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#BS-2018-TESMOD-49262018 Tesla Model SProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 292 owners and 11 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 292 complaints, 65 crashes, 9 fires, and 11 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.1x the class average.
Top reported problems
mileage range is a lie
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
32 owners reported electrical issues — failures commonly reported around 14K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (79 reports) • Median: 14K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Electrical (32 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
2018 Tesla Model S: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2018 Tesla Model S, with 32 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 14,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 14K-mile mark.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control Issues
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2018 Tesla Model S, with 31 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Speed Control Issues
Speed Control complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2018 Tesla Model S, with 28 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to speed control-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking Issues
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2018 Tesla Model S, with 27 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking-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 2018 Tesla Model S. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (11 recalls)
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."
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
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 integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
+ 6 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.
2018 Tesla Model S NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
Not ratedFrontal crash
Not ratedSide crash
Not ratedRollover
★★★★★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 (17)
6 investigations still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS
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
+ 12 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.
2018 Tesla Model S vs. Class Average (Large Cars)
This vehicle
292
Class avg
139
2.1x 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. 292 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 11 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 30, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Tesla Model S Model Years
View all Tesla Model S years →2018 Tesla Model S: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2018 Tesla Model S Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 292 owner reports. Know before you buy.