Skip to content
WheelsPart report

2021 Tesla Model S Wheels Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
6%of 179 total for the year
Median mileage
1,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the wheels of the 2021 Tesla Model S, 6% of the 179 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,000 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.

“While I was driving my new Tesla s (approximately 1000 miles) on a county road, the left front tire suddenly came off my car, went across a road with oncoming traffic and hit a fence at a local residence. There was substantial damage to the left front area of the car which can be seen from the attached photos.fortunately, I had just exited the garden state parkway where I was doing 65 MPH. I have little doubt that if the accident had occurred 10 minutes earlier, there would have been several fatalities including me. …”

NHTSA complaint #11404484, filed 2021-03, 1,000 miles

“I had a tire that kept loosing pressure so I took it in to see way. With only a little over 12,000 miles have I have a tire that is splitting between the tread and side wall. Its one the inside of the back drivers side tire.”

NHTSA complaint #11449218, filed 2022-01

“I am filing this complaint regarding a potential safety issue involving a 22-inch Forgiato EV001 forged wheel installed on my 2021 Tesla Model S. The affected wheel is the front passenger-side wheel. I discovered a crack/hairline fracture on one of the rim spokes of the wheel. The wheel is a 22-inch Forgiato EV001 (EV-001) forged wheel. I am concerned that the crack in the rim spoke may represent a potential structural safety issue because the wheel is a critical component of the vehicle. After doing extensive research on the wheel, I was informed that the Forgiato EV001 has been discontinued. …”

NHTSA complaint #11764570, filed 2026-09

“I’ve reported a continually present rack and pinion issue.. FOUR times. Tesla techs claim they don’t experience it or that it is ‘normal’ for this car. The car emits an audible grinding sound plus a visible wheel skipping when turned hard left or right. Today, the right front wheel began to emit a loud whirring sound in addition to the steering issue. Tesla refuses to investigate the issue beyond test drives. The situation could deteriorate quickly resulting in my inability to control the car while driving. It is a very SERIOUS matter.”

NHTSA complaint #11444925, filed 2021-12

“The 2021 and beyond Tesla Model S comes installed with camber arms that cause the wheel to be tilted in and thus wears the tire on the inside to the point of wearing out within 6 months. This is a flaw in the building and pertains to all the model S's 2021 and greater. This is a safety issue and is not addressed by Tesla. I think Tesla should be forced to provide a recall for this.”

NHTSA complaint #11551552, filed 2023-10

Wheels: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026114%
2025117%
202413%
202354%
202275%
2021106%
202045%
201925%
201821%
2017133%
2016152%
2015122%
201462%
201372%

Other parts of the 2021 Tesla Model S

Forward collision avoidance
48 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsSteering
29 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 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