2015 Tesla Model S
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 61 |
| 2013 | 459 |
| 2014 | 364 |
| 2015 | 665 |
| 2016 | 639 |
| 2017 | 420 |
| 2018 | 168 |
| 2019 | 43 |
| 2020 | 80 |
| 2021 | 175 |
| 2022 | 135 |
| 2023 | 108 |
| 2024 | 38 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
39% of complaints: electrical system — 260 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
While driving on the freeway, I thought I heard a rattling from the sunroof, and so I cracked the sunroof to 12% open, and then closed it again.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231115
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TESLA MODEL S. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151001
22% of complaints: suspension — 148 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=26516457&ROWNUMBER=54&LOADRECENT=TRUE WHEEL FALLEN OFF AGAIN. PHOTO ATTACHED. THIS IS BECOMING RATHER BORING FOR ME AND FOR YOU.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171102
8% of complaints: steering — 51 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA MODEL S AUTOPILOT SYSTEM WHICH HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED. DESPITE THE DISCLAIMER BY TESLA MOTORS THAT THIS SHOULD BE USED SAFELY WITH HANDS ON THE WHEEL IT IS CLEAR THAT OWNERS ARE NOT GETTING THE MESSAGE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151016
6% of complaints: exterior lighting — 43 distinct reports on file.
CRASH6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 40 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231211
CAR WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT . WHILE BACKING THE CAR, IT SPIN FAST OUT OF CONTROL EVEN THOUGH BACKING WAS STARTED AT A VERY SLOW SPEED . CAR STOPPED AFTER HITTING FOUR VEHICLES DIRECTLY, AND ONE OF THE VEHICLE HIT OTHER TWO VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150917
SAFETY TIMELINE
Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Model S vehicles manufactured May 31, 2012, to November 12, 2015.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat belts, correcting their connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015.
Campaign 15V780000 — check if this car was fixed
Automatic vehicle control systems
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Campaign 17V260000 — check if this car was fixed
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Campaign 18V204000 — check if this car was fixed
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2014-2016 Model S vehicles equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Campaign 19V002000 — check if this car was fixed
Battery Management Software Updates
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
Loss of rearview camera
Loss of rearview camera
Fore Link Failure
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device.
Remedy: Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear.
Campaign 21V035000 — check if this car was fixed
Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Campaign 21V00B000 — check if this car was fixed
Autopilot System Driver Controls
Pedestrian alert sounds
Defect Petition Interlock Request
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
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.
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.
Campaign 23V838000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 24V051000 — check if this car was fixed
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
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.
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.
Campaign 24V376000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2015 Tesla Model S — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (260 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (148 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (51 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 15V780000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V260000 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V204000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V002000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V035000 (back over prevention, exterior lighting, visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V00B000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V838000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V051000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V376000 (seat belts) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2015 Tesla Model S reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Tesla Model S is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Tesla Model S?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2015 Tesla Model S have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.