2018 Tesla Model S Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
62/100
#6 most-complained of 14 Model S years
The 2018 Tesla Model S has 168 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 62, and ranks 6th worst of 14 model years — a Caution verdict. Top issues are Collision Avoidance & Cameras (30% of complaints) and Electrical System (23%), with 11 recalls on file.
- Complaints
- 168
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 36 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 100
- 99 city / 103.5 hwy
Top 2018 Tesla Model S problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras50 (30%)
- Electrical System39 (23%)
- Other37 (22%)
- Engine28 (17%)
- Brakes27 (16%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires21 (13%)
- Structure & Body16 (10%)
- Steering15 (9%)
- Lane Departure13 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners describe the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating or reversing on its own at low speed, sometimes while parking or entering a garage, resulting in collisions.
- Multiple reports describe the car moving independently while the gear shift was in park, striking nearby vehicles or walls.
- Some owners report Autopilot, Autosummon, or Autopark features failing to detect obstacles and driving into walls or parked vehicles.
- One owner reported the vehicle failing to respond to brake pedal input while approaching a red light, leading to a crash with deployed airbags.
- An owner reported software instability affecting autopilot and safety settings, with a factory reset not resolving the issue.
- A steering-related report describes the vehicle behaving erratically while using semi-autonomous driver-assist mode on a highway at night.
2018 Tesla Model S recalls
11 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 24V153000Feb 27, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras6,557 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Forward collision avoidance: warnings:external/pedestrian alert
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
- 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.
2018 Tesla Model S fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 99 MPG
- Highway
- 103.5 MPG
- Combined
- 100 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.
2018 compared with other Model S years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Tesla Model S reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Model S a Complaint Index of 62 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst among the 14 model years with data. It is not the worst year, but it has more reported problems than several other Model S years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Tesla Model S?
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues make up 30% of complaints, followed by Electrical System problems at 23% and Engine-related complaints at 17%. The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints is 14,000 miles.
- Does the 2018 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2018 Model S, covering areas including Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Steering, and Electrical System components. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Model S compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 62, the 2018 model ranks better than 2013 through 2017 but worse than 2012, 2019, and every year from 2020 onward. Years like 2012, 2019, 2024, and 2025 are rated Best.