Tesla MODEL S transmission problems
30 complaint narratives mention transmission terms.
Key facts
3,384 owner complaints analyzed
38 distinct recall campaigns
40,594 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 1,732 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Transmission and shifting evidence
30 of 3,384 complaints match this topic (0.9%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10562266 · 2014-01-30 (January 30, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TESLA S 985. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE VARIOUS SHIFTING ISSUES WHEN USING REVERSE. IN ADDITION, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED ONLY WHEN DRIVING IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 04-16-14 *BF UPDATED 04/17/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11700490 · 2025-11-20 (November 20, 2025)
November 20, 2025 To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation Subject: Safety Defect Complaint – Tesla Model S I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious and dangerous safety defect involving my Tesla Model S. Safety Defect Summary: • After the high-voltage battery failed, the vehicle would not enter Neutral. • I had to use Tow Mode in the middle of a street on a hill to avoid blocking traffic. • Once in Tow Mode, the car could not enter Park and the emergency/parking…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11700490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11720889 · 2026-02-27 (February 27, 2026)
The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the parking brake seized while leaving a charging station, and the vehicle screeched into oncoming traffic and stalled. The parking brake warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle had not been charged prior to a snowstorm, and the battery became fully drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the main battery and 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced before the diagnostic test. …
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11720889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11741781 · 2026-06-03 (June 3, 2026)
While driving my 2013 Tesla Model S at normal road speed, the vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion without any warning. I had to coast and maneuver across traffic to avoid being hit before the car came to a stop. After shifting into Park, the vehicle displayed DI_w072 and DI_f072 gate‑drive faults, which indicate inverter/drive‑unit failure and match a pattern reported by other early‑model‑year Tesla owners. This sudden loss of motive power created a serious safety hazard, including risk of rear‑end collision and exposure to oncoming traffic wh…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11741781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11746345 · 2026-06-24 (June 24, 2026)
The vehicle has suffered a catastrophic, intermittent low-voltage network crash caused by a failing Body Control Module (BCM), resulting in multiple dangerous safety-critical failure modes. On a previous occasion, the vehicle woke up with severe network faults and automatically forced itself into Neutral. When the driver stepped out to get the child and shut the door, the system crashed entirely and the exterior electronic door handles failed to present, trapping an infant child inside the running vehicle. Most recently, while driving in a rain…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11746345 at NHTSA ↗