2026 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 2026 can be compared from 2029.
- Most reported part: Forward collision avoidance (2 complaints).
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
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 110 MPGecombined, Electric AWD · 114 city / 105 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2026 Tesla Model S (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2026 Tesla Model S. The part named most often is forward collision avoidance, with 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by other or unknown (2) and vehicle speed control (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
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.
- Other or unknown2 29%
- Brakes1 14%
- Lane departure1 14%
- Suspension1 14%
- Wheels1 14%
Example complaints
Forward collision avoidance: “Supervised FSD does not have a remedy if it assigns an incorrect speed limit to the current roadway. The only action available is to disengage FSD. This incorrect speed limit happens quite often, especially in construction zones with temporary speed limit changes. Tesla used to have a ‘max speed’ setting that the driver could use to override an incorrect speed limit, but they removed that capability.”
NHTSA complaint #11744863, filed 2026-06Other or unknown: “I was using Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised capability. We were turning left and the car took us into an oncoming turn lane. I had to take over to get us out of the lane.”
NHTSA complaint #11693133, filed 2025-10Vehicle speed control: “Speed profiles don't adhere to actual speed limits. Speed can be higher or lower than posted. I can be driving in a 55mph speed zone and it will drop to 35 then accelerate to 65. On roads that have no speed limit posted car tends to want to go 55 rather than a more sensible speed of under 30, especially at night on a dirt road with wildlife about. Car will also see access road speed signs and slow down in the middle of traffic. To me i don't feel safe and have to disengage the system which adds stress to the drive. Being able to set my own speed is the solution, not having the car set it.”
NHTSA complaint #11767931, filed 2026-09Brakes: “Car will just brake on the highway with out warning. Cruise control will just randomly change speeds. I was traveling on an overpass and speed dropped to 35 then jumped to 60mph.”
NHTSA complaint #11696712, filed 2025-10Complaints 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 2026 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 · hatchback AWD | not rated | — | — | — | 5 · 5.7% risk |
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2026 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 AWD | Electric | single-speed | 114 | 105 | 110 MPGe | $700 |
| 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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2026 Tesla Model S in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 1 on record; the latest 1 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…
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 2026 Tesla Model S have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2026 Tesla Model S as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2026 Tesla Model S is reported most often?
Forward collision avoidance is named most often, in 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 2.
Has the 2026 Tesla Model S been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How efficient is the 2026 Tesla Model S according to the EPA?
The EPA rates the 2026 Tesla Model S (Model S Plaid, Electric) at 110 MPGe combined, 114 city and 105 highway, with an estimated annual electricity cost of $700 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.