2019 Tesla MODEL S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
5,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 44 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 34.1% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 11.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 8 |
| Suspension | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 3 |
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 8; Suspension: 8; Service Brakes: 7; Electrical System: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 4; Steering: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 26 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2019: 3; 2020: 7; 2021: 4; 2022: 12; 2023: 6; 2024: 5; 2025: 4; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 11269912 · 2019-10-21 (October 21, 2019)
TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2019 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILETHEY WERE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY UNKNOWN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AND WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES SEIZED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76.2. *BF ORI NUMBER (XXX) ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSON…
Owner-reported narrative. 76 miles reported. Look up ODI 11269912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11339261 · 2020-07-14 (July 14, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING MY 2019 MODEL S TESLA ON AUTOPILOT DOWN THE FREEWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED WHEN SUDDENLY IT STARTED BRAKING AND THE ALARMS WENT OFF AS IF REACTING TO AN IMPENDING COLLISION. ONLY, THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME TO REACT TO. THE GUY BEHIND ME REAR ENDED ME AND SPUN ACROSS TRAFFIC LANES. THANKFULLY, EVERYONE WALKED AWAY FROM THIS WITH WHAT WE THINK IS JUST WHIPLASH AT THIS TIME - IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE!
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11339261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11312283 · 2020-02-29 (February 29, 2020)
THIS ABOUT THE 400TH TIME THAT I HAVE HAD TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT DEFECTIVE TESLA SUSPENSIONS. I DON'T GIVE UP EASILY. HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/35537692/22 IT HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH. NO AIR-BAGS DEPLOYED. NO DAMAGE TO THE BODYWORK. THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS FALLEN TO BITS. THE WHEEL AND TIRE APPEAR UNDAMAGED SO IT CAN NOT HAVE RUN OVER A BOULDER. EVERY SINGLE COMPONENT OF THE SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED INTO PIECES. THE CAST MONKEY METAL STEERING KNUCKLE HAS CRACKED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. …
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11312283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11242154 · 2019-08-06 (August 6, 2019)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH SOFTWARE UPDATE 2019.28.2 320FBAO. DOWNLOADED UPDATE AND FOLLOWING UPDATE ONE COULD HEAR SOLENOIDS OPENING & CLOSING FOLLOWED BY LEFT DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING FOLLOWED BY RIGHT. DID A SOFT AND HARD RESET AND FACTORY RESET TO NO AVAIL. TOOK CAR INTO SERVICE CENTER AND UPDATE REMOVED AND TOLD TO RE ENTER UPDATE WHEN HOME. RE INSTALLED UPDATE AND SAME THING OCCURS. SPENT OVER AN HOUR TRYING TO FIND A NUMBER TO CALL TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. ON CHAT LINE TOLD TO DO ANOTHER HARD RESET A…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,730 miles reported. Look up ODI 11242154 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11757258 · 2026-08-16 (August 16, 2026)
While I have not experienced this issue personally yet, it is highly possible that it affects all 2012–2020 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with the large induction motor. The issue appears to involve a manufacturing/design defect that allows coolant to leak into the motor due to a failed seal. Once coolant enters the motor, it can short electrical components and potentially cause additional electrical issues. In many cases, the failure occurs without warning, immediately disabling the vehicle and potentially leaving the driver stranded withou…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11757258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11701794 · 2025-11-27 (November 27, 2025)
After a recent Tesla firmware update, the backup camera (FMVSS 111 rear visibility function) stopped working. When shifting into reverse, the display shows a black/blank screen instead of the required rearview image. However, the rear camera preview feed still functions, indicating the camera hardware is intact and the failure is likely in the MCU/deserializer routing or software handling of the reverse camera mode. Tesla Service refused to investigate the firmware or signal-routing path and instead recommended a full MCU replacement at my exp…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11701794 at NHTSA ↗