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Electrical systemPart report

2021 Tesla Model S Electrical system Problems

Complaints
25about this part
Share
14%of 179 total for the year
Median mileage
6,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Tesla Model S, 14% of the 179 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 7 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.

“The emergency flashers are a capacitive touch button. It does not reliably activate. I have tried on multiple occasions with a cold cabin, warm cabin, clean and dry fingers, warm and cold fingers and I rarely get the flashers to turn on within 5 tries.”

NHTSA complaint #11450921, filed 2022-02

“I was unable to locate the horn capacitive button on my steering yoke to alert a biker who strayed into my lane. finding this small button has been a repeated problem when in dangerous situations”

NHTSA complaint #11492901, filed 2022-11

“While driving with a fully charged battery, the car dash warned “pull over to safe location. Battery cannot support all functions”. We were unable to fully pull over in the time before the car experienced a critical loss of functionality, as the car shut off in less than 1 minute from flashing the warning. The car lost all functionality, including loss of its flashers, putting us at significant risk since we were unable to alert other motorists to our presence on the side of the road as it was getting dark. …”

NHTSA complaint #11469058, filed 2022-06

“My safety concern is with the 17 inch screen. Originally in the information about the car before it was purchased, the manufacturer 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 issue 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 #11481572, filed 2022-08

“The instrument panel (screen) goes blank for approximately 5 seconds while driving. This issue happens at random. It has happened while on city streets, the highway, and in parking lots. Because of this issue, I cannot see my speed, the visualization of the car and surroundings (blind spot or pedestrians), any warnings that may pop up (such as an issue with the Autopilot or Full Self Driving Beta), nor any lighting or wiper information (for auto high beams and auto wipers). Tesla says it is a known issue, and it is software related, but there is no timetable for a fix. …”

NHTSA complaint #11499743, filed 2023-01

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024718%
202398%
20221712%
20212514%
202079%
2019511%
20183521%
201711427%
201614923%
201526640%
201413336%
201319542%
20123761%

Other parts of the 2021 Tesla Model S

Forward collision avoidance
48 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsSteering
29 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsWheels
10 complaintsLane departure
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsTires
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 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