CarOutlay

Tesla reliability complaints

NHTSA complaint and recall rollup for 33 Tesla make/model/year records in CarOutlay's dataset.

Pending review: this new brand hub is generated from real NHTSA rows and excluded from the sitemap until sampled. Data through 2026; reviewed June 2026.
NHTSA complaints
21,711
17,726 in the last 5 years
Vehicle records
33
make/model/year rows
Recall campaigns
434
raw NHTSA campaign count
Median complaints
483
per Tesla vehicle record

Most-reported Tesla problem areas

  • Forward Collision Avoidance 4,551

    26 Tesla records include this component family

  • Unknown Or Other 2,175

    31 Tesla records include this component family

  • Electrical System 1,551

    22 Tesla records include this component family

  • Suspension 1,229

    14 Tesla records include this component family

  • Vehicle Speed Control 1,047

    14 Tesla records include this component family

  • Steering 883

    19 Tesla records include this component family

  • Service Brakes 845

    9 Tesla records include this component family

  • Air Bags 128

    1 Tesla records include this component family

Highest raw complaint records

2021 Tesla Model Y 1,931 2023 Tesla Model Y 1,891 2018 Tesla Model 3 1,649 2022 Tesla Model Y 1,518 2022 Tesla Model 3 1,464 2021 Tesla Model 3 1,204 2015 Tesla Model S 1,053 2019 Tesla Model 3 1,023 2016 Tesla Model S 1,010 2020 Tesla Model 3 736 2023 Tesla Model 3 710 2016 Tesla Model X 681

Recall leaders

2020 Tesla Model Y 23 recalls 2021 Tesla Model S 23 recalls 2021 Tesla Model Y 22 recalls 2022 Tesla Model X 22 recalls 2019 Tesla Model 3 21 recalls 2021 Tesla Model 3 21 recalls

These are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle, and not financial, safety, or purchasing advice. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).