How common are electrical problems in the 2015 Tesla Model S?

NHTSA lists 281 Electrical System complaints for the 2015 Model S, which is 42% of all 667 complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2015 Tesla Model S electrical system?

Yes. Two related recalls are listed: campaign 24V051000 for an incorrect instrument panel font size, and campaign 23V838000 covering Autosteer, both remedied with an over-the-air software update.

At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2015 Model S is 56,511 miles.

Have electrical issues caused crashes or fires?

NHTSA data links 10 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 injuries to Electrical System complaints on the 2015 Model S.

How does 2015 compare to other Model S years for electrical complaints?

The 2015 model year's 42% share of complaints tied to electrical issues is higher than 2016 (28%), 2017 (31%), and most later years, though lower than 2012's 62%.

2015 Tesla Model S Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 281 Electrical System complaints for the 2015 Tesla Model S, 42% of all 667 complaints filed for that year, with a median failure mileage of 56,511 miles. Ten crashes and two fires are linked to this component, and two related recalls cover software issues.

Electrical System complaints: 281; 42% of 667
Crashes reported: 10
Fires reported: 2
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 56,511 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

Some owners report the center console or MCU display going dark, cutting off access to climate, GPS, mirrors, and the rearview camera.
Several complaints describe Autopilot steering the car into a median or divider at highway speed, leading to crashes.
Owners report the vehicle surging or braking unexpectedly during low-speed parking maneuvers, sometimes described as sudden unintended acceleration.
One report describes smoke and an electrical burning smell coming through the air vents after closing the sunroof.
A fire was reported while driving at 55 mph early in the vehicle's life, destroying the car.
Some owners report door handles failing to present, preventing the door from opening.

When 2015 Tesla Model S electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 1, 2015, latest Aug 11, 2026.

281 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q3 (106).

Electrical System recalls for the 2015 Tesla Model S

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.

Electrical System complaints by Model S model year

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

201238 (62%)
2013203 (44%)
2014143 (39%)
2015281 (42%)
2016183 (28%)
2017131 (31%)
201839 (23%)
20196 (14%)
20207 (9%)
202128 (16%)
202221 (15%)
202314 (12%)
20247 (18%)
20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems in the 2015 Tesla Model S?: NHTSA lists 281 Electrical System complaints for the 2015 Model S, which is 42% of all 667 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Tesla Model S electrical system?: Yes. Two related recalls are listed: campaign 24V051000 for an incorrect instrument panel font size, and campaign 23V838000 covering Autosteer, both remedied with an over-the-air software update.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2015 Model S is 56,511 miles.
Have electrical issues caused crashes or fires?: NHTSA data links 10 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 injuries to Electrical System complaints on the 2015 Model S.
How does 2015 compare to other Model S years for electrical complaints?: The 2015 model year's 42% share of complaints tied to electrical issues is higher than 2016 (28%), 2017 (31%), and most later years, though lower than 2012's 62%.