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TESLA · vehicle model

TESLA ROADSTER

3 NHTSA complaints and 1 safety recall across model years 2008–2011.

Complaints
3
Recalls
1
Model years
2

The TESLAROADSTER appears in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database with 3 consumer safety complaints and 1 recall campaign across 2 model years (2008–2011). That averages roughly 2 complaints per model year. Report counts can differ between model years for many reasons; this dataset does not establish the cause of a difference.

Complaint volume on a nameplate alone is not a reliability verdict: a long-running bestseller can accumulate more filings than a low-volume niche model because more vehicles are on the road. The table below shows report counts and published NHTSA crash-test ratings side by side for each model year.

NHTSA has 19 investigation files tied to this model, with 4 currently open. Investigation records, complaint reports, and recall campaigns each provide different context. Use the official NHTSA VIN lookup and the underlying notices to research a specific vehicle; PlainCars does not infer a vehicle-risk or pricing conclusion from these records.

Complaints by Year

YearComplaints
20111
20082

Compare TESLAROADSTER to Similar Vehicles

TESLAROADSTER vs VOLVOGL → TESLAROADSTER vs VOLVO900 → TESLAROADSTER vs VOLVO600 SERIES → TESLAROADSTER vs VOLVOWXLL →

NHTSA Investigations 4 Open

DP25002Defect PetitionClosed2025-12-23

Emergency egress controls are not readily accessible and clearly identifiable.

PE25012Preliminary EvaluationOpen2025-10-07

Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged

PE25010Preliminary EvaluationOpen2025-09-15

Electronic door handles become inoperative

AQ25002Audit QueryOpen2025-08-20

Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements

RQ24009Recall QueryOpen2024-04-25

Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness

EA24001Engineering AnalysisClosed2024-02-01

Loss of steering control

PE23014Preliminary EvaluationClosed2023-07-28

Loss of steering control

DP23001Defect PetitionClosed2023-04-07

Defect Petition Interlock Request

PE23006Preliminary EvaluationClosed2023-03-24

Front seat belt anchor detachment

PE23003Preliminary EvaluationClosed2023-03-04

Steering Wheel Detachment

View all 19 investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the TESLA ROADSTER?▼
The TESLA ROADSTER has received 3 NHTSA complaints spanning model years 2008 to 2011, with 1 recalls. That averages about 2 complaints per model year.
What years of TESLA ROADSTER are available?▼
PlainCars has complaint and recall data for the TESLA ROADSTER from 2008 to 2011 (2 model years). Select any year to see component-level complaint breakdowns and safety ratings.
Does the TESLA ROADSTER have safety ratings?▼
NHTSA safety ratings (NCAP 5-star program) are available for many TESLA ROADSTER model years from 2011 onward. Select a specific year to see front crash, side crash, and rollover ratings where available.
What are the most common TESLA ROADSTER complaints?▼
NHTSA complaints for the TESLA ROADSTER are categorized by component, common areas include engine, transmission, electrical system, airbags, and brakes. Select a model year for a detailed component-by-component breakdown.
How do I check if my TESLA ROADSTER has been recalled?▼
Visit the year-specific page on PlainCars to see all recalls for your model year, or enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov for official recall status and available remedies.
Data sources

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. TESLA ROADSTER totals are aggregated from the linked NHTSA model-year rows; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.