Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Tesla Model S problems

Owners filed 367 complaints about the 2014 Tesla Model S with NHTSA between Sep 2014 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (133).

Complaints
367
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
52
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
13
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system133
  2. Suspension90
  3. Structure27
  4. Power train27
  5. Exterior lighting27
  6. Steering27
  7. Fuel/propulsion system23
  8. Vehicle speed control22
  9. Visibility/wiper15
  10. Air bags13
  11. Engine12
  12. Service brakes10
  13. Forward collision avoidance9
  14. Wheels6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20142
201515
201617
201725
201819
201933
2020113
202145
202230
202326
202417
202513
202612

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

133 reports2 crashes5 fires2 related recalls
“The main battery failed without warning/notice. it will not charge anymore. the tesla service center in louisville kentucky did not disclose the exact cause for the failure. one day the car displayed a message stating the car is unable to charge, contact service center and never charged again.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2026Electrical systemODI 11770438

Suspension

90 reports29 crashes1 fire
“Vehicle Information: 2014 Tesla Model S VIN: [XXX] Incident Date: [XXX] Component Affected: Suspension / Air Suspension / Ride Height Control Problem Description: On [XXX], while driving, my 2014 Tesla Model S suddenly raised itself to and/or beyond maximum ride height without any driver input. Immediately afterward, the front driver-side suspension collapsed completely, leaving the vehicle unsafe to operate. This appears to be an uncommanded overinflation event caused by Tesla’s suspension control system. It is not normal wear but a manufacturer-induced malfunction. If this failure had occurred at highway speeds, it could have caused catastrophic loss of control. The collapse of a suspension system without warning is a serious safety defect. Tesla’s service center in Moraine, OH, has refused to review the vehicle logs (which would confirm this sequence of failure) and has instead classified the incident as a standard part failure. As a result, Tesla is attempting to push full financial liability onto the owner instead of addressing what is clearly a safety-critical defect. Safety Concern: A sudden, uncommanded suspension height change followed by collapse…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2025SuspensionODI 11681856

Structure

27 reports5 crashes1 fire
“The vehicle's front hood unexpectedly released and struck the windshield while driving at full speed on the interstate. I was able to pull over safely. After stopping, the vehicle displayed a warning indicating that it could not detect whether the front trunk was latched. The resulting collision repairs included replacement of the hood, windshield, hood latch, striker, hood support struts, and related components. We requested that Tesla review this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect and determine whether it is consistent with any known hood-latch defect or applicable recall condition. We specifically request consideration of the relevance of Recall 21V-00B / Tesla campaign SB-21-11-003, while recognizing that we have not independently established whether our VIN was included in the recall population. Tesla has not provided a substantive response.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11773524

Power train

27 reports1 crash
“Motor suddenly failed after a required update while driving, nearly causing a crash with multiple commercial vehicles and pedestrians, leaving brake lights dangerously always on and alarm sounding, killed 12v as well.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2026Power train, Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11735218

Exterior lighting

27 reports1 crash
“I am the current owner of a 2014 Tesla Model S equipped with MCU1. While driving, including at freeway speeds, the center touchscreen has rebooted unexpectedly, showing only the Tesla logo before recovering. During these reboots, critical vehicle functions are unavailable, including the rearview camera, HVAC/defrost controls, and other essential features. This failure matches the exact safety defect described in NHTSA Recall 21V-035 related to the MCU/eMMC failure. I reported this safety issue to Tesla Service and provided photo evidence of the screen rebooting while driving. Tesla has refused to address this as a recall or safety repair. Tesla claims the recall was previously completed under a prior owner but refuses to provide any documentation proving that the recall repair was actually performed, citing prior owner privacy. Tesla has further stated that diagnosis of this active safety defect would be customer-paid due to the basic warranty being expired and has indicated that the only path forward is a paid infotainment upgrade. Tesla is effectively requiring payment to diagnose and resolve a known safety defect. As the safety defect is actively occurring…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2025Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperODI 11705673

Steering

27 reports5 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owned a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the vehicle exited into a tunnel. The contact stated that his hands were on the steering wheel and that the steering wheel did not move; however, the vehicle inadvertently made a sharp left turn, and the passenger-side headlight struck the tunnel wall. The vehicle spun rapidly, and the contact's head snapped to the right. The air bags did not deploy. The contact received medical attention for whiplash. Police were made aware of the crash but did not arrive on the scene. There was no police report filed. The contact pulled over on the shoulder of the road and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle had driven for a mile when the tire pressure dropped to zero. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to a tow yard, where it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 12, 2026SteeringCrash reportedODI 11717659
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.