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2010 Tesla ROADSTER2Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 1 owner complaint for the 2010 Tesla ROADSTER2. Most complaints involve power train (1) and electrical system (1).

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Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2010
Owner complaints
1
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: 12v

Free remedy

TESLA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 ROADSTER 2.0 AND 2.5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 12V AUXILIARY CABLE. THE 12V AUXILIARY CABLE FOR THE LOW VOLTAGE BACK UP POWER SYSTEM MAY BE IMPROPERLY ROUTED. IF THE WIRE IS IMPROPERLY ROUTED, AND TRAPPED AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL COVER, THE WIRE MAY ABRADE AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE CARBON FIBER ARMATURE AND, OVER TIME, EXPOSE THE WIRE. CONTACT BETWEEN THE BARE WIRE AND CARBON FIBER MAY CAUSE A SHORT-CIRCUIT LEADING TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL ARCHING.

Electrical systemReported Oct 1, 2010NHTSA 10V458000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2011 – Sep 2011
  1. Power train1
  2. Electrical system1

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

By model year

Complaints for each ROADSTER2 model year we’ve synced.

Only one model year synced so far.

Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

1 report
“WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH, MY CAR EXPERIENCED "DRIVE LOSS", WHICH MEANS THE POWER TRAIN WAS SHUT DOWN SO THE CAR COULD ONLY COAST TO A STOP. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING. AS THE POWER WAS SHUT DOWN, THE ON BOARD SCREEN STATED "POWER TRAIN SHUT DOWN" OR A SIMILAR MESSAGE. I WAS NOT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION AT THE TIME, SO I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT BEING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM. THE SOFTWARE ON BOARD THE CAR "DECIDED" TO CAUSE THE SHUT DOWN. IN THIS CASE, THE SOFTWARE DECIDED TO SHUT DOWN ALL SYSTEMS IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE BATTERY. IT DID THIS BECAUSE A FAULTY SENSOR ON THE BATTERY SENT A SIGNAL THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS EXTREMELY COLD. EXTREME COLD IS HARMFUL TO THE BATTERY LIFE, SO THE CAR SHUTS DOWN TO AVOID COSTLY BATTERY REPLACEMENTS. TESLA MANAGEMENT HAS CONFIRMED THAT THIS SHUT DOWN PROCESS CAN OCCUR FOR MANY OTHER REASONS AS WELL, AND IS USED IN GENERAL AS A WAY TO HANDLE EXCEPTIONAL CONDITIONS. I THINK IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR THE ON BOARD SOFTWARE TO SHUT DOWN A VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER VEHICLE AUTONOMOUSLY MAKING SUCH "DECISIONS", SO I FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO REPORT…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2011Power train, Electrical systemODI 10425527

Electrical system

1 report
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Tesla ROADSTER2 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

2010 ROADSTER2 questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Tesla ROADSTER2 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Tesla ROADSTER2 problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (1), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026