2014 Tesla Model S Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2014 Tesla Model S carries a complaint index of 77, ranking 4th-worst among 14 model years, and is rated Avoid. Owners most often cite the Electrical System (39% of complaints) and Suspension, Wheels & Tires (25%), with 9 recall campaigns issued.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 77/100
- #4 of 14 Model S years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 365
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 52
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 19
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 89
- 88 city / 94 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 13
Top 2014 Tesla Model S problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System143 (39%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires93 (25%)
- Other82 (22%)
- Engine33 (9%)
- Structure & Body30 (8%)
- Steering27 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain27 (7%)
- Fuel System24 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers17 (5%)
- Brakes15 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear suspension links reportedly snapped or wheels sliced off while driving, in some cases with no prior collision to explain the failure.
- Owners describe wheels detaching or suspension components failing at low mileage, sometimes discovered on salvage or junkyard vehicles.
- Some vehicles surged unexpectedly at low speed, such as jumping a curb while parking.
- Battery pack fires were reported after crashes, with owners describing rapid spread between cells.
- Autopilot reportedly failed to recognize a merging vehicle and caused a low-speed collision.
- One owner reported losing control on a highway curve at moderate speed and hitting the freeway wall.
2014 Tesla Model S recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V376000May 28, 2024Seat Belts125,233 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Seat belts:front:warning light/devices
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."
Risk: 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: 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.
- NHTSA 24V051000Jan 30, 2024Electrical System2,193,869 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
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."
Risk: 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: 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.
- NHTSA 23V838000Dec 12, 2023Electrical System2,031,220 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system:adas:driver monitoring:software
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.
Risk: 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: 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.
2014 Tesla Model S fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 88 MPG
- Highway
- 94 MPG
- Combined
- 89 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $850
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Model S years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Tesla Model S reliable?
- Compared with other Model S years, the 2014 ranks 4th-worst out of 14 model years with a complaint index of 77, earning an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Tesla Model S?
- The Electrical System accounts for 39% of complaints, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 25%, with a median mileage at failure of 64,500 miles for electrical issues and 24,000 miles for suspension issues.
- Does the 2014 Tesla Model S have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2014 Model S, covering components including Seat Belts, Electrical System, Structure & Body, HVAC, Airbags, and Steering.
- How does the 2014 Model S compare to other years?
- The 2014 model's complaint index of 77 is worse than 2012 (15, Best) and 2013 (69, Caution) but better than 2015 (92) and 2016 (100), both also rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Tesla Model S?
- EPA rates the 2014 Model S at 89 MPGe combined (88 city / 94 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $850.