general problems of the 2021 Tesla Model S

Certified pre-owned 2021 Tesla Model S delivered on October 21, 2025 with worn michelin pilot sport 4s summer tires (255/35zr21 front, 295/30zr21 rear). Tread depth measured approximately 2/32" on the outer tread shoulders of all four tires, below Tesla’s published 5/32" delivery standard. Within the first week of ownership, the vehicle hydroplaned multiple times in wet conditions at normal speeds. Tesla service declined to replace the tires, stating measurements were “taken in the wrong location” and that only the inner grooves count, despite Tesla’s public documentation and national tire safety standards defining tread depth across the full width of the tire. Vehicle was returned in same condition without correction, leaving a continued safety risk from inadequate tread and summer tires unsuited for ohio’s cold and wet seasonal conditions.

I have a 2021 Tesla Model S long range with rear tire size 295 / 30 zr 21. Both rear tires are worn so bad on the insides that the cords are showing. These tires were purchased and installed by Tesla along with a wheel alignment under 10,000 miles ago. The tires still look like new on the center and outside of the tire so I had no clue this was happening. The only way I became aware was because the low tire pressure warning kept coming on I started losing air slowly over the last month and thought maybe I had a puncture. The damage to the tire isn’t easily visible when just looking under the vehicle. I urge anyone with these tires to check them as it can easily result in a blow out.

295 / 30zr 21 - my tire failed well before the tread life expired. You can see in the attached images that the tire failed at the meeting point between the tread and the sidewall.

Tires wear less than 1k miles. Deflate, side wall wear, separation, tread wear etc. Have purchased around 8 tires from January 2022 - present front - 265/35/zr21 101y extra load rear - 295/30/zr21 102y extra load michelin honored tire failure for side wall separation then denied all other claims. And this is the only tire Tesla has on hand since there is no spare.

Michelin pilot sport 4s 295/30 zr 21 102y extra load purchased oct 2021, estimated 12,000 miles on vehicle and tire. Tire split along inside corner, nearly all the way around the tire. No warning, instant loss of pressure. No significant wear on the outside corner or the tread. Previously happened earlier in the year on the passenger side rear tire.

Tire tread delaminated from the body of the tire, leading to loss of pressure and dangerous loss of vehicle control. Both rear tires had the same issue. 295 /30 r21.

My rear driver side tire failed on the interstate and lost pressure so quickly I had to pull over immediately. Thankfully the tire remained intact enough for me to safely pull over and no one was injured. After realizing this wasn’t just a puncture, I was shocked. This is either a major defect with the tire or with Teslas installation of the tire. The inner part of the tire was shredded but the rest of the tire has significant tread left. These tires are less than 1 year old and less than 16500 miles of use. The tires offer a 30,000 mile warranty.

Michelin manufactures this tire specific for the Tesla Model S plaid vehicle. This tire wears pre maturely from the 300 rating most times under 10,000 miles causing tread separation on the inner wall. This specific wear can only be seen once the tire is removed from the vehicle. This is a well know issue on Tesla forum boards and michelin is not only not assisting with the issue, they are on back order for this tire that is specific for the Tesla Model S plaid. Not only did michelin design a tire for this vehicle that wears well short of the rating, they are also not making enough to replace the worn out\defective tires. The tread separation is on the inside of the tire not visible to the driver that could potentially lead to a catastrophic accident if the tread separates at a high speed. The tire size is 295/30/21.