The Recall Desk

Vehicle

Tesla Model S · 2021

24 recalls affect this vehicle. Sorted by severity, then date.

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1–24 of 24

  • Severity pendingNHTSA·22V104000·2022-02-23

    Tesla Model S Side Curtain Air Bag Inflator Defect

    Tesla is recalling 2021-2022 Model S vehicles due to side curtain air bag inflators that may have been assembled incorrectly. This could cause delayed air bag deployment during a crash, increasing injury risk.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·26V283000·2026-05-04

    Tesla rearview camera image may be delayed when reverse is selected

    Tesla is recalling certain vehicles running software version 2026.8.6 because the rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse, breaching FMVSS 111.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL 3, MODEL X, MODEL Y, MODEL S
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·25V172000·2025-03-19

    Tesla Model S and X may have an inoperative horn

    Tesla is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles because an airbag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL X, MODEL S
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·24V967000·2024-12-23

    Tesla Model S and Model X driver airbags could tear during deployment

    Tesla is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles because the driver's airbag could tear during deployment, failing FMVSS 208 and 212.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL X, MODEL S
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·24V554000·2024-07-24

    Tesla hood latches may not detect an unlatched hood after opening

    Tesla is recalling certain 2020-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles because the hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood. 1,849,638 units affected.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL 3, MODEL Y, MODEL X
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·24V376000·2024-05-28

    Tesla seat belt warning light and chime may not activate

    Tesla is recalling certain 2012-2024 vehicles because the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate for an unbelted driver, failing FMVSS 208. A free over-the-air update fixes it.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X, MODEL 3, MODEL Y
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·24V153000·2024-02-27

    Tesla Recalls Vehicles With Muted Pedestrian Warning Sounds

    Tesla is recalling certain 2013-2022 Model S, X, 3, and Y vehicles because a factory reset can mute the Pedestrian Warning System sounds, increasing crash risk for pedestrians.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL 3, MODEL Y, MODEL X, MODEL S
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·23V838000·2023-12-12

    Tesla Model Y Autosteer Recall: Software Update for Control Prominence

    Tesla is recalling 2.03 million 2012-2023 Model S/X/3/Y vehicles with Autosteer due to insufficient control prominence that may allow driver misuse and crash risk. A free OTA software update will be provided.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X, MODEL 3, MODEL Y
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·23V743000·2023-11-03

    Tesla Model S and Model X Incorrect Air Bag Recall

    Tesla is recalling 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles because an incorrect air bag was installed when the steering wheel was replaced. The incompatible air bag could deploy incorrectly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·23V488000·2023-07-14

    Tesla Model S and Model X seat belts may detach in crash

    Tesla is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles because front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to pretensioner anchors and could detach. A detached seat belt may fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·23V085000·2023-02-15

    Tesla Model S Full Self-Driving Beta Software Recall for Unsafe Driving

    Tesla's Full Self-Driving Beta software in 2020 Model S and other models may cause vehicles to drive unsafely through intersections or ignore speed limits. Tesla will provide a free over-the-air software fix.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL X, MODEL S, MODEL 3, MODEL Y
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·22V818000·2022-11-01

    2017-2021 Tesla Model S and Model X power steering assist loss

    Tesla is recalling 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles due to power steering assist failure on rough roads or after hitting potholes, which increases crash risk.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·22E092000·2022-11-01

    Tesla 2021 Model S Rearview Mirrors Recalled for Visibility Defect

    Tesla is recalling 2021 Model S exterior rearview mirrors that do not meet federal rear-visibility standards. Defective mirrors may cause drivers to misjudge vehicle distances, raising crash risk.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·22V702000·2022-09-19

    Tesla Model 3 window automatic reversal system may pinch occupants

    Tesla recalls 2017–2022 Model 3, 2020–2022 Model Y, and 2021–2022 Model S/X vehicles whose automatic window reversal system may fail to detect obstructions and pinch occupants. A free software update will fix the issue.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL 3, MODEL Y, MODEL S, MODEL X
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·22V296000·2022-05-03

    2022 Tesla Model 3 Infotainment CPU Failure Risk During Fast Charging

    Tesla is recalling 2022 Model 3 vehicles where the infotainment CPU may overheat during fast charging, causing the center display to lag or restart, potentially preventing critical safety information from displaying.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X, MODEL Y, MODEL 3
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·22V235000·2022-04-12

    Tesla Model S Boombox function obscures pedestrian warning system sounds

    Tesla is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, X, Y and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox feature can obscure Pedestrian Warning System sounds while driving. A free software update will disable Boombox in Drive, Neutral, and Reverse modes.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL 3, MODEL X, MODEL Y, MODEL S
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·22V063000·2022-02-04

    Tesla Model Y Boombox Feature May Obscure Pedestrian Warning System

    Tesla is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles because the Boombox feature can obscure the Pedestrian Warning System sounds, creating a collision risk. Tesla will disable the Boombox in Drive, Neutral, and Reverse modes via software update.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL 3, MODEL X, MODEL Y, MODEL S
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·22V050000·2022-02-02

    Tesla Model Y, S, X, and 3 windshield defrosting software defect

    Tesla is recalling 2020-2022 Model Y, S, X, and 3 vehicles due to a heat pump software error that reduces windshield defrosting performance. This may decrease driver visibility and increase crash risk.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL Y, MODEL 3, MODEL X
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·22V045000·2022-02-01

    Tesla vehicles seatbelt warning chime may fail to activate

    Tesla is recalling vehicles with seatbelt warning chimes that may not activate when the driver has not fastened their seat belt. The fix is a free over-the-air software update.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL 3, MODEL Y, MODEL S, MODEL X
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·22V037000·2022-01-27

    Tesla Vehicles: Full Self-Driving Software May Skip Required Stops

    Tesla is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The Full Self-Driving (Beta) software rolling stop feature may allow vehicles to pass through all-way stop intersections without stopping, increasing crash risk.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X, MODEL 3, MODEL Y
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·21V00B000·2021-12-21

    Tesla Model S Hood Latch Misalignment Could Cause Unexpected Hood Opening During Driving

    Tesla is recalling 2014-2021 Model S vehicles due to a misaligned front trunk latch assembly that may prevent the secondary hood latch from engaging. This could allow the hood to open unexpectedly during driving, obstructing the driver's view and increasing crash risk.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·21V868000·2021-11-09

    2021 Tesla Model X and Model S driver air bags may tear during deployment

    Tesla is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles because the driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment, potentially failing to protect occupants in a crash. Tesla will replace the air bag free of charge.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL X, MODEL S
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·21V846000·2021-10-29

    Tesla Model 3 Forward Collision Avoidance System Software Error

    Tesla is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model 3, S, X, and Y vehicles due to a software error that may cause false forward-collision warnings or unexpected automatic emergency brake activation. No injuries have been reported.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X, MODEL 3, MODEL Y
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide
  • Severity pendingNHTSA·24V051000·2024-01-30

    Tesla brake warning light font size fails federal display standard

    Tesla is recalling certain 2012-2024 vehicles because the Brake, Park and ABS warning lights display at an incorrect font size, failing FMVSS 105 and 135. A free over-the-air update fixes it.

    Product
    TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X, MODEL 3, MODEL Y
    Category
    Vehicle
    Distribution
    Distributed nationwide

NHTSA crash-test safety rating

Federal 5-Star Safety Rating from crash testing. This is a separate government program from the recall(s) above — a high star rating says nothing about whether a specific recall has been fixed, and a recall says nothing about crash-test performance.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), a federal crash-test program — not a recall record.

Wider context for this vehicle

Beyond the official recalls above. These are third-party figures derived from NHTSA complaint data — useful signal, but not part of our verified recall record.

Federal investigations — 6 open

  • PE26006 Preliminary Evaluation · open · suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
  • EA26002 Engineering Analysis · open · electrical system:adas
  • PE25012 Preliminary Evaluation · open · electrical system:adas
  • AQ25002 Audit Query · open · electrical system:adas
  • PE24033 Preliminary Evaluation · electrical system:adas:autonomous/self driving
  • PE24031 Preliminary Evaluation · electrical system:adas

Complaint clusters with no matching recall

  • 2014 · suspension 82 complaints, median 20,000 mi
    Includes 1 alleging a death and 1 alleging a fire. Unverified owner allegations from complaint filings — not confirmed by any agency.
  • 2013 · suspension 79 complaints, median 45,000 mi
    Includes 5 alleging a fire. Unverified owner allegations from complaint filings — not confirmed by any agency.
  • 2013 · powertrain 31 complaints, median 110,400 mi
  • 2014 · powertrain 24 complaints

Technical service bulletins

398 manufacturer service bulletins across 15 model years. A TSB is repair guidance to dealers, not a safety recall.

Third-party reliability score

  • 2025: 4.8/5
  • 2024: 4.4/5
  • 2023: 3.7/5
  • 2022: 3.0/5 · 136 complaints
  • 2021: 1.4/5 · 176 complaints · most complained-of: steering

This is ProblemsByVin’s own published heuristic (1 worst – 5 best), not an official rating and unrelated to our severity scale.

Data on this panel comes from ProblemsByVin, derived from US NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, and licensed CC BY 4.0. It is not published by a federal agency and is not part of our verified recall record.

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