Tesla Model S: best & worst years

No Tesla Model S model year rates as one to avoid in CarVitals data. The strongest years are 2019 and 2020. Below is every year (2012–2024) ranked best to worst, with the owner-reported problems behind each verdict.

Every Tesla Model S year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2024 Caution 7 Yoke steering wheel draws ergonomic complaints, and the yoke's wrap can peel; stalk-less controls from 2023 add to the gripes.; Phantom braking and false forward-collision alerts persist on Autopilot and adaptive cruise, heaviest on 2021-2022 cars.; Premature and uneven tire wear, with rear inside edges wearing quickly on the high-power Plaid. Full report ↗
2020 Recommended 7 Residual front-suspension wear: control arms and upper links still loosen or wear, though far less often than on the 2012-2017 cars.; Phantom braking: Autopilot or adaptive cruise applies the brakes for no obvious reason, a complaint that emerges on 2020 cars.; MCU2 touchscreen can still freeze or lag, but the eMMC failures of the earlier MCU1 hardware are largely resolved on 2018+ cars. Full report ↗
2019 Recommended 7 Residual front-suspension wear: control arms and upper links still loosen or wear, though far less often than on the 2012-2017 cars.; Phantom braking: Autopilot or adaptive cruise applies the brakes for no obvious reason, a complaint that emerges on 2020 cars.; MCU2 touchscreen can still freeze or lag, but the eMMC failures of the earlier MCU1 hardware are largely resolved on 2018+ cars. Full report ↗
2023 Caution 6 Yoke steering wheel draws ergonomic complaints, and the yoke's wrap can peel; stalk-less controls from 2023 add to the gripes.; Phantom braking and false forward-collision alerts persist on Autopilot and adaptive cruise, heaviest on 2021-2022 cars.; Premature and uneven tire wear, with rear inside edges wearing quickly on the high-power Plaid. Full report ↗
2022 Caution 6 Yoke steering wheel draws ergonomic complaints, and the yoke's wrap can peel; stalk-less controls from 2023 add to the gripes.; Phantom braking and false forward-collision alerts persist on Autopilot and adaptive cruise, heaviest on 2021-2022 cars.; Premature and uneven tire wear, with rear inside edges wearing quickly on the high-power Plaid. Full report ↗
2018 Caution 6 Residual front-suspension wear: control arms and upper links still loosen or wear, though far less often than on the 2012-2017 cars.; Phantom braking: Autopilot or adaptive cruise applies the brakes for no obvious reason, a complaint that emerges on 2020 cars.; MCU2 touchscreen can still freeze or lag, but the eMMC failures of the earlier MCU1 hardware are largely resolved on 2018+ cars. Full report ↗
2021 Caution 5 Yoke steering wheel draws ergonomic complaints, and the yoke's wrap can peel; stalk-less controls from 2023 add to the gripes.; Phantom braking and false forward-collision alerts persist on Autopilot and adaptive cruise, heaviest on 2021-2022 cars.; Premature and uneven tire wear, with rear inside edges wearing quickly on the high-power Plaid. Full report ↗
2017 Caution 5 Touchscreen / MCU eMMC failure: the center screen freezes or goes blank as the eMMC memory wears out, knocking out climate, charging and camera functions. Tesla recalled the affected MCU units.; Front-suspension fore-link, control-arm and ball-joint breakage is the defining problem of these years, with parts cracking or separating and steering pulling to one side.; Large drive-unit replacement: motor noise and coolant ingress lead to warranty drive-unit swaps on some cars. Full report ↗
2016 Caution 5 Touchscreen / MCU eMMC failure: the center screen freezes or goes blank as the eMMC memory wears out, knocking out climate, charging and camera functions. Tesla recalled the affected MCU units.; Front-suspension fore-link, control-arm and ball-joint breakage is the defining problem of these years, with parts cracking or separating and steering pulling to one side.; Large drive-unit replacement: motor noise and coolant ingress lead to warranty drive-unit swaps on some cars. Full report ↗
2015 Caution 4 Touchscreen / MCU eMMC failure: the center screen freezes or goes blank as the eMMC memory wears out, knocking out climate, charging and camera functions. Tesla recalled the affected MCU units.; Front-suspension fore-link, control-arm and ball-joint breakage is the defining problem of these years, with parts cracking or separating and steering pulling to one side.; Large drive-unit replacement: motor noise and coolant ingress lead to warranty drive-unit swaps on some cars. Full report ↗
2014 Caution 4 Touchscreen / MCU failure: the media control unit's eMMC flash memory wears out, causing the center screen to freeze or go black and the loss of climate, charging and backup-camera controls. Tesla issued a recall for the failing eMMC.; Front and rear suspension failures: lower control arms, ball joints and the front 'fore link' can crack or break, sometimes at low speed, letting a wheel separate. NHTSA logged many of these reports.; Large drive-unit (electric motor) replacement: owners report milling or whirring noise and coolant ingress through the rotor seal, with many early units replaced under warranty. Full report ↗
2013 Caution 4 Touchscreen / MCU failure: the media control unit's eMMC flash memory wears out, causing the center screen to freeze or go black and the loss of climate, charging and backup-camera controls. Tesla issued a recall for the failing eMMC.; Front and rear suspension failures: lower control arms, ball joints and the front 'fore link' can crack or break, sometimes at low speed, letting a wheel separate. NHTSA logged many of these reports.; Large drive-unit (electric motor) replacement: owners report milling or whirring noise and coolant ingress through the rotor seal, with many early units replaced under warranty. Full report ↗
2012 Caution 4 Touchscreen / MCU failure: the media control unit's eMMC flash memory wears out, causing the center screen to freeze or go black and the loss of climate, charging and backup-camera controls. Tesla issued a recall for the failing eMMC.; Front and rear suspension failures: lower control arms, ball joints and the front 'fore link' can crack or break, sometimes at low speed, letting a wheel separate. NHTSA logged many of these reports.; Large drive-unit (electric motor) replacement: owners report milling or whirring noise and coolant ingress through the rotor seal, with many early units replaced under warranty. Full report ↗

Tesla Model S problems by year

2024 Tesla Model S Caution

Newest used Model S: the lowest complaint volume of the refresh, long range and Plaid performance, still under the 8-year battery warranty. Divisive yoke/stalk-less ergonomics, a high price and high insurance keep it a considered buy.

  • Yoke steering wheel draws ergonomic complaints, and the yoke's wrap can peel; stalk-less controls from 2023 add to the gripes.
  • Phantom braking and false forward-collision alerts persist on Autopilot and adaptive cruise, heaviest on 2021-2022 cars.
  • Premature and uneven tire wear, with rear inside edges wearing quickly on the high-power Plaid.

2023 Tesla Model S Caution

More mature refresh (round wheel available again) with falling complaint volume; phantom braking and build-quality niggles remain. Long range, blistering performance and still within battery warranty, but a pricey used EV.

  • Yoke steering wheel draws ergonomic complaints, and the yoke's wrap can peel; stalk-less controls from 2023 add to the gripes.
  • Phantom braking and false forward-collision alerts persist on Autopilot and adaptive cruise, heaviest on 2021-2022 cars.
  • Premature and uneven tire wear, with rear inside edges wearing quickly on the high-power Plaid.

2022 Tesla Model S Caution

Refreshed Model S settling in: fewer faults than 2021 but phantom braking and the divisive yoke/stalk-less controls persist. Huge range and performance, offset by a high price and high insurance.

  • Yoke steering wheel draws ergonomic complaints, and the yoke's wrap can peel; stalk-less controls from 2023 add to the gripes.
  • Phantom braking and false forward-collision alerts persist on Autopilot and adaptive cruise, heaviest on 2021-2022 cars.
  • Premature and uneven tire wear, with rear inside edges wearing quickly on the high-power Plaid.

2021 Tesla Model S Caution

Plaid refresh launch year: new interior and up to ~1,020 hp, but the most complaints and recalls of the refresh, including yoke-steering ergonomics, phantom braking and premature tire wear. Spectacular performance with launch-quality teething to inspect for.

  • Yoke steering wheel draws ergonomic complaints, and the yoke's wrap can peel; stalk-less controls from 2023 add to the gripes.
  • Phantom braking and false forward-collision alerts persist on Autopilot and adaptive cruise, heaviest on 2021-2022 cars.
  • Premature and uneven tire wear, with rear inside edges wearing quickly on the high-power Plaid.

2020 Tesla Model S Recommended

Mature 'Raven' Model S with up-to-402-mile range and few reported faults; phantom braking on Autopilot is the notable new complaint. One of the strongest used classic years, tempered only by aging-EV repair and insurance cost.

  • Residual front-suspension wear: control arms and upper links still loosen or wear, though far less often than on the 2012-2017 cars.
  • Phantom braking: Autopilot or adaptive cruise applies the brakes for no obvious reason, a complaint that emerges on 2020 cars.
  • MCU2 touchscreen can still freeze or lag, but the eMMC failures of the earlier MCU1 hardware are largely resolved on 2018+ cars.

2019 Tesla Model S Recommended

One of the best classic Model S years: the 'Raven' drivetrain and air-suspension update plus MCU2 give the lowest complaint volume of any year. Excellent range and effortless performance; aging-EV repair and battery cost are the main watch-outs.

  • Residual front-suspension wear: control arms and upper links still loosen or wear, though far less often than on the 2012-2017 cars.
  • Phantom braking: Autopilot or adaptive cruise applies the brakes for no obvious reason, a complaint that emerges on 2020 cars.
  • MCU2 touchscreen can still freeze or lag, but the eMMC failures of the earlier MCU1 hardware are largely resolved on 2018+ cars.

2018 Tesla Model S Caution

Transition to the more reliable MCU2 hardware; complaint volume drops sharply. Class-leading range and performance with fewer early-era faults, though battery age and out-of-warranty repair cost remain the main cautions.

  • Residual front-suspension wear: control arms and upper links still loosen or wear, though far less often than on the 2012-2017 cars.
  • Phantom braking: Autopilot or adaptive cruise applies the brakes for no obvious reason, a complaint that emerges on 2020 cars.
  • MCU2 touchscreen can still freeze or lag, but the eMMC failures of the earlier MCU1 hardware are largely resolved on 2018+ cars.

2017 Tesla Model S Caution

Later classic Model S with Autopilot HW2; build quality is improving but suspension-link and MCU touchscreen failures still appear. A strong-range, quick used EV and among the better classic years if it has a clean service history.

  • Touchscreen / MCU eMMC failure: the center screen freezes or goes blank as the eMMC memory wears out, knocking out climate, charging and camera functions. Tesla recalled the affected MCU units.
  • Front-suspension fore-link, control-arm and ball-joint breakage is the defining problem of these years, with parts cracking or separating and steering pulling to one side.
  • Large drive-unit replacement: motor noise and coolant ingress lead to warranty drive-unit swaps on some cars.

2016 Tesla Model S Caution

Mid-cycle facelift year; still shares the era's high complaint volume, with suspension links and the recalled MCU eMMC touchscreen the headline issues. Fast, spacious and Supercharger-equipped, but plan for aging-EV repair costs.

  • Touchscreen / MCU eMMC failure: the center screen freezes or goes blank as the eMMC memory wears out, knocking out climate, charging and camera functions. Tesla recalled the affected MCU units.
  • Front-suspension fore-link, control-arm and ball-joint breakage is the defining problem of these years, with parts cracking or separating and steering pulling to one side.
  • Large drive-unit replacement: motor noise and coolant ingress lead to warranty drive-unit swaps on some cars.

2015 Tesla Model S Caution

Peak-complaint Model S year: front-suspension fore-link/control-arm breakage and MCU eMMC touchscreen failure (subject of a recall) dominate. Quick, long-range and practical, but a high-mileage 2015 needs careful inspection and a repair budget.

  • Touchscreen / MCU eMMC failure: the center screen freezes or goes blank as the eMMC memory wears out, knocking out climate, charging and camera functions. Tesla recalled the affected MCU units.
  • Front-suspension fore-link, control-arm and ball-joint breakage is the defining problem of these years, with parts cracking or separating and steering pulling to one side.
  • Large drive-unit replacement: motor noise and coolant ingress lead to warranty drive-unit swaps on some cars.

2014 Tesla Model S Caution

Early Model S with AWD now offered, but it still carries the era's touchscreen/MCU, drive-unit and suspension-link weak points and an aging battery. Strong range and performance for the money, but factor in costly out-of-warranty repairs.

  • Touchscreen / MCU failure: the media control unit's eMMC flash memory wears out, causing the center screen to freeze or go black and the loss of climate, charging and backup-camera controls. Tesla issued a recall for the failing eMMC.
  • Front and rear suspension failures: lower control arms, ball joints and the front 'fore link' can crack or break, sometimes at low speed, letting a wheel separate. NHTSA logged many of these reports.
  • Large drive-unit (electric motor) replacement: owners report milling or whirring noise and coolant ingress through the rotor seal, with many early units replaced under warranty.

2013 Tesla Model S Caution

The most-complained Model S year: drive-unit replacements, MCU/touchscreen eMMC failures and front/rear control-arm and ball-joint breakage are common. Thrilling and practical, but an aging early build that needs a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

  • Touchscreen / MCU failure: the media control unit's eMMC flash memory wears out, causing the center screen to freeze or go black and the loss of climate, charging and backup-camera controls. Tesla issued a recall for the failing eMMC.
  • Front and rear suspension failures: lower control arms, ball joints and the front 'fore link' can crack or break, sometimes at low speed, letting a wheel separate. NHTSA logged many of these reports.
  • Large drive-unit (electric motor) replacement: owners report milling or whirring noise and coolant ingress through the rotor seal, with many early units replaced under warranty.

2012 Tesla Model S Caution

First-year Model S: groundbreaking EV but the oldest battery and earliest build. Touchscreen/MCU, drive-unit and front-suspension link failures plus door-handle motors are known weak points. Safe and quick, but budget for out-of-warranty repairs.

  • Touchscreen / MCU failure: the media control unit's eMMC flash memory wears out, causing the center screen to freeze or go black and the loss of climate, charging and backup-camera controls. Tesla issued a recall for the failing eMMC.
  • Front and rear suspension failures: lower control arms, ball joints and the front 'fore link' can crack or break, sometimes at low speed, letting a wheel separate. NHTSA logged many of these reports.
  • Large drive-unit (electric motor) replacement: owners report milling or whirring noise and coolant ingress through the rotor seal, with many early units replaced under warranty.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Tesla models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.