The 2025 Tesla Model S has 2 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (2 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints6filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Back over prevention › Software
NHTSA recall 25V002000 · Jan 6, 2025 · 239,382 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Components: Back over prevention › Software; Electrical system
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Cushion
NHTSA recall 24V967000 · Dec 23, 2024 · 487 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2025 Tesla Model S (All Variants) 5 HB AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
5.7%
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Range & efficiency
Model S EV
410mi range
Efficiency
27.1 kWh/100 mi
MPGe city / hwy / comb
132 / 116 / 124
Charge time (240 V)
9.7 h
Automatic (A1) · All-Wheel Drive · about $600/year to charge
Model S Plaid (19in wheels) EV
348mi range
Efficiency
32.5 kWh/100 mi
MPGe city / hwy / comb
108 / 99 / 104
Charge time (240 V)
14 h
Automatic (A1) · All-Wheel Drive · about $750/year to charge
Model S Plaid (21in wheels) EV
312mi range
Efficiency
36.1 kWh/100 mi
MPGe city / hwy / comb
97 / 89 / 93
Charge time (240 V)
14 h
Automatic (A1) · All-Wheel Drive · about $800/year to charge
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Suspension
2
0
0
0
—
Power train
2
0
0
0
—
Visibility/wiper
1
0
0
0
—
Wheels
1
0
0
0
—
Steering
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 7, 2026Power 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 1/4 mile to a safe area to call Tesla roadside assist, since my steering was noticeably degraded in real time and the car was not safe to drive. The car was towed to the nearest Tesla service center. Tesla made statements on their service report attached here, that this is a "known characteristic of the vehicle" and that if it happens again I should,…
Jul 6, 2025Power 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 brake pedal down at a stop light on this electric vehicle, but when the failure occurred my car was rolling backwards at the stop light and so I had to hold down the brake. Also, steering was noticeably degraded and not stable. The car was also exhibiting behavior similar to a stuck accelerator whereby even with my foot off the accelerator the car…
Jan 1, 2016Steering 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.
Dec 7, 2025Wheels I experienced excessive rear tire wear on both rear tires inner side The tire ended up blowing out on the rear passenger tire
Sep 14, 2025Suspension 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 REPLACEMENT BEFORE INCCURING TRAGIC OR ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES.
Jul 24, 2025Visibility/wiper Teslaâs 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 conditionsâsometimes multiple times per day. Each dry swipe smears debris (e.g., bugs, sap), reducing visibility and risking permanent windshield scratches. This directly compromises driver safety and optics for the FSD/autopilot system. Tesla has acknowledged the issue but suggests turning off automatic wipers. However, this isnât possible when FSD or Autopilot is activeâthey re-enable automatically. Proposed…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA26002 · opened Mar 18, 2026 · openFSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Engineering Analysis to evaluate Teslaâs Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) degradation detection system. The focus of this investigation will be to assess the systemâs ability, when encountering reduced roadway visibility conditions, to detect degradation and alert the driver with sufficient time to respond. ODI will evaluate the performance of FSD in degraded roadway conditions and the updates or modifications by Tesla to the degradation detection system, including the timing, purpose, and capabilities of the updates, and Teslaâs assessment of their safety impact. Teslaâs FSD is an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that relies exclusively on vision-based cameras and the related FSD software to detect and respond to the roadway ahead, projecting a path forward based on…
PE25012 · opened Oct 7, 2025 · openTraffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged The Office of Defects Investigation (âODIâ) is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of FSD executing driving maneuvers that constitute traï¬c safety violations. This investigation concerns versions of FSD that Tesla has labeled as "FSD (Supervised)" and "FSD (Beta)." Tesla characterizes FSD as an SAE Level 2 partial automation system requiring a fully attentive driver who is engaged in the driving task at all times. Level 2 partial automation systems are designed to support and assist the driver in performing certain aspects of the driving task, requiring a driver to supervise and intervene as necessary. The driver remains fully responsible at all times for driving the vehicle, including complying with applicable traï¬c laws. ODIâs investigation will therefore focus, in particular, on whether certain driving…
AQ25002 · opened Aug 20, 2025 · openCompliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements The Office of Defects Investigation (âODIâ) has identified numerous incident reports submitted by Tesla, Inc. (âTeslaâ) in response to Standing General Order 2021-01 (the âSGOâ), in which the reported crashes occurred several months or more before the dates of the reports. The majority of these reports involved crashes in which the Standing General Order in place at the time required a report to be submitted within one or five days of Tesla receiving notice of the crash. When the reports were submitted, Tesla submitted them in one of two ways. Many of the reports were submitted as part of a single batch, while others were submitted on a rolling basis. Preliminary engagement between ODI and Tesla on the issue indicates that the timing of the reports was due to an issue with Teslaâs data collection, which, according to Tesla, has now been fixed. NHTSA is opening this Audit…
PE24033 · opened Jan 6, 2025 · closed Apr 3, 2026Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts. On January 6, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation 24003 (PE24033) to investigate Actually Smart Summon (Summon) sessions resulting in crashes during active sessions. According to Tesla, Summon is a short-distance SAE Level 2 system, controlled by the user from a cell phone within a certain distance and intended for use in parking lots and on private property. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by Tesla as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify Summon incidents resulting in crashes. ODI's analysis indicates that almost all Summon reported crashes involved minor property damage claims with no reported incidents involving a vulnerable road user, injury, fatality, or major property damage as indicated by an air bag deployment or vehicle tow away. Out of millions of Summon sessions, a fraction of 1% resulted in an incident.…