Problems · NHTSA complaints
2017 Tesla Model S problems
Owners filed 379 complaints about the 2017 Tesla Model S with NHTSA between Apr 2017 and Jun 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (104).
Complaints
379
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
46
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
22
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system104
- Suspension104
- Steering42
- Forward collision avoidance41
- Vehicle speed control33
- Exterior lighting24
- Service brakes20
- Lane departure19
- Back over prevention17
- Visibility/wiper14
- Structure13
- Wheels13
- Visibility9
- Power train7
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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
18
42
18
74
81
67
34
34
11
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 42 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 74 |
| 2021 | 81 |
| 2022 | 67 |
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2025 | 11 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
104 reports5 crashes1 fire3 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V838000 (Electrical System) and 24V051000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Suspension
104 reports14 crashes
“Car rattles when driven and makes loud sounds when going over bumps. Took to Tesla with 50k miles on it and they said it needs new air spring modules on front left and right. Did not do repair as it was over $3000. My car was built in the Fremont factory, the same as the cars in china that were recalled for the same reason. My car was a Tesla fleet car when I purchased it May of this year. Tesla had to know there was a problem and that’s why they wholesaled it to a different car dealership to be sold.”
Steering
42 reports3 crashes2 related recalls
“While merging onto the highway an error message showed up on the dash stating "Steering Assist May be Reduced" upon immediately after the steering froze and could only be moved slightly using significant force. Approx. 75lbs. I am athletic and work out and had trouble moving the car to the side. If my wife or daughter had driven the car they would not have been able to steer and this could have caused a significant accident, injury or death. Upon pulling over, I rebooted both computers on the Tesla Model S 75 D and the problem went away. I immediately drove to the Tesla dealer in Chesterfield, MO. There they seemed unconcerned, and advised me it was likely just a firmware issue and wouldn't be able to look at the car until the next week. I was shocked. Since the systems seemed to work I drove home and parked the car. On the driveway, the same error showed up and steering seemed again to lock up. After rebooting problem went away. Looking at the Tesla forums this seems to have happened before and poses a serious danger to the driver, occupants and fellow drivers on the road. I no longer feel safe driving the car.”
Forward collision avoidance
41 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“Software 2025.14.1, Full Self Driving 12.6.4 (FSD). Vehicle when using FSD continuously slows to 10 MPH below the speed limit. You can manually press the accelerator to speed up but FSD will not brake when doing so and warns you of the same. After a minute of being back at the speed limit, FSD again slows down. Repeat this process constantly. Very dangerous.”
Vehicle speed control
33 reports16 crashes
“Stoped at intersection. While trying to engage signal lights, hit the stalk below that engages full self driving. Car immediately jumped into intersection .in front of another car and almost collided. Since the last update, Cars with my configuration wave been acting irradely and it is not safe to use FSD.”
Exterior lighting
24 reports
“I don't have this problem anymore because I had the circuit board replaced. The issue I have observed is the auto high beam feature doesn't work properly. They get stuck in the high setting and don't adapt to on-coming traffic. It's primarily in model y cars but all models have been observed. This might be as simple as needing the adaptive setting to be default or in my case a new control board replaced. The remedy before I got it fixed was to not have high engaged with the stock. I don't think there is a manual solution with the y or any newer teslas.”
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.