2023 Tesla MODEL S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
112 owner complaints analyzed
13 distinct recall campaigns
83,166 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 58 of 112 complaints (51.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 66 | 58.9% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 9.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 58 |
| Steering | 20 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 12 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 8 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
Unknown Or Other: 58; Steering: 20; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 12; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 8; Electrical System: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Visibility/Wiper: 6; Exterior Lighting: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 110 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 64 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2023: 21; 2024: 64; 2025: 16; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 66 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 11501003 · 2023-01-10 (January 10, 2023)
The steering wheel and lack of lane change and transmission stocks makes the vehicle hard to control at low speeds. Swiping the screen forward for Drive and backward for Reverse does not create any tactile confirmation. Low speed parking lot maneuvers have already resulted in a few close calls. Along the same lines, the steering wheel makes low speed control difficult. Finally, the missing lane change stocks creates an obstacle for normal and high speed maneuvering as the process is not intuitive, confirmation of the blinker is somewhat absent…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11501003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11529447 · 2023-06-28 (June 28, 2023)
1) Horn is hazardous. Small 1/4" area hard to locate and activate. Impossible to locate when steering. 2) Turn indicators is hazardous. Hard to locate. Impossible to locate when steering. 3) front parking sensors do not work, 4) rear parking sensors do not work, 5) active lane departure warning does not work, 6) forward collision mitigation does not work, 7) rear collision warning does not work, 8) pedestrian detection system deos not work, 9) driver attention alert does not work.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11529447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11519675 · 2023-04-30 (April 30, 2023)
3 separate times the right pillar camera and 2 times for all cameras: The car's computer lost contact with the cameras and could not reconnect. In 2023, Tesla changed from radar to camera sensing technology. All driving functions relating to car positioning and cruise/speed control were lost at those times. Twice the car was under cruise control so the car interpreted this as 0 mph and initiated emergency braking from 75 mph on an interstate highway. I was able to avoid the following cars hitting me only by instantly accelerating back to post…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11519675 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11544761 · 2023-09-15 (September 15, 2023)
Phantom breaking. I picked up my new Model S on Sept 7th. While on the thruway on AutoPilot, the car will suddenly brake. I am not near to anyone. This is a hazard.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11544761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11593247 · 2024-06-08 (June 8, 2024)
Frunk latch does not open with the first tap due to misdesigned frunk liner trim piece. The only way to open the frunk is after first tap to simultaneously tapping open and pulling the hood upward. It is only feasible using the phone app as the vehicle comes with key-card. This creates a safety concern due to fire crew would have an issue reaching a first responder loop to disconnect a battery located under the hood in case of an accident. The issue was reproduced to Tesla service team but they claimed that it is yet impossible to repair.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11593247 at NHTSA ↗