Tesla

Model S

Large Cars · model years 2012 to 2026

Includes Model S, Model S AWD - 100D, Model S AWD - 60D and 8 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 26 Model S trims All Tesla cars

The verdict

Best year: 2026. complaints: 6, below this model's typical 76; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 9.

Worst year: 2014. complaints: 365, about 4.8x this model's typical 76; recalls: 9, in line with this model's typical 9.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Tesla Model S
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
2012	1Electric	89	$850	8	61	8 (3 open)	75	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 42%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%, SUSPENSION 10%
complaints: 61, below this model's typical 76 recalls: 8, below this model's typical 9 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 1 open NHTSA investigations: 3 Score: 32 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	1Electric	89	$850	9	365	13 (3 open)	95	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24%, SUSPENSION 17%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15%
complaints: 365, about 4.8x this model's typical 76 recalls: 9, in line with this model's typical 9 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 13 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 19 complaints reporting a fire: 9 open NHTSA investigations: 3 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.1 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	5Electric	100	$750	9	668	13 (3 open)	84	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 26%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18%, SUSPENSION 14%
complaints: 668, about 1.8x this model's typical 381 recalls: 9, in line with this model's typical 9 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 29 complaints reporting a fire: 12 open NHTSA investigations: 3 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	8Electric	100.5	$750	10	648	18 (6 open)	86	SUSPENSION 21%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%
complaints: 648, above this model's typical 609 recalls: 10, above this model's typical 9 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 64 complaints reporting a fire: 12 open NHTSA investigations: 6 Score: 4 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	6Electric	102.5	$750	9	428	17 (6 open)	79	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, SUSPENSION 16%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15%
complaints: 428, below this model's typical 457 recalls: 9, in line with this model's typical 9 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 23 complaints reporting a fire: 4 open NHTSA investigations: 6 Score: 40 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	1Electric	120	$650	20	139	12 (5 open)	66	FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 18%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18%, STEERING 11%
complaints: 139, about 1.8x this model's typical 76 recalls: 20, about 2.2x this model's typical 9 open NHTSA investigations: 5 Score: 5 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	1Electric	120	$650	13	114	10 (5 open)	55	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 37%, STEERING 13%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 11%
complaints: 114, about 1.5x this model's typical 76 recalls: 13, above this model's typical 9 open NHTSA investigations: 5 Score: 30 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	1Electric	122	$600	6	38	6 (4 open)	40	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 36%, LANE DEPARTURE 30%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 38, below this model's typical 76 recalls: 6, below this model's typical 9 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 open NHTSA investigations: 4 Score: 64 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	1Electric	124	$600	2	6	4 (3 open)	3	POWER TRAIN 29%, SUSPENSION 29%, STEERING 14%
complaints: 6, below this model's typical 76 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 9 open NHTSA investigations: 3 Score: 76 of 100, where higher is better.
2026	1Electric	124	$600	0	6	0	no data	FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 20%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 20%, LANE DEPARTURE 10%
complaints: 6, below this model's typical 76 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 9 Score: 94 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2012: 89 to 2026: 124

Owner complaints2012: 61 to 2026: 6

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Tesla Model S to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.