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#BS-2021-TESMOD-49262021 Tesla Model S
Based on reports from 269 owners and 23 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 269 complaints, 28 crashes, 2 fires, and 23 recalls. Complaint rate is 6.1x the class average.
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
29 owners reported steering issues — failures commonly reported around 6K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (19 reports) • Median: 6K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Steering (29 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
2021 Tesla Model S: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2021 Tesla Model S, with 29 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 6,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 6K-mile mark.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking Issues
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2021 Tesla Model S, with 26 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.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control Issues
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2021 Tesla Model S, with 24 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.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2021 Tesla Model S, with 21 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-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 2021 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 (23 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."
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHION
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model S exterior side rearview mirrors, part numbers: 1622232-00-B and 1622233-00-B. The driver side exterior rearview mirrors are convex (curved glass) and the passenger side mirrors do not include the "Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear" etched warning. As such, these mirrors fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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.
+ 18 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.
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.
2021 Tesla Model S vs. Class Average (Large Cars)
This vehicle
269
Class avg
44
6.1x 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. 269 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 23 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Tesla Model S Model Years
View all Tesla Model S years →2021 Tesla Model S: Frequently Asked Questions
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Does the 2021 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
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What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
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Get the Full 2021 Tesla Model S Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 269 owner reports. Know before you buy.