2023 Tesla Model S Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 58about this part
- Share
- 50%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2023 Tesla Model S, 50% of the 115 complaints for this model year. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“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“My car doesn’t have a traditional horn, rather a small touch button obscured on the upper right of the “yoke” steering wheel. I’ve had multiple instances when I needed to use the horn only to not be able to find it in time. I believe this is a safety issue that Tesla should address.”
NHTSA complaint #11565372, filed 2024-01“The Tesla has a very tiny horn button that is not in the center of the steering wheel. The button is off to the right with other buttons for the wipers and auto cruise. It is extremely hard to find in normal situations, but impossible to find in emergency situations because the button moves with the steering wheel. Someone tried to change lanes into me. I could not both honk and avoid him. Very scary and dangerous. I thought you should know.”
NHTSA complaint #11587733, filed 2024-05Related service bulletins
- 11029582Feb 4, 2026On some Model S and Model X vehicles, the compression gap of the HVAC drain funnel seal is wider than intended, which may cause water ingress. Inspect the sponge area of the HVAC…
- 11008831Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008830Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008829Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008827Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008824Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008807Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008806Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008805Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008803Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 29% |
| 2024 | 23 | 61% |
| 2023 | 58 | 50% |
| 2022 | 34 | 24% |
| 2021 | 45 | 25% |
| 2020 | 14 | 18% |
| 2019 | 4 | 9% |
| 2018 | 36 | 21% |
| 2017 | 96 | 22% |
| 2016 | 150 | 23% |
| 2015 | 189 | 28% |
| 2014 | 83 | 23% |
| 2013 | 122 | 26% |
| 2012 | 12 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2023 Tesla Model S
21 complaintsForward collision avoidance
18 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsLane departure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2023 Tesla Model S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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