2017 Tesla Model S Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Tesla Model S carries a complaint index of 85, ranks 3rd worst of 14 model years, and is rated Avoid relative to other Model S years. NHTSA lists 424 complaints, 9 recalls, 55 crashes, and 4 fires tied to this year, with electrical system issues topping the list.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #3 of 14 Model S years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 424
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 55
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 23
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 100.5
- 99.5 city / 103.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 23 / 0
Top 2017 Tesla Model S problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System131 (31%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires111 (26%)
- Other100 (24%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras84 (20%)
- Steering47 (11%)
- Engine36 (8%)
- Brakes26 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers24 (6%)
- Lane Departure23 (5%)
- Structure & Body20 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe front suspension components and drive shafts separating or collapsing with no prior collision damage, sometimes at very low mileage.
- Air suspension failures were reported after software updates, with all four wheels affected in some cases.
- Several owners report sudden unintended acceleration events, including while parked or moving at low speed, resulting in collisions.
- Autopilot or self-driving related complaints describe the car making unexpected lane changes or sharp turns into guardrails, embankments, or vegetation.
- Some reports describe wheels or suspension appearing damaged or collapsed after crashes involving loss of control.
2017 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.
2017 Tesla Model S fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 99.5 MPG
- Highway
- 103.5 MPG
- Combined
- 100.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $750
- 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.
2017 compared with other Model S years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Tesla Model S reliable?
- Compared to other Model S years, the 2017 model ranks 3rd worst out of 14 years tracked, with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 424 complaints and 9 recall campaigns for this year.
- What are the biggest problems with the 2017 Tesla Model S?
- The top reported problem area is the Electrical System, making up 31% of complaints, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 26% and Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 20%.
- Does the 2017 Tesla Model S have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns tied to the 2017 Model S, covering steering, electrical, collision avoidance, and structure/body components; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2017 Model S problems usually show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: Brakes issues appeared around 4,900 miles, Steering around 10,000 miles, and overall electrical system failures around 35,250 miles.
- Which Tesla Model S years are better than 2017?
- Years like 2012, 2019, 2024, and 2025 earn a Best verdict with much lower complaint indexes (15, 8, 23, and 0 respectively), making them lower-risk than 2017 based on NHTSA data.