2017 Tesla Model S Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

9 safety recalls on file

The 2017 Tesla Model S has 9 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 431 complaints with NHTSA, including 55 crashes, 4 fires, 23 injuries.

The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (115 reports).

9Recalls
431Owner complaints
55Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your Model S?

A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

2017 Tesla Model S recalls

Seat belt warning may not sound for unbelted driver

Recall 24V376May 28, 2024125,233 vehicles affected

Some Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may have a seat belt warning light and chime that do not activate as intended when the driver is unbelted.

Dashboard brake and ABS warning text too small to read easily

Recall 24V051Jan 30, 20242,193,869 vehicles affected

The instrument panel on these Tesla vehicles displays the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights in an incorrect font size.

Driver Misuse Risk With Autosteer Driver-Assist Feature

Recall 23V838Dec 12, 20232,031,220 vehicles affected

This recall covers vehicles with Autosteer, an SAE Level 2 driver-assistance feature.

Software may let vehicle run intersections or exceed speed limits

Recall 23V085Feb 15, 2023362,758 vehicles affected

Certain Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta software, or with that software pending installation, may act unsafely around intersections.

Steering May Lose Power Assist on Rough Roads

Recall 22V818Nov 1, 202240,168 vehicles affected

Certain electric power steering systems may lose power assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.

Vehicles May Roll Through All-Way Stops, Raising Crash Risk

Recall 22V037Jan 27, 202253,822 vehicles affected

Certain Tesla vehicles equipped with the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the "rolling stop" function to take the vehicle through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a complete stop.

Hood May Open Unexpectedly While Driving

Recall 21V00BDec 21, 2021130,441 vehicles affected

The front trunk (frunk) latch assembly on certain Model S vehicles may be misaligned.

False Braking Alerts Could Cause Sudden Stops

Recall 21V846Oct 29, 202111,728 vehicles affected

Some Tesla vehicles from 2017 to 2019 may have a communication error in their forward collision avoidance system.

Center Display Can Fail, Losing Rearview Camera and Turn Signals

Recall 21V035Jan 29, 2021134,951 vehicles affected

The center display's storage memory can wear out over time.

Most common 2017 Tesla Model S problems

Problem areas named in the 431 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Electrical System115
Suspension107
Unknown Or Other96
Forward Collision Avoidance90
Steering49
Vehicle Speed Control36
Lane Departure28
Exterior Lighting28
Service Brakes25
Back Over Prevention21

What owners report

2026-10-27, Steering
While I was on the highway driving with my daughter in the car with me the steering wheel detached mid drive on the highway I am so thankful there was no one behind me in front of me, but I couldn’t turn. I couldn’t even properly move. I had to call the cops so they could safely help me get out of this situation. This not only affected me. It could’ve been a hazard to everyone around me it could’ve been a hazard to me and my daughter that was inside the vehicle. What irritates me the most about the situation is because I have went and got the same issue service by Tesla and then they said that it was repaired and that this issue was solved and now the same exact thing happened again
2026-10-26, Vehicle Speed Control
Tesla's Full Self Driving does not allow the operator to choose a maximum, never-exceed speed. If the perceived speed limit is wrong, which happens often, the ADAS becomes very dangerous driving much too fast.
2026-10-21, Forward Collision Avoidance
Vehicle was driving on "supervised full self driving" mode westbound on Braddock Rd at 3:50pm near Willow Springs Elementary school. Posted speed limit on Braddock Rd is 45mph but there was an active 25mph school zone limitation at that time, indicated via flashing speed limit sign. Vehicle ignored the sign and traveled at 38mph through the entire school zone.
2026-10-08, Power Train
I am reporting a suspected defect in the rear Large Drive Unit (LDU) of my vehicle, a 2017 Tesla Model S P100D with approximately 40,815 miles. The component involved is the rear drive unit’s rotor seal, which is known to allow engine coolant to leak into the motor. The concern is safety-related. Tesla coolant is electrically conductive and can form a conduction path inside the motor and inverter, and coolant can also damage bearings. Once coolant enters the drive unit, the result can be electrical faults, loss of drive power. If the drive unit fails while the vehicle is moving, especially at highway speeds, it could cause a sudden loss of propulsion or reduced braking-related regenerati
2026-10-07, Forward Collision Avoidance
The new defects with audible chimes and safety alerts are a direct consequence of the 8GB eMMC safety recall service performed by Tesla my car is now not warning me with any chimes or sounds related with safety features of the car. Tesla are attempting to charge me to correct safety defects introduced by Tesla's own recall repair. ​Confirmation that Tesla refuses to repair the new, service-induced safety defects at no cost. My concern is that I brought the vehicle to Tesla fully functional and drivable, and immediately following the 8GB eMMC recall service, the vehicle became undrivable due to the infotainment computer failure. ​Since this occurred immediately following a Tesla-performed

2017 Tesla Model S questions

Does the 2017 Tesla Model S have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls for the 2017 Tesla Model S: Seat belt warning may not sound for unbelted driver; Dashboard brake and ABS warning text too small to read easily; Driver Misuse Risk With Autosteer Driver-Assist Feature; Software may let vehicle run intersections or exceed speed limits; Steering May Lose Power Assist on Rough Roads. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Tesla Model S?

Based on 431 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (115), Suspension (107), Unknown Or Other (96).

How do I check if a recall on my 2017 Tesla Model S has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

Other Tesla Model S years

Other 2017 Tesla models