Free Preview
#BS-2022-TESMOD-49262022 Tesla Model SProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 205 owners and 20 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 205 complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, and 20 recalls. Complaint rate is 3.3x the class average.
Preview: What's in your full report
Each card shows a real sample from your report — unlock all 10 sections from $2.00
Mechanic Inspection Checklist
26 owners reported forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control issues — failures commonly reported around 2K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (8 reports) • Median: 2K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control (26 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
2022 Tesla Model S: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control Issues
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control complaints account for 13% of all reports filed for the 2022 Tesla Model S, with 26 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 2,236 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 2K-mile mark.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2022 Tesla Model S, with 21 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2022 Tesla Model S, with 16 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-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 7% of all reports filed for the 2022 Tesla Model S, with 15 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 2022 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 (20 recalls)
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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S vehicles. The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly.
+ 15 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.
2022 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 (13)
5 investigations still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS
Pedestrian alert sounds
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Defect Petition Interlock Request
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Autopilot System Driver Controls
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
+ 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.
2022 Tesla Model S vs. Class Average (Large Cars)
This vehicle
205
Class avg
62
3.3x 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. 205 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 20 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 →2022 Tesla Model S: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2022 Tesla Model S?
Is the 2022 Tesla Model S reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2022 Tesla Model S problems?
Does the 2022 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
What mileage do Tesla Model S problems start?
When was the 2022 Tesla Model S data last updated?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
What if the report isn’t useful?
Get the Full 2022 Tesla Model S Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 205 owner reports. Know before you buy.