Equipment Problems of Tesla Model S - part 2

7/30/2025 the vehicle experienced a confirmed total loss of function to include steering, restraint, and braking functionality at approximately 60 to 65 miles per hour. This catastrophic failure placed myself and and others at severe risk. Although Tesla’s service notes confirm the event occurred, no corrective repair was performed. The vehicle was completely inoperative with a matter of seconds with no prior warning. At this point in time the car has continued to not operate the same steering and noises has been in the shop 5 times still no answer or repairs in regard to it shutting down or any other issues that continue to return. The last visit I was asked to purchase new tires because maybe that’s why, I did. I continue to be told nothing is wrong with the vehicle making me feel extremely defeated when I know the vehicle is not the same as it was.

See all problems of the 2021 Tesla Model S 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2016 Tesla Model S 🔎.

Hi, my trunk won't open when I press the button. This is the second occurrence that jas happend. When inside the trunk compartment the emergency cable to open the trunk is also not responsive and can not open the trunk. I think this is a big safety concern as the safety cord is there for a reason and in both cases id did not worked.

See all problems of the 2015 Tesla Model S 🔎.

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.

On 5/20/25, I had my Tesla repaired as I had suspension issues. They repaired my car to rectify my suspension for both my front and rear tires. Then on 6/12/25, I was driving on the highway and going about 70-75 mph when I heard a huge pop. No warning indicators came on and something did not feel right. I figured nothing else came of it. I was about 30 miles away from home and when I got home, my tire was pushed inward. I was concerned on whether this was related to a bad repair since it was so soon to my previous repair and they indicated that they did not touch that area. After they saw my video, they indicated that the lower control arm of my rear tire broke and they indicated that this was just a damaged component. My biggest concern is that if this issue was not related to the repair work done a month ago, this could be bigger issue as I could have been very concerning that this part broke when I was driving at high speeds and I think it's warranted to check on the quality of the component. In my 40 plus years of driving, I have never experienced this happened to me. If you need documentation or video of how the tire and the axle looks, I can forward it to you. The vehicle has only been inspected by the Tesla dealership service center and as stated earlier, there weren't any warning signs or messages that showed as I specifically was looking for it when I heard the loud pop.

The recirculation button takes 3 presses to engage/disengage or 1. Sometimes 2. It's supposed to be an "intelligent" design. I'm sure there's software programming that determines when 2 presses are required vs 3 or 1 but to a driver it can be dangerous while focusing on the road. It should just be 1 press engages or disengages recirculation period just like other vehicles. Also, those buttons should be on the main page of the ipad screen. It shouldn't take opening 2-3 different pages on the screen to get to the recirculation button. Buttons that should be on the main page that you don't need to open several pages to get 1. Recirculation button 2. Ac button (it is a serious safety issue when trying to defrost on a humid day but it takes pressing several different buttons to get to the ac button that should just be out in the open like any other car. 3. Suspension height (sometimes you need to quickly change for clearance and if distracted by opening several pages to get to the suspension button, it is a safety issue) all those buttons should be lined up on the far left edge of the screen closest to the driver and preferably towards the top. It's a serious safety issue to be distracted by fidgeting around on the screen to get to those buttons that are supposed to be "right there".

See all problems of the 2014 Tesla Model S 🔎.

For 2023, Tesla has put the horn on the steering wheel. It's a tiny button on the right side. When you are in a very precarious situation and you have to honk without thought, it is impossible to find it quickly. I have been almost hit several times because I couldn't honk. I am scared and it is dangerous. In 2024, they moved it back to where it belongs because they knew it was an issue. I have asked to have my steering wheel replaced to have the correct and safe horn and they said that they wouldn't unless it was a recall. I think this should be recalled. It is unsafe.

See all problems of the 2023 Tesla Model S 🔎.

The center touchscreen is leaking a sticky glue-like substance and has visible bubbles forming inside the screen. This affects visibility and operation of essential vehicle functions like hvac, navigation, and defrost controls. This issue is worsen with heat exposure. The screen also freezes randomly.

On may 3, 2025, at approximately 2:00 pm edt, while driving a 2023 Tesla Model S on a busy highway in a high-density retail area, a vehicle suddenly pulled out from a driveway into the vehicle’s path, requiring an immediate honk to alert the driver. Due to muscle memory, the center airbag cover of the standard steering wheel was pressed, expecting the horn to sound, as is typical in most vehicles. However, the Model S uses a small capacitive horn button on the right side of the steering wheel, which could not be located quickly. The failure to honk in this critical moment necessitated a swerve to the left to avoid a collision, nearly causing an accident with another vehicle in the adjacent lane, which was fortunately a few feet behind. The capacitive horn button’s design is counterintuitive and hazardous, requiring precise pressing that often distracts from driving. This incident nearly resulted in a serious collision due to the delayed response caused by the horn’s placement. Previous experiences include accidentally activating windshield wipers when attempting to honk, increasing distraction. A prior complaint was filed with NHTSA about this issue, noting Tesla’s 2022 statement that vehicles built after November 2021 would receive a software update to enable a center horn. This vehicle, built in December 2022, lacks the necessary hardware, and Tesla has offered only a costly retrofit as a solution. This design flaw poses a significant safety risk by violating intuitive driving habits. Nhtsa is urged to investigate the Tesla Model S steering wheel’s horn design and mandate a recall or free retrofit to install a mechanical center horn, aligning with standard vehicle safety expectations.

I was nearly sideswiped and instinctively pressed the center of the steering wheel to honk my horn. However, this vehicle only has a touch-sensitive horn button. In an emergency, where milliseconds count, it's extremely dangerous to have to fumble around for a touch button instead of using the control that every car has had for decades. In this case, I was fortunate to be able to evade the inattentive driver, but this is a massive safety hazard that warrants a recall.

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 Tesla Model S yoke with no horn in the center of the steering wheel is a safety hazard. The button on the steering wheel for the horn is not in a standard location and is difficult or impossible to find in an emergency without looking at the steering wheel. Twice I have tried to honk my horn at a motorist to avoid a collision, only to be met with silence.

While fsd was engaged. It made a sudden aggressive, swerving maneuver with no warning towards the cars next to us, sounded alarms, and then forcefully disengaged nearly causing an accident.

Speed offset is set to 10% but it keeps setting the max speed 40% higher, and then furthermore exceeds this max speed.

When driving it randomly displayed a message that it’s turning ac on automatically to “prevent fogging” which created fogging and reduced visibility to zero.

When turning right from [xxx] onto [xxx] using my blinker, it sounded three beeps and jerked the wheel left towards the pedestrians in the crosswalk and the turning cars coming from [xxx] onto [xxx]. I was allegedly driving manually, but the car decided to override my input autonomously. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

It randomly turned the ac on automatically “to prevent fogging” which actually caused fogging and panic.

I was using summon to pull my car forward out of the parking spot and when I let go of the button the car continue driving forward indefinitely until I chased it down and touch the door handle.

After updating to fsd 13. 2. 7 yesterday the vehicle turns left at a particular intersection and then drives on the left side of the road the wrong side of the road. Issue has been present for several versions and has been reported repeatedly.

Vehicle was tested for concern about self driving after test drive with tech told ok 3 days later summoned car and immediately turned into adjacent vehicle all captured on video in 1-2 seconds. No issues with summons for over 4 years $2200 damage to adjacent vehicle but Tesla no damage left front wheel caused damage on start.

See all problems of the 2020 Tesla Model S 🔎.

The horn button is very small and difficult to find in an emergency. The absence of a mechanical button has nearly resulted in two collisions when I am not able to alert another driver. Knowing this safety hazard, Tesla’s newer cars have a large mechanical button in the center of the steering wheel. They will not retrofit this for less than $1,800.

The driver side rear view mirror vibrates at most speeds in a way that renders it useless. This is a well described issue. Tesla is aware of it but refuses to fix it. It renders the mirror useless at some speeds.

See all problems of the 2022 Tesla Model S 🔎.

My ac heater stopped functioning when I was driving through sub zero temperatures in salt lake city, utah. At that time Tesla said they will need to replace the entire system and estimated 3000 dollars. However the system started working on its own and when they inspected the vehicle, they said everything looks good with hvac. Now after 3 weeks, ac heater has stopped working again and they are again quoting 3000 dollars to replace entire system. There are many Tesla owners who are complaining about the same issues across their models. My issues started happening again a day after a software update and I suspect that these are issues caused by their negligence that they are using to charge their customers who's warranty has expired. I have owned other cars but never had ac replacement needed after 3yrs 75k miles.

Operating the car on summon and it crashed into a curb and trashcan, causing extensive damage. I currently have a claim in with my insurance.

See all problems of the 2018 Tesla Model S 🔎.

Approaching my garage door as it was opening when the car suddenly accelerated smashing through the garage door, through the back wall of the garage, through the laundry room and finally stopped in the main bedroom with the front wheels off the ground as the car rested on top of the washing machine.

See all problems of the 2017 Tesla Model S 🔎.

I have now had three near accidents (fortunately avoided) and have been unable to warn drivers of the other vehicles because the horn in my 2023 Tesla Model S is not located in the center of the wheel, but instead is small button on the right side of the steering wheel. The horn is used so little and the horn has been in the center of all vehicles for decades that learning to change ones motor skills especially at a moments notice is difficult, if not impossible. I'm not sure how Tesla was able to get approval from government safety agencies to move the horn on the steering wheel. I decided to submit this complaint when the last incident happened as I was turning at a light and because my current horn is on the right side of the steering wheel, I couldn't find it as it turns with the wheel. While the horn has not created an accident, it is necessary to avoid one and currently Tesla's horn is useless and should be recalled.

Tesla has relocated the horn from the center hub where it has been on vehicles since the beginning of time, to a very small icon on the steering wheel cross-member. It's simply impossible to find this little icon in an emergency. I've already had almost three accidents because of this. They need to put the horn on the center hub like it's been on vehicles for decades so people can quickly use it versus looking for it when they have to take their eyes off the road in order to use it. Additionally, when it's on the cross member and you're turning the wheel the little icon turns with it then it's even harder to find.

The horn button on the yoke steering wheel is a safety hazard. In a situation that requires quick responsiveness immediate reaction is to press the center of the steering wheel. Tesla has come out with a retro fit and the new yoke has it in the center. I am paying $1,000 for the retro fit for my safety and the safety of others. I expect the nhs to also look at this concern and address to assist with the prevention of accidents.

I bought my car used last year! I have almost been involved in many accidents with this car! there is only 1 small button for the horn mixed in with other buttons on the right side of the steering wheel! when stress hits because somebody is heading right for you and you are frantically looking for a small button to lay in the horn it’s almost too late! it’s a major safety issue and they are offering a new steering wheel for almost 1900. 00!!!! I already replaced the yoke wheel it came with! this is a total safety hazard and people are going to end up dead because of it if they don’t fix it!.

When shifting from drive to reverse and beginning to reverse it, the car slammed on the brakes and shifted itself into park. The manual states it should only happen when you unbuckle your seat belt, or open the door while in drive or neutral. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

This vehicle has a well documented issue with tearing the inner side walls of the tires. I've gone through 4 sets in 30k miles, with no end in sight. What's worse it's 3 times the tire failed while I was driving at 60mph. Very dangerous.

The car veered suddenly to the left (out of the left lane of a highway) while supervised in auto steer. The driver could not move the steering wheel to avoid a collision with the guardrail as the steering wheel had locked up. The collision warning didn’t sound and emergency brakes did not activate upon impact. The airbags were deployed and the car was totaled.

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).

7:38pm pulling into garage it jerked wheel right towards wall/edge of garage door assembly and sounded audible alarms (was driving manually and lane departure settings are allegedly disabled).

Oct 31 4:03pm blinker on turning into gus’ parking garage off noriega I have lane departure disabled, am manually driving under 15mph, and use proper blinker but this “safety feature” causes it to “jerk” the wheel and display warnings to the detriment of safety. This affects the entire fleet and was never an issue before around 2022-2023.