MYRModel Year Report

2017 Tesla Model S

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2017 Tesla Model S
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
425
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2017

Investigations
17

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

2012: 61 complaints 2012 2013: 460 complaints 2014: 365 complaints 2014 2015: 668 complaints 2016: 647 complaints 2017: 425 complaints 2017 425 2018: 169 complaints 2019: 44 complaints 2020: 80 complaints 2020 2021: 179 complaints 2022: 139 complaints 2022 2023: 113 complaints 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 6 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2012: 61 complaints 2012 2013: 460 complaints 2013 2014: 365 complaints 2014 2015: 668 complaints 2015 2016: 647 complaints 2016 2017: 425 complaints 2017 425 2018: 169 complaints 2018 2019: 44 complaints 2019 2020: 80 complaints 2020 2021: 179 complaints 2021 2022: 139 complaints 2022 2023: 113 complaints 2023 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 6 complaints 2025 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2012: 61 complaints 2012 2013: 460 complaints 2013 2014: 365 complaints 2014 2015: 668 complaints 2015 2016: 647 complaints 2016 2017: 425 complaints 2017 425 2018: 169 complaints 2018 2019: 44 complaints 2019 2020: 80 complaints 2020 2021: 179 complaints 2021 2022: 139 complaints 2022 2023: 113 complaints 2023 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 6 complaints 2025 2026: 6 complaints 2026

2017: 425 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
201261
2013460
2014365
2015668
2016647
2017425
2018169
201944
202080
2021179
2022139
2023113
202438
20256
20266

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

27% · 115 reports

Most commonly citing software and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While in autosteer, I pressed on the brakes which normally deactivates the autosteer while coming to a stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-03-06

Also filed under Service brakes and structure

day time running light on driver side headlight burned out, it cannot be replaced, you have to replace the whole headlight assembly which costs about $1,000.00 plus labor, I think this is not right , on my other.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-01

Also filed under Exterior lighting

2017 Tesla Model S P100D. Vehicle received a paid MCU2 infotainment upgrade (MCU1 to MCU2), which replaced both the center touchscreen computer and the instrument cluster.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-09

Suspension

25% · 107 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Here is a brand new model x in the junkyard: https://www.iaai.com/vehicle?itemid=26401554&rownumber=39&loadrecent=true&isnext=true it appears to have been hit from behind. The suspension has collapsed on all wheels.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-14

Here is a Tesla in the junkyard: https://www.iaai.com/vehicle?itemid=26400583&rownumber=38&loadrecent=true&isnext=true this is a virtually brand new car having only driven 3000 miles. The entire front suspension and drive shaft has snapped off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-14

Here is a Tesla in the junkyard: https://www.iaai.com/vehicle?itemid=26437884&rownumber=57&loadrecent=true the car has been in a rollover accident and is severely damaged. It has bio-hazard stickers which means that occupants have been injured.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-27

Forward collision avoidance

21% · 88 reports

Most commonly citing adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

CRASH

Steering

11% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Backing out of driveway, the steering wheel was very hard to turn. The dash indicated the steering assist feature wasn't working.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-18

Vehicle speed control

8% · 35 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 17 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2017Complaint volume 425 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2019-10-01Defect petitionClosed 2021-09-28 Battery Management Software Updates
  3. I
    2020-01-13Defect petitionClosed 2021-01-08 Sudden Unintended Acceleration
  4. I
    2020-06-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2020-11-22 Loss of rearview camera
  5. I
    2020-11-12Engineering analysisClosed 2024-05-02 Loss of rearview camera
  6. I
    2020-11-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2024-08-12 Fore Link Failure
  7. R
    2021-03-29Back over prevention, exterior lighting, visibility21V035000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2021-08-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2022-06-08 Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
  9. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  10. R
    2021-10-25Forward collision avoidance21V846000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2.

    Remedy: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2022-01-27Electrical system, steering22V037000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles.

    Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2022-02-18Latches/locks/linkages21V00B000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2022-06-08Engineering analysisClosed 2024-04-25 Autopilot System Driver Controls
  14. R
    2022-12-31Steering22V818000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.

    Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. I
    2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
  16. I
    2023-04-07Defect petitionClosed 2026-03-18 Defect Petition Interlock Request
  17. R
    2023-04-15Steering23V085000 Tesla, Inc.

    Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023.  Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.  Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. I
    2023-06-29Defect petitionOpen Sudden Unintended Acceleration
  19. R
    2023-12-12Electrical system23V838000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  20. R
    2024-02-21Electrical system24V051000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  21. I
    2024-04-25Recall queryOpen Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
  22. R
    2024-07-26Seat belts24V376000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  23. I
    2024-10-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2026-03-18 FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
  24. I
    2025-01-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2026-04-03 Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
  25. I
    2025-08-20Audit queryOpen Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
  26. I
    2025-10-07Preliminary evaluationOpen Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
  27. I
    2026-03-18Engineering analysisOpen FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions

Buy-smart checklist

2017 Tesla Model S — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 115 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 107 reports on file for this year.
  • Forward collision avoidance: 88 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 21V035000 · Back over prevention, exterior lighting, visibility
  • Recall 21V846000 · Forward collision avoidance
  • Recall 22V037000 · Electrical system, steering
  • Recall 21V00B000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 22V818000 · Steering
  • Recall 23V085000 · Steering
  • Recall 23V838000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 24V051000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 24V376000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2017 Tesla Model S reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2017 Tesla Model S is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Tesla Model S?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2017 Tesla Model S have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.