the front end is not designed to handle the weight of car. The service manager told me that he sees this every day!! The car is not safe to drive until repairs are made. There was no trauma to the front end only normal wear and tear. The front end started making noise which had me take it to the dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11660683, filed 2025-05

Buying note. Check the installed software version and confirm all open recall remedies have been applied, since several are over-the-air updates an owner may have missed. Budget for rear tires and a close look at the front suspension on higher-mileage examples, and try the yoke controls before committing.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.