YearToAvoid

2014 Tesla Model S Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 30 Structure & Body complaints for the 2014 Tesla Model S, 8% of all 365 complaints filed for the year. These complaints involve 5 crashes and 1 fire, with a median mileage at failure of 60,000 miles, and there is one related recall covering the front trunk latch.

Structure & Body complaints
30
8% of 365
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
60,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Door handles fail to extend and get stuck closed, sometimes on multiple doors and after repeated replacements.
  • Front and rear trunk lids open unexpectedly while parked or while the car is being driven.
  • Rear subframe failure reported around 78,000 miles, accompanied by knocking noises from the rear of the car.
  • Suspension sagged low enough that the frame contacted a tire, which then blew out and bent the frame.
  • Sudden loss of power occurred shortly after purchase, attributed by the owner to faulty electrical contactors.

When 2014 Tesla Model S body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 30, 2015, latest Mar 3, 2026.

2014 Tesla Model S structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2015Dec 2017Jun 2020Apr 2021May 2022Mar 2023Jan 2025
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2015 to Mar 2026; peak Jan 2020 (2).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2014 Tesla Model S

  1. NHTSA 21V00B000Dec 21, 2021Structure & Body130,441 vehicles

    Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

    Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System."

    Risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-11-003.

Structure & Body complaints by Model S model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20122 (3%)
  2. 201323 (5%)
  3. 201430 (8%)
  4. 201537 (6%)
  5. 201637 (6%)
  6. 201720 (5%)
  7. 201816 (10%)
  8. 20194 (9%)
  9. 20208 (10%)
  10. 202113 (7%)
  11. 20229 (7%)
  12. 20236 (5%)
  13. 20242 (5%)
  14. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does the 2014 Tesla Model S have?
NHTSA lists 30 Structure & Body complaints for the 2014 Model S, which is 8% of the 365 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for structure or body issues on the 2014 Tesla Model S?
Yes. Recall 21V00B000 covers 2014-2021 Model S vehicles where the front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. Tesla Service inspects and repositions the latch free of charge.
At what mileage do structure and body problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2014 Model S is 60,000 miles.
Do these structure and body complaints involve crashes or fires?
Among the 30 Structure & Body complaints, NHTSA records 5 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury.
Is 8% a high share for structure and body complaints on the Model S?
Compared to other Model S years, 8% for 2014 is on the higher end; other years range from 3% to 10%, with 2018 and 2020 also reaching 10%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.