Electrical System Problems of Tesla Model S - part 2

While charging at a Tesla supercharger, the vehicle began making extremely loud mechanical noises on October 7, 2025, as if something inside the high-voltage system was about to explode. A warning appeared stating “vehicle may shut down at any time. ” a service request was opened the next day. Tesla scheduled the first available appointment nearly a month later, leaving the vehicle unsafe to drive. Before that appointment date, on October 31, 2025, the vehicle completely shut down at a supercharger and could not be restarted. Tesla roadside assistance was dispatched three times before the car was successfully towed to a Tesla service center. The failure was diagnosed by the service center as a high-voltage isolation fault logged in the battery management system. The problem disables the vehicle suddenly and without warning, posing a serious safety hazard if it occurs while driving. Warning lamps and shutdown messages were present prior to the failure. Tesla service staff stated they could not access diagnostic data until the customer paid for unrelated parts (12-volt battery and a/c compressor). After being challenged, they later retrieved limited battery data proving that the high-voltage system had recorded faults. Tesla has not yet issued a written warranty determination or performed a full battery inspection. The incident demonstrates that a high-voltage battery isolation fault can cause the vehicle to become completely inoperable and may create risk of sudden loss of power while driving or charging. The component (battery pack and related electrical systems) remains in Tesla’s possession and can be inspected upon request.

See all problems of the 2017 Tesla Model S 🔎.

November 20, 2025 to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) office of defects investigation subject: safety defect complaint – Tesla Model S I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious and dangerous safety defect involving my Tesla Model S. Safety defect summary:    •   after the high-voltage battery failed, the vehicle would not enter neutral.    •   I had to use tow mode in the middle of a street on a hill to avoid blocking traffic.    •   once in tow mode, the car could not enter park and the emergency/parking brake would not engage.    •   the car became completely free-rolling, posing danger to myself, other drivers, and pedestrians.    •   when Tesla returned the car to my home, their technicians also could not get the vehicle into park or activate any emergency braking system.    •   the car is currently stuck in tow mode in my driveway with physical objects placed behind the wheels to prevent it from rolling. Why this is a safety hazard: a vehicle that cannot shift into park, cannot use its emergency brake, and remains free-moving after a failure represents a serious safety defect. This occurred without warning and left the vehicle unsafe to operate or even store. Request: I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this as a potential safety defect affecting the Tesla Model S when the high-voltage battery fails. A car should never lose all ability to secure itself.

See all problems of the 2013 Tesla Model S 🔎.

I had been driving in the rain and the battery got wet. This was found to be due to corroded umbrella valves which allowed water to get in. The car had not been submerged or in deep water, simple driving on the interstate. The car gave me a warning "service is required-car may not restart. " I started out for the service center and the car failed after 65 miles. I thankfully was in a safe place when it happened. I had to be towed from portland, maine to londonderry, nh for service. The umbrella valves were replaced at my cost $1,871. 12). The umbrella valve problem is occurring on many models and Tesla is repairing them on the newer models, free of charge. They are not calling it a recall (it's a service notice) but I think I should be reimbursed for the repair since they should repair this potentially dangerous problem on all models, not just newer models.

See all problems of the 2015 Tesla Model S 🔎.

I have documented examples of 3 total incidents now where a Tesla ota "update" on my vehicle caused a safety issue. Event 1: Nov 27, 2025. Tesla ota update renders my left turn light non-functional for ~24 hours. Resolution per forums only was to not touch the card for 24 hours to allow it to shift into "sleep" mode which would resolve the issue. Instructions were that only a service center could resolve the issue. Event 2: sept 3, 2025. Tesla ota update renders my car unable to charge. The issue is resolved following a ~24 hour "sleep" cycle which allows my car to somehow resume charging. Telsa advised the only resolution was to come in for service and to replace a $3000 part. Event 3: sept 23, 2025. Tesla ota update once again renders my car unable to use it's left turn light. Power cycling the vehicle was able to resolve the issue but once again the instructions was only that service could resolve the issue. Each "update" risks sigificant "safety" related issues and Tesla's only resolution is to pay hundreds of dollars for someone to "troubleshoot" that which shouldn't be a problem.

2013 Model S VIN [xxx] : 'voltage sense open detected' poses shutdown risk on may 2021 replacement battery. Tesla claims 4-year warranty vs. Standard 8-year; local service redirects without resolution. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

On [xxx], I was driving my recently purchased 2018 Tesla Model S (VIN: [xxx], mileage approx. [30,536]). The vehicle was purchased directly through Tesla’s app in late August 2025 and delivered to me the same day of the incident. Approximately 4. 5 hours after delivery, while driving with my son, white smoke began to come out of the cabin air vents. Within minutes, the smoke turned black and rapidly filled the interior of the car. I immediately pulled over and evacuated the vehicle with my son. Shortly after, the car caught fire and was completely destroyed. No modifications had been made to the vehicle, and it was sold to me as inspected and certified by Tesla. The sudden appearance of smoke from the vents and rapid escalation to a full vehicle fire posed a severe danger to me, my child, and others on the road. I am reporting this to NHTSA to document the incident and to request that the agency investigate whether Tesla Model S vehicles have underlying defects that may cause dangerous cabin fires shortly after use. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2018 Tesla Model S 🔎.

2022 Tesla Model S plaid purchased cpo from Tesla florida inc. Jacksonville on 8/29/2025 for $75,533. 19. Multiple unresolved safety defects. (1) trunk closure obstacle-detection failure 10/15/2025: key fob fell in gap between liftgate and roof; powered liftgate continued upward opening cycle and compressed fob against fixed roof glass until rear glass shattered. $4,100 repair. Same cycle on a child hand or finger would cause crush injury or amputation. Tesla model x tailgate and falcon doors have obstacle detection; plaid liftgate lacks it. (2) passenger-side rear door handle requires extreme pressure to operate, raised 10/25/2025; iced over 1/19/2026 compounding egress hazard. (3) center console haptic backup gear selector non-functional plus observed main touchscreen reset/blackout events: no manual gear control during foreseeable touchscreen failure event. (4) hv battery umbrella valves and flood port plunger required replacement 10/25/2025. (5) rear spoiler bilaterally detached as of 5/13/2026 on 200mph-capable vehicle. (6) front trunk latch unreliable; requires 2-3 commands to open; risk of hood opening at speed. (7) usb charging circuit melted a portable battery bank 11/2/2025; fire-risk overcurrent indicator. (8) tire sidewall damage Tesla circled "ok" at cpo delivery; refused replacement 5 times; Tesla sms 1/13/2026: "sidewall damage would need to be replaced. " (9) multiple unauthorized digital-access events: track mode created post-service; charge current set to 5a; dog mode disabled; pre-delivery key card 8/28/2025; phone key 3/14/2026; both front door reflectors found loosened 11/8/2025. Warranty defect notice sent certified 4/20/2026; Tesla declined 5/7/2026 without addressing any item. Full documentation, sms thread, photographs attached.

See all problems of the 2022 Tesla Model S 🔎.

Premature hv battery bms failure after Tesla replacement – safety risk of fire and sudden power loss.

An investigation has been conducted into a persistent and widespread defect affecting the 2015 Tesla Model S and other early models equipped with the first-generation media control unit (mcu1). This defect manifests as the physical degradation and spontaneous leakage of a sticky adhesive substance from the edges of the vehicle's central infotainment screen and instrument cluster. The leaking substance is not merely a cosmetic issue but presents a credible safety risk to vehicle occupants and the vehicle itself. The substance is a source of volatile organic compounds (vocs), a class of chemicals with a low boiling point that are known to off-gas into the ambient air, a problem exacerbated by high temperatures. Exposure to these compounds can lead to both acute and long-term health consequences, including respiratory irritation, headaches, and in some cases, serious chronic illnesses. Furthermore, the presence of flammable solvents and components within the adhesive, combined with the heat generated by the electronic components of the mcu1, creates a potential fire risk. This report is submitted to the NHTSA to provide a detailed, technical analysis of the adhesive degradation and leakage in the 2015 Tesla Model S. The purpose is to formally document this specific defect as a safety issue that warrants regulatory action, separate from but related to the manufacturer's previous recall for the mcu1's emmc memory wear. It is essential to demonstrate that the adhesive failure is not a cosmetic inconvenience but a distinct material failure with serious implications for occupant health and vehicle safety. This report aims to provide the necessary evidence and analysis to support a formal investigation and a comprehensive recall that fully addresses this physical defect.

The center touchscreen in my Tesla Model S developed a yellow discoloration and later began leaking a sticky fluid from the edges of the display. This fluid appears to be seeping from inside the screen and emits a noticeable odor. The touchscreen is the primary interface for controlling most of the vehicle’s safety-critical systems, including the backup camera, gear selection, climate control, lights, and driver assistance settings. The leak causes visible streaking and distortion on the display. This directly impacts the rearview camera feed — making it harder to see obstacles or pedestrians when reversing — which is a federally mandated safety feature under fmvss 111. The problem worsens in hot weather and may result in fluid dripping onto electronics below, creating an electrical hazard or sudden display failure while driving. This appears to be a known design flaw in which the adhesive or seal inside the display fails over time. The issue can impair visibility of safety alerts, rearview camera images, and vehicle status, posing a significant safety risk to occupants and others.

See all problems of the 2016 Tesla Model S 🔎.

Tesla originally confirmed issues with the mcu1 system in my vehicle and upgraded it to mcu2. I paid $1,599 for the repair/upgrade. Since then, the center screen has continued shutting off while driving. When this happens, the instrument cluster and controls go dark, I cannot see my speed, use the blinkers to signal, operate the ac/defroster, or access other critical vehicle functions. This has occurred multiple times on highways, including us-22 in new jersey, which created serious danger because I could not monitor speed or signal properly. Although Tesla addressed the mcu1 problem by upgrading me to mcu2, they told me afterward the vehicle was still “safe to drive,” despite the failures continuing. I believe this is unsafe because I lose visibility of all driving information and access to basic controls. Tesla now refuses to repair these ongoing problems. After I raised complaints about the severity of the issue, I was dismissed and mocked for my speech disability during phone calls, and Tesla placed me on a service restriction. As a result, I am unable to obtain further repairs for this safety defect. I am afraid to drive the car. No adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, parking collision warning, or rear cross traffic warning features were involved in this failure.

Many air bubbles are appearing towards the bottom of the instrument panel on our 2015 Tesla Model S. This started a couple of weeks ago and the bubbles are increasing in size and number and they are moving upwards. The bubbles don’t presently obscure important driver information such as the transmission mode (drive, park, reverse, neutral), remaining battery range (e. G. 80%), car speed (mph), parking sensor distance, brake light status, car door open, frunk open, tailgate open, time, outdoor temperature, car lights on/off, warning lights, etc. However, the bubbles likely will do so in the future. Much of this information is vital for safe driving (e. G. Transmission mode, speed (mph), remaining battery range, brake light status, and warning lights). As such this display should be replaced by Tesla at nominal or no charge to the owner. According to the internet, the cause of these air bubbles is a failed seal around the instrument cluster that allows a lamination fluid between the lcd display and the cover glass to leak out. It is a very common problem with older Model S’s. It is a critical safety problem.

While the car is parked and locked the rear driver side door opens in its own. The door handle does not present itself and is scheduled for repair. This is new and started happening today. Despite how many times I close it. It opens on it own. The door is locked when this happens. Door sitting still. Plugged in to charge and locked. The door opens on its own. It unlatches, does not fully open.

This is very comment of Tesla not responding to customer about the power reduced in the car is safe concerns is lot of people with the same problem and Tesla want pay for all the repairs of the car even with my car still warranty.

What happened? while driving my 2015 Tesla Model S, the main touchscreen (mcu) began intermittently going black, disabling access to essential vehicle controls, navigation, climate settings, and rear-view camera display. At times when the mcu was functioning, the rear-view camera feed would still display a black screen upon shifting into reverse, leaving me without any rear visibility. Component or system that failed: media control unit (mcu1) / emmc memory failure rear-view camera and/or associated wiring harness safety risk: the intermittent blackouts of the mcu and loss of rear camera feed created significant safety hazards, especially when reversing or attempting to adjust driving settings while in motion. The loss of rear visibility increased the risk of collision with pedestrians, cyclists, or obstacles. The mcu failure also limited access to defrost/defog controls and turn signal audio feedback. Problem reproduction and confirmation: Tesla service has confirmed both the mcu1 hardware failure and the rear-view camera malfunction. The problems occurred repeatedly before being inspected. Inspection: the vehicle has been inspected by Tesla service center technicians, who diagnosed both the failing mcu1 and the defective rear-view camera. Warning messages or symptoms prior to failure: for mcu: slow system performance, frozen screen, then intermittent complete blackouts while driving. For rear-view camera: black or distorted camera feed when in reverse, even when the mcu display was otherwise operational. These issues began occurring in June 2025 and became progressively worse until Tesla inspection on July 6, 2025.

My driver's side of the vehicle looks like it's melting. I was informed by the service advisor at Tesla that this is a common issue, and the computer needs to be replaced at my expense.

Today while driving the screen behind the driver steering wheel suddenly shut off and went black. I was unable to see if I am in drive or reverse or what my speed is.

See all problems of the 2024 Tesla Model S 🔎.

The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v838000 (electrical system); however, the ota update had not been received. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the ota update was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and it was confirmed that the ota update was available. Later, the case was closed after the manufacturer confirmed the ota update had been pushed to the vehicle. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

See all problems of the 2014 Tesla Model S 🔎.

The instrument cluster freezes and has to be reset. When it freezes you have not knowledge of speed you are going. After bringing it into Tesla service I was told that is a known defect. The only way to fix is to replace infotainment system at a cost of $2,100. Infotainment system currently works fine. The rep informed me that the system does not have enough memory to run the computer correctly after all the updates that Tesla makes you install.

My instrument cluster goes off while driving making it impossible to know my current speed. It also will cut off when I put it in park and the car will not move until it completely reboots. Sometimes it will just freeze and say the car is off and in park while the car is in drive moving. One time the cluster showed that the car was in reverse but when I hit the accelerator, car moved forward. Cluster is constantly rebooting itself. 2014 Tesla models s 85. I have an attached video where all warning signs are illuminated,no speedometer and shows its in park while im driving.

The contact owns a 2024 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while making a right turn, in self-driving mode, the vehicle began accelerating inadvertently and crashed into the front driver area of the other vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. There were no injuries and medical attention was not needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

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.

The cable harness (slip ring) connecting the steering wheel controls including the vehicle horn, steering wheel buttons, scroll wheels, and potentially the airbag (according to the service technician) failed on this vehicle in January 2025. The vehicle was inspected by Tesla’s mobile service and they acknowledged that the cable harness had indeed failed. It is available for inspection. We have been forced to drive this car without a functioning horn and airbag. There were no warning signs or messages on the vehicle computer.

The screen abruptly shuts down and that is a safety hazard. Tesla has refused to fix this issue.

Tesla instrument cluster screens are leaking fluid and eventually failing. The instrument cluster is the only place I can see my speed, thus my car is now unsafe as I can not tell what speed I am driving at.

Component failure: the Tesla nema 14-50 charging adapter for my 2016 Model S malfunctioned, causing overheating that melted a prong and led to an electrical fire. The defective adapter appears identical to those in Tesla's November 2016 recall, though mine was designated "not affected. " the damaged adapter and charging cable are available for inspection. Safety risk: this malfunction created a serious fire hazard endangering myself and my property. The electrical fire damaged both my vehicle and charging equipment, and the fire could have spread to my home, potentially endangering my family and neighbors. Verification: I took the damaged adapter to the Tesla service center in colorado springs, where technicians acknowledged the damage but refused to replace it under the recall. They visually confirmed the melted prong and fire damage. Manufacturer response: after the incident, I contacted Tesla corporate requesting replacement of the defective equipment. They responded that they don't believe the electrical fire was caused by the defective plug, despite physical evidence showing the same issue as recalled units. Warning signs: prior to failure, I noticed intermittent charging interruptions and the adapter becoming unusually hot. These symptoms began approximately three weeks before the fire incident. There were no dashboard warnings about potential charging equipment issues.

On [xxx] at approximately [xxx] I was driving down a small back alley/street in baltimore when my Tesla Model S plaid sedan stopped operating. It would not restart, including with the emergency restart bar. Since I was unable to restart it, I left it there while I ran into an appointment. About maybe 20 minutes later it started up like nothing was wrong. I did not receive any warnings on the dash from the car that there was an issue, and I thought it must have been a computer glitch. Unfortunately, sometime between 10:30 and 11:30 am I was driving the Tesla on a major feeder multi lane feeder branch to a highway. I was on [xxx] merging onto [xxx] when the car just stopped with no warning. It is a miracle that I didn’t get hit, but it caused a truly dangerous situation with horns blaring, cars and trucks going around me. It was very unsafe. This time I was able to start the car with the emergency start bar Tesla has available. I was then able to drive the car to my office where the car was picked up and towed to the dealership. To make a long story short, apparently, they (service department) drove the car around the parking lot, trying to reproduce the problem but they said they were not able to. The only thing they were able to tell me about the car was that it had two high-voltage spikes and possibly that’s what caused the problem, but they didn’t know how to fix that problem. I did talk to the lead tech on my car, but at one point he said they were out of resources and would refer this to his general manager. The service manager told me that since they can’t reproduce the problem, that my car is drivable, I should pick it up and drive it. I refused. A car that stops dead with no notice in moving traffic is not a safe car. I was astounded that they would expect me to drive the Tesla. I told the manager that I would not drive it until it was fixed. It is still there. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2021 Tesla Model S 🔎.

•I’m not sure what component was responsble for either the braking issue or the fire. It is available for inspection. •when driving the brake pedal had a frightening delay that almost caused 2 accidents and unfortunately my car was charging on the 24th of October which could have something to do with arching that led to my garage catching fire rendering the car unable to move or turn on after the incident. I’ve insisted Tesla insurance to look into possible causes because the fire dept. Mandated the a ladwp (power company) to install new transformers to our power supply a couple of days after the fire, which they did. Tesla insurance seems uninterested in finding the cause and wants to compensate me for the vehicle but I believe it’s in their best interest to find a cause and document it. The car had no issues prior, in fact the service center sent a mobile tech to replace the 12volt battery on the car not even 10 months ago. After the fire the car died and has a bunch of codes that make it inoperable. • service center rejected looking at it because of the risk. They said since it was possible salvage they could not look at it which is understandable but they worked on it before in decem •insurance has been unwilling to look at any of this they just want pictures of the car to settle the issue. In my opinion they are ignoring a bigger problem. Tesla is my insurer. •the car had no issues prior to the fire and none during the near misses were the brake delayed.

In October 2024, I brought my recently purchased used Model S to the cincinnati service center for an antenna inspection, mcu upgrade, and general inspection to ensure the vehicle was safe and operating properly. During the inspection, I was informed that additional issues had been discovered. Wanting the vehicle to be reliable, I authorized the recommended repairs and ultimately paid more than $10,000 for the work performed. When I picked up the vehicle, a technician had to access it because the keys had been locked inside, and the battery had not been adequately charged. Shortly after leaving, I heard unusual noises and, within approximately five miles, discovered the protective underbody panel had not been properly secured and was hanging from the vehicle. Because I live in west virginia, I was unable to complete the trip home and required a tow to a charging station. During the drive, the vehicle displayed coolant-related warnings. When I contacted the service center, I was advised to continue driving the vehicle if it remained operable and return it when convenient. Only seven days later, the vehicle completely shut down and became inoperable. When I returned it to cincinnati, I was informed that the main battery required replacement at my expense despite previously being told multiple times that the battery was functioning properly. I have never received a clear explanation as to how the battery failed, why I am being held responsible, or whether the prior service contributed to the issue. Tesla instructed me to remove the vehicle from its property and return it to the seller. Although Tesla later offered $4,500 as a resolution, I declined because I do not believe I should be responsible for a battery failure that occurred immediately after extensive service work. I have photographs, invoices, service records, and additional documentation supporting my concerns.

See all problems of the 2012 Tesla Model S 🔎.

See attached document for complaint.

Overnight while plugged in and after the battery showed it was fully charged, the battery suddenly lost charge, and the car sent repeated alerts to immediately pull over and stop driving. A notice on the car showed mileage was reduced and to immediately schedule a service call. After returning home, I downloaded to the car a recent software update that cleared the error. However, after the software upgrade, Tesla messaged that they did removed tests and the high voltage battery must be replaced.

My Tesla Model S 2022 unexpectedly shut down while parked in a covered garage on [xxx], after I had driven for an hour. This occurred after I returned from a family trip to lima, peru, where I did not use the car. Tesla service center diagnosed it as water damage requiring a $20,578. 50 battery pack replacement, which was covered by my insurance. There were no warning signs prior to failure. Within 20 minutes of the tow truck dropping off my car at Tesla, a representative informed me it was water damage, citing a system error and claiming over 20 vehicles had the same issue. This suggests a widespread problem and Tesla's awareness of it. This incident raises serious safety concerns about a potential design flaw and the lack of a water intrusion warning system. If this occurred while driving, it could lead to a sudden loss of power and an accident. I urge the NHTSA - investigate if a design flaw exists in the Model S 2022. - investigate Tesla's awareness of this issue and their failure to implement a warning system. - require Tesla, and all ev manufacturers, to submit water mitigation plans. - mandate water intrusion detection and warning systems in all evs. This incident highlights a critical safety risk for Tesla - and perhaps all ev - drivers, and I urge the NHTSA to take immediate action. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v838000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact was informed by the Tesla service center that the infotainment system hardware needed to be replaced for the software update under the recall. VIN tool showed no open recall.

Horn is not in the center of the steering wheel. When turning it is impossible to reach the horn. Not able to find the horn to avoid an accident.

See all problems of the 2023 Tesla Model S 🔎.

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v838000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.