Brand record
Tesla Recalls by Model: Reliability and Common Problems
Every Tesla model in NHTSA's owner complaint file, 2012 to 2025: the recall campaigns for each model, which models and years owners complain about most, and the problems they report.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 2, 202613,048 complaints5 models
The Model 3 drew the most owner complaints of any Tesla in NHTSA's file for 2012 to 2025, then the Model Y and the Model S. The Model S and the Model X have the most recall campaigns, 39 and 39.
Best-sellers draw the most reports, so a high count is not a failure rate. Check one car with its VIN.
NHTSA investigated unexpected braking on the 2021 and 2022 Model Y (PE22-002) and closed it on Jun 29, 2026, citing 10 to 20 mph slowdowns, no collisions and a low hazard. Recall 21V-846 fixed false collision warnings and unexpected automatic braking on 2020 and 2021 Model Y software, and recall 23V-489 covers a forward camera on the 2023 Model Y that can be misaligned.
On the 2018 Model 3, recall 23V-235 covers front suspension lateral link fasteners that can loosen, and NHTSA's open investigation PE26-006 looks at lateral link failures beyond the recalls.
Tesla recalls by model
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for each Tesla model, model years 2012 to 2025, read Oct 2, 2026. Each campaign counts once per model, however many years it covers. Recall repairs are free at the dealer; check one car with its VIN.
- Model SMost often: airbag system39
- Model XMost often: electrical system39
- Model YMost often: electrical system36
- Model 3Most often: electrical system35
Tesla complaints by model
Owner complaints to NHTSA for each Tesla model with at least 1,000 of them, model years 2012 to 2025, and the year that drew the most. A best-seller draws more reports than a rare model, so read these as counts, not failure rates. 1 smaller models are left out.
- Model 3Most: 2018 · suspension4,241
- Model YMost: 2023 · adaptive cruise control3,721
- Model SMost: 2015 · electrical system3,372
- Model XMost: 2016 · suspension1,523
Tesla model years with the most complaints
The ten Tesla model years owners complained about most, with the system they named most. These are the years to inspect hardest before you buy, not a verdict on every car.
- 2023 Model YAdaptive cruise control26%1,134
- 2021 Model YAdaptive cruise control38%1,059
- 2018 Model 3Suspension18%1,005
- 2022 Model YAdaptive cruise control40%847
- 2022 Model 3Adaptive cruise control51%759
- 2015 Model SElectrical system39%667
- 2021 Model 3Adaptive cruise control43%656
- 2016 Model SSuspension32%644
- 2019 Model 3Adaptive cruise control21%607
- 2013 Model SElectrical system41%459
Most common Tesla problems
The systems owners named most across every Tesla model and year in the file, counted from each model year's six most-named systems.
- Adaptive cruise control20% of the complaints2,661
- Automatic emergency braking15% of the complaints1,993
- Electrical system14% of the complaints1,863
- Suspension10% of the complaints1,277
- Throttle and speed control10% of the complaints1,262
- Braking system8% of the complaints1,042
Our guides for these problems
Common questions
Are Teslas reliable?
The complaint file can't grade a brand, because it counts reports, not failures per car sold. What it shows is where Tesla owners report trouble: the adaptive cruise control most, then the automatic emergency braking, and the Model 3, Model Y and Model S draw the most complaints.
Which Teslas should you stay away from?
No model is bad in every year. The model years with the most owner complaints are 2023 Model Y, 2021 Model Y, 2018 Model 3 and 2022 Model Y; inspect those hardest and check their recalls before you buy.
Which Tesla has the most recalls?
The Model S, with 39 recall campaigns across model years 2012 to 2025, then the Model X with 39.
What is the most common problem with Teslas?
Owners name the adaptive cruise control most, in 2,661 complaints, 20% of the Tesla record, then the automatic emergency braking, in 1,993.
How do I check if my Tesla has a recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN in our free recall checker or on NHTSA's recall page. It lists open recalls for that one car, and the dealer does the repair for free.
Tesla pages