2019 Tesla Model S Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
8/100
#13 most-complained of 14 Model S years
The 2019 Tesla Model S has a Complaint Index of 8, the second-lowest among 14 model years, and NHTSA marks it "Best" with rank 13 of 14 (worst-first). It has 44 complaints, 10 recalls, and 4 crashes reported, with no fires.
- Complaints
- 44
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 103
- 102 city / 105 hwy
Top 2019 Tesla Model S problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (30%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (23%)
- Brakes8 (18%)
- Electrical System6 (14%)
- Engine4 (9%)
- Other4 (9%)
- Steering4 (9%)
- Structure & Body4 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (7%)
What owners report
- Owners describe wheels or suspension components separating from the car at low mileage, including a front strut dislodging and a rear wheel detaching.
- Some report cracked rims and repeated flat tires despite low mileage, with Tesla attributing the issue to tires rather than rims.
- Drivers on Autopilot describe sudden unexplained braking that triggered collision alarms with no obstacle present, in one case leading to a rear-end crash.
- Several note the Autopilot lane-change feature initiating a lane change, then abruptly swerving back into the original lane without explanation.
- Owners of vehicles with Full Self Driving Summon report the car pulling out on its own and striking a parked vehicle.
- One driver described solenoid noises and daytime running light malfunctions following a software update, which required a factory reset.
2019 Tesla Model S recalls
10 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.
2019 Tesla Model S fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 102 MPG
- Highway
- 105 MPG
- Combined
- 103 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.
2019 compared with other Model S years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Tesla Model S reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2019 Model S ranks among the better years, with a Complaint Index of 8 and only 44 complaints logged, placing it 13th out of 14 model years from worst to best.
- What problems does the 2019 Tesla Model S have?
- The top reported problem area is Collision Avoidance & Cameras (13 complaints, 30% share), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires (10 complaints, 23%) and Brakes (8 complaints, 18%).
- Does the 2019 Tesla Model S have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2019 Model S, covering areas including Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Steering, and Electrical System, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- Should I avoid the 2019 Tesla Model S?
- No. Compared to other Model S years, 2019 is rated "Best" with a Complaint Index of 8, far below years like 2016 (100) and 2015 (92) which are rated "Avoid."
- What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Tesla Model S?
- EPA rates the 2019 Model S at 103 MPG combined (102 city / 105 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $750.