2018 Tesla MODEL S: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL S. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION TEN DAYS LATER FOR A STERNAL FRACTURE. THE TESLA BUENA PARK DEALER (6692 AUTO CENTER DR., BUENA PARK, CA 90621, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TESLA APPROVED FACILITY TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC TESTING REPORTED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESS…

Owner-reported narrative. 214 miles reported. Look up ODI 11100216 at NHTSA ↗

THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY MALFUNCTIONS, DEATHS AND FIRES CAUSED BY TESLA'S AUTO PILOT FEATURE. SO MANY GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS ARE GOING ON, AND THE RESULT OF SOME INVESTIGATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED SOUNDS ALARMING. TESLA'S AUTO PILOT FEATURE IS UNDER INTENSE GOVERNMENT SCRUTINY. TODAY, ELON ANNOUNCED THAT ALL TESLA CARS WILL BE FULLY AUTOMATED DRIVERLESS IN AUGUST. ELON HAS BECOME DESPERATE, INSANE AND DANGEROUS. HE HAS NO REGARD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. IS HE CRAZY? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? PLEASE STOP THIS DANGEROUS AND FRAUDULENT MAN, AND PUT HI…

Owner-reported narrative. 99 miles reported. Look up ODI 11101150 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL S. WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, THE SPEED INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE DROVE THROUGH THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE THAT WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG AND KNEE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SHOULDER AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A COLLISION REPAIR FA…

Owner-reported narrative. 49 miles reported. Look up ODI 11102347 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY. ON MY RIGHT WAS AN EXIT RAMP AND IN THE LEFT LANE THERE WAS NOT ANOTHER VEHICLE. SUDDENLY THE WARNING BUZZER WENT OFF AND THE CAR PULLED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. I QUICKLY CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT. IT SCARED ME. IN ADDITION I CAME HOME AND DROVE INTO MY GARAGE LIKE I ALWAYS DO. THE BUZZER WENT OFF AGAIN TELLING SOMETHING WAS IN THE WAY AND SHIFTED ITSELF INTO PARK. I GOT OUT OF CAR AND CHECKED TO SEE IF ANYTHING WAS IN THE WAY. THERE WAS NOT. I CALLED TESLA STATING THESE THINGS WERE SAFETY ISSUES. THEY WANTED ME T…

Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11104131 at NHTSA ↗

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO LOAD THE CURVEDATA FROM YOUR DATABASE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11151124 at NHTSA ↗

CAR WAS STOPPED PRIOR TO ENTERING CAR GARAGE. CAR SUDDENLY REVERSED THEN SPED UP AUTONOMOUSLY AND CRASHED INTO THE HOME. SUSPECT CAR ELECTRONICS COMPROMISED AND ENDANGERED DRIVER. REQUESTING INVESTIGATION IF CAR DEFECT VS USER ERROR. THANK YOU !

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 11155579 at NHTSA ↗

MY CAR WAS FULLY ENGAGED IN AUTO PARK AND IT HIT A CAR. I QUICKLY BRAKED TO STOP A WORSE COLLISION. I PATIENTLY WAITED FOR TESLA TO REVIEW THEIR LOGS. THEY INSIST THE AUTO PARK WAS WORKING WITHOUT FAULT."THE ENGINEERS HAVE INDEED SAID THE AUTOPARK FEATURE WAS OPERATING WITHOUT FAULT." I KEEP QUESTIONING THEM. "IF THE VEHICLE COMES INTO CONTACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE DOES NOT MEAN THE AUTOPARK FEATURE IS OPERATING WITH FAULT,' SAYS TESLA. I REPLY, 1. WOULD YOU CLARIFY IT AND SAY THAT IF THE VEHICLE COMES INTO CONTACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11180360 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL S. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS IN A TIGHT CIRCLE. THE VEHICLE STRUCK SOME TREES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS PARALLEL PARKED ON THE SAME STREET. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS CONNECTED TO TESLA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT REQUESTED THE DEALER. TES…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,757 miles reported. Look up ODI 11183545 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2021-12-21 (December 21, 2021)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System."

Consequence: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-11-003.

Reported: 2021-01-29 (January 29, 2021)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.

Consequence: The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.

Reported: 2021-10-29 (October 29, 2021)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.

Consequence: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.

Reported: 2022-01-27 (January 27, 2022)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.

Consequence: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.

Reported: 2022-03-18 (March 18, 2022)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-004.

Reported: 2022-11-01 (November 1, 2022)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.

Consequence: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.

Reported: 2023-02-15 (February 15, 2023)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation.  The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

Consequence: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023.  Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.  Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

Reported: 2023-12-12 (December 12, 2023)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

Consequence: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

Reported: 2024-01-30 (January 30, 2024)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

Reported: 2024-02-27 (February 27, 2024)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Consequence: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.

Reported: 2024-05-28 (May 28, 2024)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.