2015 Tesla Model S: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 1045 complaints
1045
Total Complaints
51,000mi
Median Mileage
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Top Issue
114
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

27,550 25th Percentile
51,000 Median Mileage
72,500 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
258
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
189
SUSPENSION
148
STEERING
51
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
43
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
40
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
31
VISIBILITY/WIPER
29
POWER TRAIN
29
STRUCTURE:BODY
27

Severity Assessment

114
Crashes
16
Fires
41
Injuries
6
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"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. MAJOR DAMAGE ON THE TESLA CAR IS ON DRIVER SIDE AT BACK, W..."
"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."
"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. THERE ARE MANY VIDEOS UP ON YOUTUBE SHOWING OWNERS DRIVING F..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28