How many engine-related complaints does NHTSA list for the 2021 Tesla Model S?

NHTSA lists 16 Engine-area complaints for the 2021 Tesla Model S, which is 9% of the 178 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2021 Tesla Model S engine or motor?

No related recall is listed in the NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2021 Model S.

What do owners describe as the main engine-area issue?

Most sample complaints describe phantom braking, where the car brakes hard on its own with cruise control or Autopilot engaged and no obstacle present, rather than a traditional engine failure.

At what mileage do these problems tend to occur?

The median mileage at failure for Engine-area complaints on the 2021 Model S is 8,000 miles.

How does the 2021 Model S compare to other years for this problem area?

The 2021 Model S share of 9% is similar to most other years, which range from 3% to 17%, with 2018 having the highest share at 17%.

2021 Tesla Model S Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 16 Engine complaints for the 2021 Tesla Model S, 9% of that year's 178 total complaints. Most describe unexpected hard braking (phantom braking) rather than a mechanical engine fault, with median mileage at failure of 8,000. No related recall is listed for this area.

Engine complaints: 16; 9% of 178
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 2
Injuries reported: 3
Median mileage: 8,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Owners report sudden, unexplained hard braking (phantom braking) while using Autopilot or Traffic-Aware Cruise Control on open highways with no obstacles present.
Some describe the car braking repeatedly on the same stretch of road, in both directions, during a single trip.
One owner reported a rear motor malfunction warning followed by the motor catching fire after continuing to drive.
One owner reported the car shifting into reverse and accelerating unexpectedly when placed in drive, resulting in a low-speed collision.
Several report the

When 2021 Tesla Model S engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 8, 2020, latest Aug 12, 2026.

16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2020 to Aug 2026; peak Feb 2022 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2021 Tesla Model S

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Model S model year

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

20122 (3%)
201343 (9%)
201433 (9%)
201557 (9%)
201686 (13%)
201736 (8%)
201828 (17%)
20194 (9%)
20208 (10%)
202116 (9%)
202210 (7%)
20236 (5%)
20240 (0%)
20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine-related complaints does NHTSA list for the 2021 Tesla Model S?: NHTSA lists 16 Engine-area complaints for the 2021 Tesla Model S, which is 9% of the 178 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Tesla Model S engine or motor?: No related recall is listed in the NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2021 Model S.
What do owners describe as the main engine-area issue?: Most sample complaints describe phantom braking, where the car brakes hard on its own with cruise control or Autopilot engaged and no obstacle present, rather than a traditional engine failure.
At what mileage do these problems tend to occur?: The median mileage at failure for Engine-area complaints on the 2021 Model S is 8,000 miles.
How does the 2021 Model S compare to other years for this problem area?: The 2021 Model S share of 9% is similar to most other years, which range from 3% to 17%, with 2018 having the highest share at 17%.