2024 Tesla Model S
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control is the largest identified problem area: 20 of 38 complaints (53%) mention it. 23 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised. Complaints mentioning Electrical include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 113 in 2023 to 38 in 2024.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs. 2024 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 650–750 | 650 | 600–800 | 600–800 | 600–800 | |
| Combined MPGe | 101–120 | 120 | 96–122 | 93–124 | 93–124 | |
| City / Highway MPGe | 102–124 / 99–115 | 124 / 115 | 100–127 / 91–116 | 97–132 / 89–116 | 97–132 / 89–116 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Complaints filed | 136 | 113 | 38 | 6 | 3 | |
| Recalls issued | 20 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2024 Tesla Model S have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2024 Tesla Model S get?
EPA rates it 96–122 MPGe combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2024 Tesla Model S?
EPA estimates $600–$800 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 127 MPGe (high) | 116 MPGe (high) | 122 MPGe (high) | $600 (low) | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 111 MPGe | 103 MPGe | 107 MPGe | $700 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 100 MPGe (low) | 91 MPGe (low) | 96 MPGe (low) | $800 (high) | 0 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 23 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN; AIR BAGS · Campaign 25V172000 · Mar 20, 2025
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
Consequence: An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · Campaign 25V002000 · Jan 7, 2025
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Tesla will also identify any vehicles that experienced a circuit board failure, or stress that may lead to a circuit board failure, and replace the affected computers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-001.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHION · Campaign 24V967000 · Dec 26, 2024
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Consequence: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 24V554000 · Jul 25, 2024
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
Consequence: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES · Campaign 24V376000 · May 29, 2024
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR · Campaign 23V743000 · Nov 6, 2023
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.
Consequence: An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.