Tesla Model S Best and Worst Years (2012–2025)
Avoid the 2013–2016 Tesla Model S, which carry the highest Complaint Indexes (85, 77, 92, and 100) with electrical system and suspension issues dominant. The 2012, 2019, 2024 and 2025 model years score lowest (15, 8, 23, 0) and are the best picks.
Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Best 2012Best 2019Best 2024Best 2025
- Model years
- 14
- 2012–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,387
- Recall campaigns
- 38
- Crashes reported
- 396
- Fires reported
- 62
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Model S Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Tesla Model S problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Best | 15 | 61 | 4 | 1 | 8 | Electrical System | 89 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 85 | 459 | 41 | 19 | 11 | Electrical System | 94 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 77 | 365 | 52 | 9 | 9 | Electrical System | 89 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 92 | 667 | 70 | 12 | 9 | Electrical System | 94 | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 100 | 646 | 92 | 12 | 10 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 98 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 69 | 424 | 55 | 4 | 9 | Electrical System | 100.5 | — |
| 2018 | Caution | 62 | 168 | 36 | 3 | 11 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 100 | — |
| 2019 | Best | 8 | 44 | 4 | 0 | 10 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 103 | — |
| 2020 | Good | 31 | 80 | 16 | 0 | 11 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 109 | — |
| 2021 | Caution | 54 | 178 | 13 | 2 | 23 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 105.5 | — |
| 2022 | Good | 38 | 138 | 3 | 0 | 20 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 116 | — |
| 2023 | Good | 46 | 113 | 8 | 0 | 13 | Steering | 120 | — |
| 2024 | Best | 23 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 6 | Lane Departure | 107 | — |
| 2025 | Best | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 104 | — |
Model S years to avoid: what went wrong
2016 Tesla Model S Index 100 · 646 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2016 Model S ranks worst among all years, with 646 complaints, a Complaint Index of 100, 10 recalls, 92 crashes, 64 injuries, and 8 deaths. Suspension, Wheels & Tires lead at 33% of complaints (median mileage 10,000), followed by Electrical System at 28% (median mileage 50,894). Owners report rear wheels skewing at extreme angles without collision damage and ball joints separating, both linked to crashes and fires. Overall median mileage at failure for the year is 26,250, the lowest of the avoid years.
2016 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2016 electrical system problems →2016 engine problems →
2015 Tesla Model S Index 92 · 667 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2015 Model S has 667 complaints and a Complaint Index of 92, with 9 recalls, 70 crashes, and 4 deaths. Electrical System complaints are 42% of the total (median mileage 56,511), and Suspension, Wheels & Tires 22% (median mileage 12,641). Owners describe front and rear suspension arms failing at low mileage, sometimes leading to fire, and electrical fires occurring at very low mileage such as 500 miles. Overall median mileage at failure for the year is 49,240.
2015 electrical system problems →2015 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2015 engine problems →
2013 Tesla Model S Index 85 · 459 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2013 Model S logs 459 complaints and a Complaint Index of 85, with 11 recalls and 5 deaths reported. Electrical System problems make up 44% of complaints (median mileage 90,000), and Suspension, Wheels & Tires account for 21% (median mileage 47,404). Owners describe suspension ball joints separating from steering knuckles with no prior collision damage, sometimes followed by fire. Electrical failures were reported around 70,000 miles overall. NHTSA also recorded 41 crashes and 19 fires for this year.
2013 electrical system problems →2013 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2013 engine problems →
2014 Tesla Model S Index 77 · 365 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2014 Model S shows 365 complaints and a Complaint Index of 77, with 9 recalls, 52 crashes, and 13 deaths. Electrical System issues are 39% of complaints (median mileage 64,500) and Suspension, Wheels & Tires 25% (median mileage 24,000). Owners report suspension links snapping cleanly at the rear wheel and sudden unintended forward surges into obstacles at low speed. Overall median mileage at failure for the year is 52,425, lower than 2013.
2014 electrical system problems →2014 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2014 engine problems →
Most common Tesla Model S problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System1,101 (33%)
- Other882 (26%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires790 (23%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras404 (12%)
- Steering345 (10%)
- Engine329 (10%)
- Brakes245 (7%)
- Structure & Body207 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers171 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain146 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Tesla Model S years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 as the years to avoid, with Complaint Indexes of 85, 77, 92, and 100 respectively — the four highest of any Model S year.
- What is the worst Tesla Model S model year?
- The 2016 Model S ranks worst overall, with a Complaint Index of 100, 646 complaints, 92 crashes, and 8 deaths, plus a median failure mileage of 26,250.
- What are the best Tesla Model S years to buy?
- NHTSA data shows 2012, 2019, 2024, and 2025 as the best years, with low Complaint Indexes of 15, 8, 23, and 0 respectively.
- What is the most common problem on early Model S years?
- Across 2013–2016, the Electrical System is the top problem area, making up 44%, 39%, 42%, and 28% of complaints in those years, alongside Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues.
- Does the Tesla Model S have recalls related to these issues?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 38 recall campaigns across all Model S years, including electrical system and seat belt warning software recalls affecting 2012–2024 vehicles.