2014 Tesla MODEL S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
365 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
52,425 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 220 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 130 of 365 complaints (35.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 48 | 13.2% |
| Steering behavior | 35 | 9.6% |
| Braking behavior | 32 | 8.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 0.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 130 |
| Suspension | 89 |
| Unknown Or Other | 82 |
| Exterior Lighting | 27 |
| Power Train | 27 |
| Steering | 27 |
| Structure:Body | 25 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 23 |
Electrical System: 130; Suspension: 89; Unknown Or Other: 82; Exterior Lighting: 27; Power Train: 27; Steering: 27; Structure:Body: 25; Fuel/Propulsion System: 23
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 60 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 41 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 55 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 28 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 27 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 60; 25,000 to 49,999: 41; 50,000 to 74,999: 55; 75,000 to 99,999: 28; 100,000 to 149,999: 27; 150,000 and above: 9
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (60). 145 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 25 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2020 | 113 |
| 2021 | 45 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2014: 2; 2015: 15; 2016: 17; 2017: 25; 2018: 19; 2019: 33; 2020: 113; 2021: 45; 2022: 30; 2023: 26; 2024: 17; 2025: 13; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 48 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10690952 · 2015-02-26 (February 26, 2015)
MY 2 DAY OLD P85D SUDDENLY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION: TESLA BUILT THESE P85D CARS WITH FAULTY ELECTRICAL CONTACTORS THAT IT WAS SECRETLY RECALLING THROUGH ITS FORUMS. THE FAULTY CONTACTORS CAUSED SOME NEWLY RELEASED P85D CARS TO LOSE ALL POWER WITHIN FIRST 100 MILES. TESLA SHOULD ISSUE A PUBLIC RECALL TO REPLACE THE FAULTY CONTACTORS. TESLA SHIPPED THE P85D CARS WITH OLD SEATS , EVEN WHEN IT CHARGED CUSTOMERS FOR NEXT GENERATION SEATS. TESLA NEEDS TO IMPROVE ITS PROCESSES AND MAKE SURE IT RELEASES CARS ONLY WHEN SAFE FOR PUBLIC …
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10690952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10824742 · 2016-02-08 (February 8, 2016)
I HAVE SUBMITTED MANY EXAMPLES OF TESLA SUSPENSION COMPONENTS SNAPPING OFF. THIS TESLA IS FOR SALE AS A SALVAGE WRECK. HTTP://WWW.SALVAGERESELLER.COM/VEHICLES/DETAILS/14406666-2014-TESLA-MODEL-S-MA-MENDON# WHILST IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE WHEEL WAS RIPPED OFF IN THE CRASH IT IS REMARKABLE THAT SO MANY OF THESE CARS ARE FAILING IN A SIMILAR FASHION. THE DAMAGE TO THE BODYWORK DOES NOT LOOK CONSISTENT WITH A SEVERE ENOUGH IMPACT TO TEAR THE SUSPENSION OFF THE CAR. THE TIP OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE AKA KING-PIN IS ONCE AGAIN SNAPPED OFF IN TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10824742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10694282 · 2015-03-14 (March 14, 2015)
TESLA'S RECENT OVER THE AIR SOFTWARE UPDATES HAS CHANGED THE STEERING PERFORMANCE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOW THE STEERING IS LESS RESPONSIVE. IT IS HARDER TO STEER TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND AND ROAD CONDITIONS. IT'S HARDER TO CONTROL AND STAY IN A LANE IN LESS-THAN-PERFECT CONDITIONS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10694282 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10639935 · 2014-09-29 (September 29, 2014)
I PULLED SLOWLY IN TO A PARKING SPOT & MY CAR WAS AT A STOP POSITION JUST READY TO PUSH PARK BUTTON. WITHIN A SPLIT OF A SECOND, MY CAR (TESLA) JUMPED THE CURB AND TRAVELED 5' OF SIDEWALK BREAKING A GLASS WALL & TRAVELING THROUGH A RESTAURANT BREAKING TABLES & CHAIRS WITHIN COUPLE OF SECONDS W/O ME ACCELERATING THE PEDAL. BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BY ME HALF WAY THROUGH THE RESTAURANT BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED. NO SERIOUS INJURIES TO ANYONE. TESLA WAS NOTIFIED & THIS IS THE LOG FILE DATA WORD BY WORD FROM THEM. ?AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THAT RESU…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10639935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10671718 · 2015-01-12 (January 12, 2015)
REPORTEDLY SEVERAL TESLA MODEL S' HAVE HAD ANTILOCK AND POWER ASSIST FAILURES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10671718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11536745 · 2023-08-06 (August 6, 2023)
The rear motor (drive unit) has gone out on this car twice in the last four years. I purchased it after it was last repaired. It most recently went out on 08/04/2023. When it went out two days ago it had less than 30,000 miles on it. This car has a motor on both the front and rear axles, so while the vehichle was still moving forward, if it slowed down at all that would engage the regenerative braking. Once regenerative breaking was engaged, the rear drive unit would normal perform that function, but since it was out, it simply knocked the vehi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11536745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11718369 · 2026-02-16 (February 16, 2026)
This is regarding a 2014 Model S fully electric vehicle. Any reference to an 'engine' simply implies the motor. Accelerator pedal became unresponsive and abruptly lost drive power while going ~55mph on the highway. The PRND display on the display panel went red. Car was towed to the service center Immediately after this malfunction, I somehow cruised along towards the shoulder with just with brakes and hazard lights. Total loss of motor power caused vehicle to slow down and vehicles behind me had to slow down (and honk). After coming to comp…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11718369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11253506 · 2019-09-05 (September 5, 2019)
"TAKATA RECALL" AND BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR TO THE POWER STEERING GEAR. SUBJECT: RECALL CODE: 19V-002 / RECALL CODE: 18V-204 / RECALL CODE: 19V-002. REPLACEMENT OF FRONT AIRBAGS AND POWER STEERING ENGINE BOLTS. HON. GENTLEMEN, MY ADVANCE AND RESPECTFUL REGARDS. AS AGENT OF THE HON. MR. (XXXX), I COME TO EXPOSE AND REQUEST AS FOLLOWS: PLEASE INFORM MY CONSTITUENT MEMBER THAT I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM YOU. REALIZING THE NEED TO REPLACE YOUR TESLA BRAND AIR BAG. THIS NEED, ACCORDING TO YOUR INFORMATION, IS RELAT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11253506 at NHTSA ↗