2018 Tesla Model S: recalls and complaints

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

• 24V37600028 May 2024Seat Belts / Front / Warning Light/Devices
• 24V15300027 Feb 2024Forward Collision Avoidance / Warnings / External/Pedestrian Alert
• 24V05100030 Jan 2024Electrical System / Instrument Cluster/Panel
• 23V83800012 Dec 2023Electrical System / Adas / Driver Monitoring / Software
• 23V08500015 Feb 2023Steering / Automated/Adaptive Steering
• 22V8180001 Nov 2022Steering / Electric Power Assist System
• 22V16900018 Mar 2022Back Over Prevention / Display Function
• 22V03700027 Jan 2022Steering / Automated/Adaptive Steering
• 21V84600029 Oct 2021Forward Collision Avoidance / Warnings
• 21V03500029 Jan 2021Visibility / Defroster/Defogger/HVAC System

1. 24V376000Received 28 May 2024. 125,233 units.

   Seat Belts / Front / Warning Light/Devices

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

   Report filed by Tesla, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number SB-24-00-008. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 26 Jul 2024.

2. 24V153000Received 27 Feb 2024. 6,557 units.

   Forward Collision Avoidance / Warnings / External/Pedestrian Alert

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.

   Report filed by Tesla, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number SB-24-00-006. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 Apr 2024.

3. 24V051000Received 30 Jan 2024. 2,193,869 units.

   Electrical System / Instrument Cluster/Panel

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

   Report filed by Tesla, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number SB-24-00-003. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 21 Feb 2024.

4. 23V838000Received 12 Dec 2023. 2,031,220 units.

   Electrical System / Adas / Driver Monitoring / Software

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

   Report filed by Tesla, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number SB-23-00-008. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 10 Feb 2024.

5. 23V085000Received 15 Feb 2023. 362,758 units.

   Steering / Automated/Adaptive Steering

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

   Report filed by Tesla, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number SB-23-00-001. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Apr 2023.

6. 22V818000Received 1 Nov 2022. 40,168 units.

   Steering / Electric Power Assist System

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.

   Report filed by Tesla, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number SB-22-00-014. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 31 Dec 2022.

7. 22V169000Received 18 Mar 2022. 947 units.

   Back Over Prevention / Display Function

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-004.

   Report filed by Tesla, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number SB-22-00-004. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 17 May 2022.

8. 22V037000Received 27 Jan 2022. 53,822 units.

   Steering / Automated/Adaptive Steering

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 coming to a stop.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.

   Report filed by Tesla, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number SB-22-00-001. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 28 Mar 2022.

9. 21V846000Received 29 Oct 2021. 11,728 units.

   Forward Collision Avoidance / Warnings

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.

   Report filed by Tesla, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number SB-21-00-004.

10. 21V035000Received 29 Jan 2021. 134,951 units.

    Visibility / Defroster/Defogger/HVAC System

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.

    Report filed by Tesla, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number SB-21-21-001. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 29 Mar 2021.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. This model year has fewer than 50 component mentions, so the table shows the number of mentions only.

Complaints that report a crash

5

Complaints that report a fire

0

Injuries in the complaints

3

Deaths in the complaints

0

Date of the newest complaint

10 Apr 2019

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 20128
2. 201311
3. 20148
4. 20158
5. 20169
6. 20178
7. 201810
8. 20199
9. 202010
10. 202122
11. 202220
12. 202313
13. 20246
14. 20252

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Tesla Model S: all model years
• Tesla: 6 model lines

Follow by RSS:Tesla recallsVehicle recalls

• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
• NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
• NHTSA page of the 2018 Tesla Model SThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2018 Tesla Model S?

4,961,253 units in 10 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Tesla Model S have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 37 recall campaigns for the Tesla Model S, model years 2012 to 2025. 10 of them name the 2018 model year.

Which component do the complaints about the 2018 Tesla Model S name most often?

Vehicle Speed Control: 4 of 14 component mentions.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2018 Tesla Model S open?

6 investigations have no closing date in the NHTSA file, of 17 that name this model year.