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#BS-2015-TESMOD-49262015 Tesla Model SProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 1,058 owners and 9 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 1,058 complaints, 114 crashes, 16 fires, and 9 recalls. Complaint rate is 9.5x the class average.
Top reported problems
door handles didnt pop out
1 complaints • Severity 6/10
touch screen went blank
1 complaints • Severity 6/10
ev charger port fell apart
1 complaints • Severity 6/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
262 owners reported electrical issues — failures commonly reported around 51K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 30–60K miles (250 reports) • Median: 51K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Electrical (262 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2015 Tesla Model S: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 25% of all reports filed for the 2015 Tesla Model S, with 262 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 51,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 51K-mile mark.
Suspension Issues
Suspension complaints account for 14% of all reports filed for the 2015 Tesla Model S, with 149 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to suspension-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 2015 Tesla Model S, with 51 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Lights Issues
Lights complaints account for 4% of all reports filed for the 2015 Tesla Model S, with 44 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to lights-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2015 Tesla Model S. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (9 recalls)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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.
PARKING BRAKE
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.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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."
+ 4 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2015 Tesla Model S NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (13)
3 investigations still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.
Battery Management Software Updates
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Pedestrian alert sounds
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Defect Petition Interlock Request
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
+ 8 more in the full report
The worst model year for the Tesla Model S is the 2013 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is electrical.
2015 Tesla Model S vs. Class Average (Large Cars)
This vehicle
1,058
Class avg
111
9.5x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical large cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 1,058 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 9 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 21, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Tesla Model S Model Years
View all Tesla Model S years →2015 Tesla Model S: Frequently Asked Questions
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 1,058 owner reports. Know before you buy.