2020 Tesla Model S Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2020 Tesla Model S has a complaint index of 38, ranking 9th worst out of 14 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other Model S years. NHTSA lists 80 complaints, 11 recalls, and 16 crashes for this year, with no fires or deaths reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 38/100
- #9 of 14 Model S years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 80
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 109
- 113 city / 105 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2020 Tesla Model S problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras25 (31%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (23%)
- Other15 (19%)
- Steering10 (13%)
- Engine8 (10%)
- Structure & Body8 (10%)
- Electrical System7 (9%)
- Brakes6 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (8%)
- Lane Departure4 (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 rear or front suspension components failing, in one case a wheel detaching from the vehicle at low mileage.
- Some report sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, with the vehicle surging forward and striking objects.
- Drivers using Full Self-Driving or Autosteer describe the car steering itself into guardrails or off the road without driver input.
- Several owners report loss of steering stability or suspension failure while turning at low speed, leading to the vehicle leaving the roadway.
- One owner described all screens freezing and the vehicle becoming unresponsive for several minutes while driving, though brakes still worked.
- A driver's seat was reported to move backward unexpectedly while the vehicle was in park with the door open.
2020 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.
2020 Tesla Model S fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 113 MPG
- Highway
- 105 MPG
- Combined
- 109 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $700
- 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.
2020 compared with other Model S years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Tesla Model S reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Model S has a complaint index of 38 and ranks 9th worst among 14 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other years of the Model S.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Tesla Model S?
- NHTSA data shows the top problem areas are Collision Avoidance & Cameras (31% of complaints), Suspension, Wheels & Tires (23%), and Steering (13%).
- Does the 2020 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2020 Model S, covering seat belts, collision avoidance/pedestrian warning sounds, electrical display fonts, Autosteer, and steering (FSD Beta and EPAS).
- How does the 2020 Model S compare to other Model S years?
- With a complaint index of 38, the 2020 model performs better than years like 2015, 2016, and 2017, which carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 92, 100, and 85 respectively.
- How many crashes and injuries were reported for the 2020 Tesla Model S?
- NHTSA lists 16 crashes and 8 injuries associated with the 2020 Model S, with no reported fires or deaths.