2024 Tesla MODEL S: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
38 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
3,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2024 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 38 complaints (60.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 13.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.6% |
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 | 23 |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 17 |
| Lane Departure: Warning | 15 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Electrical System:Adas:Autonomous/Self Driving:Software | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 23; Lane Departure: Assist: 17; Lane Departure: Warning: 15; Electrical System: 4; Steering: 4; Electrical System:Adas:Autonomous/Self Driving:Software: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 2; Suspension: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 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 | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 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: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 36 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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2024: 22; 2025: 14; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11587563 · 2024-05-07 (May 7, 2024)
My new car has severe distortion of the windshield and the tailgate glass which could make driving the car unsafe by distorting the lane markings, cars and streets, and/or by inducing dizziness. I took the car to Tesla service and was told that the issue is within specifications and that all other similar Teslas have the same glass issue and replacing the glass would not help the issue. It seems that the glass supplier that Tesla is using has a poor manufacturing quality. The company does not seem to care. I hope you can investigate the issue…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11587563 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11589894 · 2024-05-21 (May 21, 2024)
Car lacks a turn signal stalk. The turn signal buttons on the steering wheel move with the wheel, making it almost impossible to figure out where to press when the wheel is turned, without taking your eyes off the road. It's not a good idea to take your eyes off the road while turning. This makes signalling while exiting a round-a-bout essentially impossible. In addition, even when going straight, it is easy to press the wrong button & signal left when you intend to turn right and vice versa, unless you look at the buttons. I don't think it i…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11589894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11590545 · 2024-05-24 (May 24, 2024)
I have lane departure, avoidance in lane departure assist both turned off in the settings. Despite this, The alarms are constantly going off (Even when I am not departing a lane). It even overrides my steering inputs incorrectly! 8:28am 5/24/2024 for example, I am pulling into my garage and it’s yanking the steering wheel trying to crash me into the wall. I immediately verified the settings are all still turned off. I have an open service ticket with Tesla where I am supplying them dates and times every time it happens and no one is responding.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11590545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11591841 · 2024-05-31 (May 31, 2024)
Windshield with distortions causing driving distractions and headaches. I am on my third windshield with the same problem. This seems to be a widespread issue in reviewing online forums.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11591841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11596842 · 2024-06-26 (June 26, 2024)
My Tesla was parked unlocked in my garage. I came out to drive it and all the doors were locked and would not open with my key card. It also would not unlock with my cell phone app. Tesla customer service also could not remotely unlock it. The vehicle had to be towed to a Tesla Service Center where they forced open the window to gain access. They stated the car needed a new control panel. I have read where Teslas have locked up with children in the car and parent could not gain access to the car. These situations need to be looked into…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11596842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11605696 · 2024-07-31 (July 31, 2024)
Problem: turn signal based on buttons on the wheel (Tesla removed the stalks) After three months of ownership, I still can't signal in case of emergency, when a fast lane change is required, or when exiting from parking with the wheel turned. Issues: 1. I Can't find the buttons when the wheel is turned (buttons rotate with the wheel) 2. The buttons are located below the hand and not above it, so I need to search for them. I practically need to take my eyes off the road to find the buttons because they have no unique touch and feel. It does not …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11605696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11612498 · 2024-09-04 (September 4, 2024)
-The front suspension half shafts or CV joints produce a known vibration through the accelerator pedal, steering wheel at 25-40 mph during cold starts for the first 3-5 minutes of driving. This is a factory new vehicle. The problem is regularly addressed on Tesla owner forums, noting it is present in all new Tesla Model S vehicles 2019 through 2024. -CV joint vibration is typically caused my misalignment that can ultimately lead to premature wear and failures in the suspension system and potentially the vehicle pulling to one side unexpectedly…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11612498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11616484 · 2024-09-25 (September 25, 2024)
Driving into my garage the vehicle is swerving the wheel and sounding alarms that I am “departing a lane” even though I do not have a lane departure Alerts or assistance enabled. Unlike Tesla response to my reports, this is when I am driving manually auto pilot is not engaged like they keep asserting
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11616484 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V743000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2023-11-03 (November 3, 2023)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.
Consequence: An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V376000 · Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V554000 · Electrical System:Software | Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2024-07-24 (July 24, 2024)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
Consequence: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V967000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Cushion
Reported: 2024-12-23 (December 23, 2024)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Consequence: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V002000 · Back Over Prevention:Software | Electrical System
Reported: 2025-01-06 (January 6, 2025)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Tesla will also identify any vehicles that experienced a circuit board failure, or stress that may lead to a circuit board failure, and replace the affected computers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-001.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V172000 · Air Bags | Electrical System:Horn
Reported: 2025-03-19 (March 19, 2025)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
Consequence: An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.
NHTSA campaign record ↗