2015 TESLA MODEL S — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1,044
Owner Complaints
9
Recalls
13
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2015 TESLA MODEL S
The 2015 TESLA MODEL S has received a total of 1,044 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 12 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. 13 technical service bulletins have been issued by Tesla, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (258 complaints), Unknown Or Other (189 complaints), and Suspension (148 complaints).
Recalls for the 2015 TESLA MODEL S
NHTSA has recorded 12 recalls for the 2015 TESLA MODEL S, potentially affecting up to 5,241,067 vehicles.
Recall 24V376000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
| 125,233 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash...
Consequence: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 24V376000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
| 125,233 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash...
Consequence: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 24V051000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
| 2,193,869 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number...
Consequence: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 23V838000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:DRIVER MONITORING:SOFTWARE
| 2,031,220 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the...
Consequence: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 21V00B000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
| 130,441 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System."
Consequence: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-11-003.
View full details →Recall 21V035000 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
| 134,951 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the...
Consequence: The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller,...
View full details →Recall 21V035000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
| 134,951 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the...
Consequence: The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller,...
View full details →Recall 21V035000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
| 134,951 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the...
Consequence: The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller,...
View full details →Recall 19V002000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 68,673 vehicles affected
Defect: 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-19-20-001.
View full details →Recall 18V204000 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
| 70,421 vehicles affected
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.
Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
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. Tesla's number for...
View full details →Recall 17V260000 — PARKING BRAKE
| 31,709 vehicles affected
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.
Consequence: If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Tesla's number for this recall...
View full details →Recall 15V780000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT
| 59,415 vehicles affected
Defect: Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Model S vehicles manufactured May 31, 2012, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver or front passenger seat belts that may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.
Consequence: If the seat belt is not correctly attached to the pretensioner, it may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
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. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2015 TESLA MODEL S
1,044 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 TESLA MODEL S. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Parking brake has locked on and cannot be released
Tesla Model S has a notorious back hatch latching failure. It’s a flawed design that every replacement is a “when” and not “if for failure. As an owner its failed be about 4-5 times in 5+ years of ownership. The hatch back latching issue causes cruise control as well as their Autopilot steering navigation feature to be disabled when latch starts acting up or failing to fully close, which are helpful safety components to keep your car on the road going at proper speeds and staying in lane. Reporting this in hopes someone pushes Tesla to do something about this flaw that should be a manufacturers defect.
Tesla Model S has a notorious back hatch latching failure. It’s a flawed design that every replacement is a “when” and not “if for failure. As an owner its failed be about 4-5 times in 5+ years of ownership. The hatch back latching issue causes cruise control as well as their Autopilot steering navigation feature to be disabled when latch starts acting up or failing to fully close, which are helpful safety components to keep your car on the road going at proper speeds and staying in lane. Reporting this in hopes someone pushes Tesla to do something about this flaw that should be a manufacturers defect.
Tesla Model S has a notorious back hatch latching failure. It’s a flawed design that every replacement is a “when” and not “if for failure. As an owner its failed be about 4-5 times in 5+ years of ownership. The hatch back latching issue causes cruise control as well as their Autopilot steering navigation feature to be disabled when latch starts acting up or failing to fully close, which are helpful safety components to keep your car on the road going at proper speeds and staying in lane. Reporting this in hopes someone pushes Tesla to do something about this flaw that should be a manufacturers defect.
The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH at night, one of the headlights became inoperable. The contact stated that both headlights had become intermittently inoperable, causing the contact to hesitate to drive the vehicle due to safety concerns. Upon investigating the issue online, the contact learned that several other vehicle owners were experiencing similar failures. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Safety Rating for the 2015 TESLA MODEL S
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2015 TESLA MODEL S in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2015 TESLA MODEL S
Tesla, Inc. has issued 13 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2015 TESLA MODEL S. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
ManualA — EQUIPMENT
Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner?s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner?s manual content...
DocumentationA — EQUIPMENT
Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner?s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner?s manual content...
SB-18-13-002 R2 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
On some Model S base trim front seats, the forward inboard Huck BOM fastener and pivot bushing (nearest to the center console) used on the front lift links may develop an interactive clearance condition, which might result in a rocking motion in the seat. This does not affect performance, but...
SB1917005R1 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On some Model X vehicles, a pinched electrical wiring harness at the liftgate might create an obstruction alert, causing the power function of the liftgate not to operate. The liftgate can still be manually opened and closed.
SB-18-13-002 R1 — SEATS
On some Model S base trim front seats, the forward inboard Huck BOM fastener and pivot bushing (nearest to the center console) used on the front lift links may develop an interactive clearance condition, which might result in a rocking motion in the seat. This does not affect performance, but...
SB-19-20-001 R1 — AIR BAGS
The propellant in the front passenger airbag inflator might degrade over time, which could cause the inflator body to rupture in the event the airbag is deployed.
SB-18-32-002 R3 — STEERING
Long-term exposure to high-corrosion environments might weaken the bolts that attach the power steering motor to the steering rack housing.
SB-17-13-005 R1 — SEATS
On some Model S and Model X 1st row seats, the Huck BOM fastener and pivot bushing used on the front lift links may develop an interactive clearance condition, which might result in a rocking motion in the seat. This does not affect performance, but may result in customer dissatisfaction.
SB-17-10-006 R1 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
On Model S, the windshield wiper motor bracket might become loose, resulting in a popping or clicking noise during windshield wiper operation.
SB-15-16-002 R1 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
It is possible to accidentally break off the aeroshield support tab from the HV Battery. If the tab breaks, the mid aeroshield is not fully supported, reducing the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle. The operation of the HV Battery is not affected.
Showing 10 of 13 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2015 TESLA MODEL S
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the TESLA MODEL S
- 2012 TESLA MODEL S — 86 complaints
- 2013 TESLA MODEL S — 661 complaints
- 2014 TESLA MODEL S — 531 complaints
- 2015 TESLA MODEL S (current)
- 2016 TESLA MODEL S — 993 complaints
- 2017 TESLA MODEL S — 663 complaints
- 2018 TESLA MODEL S — 282 complaints
- 2019 TESLA MODEL S — 69 complaints
- 2020 TESLA MODEL S — 120 complaints
Other TESLA Models
- TESLA MODEL 3 — 7,131 total complaints
- TESLA MODEL Y — 6,500 total complaints
- TESLA MODEL X — 2,274 total complaints
- TESLA CYBERTRUCK — 168 total complaints
- TESLA SEMI — 6 total complaints
- TESLA ROADSTER — 3 total complaints
- TESLA ROADSTER2 — 2 total complaints
- TESLA ROBOTAXI (MODEL Y) — 1 total complaint