2015 Tesla Model S problems
NHTSA has received 1,058 complaints about the 2015 Tesla Model S, and 25% of them involve electrical system. After that come suspension (14%) and steering (5%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,058 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 25% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 114 and 16
- Injuries and deaths
- 41 and 6
- Typical mileage
- 51,000 miles 716 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 143 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 97 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 201 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 126 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 82 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 51 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 10 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Among the 716 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 51,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 56,000 miles (201 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 114 complaints mention a crash; 16 complaints mention a fire; 41 injuries reported; 6 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2015 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the Tesla Model S with enough data (752 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 9 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Here is a report of a fatal crash in hawaii. [link removed] here is the wrecked tesla for sale as a salvage wreck. [link removed] the front rh side is badly damaged and the wheel is missing. This may be have been caused by the collision with the nissan. The rear lh wheel is bent over at an extreme angle which is typical of rear suspension breakage on the tesla. There is no impact damage to the lh rear of the car that would account for the wheel being slanted over.
Cpsc: how much responsibility does tesla have in the [xxx]/[xxx] tragedy? In november of last year [xxx] and [xxx] died in a horrific car crash. The accident occurred in mr. [xxx]'s 2015 model s tesla. Ms. [xxx], who was driving the car, as reports state had a very high blood alcohol level, appeared to be speeding, swerved to miss a car going the wrong direction, crashed and died in a fire so dangerous firefighters were concerned for their and others well-being as well as their inability to reach the fire as they…
Fatal Tesla Accident. Cause unknown. Vehicle suddenly left the highway resulting in fatal collision. Tesla model 2015 S D
Backing up in my driveway at 2 mile per hour, right rear suspension collapsed. Car transported by flatbed to tesla cleveland. Extensive repairs including to right front suspension. I note 42 other complaints of similar to NHTSA on tesla model s 2015-7 year models.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 tesla model s. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the display screen stopped functioning. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21v035000 (back over prevention, visibility, exterior lighting). The vehicle was taken to tesla service - latham (326 old niskayuna rd latham, ny 12110) where it was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the embedded multi-media card (emmc) controller needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired.