2025 Tesla Model S Problems
Compared with other Tesla Model S years
Too new to compare
- Model years are compared once their first three years of complaints are in; the 2025 can be compared from 2028.
- Most reported part: Suspension (2 complaints).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Open NHTSA investigationFSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
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
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 104 MPGecombined, Electric AWD · 108 city / 99 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2025 Tesla Model S (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2025 Tesla Model S. The part named most often is suspension, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and steering (1). NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Suspension2 33%
- Steering1 17%
- Wheels1 17%
Example complaints
Suspension: “Tires wear excessivly due to incorect factory and non-adjustable camber settings causing extreme saftey concerns/blowouts, which are not visible without removal of tire or lifting of vehicle by average motorist. My vehicle experienced this within first 10,000 miles on new car with new tires. Fourtuneatly a flat LED to further inspection and replacement before inccuring tragic or adverse consequences.”
NHTSA complaint #11689981, filed 2025-09Transmission and drivetrain: “The power train of my 2025 Tesla Model S failed. As a result, the car had several systems alert on my console that they were unavailable or degraded , and in addition to the alerts I experienced their loss or degradation in real time. This included braking, steering, stability control, and traction control. Normally you don't have to hold the brake pedal down at a stop light on this electric vehicle, but when the failure occurred my car was rolling backwards at the stop light and so I had to hold down the brake. Also, steering was noticeably degraded and not stable. …”
NHTSA complaint #11718413, filed 2026-02Steering: “The turning signal button on the steering wheel doesn't respond intermittently. It's a safety hazard to not engage a turning signal when making a turn.”
NHTSA complaint #11713304, filed 2026-01Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Tesla’s automatic wipers are unreliable. This vehicle lacks a dedicated rain sensor and instead uses the forward-facing camera and neural net to detect moisture. In light rain, the system often fails to activate. More critically, it frequently triggers false wipes during dry conditions—sometimes multiple times per day. Each dry swipe smears debris (e.g., bugs, sap), reducing visibility and risking permanent windshield scratches. This directly compromises driver safety and optics for the FSD/autopilot system. Tesla has acknowledged the issue but suggests turning off automatic wipers. …”
NHTSA complaint #11675799, filed 2025-07Complaints by year filed
This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2025 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model S (all Variants) · hatchback AWD | not rated | — | — | — | 5 · 5.7% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2025 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 2025 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.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model S AWD | Electric | single-speed | 132 | 116 | 124 MPGe | $600 |
| Model S Plaid (19in wheels) AWD | Electric | single-speed | 108 | 99 | 104 MPGe | $750 |
| Model S Plaid (21in wheels) AWD | Electric | single-speed | 97 | 89 | 93 MPGe | $800 |
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
- 25V002000Jan 6, 2025Back over prevention › SoftwareCovers: Tesla Model S 2024–2025, Model Y 2023–2025, Model X 2023–2025 +1 more
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
- 24V967000Dec 23, 2024Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › CushionCovers: Tesla Model S 2021–2025, Model X 2021–2025
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208…
Recall details for the 2025 Tesla Model S → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA26002FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsOpen · Mar 18, 2026
- PE24033Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.Closed · Jan 6, 2025
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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 11029582Feb 4, 2026Other or unknown. On 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 drain funnel for…
- 11016319Mar 21, 2025Electrical system. Some Model S and Model X vehicles with 1st Generation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antennas might suffer from lower-than-expected navigation signal strength under certain circumstances.
- 11013483Jan 14, 2025Air bags. On certain Model S and Model X vehicles with a round steering wheel, built between November 6, 2024 and November 27, 2024, the supplier assembly process might have damaged the driver airbag. Coupled…
Other model years of the Tesla Model S
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | — | 0 | — | 110 MPGe | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 6 | — | 2 | — | 104 MPGe | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 38 | 3,500 | 6 | — | 107 MPGe | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 115 | 83,166 | 13 | — | 120 MPGe | 41 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 139 | 6,118 | 20 | — | 116 MPGe | 60 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 179 | 6,000 | 23 | — | 110 MPGe | 78 · More | Stable |
| 2020 | 80 | 2,500 | 11 | — | 109 MPGe | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2019 | 44 | 5,100 | 10 | — | 103 MPGe | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2018 | 170 | 16,000 | 11 | — | 102 MPGe | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2017 | 429 | 24,236 | 9 | — | 102 MPGe | 72 · More | Falling |
| 2016 | 649 | 26,250 | 10 | 5 | 98 MPGe | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 668 | 49,240 | 9 | 5 | 95 MPGe | 76 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 367 | 52,425 | 9 | 5 | 89 MPGe | 41 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 461 | 70,000 | 11 | 5 | 94 MPGe | 42 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 61 | 68,481 | 8 | — | 89 MPGe | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
All Tesla Model S model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2025 Tesla Model S have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2025 Tesla Model S as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2025 Tesla Model S is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.
Has the 2025 Tesla Model S been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How efficient is the 2025 Tesla Model S according to the EPA?
The EPA rates the 2025 Tesla Model S (Model S Plaid (19in wheels), Electric) at 104 MPGe combined, 108 city and 99 highway, with an estimated annual electricity cost of $750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other battery and motor versions are rated differently.
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. 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.