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Tesla Model SModel year report

2023 Tesla Model S Problems

Compared with other Tesla Model S years

Typical for this model

41/100 0.8× a typical year · 50 = typical

Open NHTSA investigationFSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions; Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness and 1 more

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
115filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
83,166miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
13campaigns on record
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
120 MPGecombined, Electric AWD · 124 city / 115 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2023 Tesla Model S (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the steering-wheel controls introduced with the refreshed interior: the horn is a small button on the right spoke rather than the center pad, and the turn signals are buttons rather than a stalk. Many reports say that in an emergency these controls are hard to find without looking away from the road. A second, distinct theme in the sample is the car braking on its own with adaptive cruise or Autopilot engaged, which owners describe as happening without an obstacle ahead.

  1. Steering

    Horn button on the spoke instead of the wheel center

    • 66 complaints (57%)
    • typically at 1.5 yrs old
    • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $2,100 (median of 8 quotes)
    • filed 2023–2026

    Owners describe reaching for the center of the steering wheel out of habit and finding no horn there; instead the horn is a small button on the right spoke of the wheel or yoke. Complaints say that in an urgent situation the button is hard to locate without looking down, and that it moves with the wheel when turning. Several owners asked the dealer for the newer steering wheel with a center horn and report being told it would only be replaced at their own cost or as part of a recall. Reported at a wide range of mileages, usually described as happening in the first year or two of ownership rather than tied to a specific mileage.

    Recall 25V172000Recall 23V743000

    What to check: Sit in the car and find the horn without looking; if the car has the spoke button, ask whether the steering wheel was replaced with the center-horn version and at what cost.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The Tesla Model S yoke with no horn in the center of the steering wheel is a safety hazard. The button on the steering wheel for the horn is not in a standard location and is difficult or impossible to find in an emergency without looking at the steering wheel. Twice I have tried to honk my horn at a motorist to avoid a collision, only to be met with silence.”

    NHTSA complaint #11647313, filed 2025-03

    “The Tesla Model S Plaid with the yoke does not have a functional horn feature in the center of the yoke. Instead, the horn button is a small one to the side. This is dangerous and not intuitive. Similarly, the capacitive turn signal buttons on the left make little sense. It’s particularly challenging to indicate the correct signal when I’m in a roundabout to note when I’m going to exit. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11571165, filed 2024-02
  2. Steering

    Turn signals on steering-wheel buttons

    • 24 complaints (21%)
    • typically at 1.3 yrs old
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2023–2025

    Complaints describe turn signals operated by capacitive buttons on the wheel face rather than a stalk, with no raised edge to find by feel, so the driver must look down to press the right one. Owners report that when the wheel is turned, the left and right buttons end up pointing the wrong way, and several say the left button sometimes does not register and needed a repeat press. Described throughout the first year of ownership and at low mileages; no clear mileage pattern in the sample.

    What to check: Try the turn signals while the wheel is turned and check whether both buttons respond on the first press every time.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Left Turn Signal Button About 1 in 20 times, the left turn signal button on the steering wheel does not register a press. Pressing multiple times in multiple places on the left arrow icon makes no difference. If I click the right button and then the left it's fine. Or, if I try later, the left button will work again for a while This has happened many times over the past several weeks”

    NHTSA complaint #11582617, filed 2024-04

    “The left turn signal is intermittent, it works most of the time, but many times the button on the yoke will not turn on the turn signal. Tesla wants $265 to fix it even though I still am under the factory warranty. After a quick internet search this appears to be a known problem. Because there is no turn yoke (which is a very poor design and that should be recalled) I have to rest my finger on the detent for the left and right switch. If I do not I am turning on the incorrect signal. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11661468, filed 2025-05
  3. Forward collision avoidance

    Car brakes on its own (phantom braking)

    Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

    With adaptive cruise control or Autopilot engaged, owners describe the car slowing sharply on its own on an open highway with no vehicle ahead, sometimes dropping 20 mph or more before they press the accelerator. Some complaints also describe a loss of camera or cruise functions after a software update, and a message that active safety features are unavailable. Owners who raised it with the dealer say they were told it is a known limitation of the system rather than something that could be repaired. Reported on highways at highway speeds, in conditions ranging from dry and clear to rain and dusk; mileage not stated in most reports.

    Recall 23V489000Recall 23V085000

    What to check: Ask whether the forward-camera alignment recall and any Autopilot-related software updates were completed, and confirm which software version is installed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I had a software update on my Tesla Model S for minor fixes (s/w version # 2024.14.9) and when I came to start the car the following systems are now working; 1/ All camera's are not working including review view camera. 2/ All ADAS systems are not working 3/ Windscreen wipers are not working 4/ Navigation is not working The biggest concern is the camera system and all the safety system associated with this are now not active on the car.”

    NHTSA complaint #11592398, filed 2024-06

    “The car will rapidly break and decelerate with no obstacle in front. The care does this frequently but randomly. The car will slow by 10 -20 mps in a mater of a second or 2. The deceleration is had enough to throw unsuspecting passengers forward into locked seatbelts. It will do this with cars following behind. I wil ldo this between 3-12 or more times over a 100 mile drive. I have asked Tesla to fix this but they have said that this is a limitation of their program and that it can't be fixed. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11531851, filed 2023-07
  4. Other or unknown

    Rear camera and rear-view image faults

    • 7 complaints (6%)
    • median 16,000 mi at 2.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • filed 2023–2026

    Owners report the backup camera going black or failing to show an image, sometimes repeatedly after a service visit, and in one case all cameras and driver-assistance functions dropped out after a software update. One owner said the service center described the camera as a convenience rather than a safety feature and advised using the mirrors instead. Reported across the first two years of ownership; one report notes a failure at about 16,000 miles.

    Recall 26V283000Recall 24V035000

    What to check: Shift into reverse and confirm the rear-view image appears promptly; ask whether the rear-visibility software recalls were applied.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “This is the second time in the last two weeks that my backup camera has stopped working. I have talk to the service center about this I was told that it is not a safety issue but a convenience to the driver and that I should use my mirrors and turn my head around to see what is behind me. I have taken my car in the service center to see if they can fix the problem (8/23/2023). Backup camera worked for a while than stopped again . I have made another appointment with the service center to see if they can fix the problem (8/29/2023.”

    NHTSA complaint #11540722, filed 2023-08

    “3 separate times the right pillar camera and 2 times for all cameras: The car's computer lost contact with the cameras and could not reconnect. In 2023, Tesla changed from radar to camera sensing technology. All driving functions relating to car positioning and cruise/speed control were lost at those times. Twice the car was under cruise control so the car interpreted this as 0 mph and initiated emergency braking from 75 mph on an interstate highway. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11519675, filed 2023-04

Buying note. Most of what owners write about here concerns the steering-wheel controls, so spend time with the horn and turn signals before deciding, and confirm which software and recall work has been completed. On the test drive, try the adaptive cruise on an open road and check the backup camera and how the car drives under steady acceleration.

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.

NHTSA recorded 115 consumer complaints for the 2023 Tesla Model S. 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 83,166 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns and 73 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 11 Tesla Model S model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 41 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (4), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (3), Seats (3), Body and structure (3), Transmission and drivetrain (3), Fuel system (2), Air bags (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Other or unknown: “Tesla changed their steering wheel on later models because they know that not having the horn in the center of the steering wheel is very dangerous. Several times I tried to honk my horn in dangerous situations and I missed the horn icon and turned on the windshield wipers instead whose icon is next to it.There should be a recall of the older style steering wheels!”

NHTSA complaint #11603511, filed 2024-07

Steering: “The horn being a button is a safety hazard, and Tesla should replace it at no cost. On many occasions my steering wheel was upside down and I had to press the horn button and couldn’t find it. I expressed my concerns to Tesla and they said I have to pay to get the steering wheel with the horn in the center.”

NHTSA complaint #11670265, filed 2025-06

Forward collision avoidance: “My car had a software update last night. This morning, there is now a forced feedback prompt that comes on the information screen whenever I disengage the autopilot. This prompt grays out the rest of the screen and does not disappear until I manually select a feedback option. This forced prompt is very distracting, requiring manual user input to get rid of, which makes driving distracting and dangerous.”

NHTSA complaint #11734662, filed 2026-04

Electrical system: “To activate the horn you must press a small label which is not in the middle of the steering wheel. This requires taking eyes off the road and looking for the small area. There is a horn-like appearing big area in center of the wheel that has movement when you press it, but doesn’t beep the horn ---- See attached document for complaint”

NHTSA complaint #11565103, filed 2024-01

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,000 and 150,332 miles.

0%0–1050%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–15050%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 83,166 miles.

Complaints by year filed

This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

202320246420252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2023 Tesla Model S. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Model S (all Variants) · suv early release AWDnot rated———5 · 5.7% risk
Model S (all Variants) Later Release · hatchback AWDnot rated———5 · 5.7% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2023 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2023 Tesla Model S version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving); for electric versions it is the cost of electricity and the rating is in MPGe.

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Model S AWDElectricsingle-speed124115120 MPGe$650

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 13 recalls for the 2023 Tesla Model S → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 73 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 73 bulletins →

Other model years of the Tesla Model S

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20267—0—110 MPGe—Too new
20256—2—104 MPGe—Too new
2024383,5006—107 MPGeToo new to compareToo new
202311583,16613—120 MPGe41 · TypicalToo new
20221396,11820—116 MPGe60 · TypicalRising
20211796,00023—110 MPGe78 · MoreStable
2020802,50011—109 MPGe49 · TypicalFalling
2019445,10010—103 MPGe0 · FewerFalling
201817016,00011—102 MPGe51 · TypicalFalling
201743024,2369—102 MPGe72 · MoreFalling
201665026,00010598 MPGe100 · MoreFalling
201566949,2409595 MPGe76 · MoreFalling
201436752,4259589 MPGe41 · TypicalFalling
201346170,00011594 MPGe42 · TypicalFalling
20126168,4818—89 MPGe0 · FewerFalling

All Tesla Model S model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Tesla Model S?

Owners of this model year most often write about the steering-wheel controls introduced with the refreshed interior: the horn is a small button on the right spoke rather than the center pad, and the turn signals are buttons rather than a stalk. The issues reported most often: Horn button on the spoke instead of the wheel center; Turn signals on steering-wheel buttons; Car brakes on its own (phantom braking).

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2023 Tesla Model S have?

NHTSA recorded 115 consumer complaints for the 2023 Tesla Model S as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2023 Tesla Model S is reported most often?

Other or unknown is named most often, in 58 complaints (50% of the total), followed by steering with 21.

Has the 2023 Tesla Model S been recalled?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How efficient is the 2023 Tesla Model S according to the EPA?

The EPA rates the 2023 Tesla Model S (Model S, Electric) at 120 MPGe combined, 124 city and 115 highway, with an estimated annual electricity cost of $650 at 15,000 miles a year. Other battery and motor versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2023 Tesla Model S reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 83,166 miles and the middle half falls between 16,000 and 150,332 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.