How many Structure & Body complaints does NHTSA have for the 2018 Tesla Model S?

NHTSA lists 16 Structure & Body complaints for the 2018 Model S, which is 10% of the 168 total complaints filed for that year.

Is there a recall related to Structure & Body issues on the 2018 Model S?

Yes. Recall 21V00B000, reported December 21, 2021, covers a front trunk latch assembly that may be misaligned so the secondary hood latch fails to engage. Tesla Service inspects and repositions the latch free of charge.

What is the most common Structure & Body problem owners report?

Door handle failures are the most frequently described issue, including handles that will not open from outside and handles that open unexpectedly while driving.

At what mileage do these structure and body problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2018 Model S is 17,687 miles.

Have any Structure & Body complaints involved crashes or fire?

Yes. Of the 16 complaints, 3 involved crashes, 1 involved a fire, and 2 resulted in injuries.

2018 Tesla Model S Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 16 Structure & Body complaints for the 2018 Tesla Model S, 10% of all complaints filed for that year, tied to 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries. A related recall (21V00B000) covers a front trunk latch misalignment issue.

Structure & Body complaints: 16; 10% of 168
Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 17,687 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

Door handles fail to open from outside while the vehicle is unlocked, sometimes on multiple handles at once.
Owners report door handles opening abruptly while the car is in motion after prior repairs or replacements.
Emergency and rear trunk latch cables fail, leaving the trunk stuck shut and unable to lock.
Some owners report doors that cannot be opened from inside or outside after the vehicle shuts down following a collision.
Rust reported coming through the bumper after washing, confirmed by inspection as a bumper failure.
One owner reported white smoke and fire coming from cabin air vents shortly after taking delivery.

When 2018 Tesla Model S body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 17, 2020, latest Sep 16, 2025.

16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2020 to Sep 2025; peak Mar 2023 (2).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2018 Tesla Model S

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.

20122 (3%)
201323 (5%)
201430 (8%)
201537 (6%)
201637 (6%)
201720 (5%)
201816 (10%)
20194 (9%)
20208 (10%)
202113 (7%)
20229 (7%)
20236 (5%)
20242 (5%)
20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does NHTSA have for the 2018 Tesla Model S?: NHTSA lists 16 Structure & Body complaints for the 2018 Model S, which is 10% of the 168 total complaints filed for that year.
Is there a recall related to Structure & Body issues on the 2018 Model S?: Yes. Recall 21V00B000, reported December 21, 2021, covers a front trunk latch assembly that may be misaligned so the secondary hood latch fails to engage. Tesla Service inspects and repositions the latch free of charge.
What is the most common Structure & Body problem owners report?: Door handle failures are the most frequently described issue, including handles that will not open from outside and handles that open unexpectedly while driving.
At what mileage do these structure and body problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2018 Model S is 17,687 miles.
Have any Structure & Body complaints involved crashes or fire?: Yes. Of the 16 complaints, 3 involved crashes, 1 involved a fire, and 2 resulted in injuries.