Is the 2022 Tesla Model S reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2022 Tesla Model S is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Tesla Model S?

The most-reported component is forward collision avoidance, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2022 Tesla Model S have?

20 recalls on file for this model year.

2022 Tesla Model S

● Typical for this model

2022 Tesla Model S
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:06.076Z

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: 140
Recalls: 20
Investigations: 13
Top problem: Forward collision avoidance

Complaints per year

2022: 140 complaints

View as data table

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

Known problem areas

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

Forward collision avoidance

33% · 46 reports

Most commonly citing adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

Show complaint excerpts

Since a XXX Tesla software update, Full Self-Driving on VIN [XXX] applies the brakes suddenly with no visible obstacle. This phantom braking occurs at least 5â6 times every day.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-11

Steering

15% · 21 reports

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

My vehicle was hit in the parking lot with my car being stationary/parked as I could not click the horn button as it is not in the center of the steering wheel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-01-30

Back tires are popping in the inner wall Iâm on my 6th tires for the years same thing keeps happening. Steering wheel is falling apart Tesla is refusing to fix it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-15

Also filed under Wheels

Electrical system

13% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing autonomous/self driving and 12v/24v/48v battery.

Service brakes

8% · 11 reports

Suspension

7% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing manual.

Safety timeline

20 recalls · 13 investigations · oldest first

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

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2021-08-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2022-06-08 Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
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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 →
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2022-02-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2026-06-29 Unexpected Brake Activation
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2022-04-01Electrical system, visibility22V050000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2022-04-01Electrical system, seat belts22V045000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2022-04-12Electrical system, forward collision avoidance22V063000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2022-04-24Air bags22V104000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S vehicles. The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly.

Remedy: Tesla Service Centers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-001.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2022-06-06Electrical system, forward collision avoidance22V235000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2022-06-08Engineering analysisClosed 2024-04-25 Autopilot System Driver Controls
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2022-07-01Back over prevention, equipment22V296000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S, Model X, and 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating certain firmware releases.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will improve CPU temperature management, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2022-09-19Air bags22V526000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2022 Model S vehicles. The front bumper carrier structure may alter the vehicle's crash detection, causing the front passenger air bag to deploy incorrectly during certain low speed crashes.

Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the front bumper carrier structure, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 19, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-10-006.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
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2023-03-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2024-05-16 Front seat belt anchor detachment
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2023-03-31Visibility22V702000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2023-04-07Defect petitionClosed 2026-03-18 Defect Petition Interlock Request
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2023-04-15Steering23V085000 Tesla, Inc.

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

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2023-06-29Defect petitionOpen Sudden Unintended Acceleration
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2023-09-12Seat belts23V488000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.

Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect the front-row seat belts and connect the seat belts to pretensioner anchors, or replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023.

Check if this car was fixed →
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 →
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2024-01-02Air bags, steering23V743000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.

Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2024-02-17Electrical system, latches/locks/linkages23V862000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles. The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash.

Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-009.

Check if this car was fixed →
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 →
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2024-04-25Recall queryOpen Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
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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 →
R

2024-09-22Electrical system, latches/locks/linkages24V554000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.

Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2024-10-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2026-03-18 FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
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2025-01-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2026-04-03 Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
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2025-02-21Air bags24V967000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment.

Remedy: Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2025-05-20Air bags, electrical system25V172000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.

Remedy: Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2025-08-20Audit queryOpen Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
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2025-10-07Preliminary evaluationOpen Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
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2026-03-18Engineering analysisOpen FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
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Date not on fileBack over prevention26V283000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and Model X vehicles operating software version 2026.8.6. The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-001.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2022 Tesla Model S — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Forward collision avoidance: 46 reports on file for this year.
Steering: 21 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 26V283000 · Back over prevention
Recall 22V037000 · Electrical system, steering
Recall 22V050000 · Electrical system, visibility
Recall 22V045000 · Electrical system, seat belts
Recall 22V063000 · Electrical system, forward collision avoidance
Recall 22V104000 · Air bags
Recall 22V235000 · Electrical system, forward collision avoidance
Recall 22V296000 · Back over prevention, equipment
Recall 22V526000 · Air bags
Recall 22V702000 · Visibility
Recall 23V085000 · Steering
Recall 23V488000 · Seat belts
Recall 23V838000 · Electrical system
Recall 23V743000 · Air bags, steering
Recall 23V862000 · Electrical system, latches/locks/linkages
Recall 24V051000 · Electrical system
Recall 24V376000 · Seat belts
Recall 24V554000 · Electrical system, latches/locks/linkages
Recall 24V967000 · Air bags
Recall 25V172000 · Air bags, electrical system

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2022 Tesla Model S reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2022 Tesla Model S is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Tesla Model S?: The most-reported component is forward collision avoidance, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2022 Tesla Model S have?: 20 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.