2020 TESLA MODEL S
120 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 14 |
| SUSPENSION | 13 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 11 |
| STEERING | 10 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS | 5 |
| WHEELS | 4 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING | 2 |
Recalls (11)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicle
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirem
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first c
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch Sy
STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling st
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these veh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these veh
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
Recent Complaints
The rear doors have emergency release cables in case the power is cut during a collision. These cables are hidden, not glowing, and have a small square pull on the end that is difficult to find and pull. I had great difficulty in testing the function to ensure the emergency cable pulls worked. They need to have a glowing T-handle on the end to facilitate location and movement, and the emergency cable location should be marked and visible in the car, just like the emergency hood and truck release
Rear emergency release cable does not open the trunk. The latch mechanism failed with a trunk full of groceries, I pushed down the rear setts to access the trunk compartment and crawled back and popped open the emergency release cable and it did not function. I have a service for the car scheduled for Dec 2nd to repair/replace the latch mechanism.
Rear emergency release cable does not open the trunk. The latch mechanism failed with a trunk full of groceries, I pushed down the rear setts to access the trunk compartment and crawled back and popped open the emergency release cable and it did not function. I have a service for the car scheduled for Dec 2nd to repair/replace the latch mechanism.
Wheels: From the original purchase of the vehicle, I had a small air leak from the right rear tire. I addressed this with Tesla and they said nothing was wrong. I lived with it adding pressure from time to time. When it was time to replace the tires because the originals were only good for 20,000 miles at most. Upon replacing the tires, it was discovered that the right rear rim was cracked which explained why it was leaking all this time. Not long after the tire replacement, I experienced anothe
On 09/18 , I was using the Smart Summon feature of my Tesla Model S in the parking lot of Costco, Greenwood (Indianapolis, IN). The intent was to have the vehicle autonomously navigate from its parked spot toward my location, as designed and advertised by Tesla. During the Summon operation: 1.The vehicle failed to correctly detect and avoid a fixed obstacle (the cart return stand where shopping carts are housed). 2.Instead of stopping or rerouting safely, the car collided with the structure, ca
On 09/18 , I was using the Smart Summon feature of my Tesla Model S in the parking lot of Costco, Greenwood (Indianapolis, IN). The intent was to have the vehicle autonomously navigate from its parked spot toward my location, as designed and advertised by Tesla. During the Summon operation: 1.The vehicle failed to correctly detect and avoid a fixed obstacle (the cart return stand where shopping carts are housed). 2.Instead of stopping or rerouting safely, the car collided with the structure, ca
On 09/18 , I was using the Smart Summon feature of my Tesla Model S in the parking lot of Costco, Greenwood (Indianapolis, IN). The intent was to have the vehicle autonomously navigate from its parked spot toward my location, as designed and advertised by Tesla. During the Summon operation: 1.The vehicle failed to correctly detect and avoid a fixed obstacle (the cart return stand where shopping carts are housed). 2.Instead of stopping or rerouting safely, the car collided with the structure, ca
The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driverâs side door failed to open from the inside as intended. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure persisted. The contact rolled down the driverâs side window and attempted to unlock the door from the outside; however, the failure persisted. The contact was trapped inside the vehicle. The contact climbed over to the passengerâs seat and exited the passengerâs side door without issue. T
The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to vibrate in the shutter shaft unit. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with front CV axle failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. On a separate occasion, the vehicle started to shudder, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired for the most recent failure however, the c
Mileage: 32,807
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 35 MPH, the front hood latch unexpectedly opened, causing the hood to rise up. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact immediately stopped and parked on the side of the road, and the contact closed the trunk and continued driving. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate fa
Mileage: 75,000
I have only about 40,000 miles on the car. But I've had to change the tires twice because the tires wear out quickly, lose air, or go flat. With my second set of tires, I am now told that the tires are so worn that I may need another set of tires. I was told by the last tire shop that the car is too heavy for the tires and that it needs some type of special tires. None of this was disclosed when I purchased the vehicle. I've noticed on the Internet that many people complain of this same problem.
Since the installation of software version 2024.27.25, which includes FSD version 12.5.4, on Sept 26, 2024, any driving which occurs on FSD results in emergency braking events for Green Lights, unprotected/unsignaled crosswalks without pedestrians present, Parallel Parked Cars not encroaching on the lane of travel, vehicles traveling the same direction and similar speed (+/- 5mph), not encroaching on my lane. These frequently reoccurring events were not remedied by any of the subsequent updates
Since the installation of software version 2024.27.25, which includes FSD version 12.5.4, on Sept 26, 2024, any driving which occurs on FSD results in emergency braking events for Green Lights, unprotected/unsignaled crosswalks without pedestrians present, Parallel Parked Cars not encroaching on the lane of travel, vehicles traveling the same direction and similar speed (+/- 5mph), not encroaching on my lane. These frequently reoccurring events were not remedied by any of the subsequent updates
Since the installation of software version 2024.27.25, which includes FSD version 12.5.4, on Sept 26, 2024, any driving which occurs on FSD results in emergency braking events for Green Lights, unprotected/unsignaled crosswalks without pedestrians present, Parallel Parked Cars not encroaching on the lane of travel, vehicles traveling the same direction and similar speed (+/- 5mph), not encroaching on my lane. These frequently reoccurring events were not remedied by any of the subsequent updates
In all assisted driving modes except Full Self Driving (FSD), the car properly displays the speed Limit it has determined either by Map data or visual confirmation. In FSD, apparently only on pre-2021+ Model S cars, the determined speed limit is not displayed. In my town we have a US60 route. The car sees these signs and determines the speed limit is 60, even though it is only 35. The driver notices a rapid acceleration and may observe the set FSD speed has changed to 60. There is no Speed Li
In all assisted driving modes except Full Self Driving (FSD), the car properly displays the speed Limit it has determined either by Map data or visual confirmation. In FSD, apparently only on pre-2021+ Model S cars, the determined speed limit is not displayed. In my town we have a US60 route. The car sees these signs and determines the speed limit is 60, even though it is only 35. The driver notices a rapid acceleration and may observe the set FSD speed has changed to 60. There is no Speed Li
While attempting to park car ,the car accelerated on it own despite me hitting the brakes causing the car to hit a wall.
After getting new tires installed at Walmart I heard a loud knocking noise when turning the steering wheel. The Walmart tech thought that it was because the tires were too big/wide. Tesla said they probably forgot to put the car in Jack Mode and the air suspension fully deflated. Once the sir suspension return to normal the knocking noise is still there, although not as loud and not as frequent. Both the Walmart technician and Tesla technician confirmed the noise. Tesla said my front fore and a