YearToAvoid

2021 Tesla Model S Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 28 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Tesla Model S, 16% of its 178 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 4,000 miles. One crash is linked, no fires or injuries. Four related electrical-system recalls exist, though none target this exact complaint cluster.

Electrical System complaints
28
16% of 178
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
4,000 mi
Related recalls
4

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Instrument cluster and main touch screen go blank for extended periods while driving, cutting off speed, brake, and turn-signal information.
  • Rear parking camera shows a green line or fails intermittently whether the car is moving or parked.
  • Turn signals and emergency flasher touch controls sometimes fail to activate despite repeated attempts.
  • HVAC system shuts down entirely and displays a cabin climate control service warning shortly after delivery.
  • Adaptive suspension wiring harness rubs against the tire and wears through, disabling the dampers.
  • Autopilot/Autosteer has unexpectedly accelerated the vehicle without driver input in at least one reported crash.

When 2021 Tesla Model S electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 20, 2020, latest Mar 9, 2026.

2021 Tesla Model S electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2020Dec 2021May 2022Sep 2022Jul 2023Mar 2024Nov 2024Oct 2025
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2020 to Mar 2026; peak Jan 2022 (3).

Electrical System recalls for the 2021 Tesla Model S

  1. NHTSA 24V554000Jul 24, 2024Electrical System1,849,638 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Electrical system:software

    Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.

    Risk: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. NHTSA 22V050000Feb 2, 2022Electrical System26,681 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Electrical system:software

    Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."

    Risk: Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.

Electrical System complaints by Model S model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201238 (62%)
  2. 2013203 (44%)
  3. 2014143 (39%)
  4. 2015281 (42%)
  5. 2016183 (28%)
  6. 2017131 (31%)
  7. 201839 (23%)
  8. 20196 (14%)
  9. 20207 (9%)
  10. 202128 (16%)
  11. 202221 (15%)
  12. 202314 (12%)
  13. 20247 (18%)
  14. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical complaints does the 2021 Tesla Model S have?
NHTSA lists 28 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Model S, which is 16% of the 178 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2021 Tesla Model S?
Yes. NHTSA shows four Electrical System recalls covering the 2021 Model S, including hood latch detection, instrument panel font sizing, Autosteer, and heat pump refrigerant valve software issues.
At what mileage do 2021 Model S electrical problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this component is 4,000 miles.
Did the 2021 Model S electrical issues cause any crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows one crash and zero fires or injuries linked to Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Model S.
How does the 2021 Model S compare to other years for electrical complaints?
The 16% share for 2021 is lower than earlier years like 2012 (62%) and 2015 (42%), but higher than 2019 (14%) and 2020 (9%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.