MYRModel Year Report

2018 Tesla Model S

● Typical for this model
2018 Tesla Model S
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:43:55.718Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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
170
Recalls
11

Campaigns on file for 2018

Investigations
17

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Forward collision avoidance

41% of complaints

Complaints per year

2012: 61 complaints 2012 2013: 461 complaints 2014: 367 complaints 2014 2015: 669 complaints 2016: 649 complaints 2016 2017: 428 complaints 2018: 170 complaints 2018 170 2019: 44 complaints 2020: 80 complaints 2020 2021: 179 complaints 2022: 140 complaints 2022 2023: 114 complaints 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 6 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2012: 61 complaints 2012 2013: 461 complaints 2013 2014: 367 complaints 2014 2015: 669 complaints 2015 2016: 649 complaints 2016 2017: 428 complaints 2017 2018: 170 complaints 2018 170 2019: 44 complaints 2019 2020: 80 complaints 2020 2021: 179 complaints 2021 2022: 140 complaints 2022 2023: 114 complaints 2023 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 6 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2012: 61 complaints 2012 2013: 461 complaints 2013 2014: 367 complaints 2014 2015: 669 complaints 2015 2016: 649 complaints 2016 2017: 428 complaints 2017 2018: 170 complaints 2018 170 2019: 44 complaints 2019 2020: 80 complaints 2020 2021: 179 complaints 2021 2022: 140 complaints 2022 2023: 114 complaints 2023 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 6 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints 2026

2018: 170 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
201261
2013461
2014367
2015669
2016649
2017428
2018170
201944
202080
2021179
2022140
2023114
202438
20256
20268

Known problem areas

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

Forward collision avoidance

41% · 70 reports

Most commonly citing adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Multiple components failed or malfunctioned. FSD beta, lane keeping assistance, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Automatic emergency braking, all failed or malfunctioned.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-14

The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the forward collision avoidance feature was inoperable. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle crashed into the guard rail.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-22

Full self driving mode floored the accelerator on our vehicle and after a few seconds immediately cut off the self driving feature display a fault code.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-27

Electrical system

21% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing software and autonomous/self driving.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model S. While approaching a red light, the speed increased and the vehicle failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-18

Also filed under Service brakes

On October 15, 2026, at about 9:09 AM, I was driving my 2018 Tesla Model S to work. I had the car up to the 65 mph speed limit and let off the accelerator.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-16

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Vehicle speed control

16% · 28 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model S. While attempting to park the vehicle, it independently accelerated and crashed into a wall. The air bags deployed. A police report was not filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-06

Service brakes

15% · 25 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY

Suspension

12% · 20 reports
CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 17 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    2019-10-01Defect petitionClosed 2021-09-28 Battery Management Software Updates
  2. I
    2020-01-13Defect petitionClosed 2021-01-08 Sudden Unintended Acceleration
  3. I
    2020-06-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2020-11-22 Loss of rearview camera
  4. I
    2020-11-12Engineering analysisClosed 2024-05-02 Loss of rearview camera
  5. 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 →

  6. I
    2021-08-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2022-06-08 Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
  7. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  8. 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 →

  9. I
    2021-12-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-05-26 Tesla Passenger Play
  10. 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 →

  11. 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 →

  12. R
    2022-05-17Back over prevention22V169000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases.

    Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-004.

    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
    2024-04-27Electrical system, forward collision avoidance24V153000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.

    Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  23. 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 →

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

Buy-smart checklist

2018 Tesla Model S — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Forward collision avoidance: 70 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 35 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 28 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 22V169000 · Back over prevention
  • Recall 22V818000 · Steering
  • Recall 23V085000 · Steering
  • Recall 23V838000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 24V051000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 24V153000 · Electrical system, forward collision avoidance
  • 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 2018 Tesla Model S reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Tesla Model S is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Tesla Model S?
The most-reported component is forward collision avoidance, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 Tesla Model S have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.