2025 Tesla Model S problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (2) · Wheels (1) · Visibility/Wiper (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Tesla Model S model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Electrical System 2025-01-06 · campaign 25V002000 · 239,382 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:cushion 2024-12-23 · campaign 24V967000 · 487 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (3)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-04 · SB-26-18-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
on some model s and model x vehicles, the compression gap of the hvac drain funnel seal is wider than intended, which may cause water ingress. inspect the sponge area of the hvac drain funnel for water ingress. if water ingress is present, rework the hvac drain funnel seal.
Electrical System 2025-03-21 · SB-24-21-002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some model s and model x vehicles with 1st generation global navigation satellite system (gnss) antennas might suffer from lower-than-expected navigation signal strength under certain circumstances.
Air Bags 2025-01-14 · SB-24-20-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
on certain model s and model x vehicles with a round steering wheel, built between november 6, 2024 and november 27, 2024, the supplier assembly process might have damaged the driver airbag. coupled with a deep fold or crease in the airbag material or positioning of the heat diffuser, the damage cou
What owners report
2026-02-17 · Power Train“the power train of my 2025 tesla model s failed. as a result, the car had several systems alert on my console that they were "unavailable" or "degraded", and in addition to the alerts i experienced their loss or degradation in real time. this included braking, steering, stability control, and traction control. normally you don't have to hold the…”
2026-02-17 · Power Train“the power train of my 2025 model s failed similar to failure of 7-6-25 which i previously reported to nhtsa (complaint #11718413) and tesla. upon getting into my car on 2-7-26 and putting it in reverse, several alert messages displayed including "stability control disabled, traction control disabled, and emergency braking unavailable". i drove 1/…”
2026-01-26 · Steering“the turning signal button on the steering wheel doesn't respond intermittently. it's a safety hazard to not engage a turning signal when making a turn. …”
2025-12-13 · Wheels“i experienced excessive rear tire wear on both rear tires inner side the tire ended up blowing out on the rear passenger tire…”
2025-09-26 · Suspension“tires wear excessivly due to incorect factory and non-adjustable camber settings causing extreme saftey concerns/blowouts, which are not visible without removal of tire or lifting of vehicle by average motorist. my vehicle experienced this within first 10,000 miles on new car with new tires. fourtuneatly a flat led to further inspection and replace…”
2025-07-24 · Visibility/Wiper“tesla’s automatic wipers are unreliable. this vehicle lacks a dedicated rain sensor and instead uses the forward-facing camera and neural net to detect moisture. in light rain, the system often fails to activate. more critically, it frequently triggers false wipes during dry conditions—sometimes multiple times per day. each dry swipe smears debris…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.