CarRecallWatchThe 2018 Tesla Model S has 11 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 170 complaints with NHTSA, including 36 crashes, 3 fires, 21 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Forward Collision Avoidance (70 reports).
2018 Tesla Model S recalls
Seat belt warning may not sound for unbelted driver
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.
Muted pedestrian alert sounds can raise crash risk
A factory reset can mute the Pedestrian Warning System sounds on certain Tesla Model S, Model 3, and Model X vehicles.
Dashboard brake and ABS warning text too small to read easily
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
This recall covers vehicles with Autosteer, an SAE Level 2 driver-assistance feature.
Software may let vehicle run intersections or exceed speed limits
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
Certain electric power steering systems may lose power assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
Rearview Camera May Lag When Reversing, Raising Crash Risk
Certain Tesla Model 3, Model S, and Model X vehicles from 2017 to 2020 may not show the rearview camera image right away when the car starts to reverse.
Vehicles May Roll Through All-Way Stops, Raising Crash Risk
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
The front trunk (frunk) latch assembly on certain Model S vehicles may be misaligned.
False Braking Alerts Could Cause Sudden Stops
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
The center display's storage memory can wear out over time.
Most common 2018 Tesla Model S problems
Problem areas named in the 170 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 70 |
| Unknown Or Other | 36 |
| Electrical System | 35 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 28 |
| Service Brakes | 25 |
| Suspension | 20 |
| Steering | 15 |
| Lane Departure | 14 |
| Structure | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 |
What owners report
On October 15, 2026, at about 9:09 AM, I was driving my 2018 Tesla Model S to work. I had the car up to the 65 mph speed limit and let off the accelerator. Instead of slowing down from regenerative braking like it normally does, the car kept speeding up slowly to about 70 mph without me touching the pedal. Regen had stopped working completely. Then an audible alarm went off, the PRND lights on the dash lit up, the screen told me to pull over immediately, and the car lost drive power completely. My work was only about a mile away, so I kept going. After about 30 seconds the alert cleared, power and regen came back, and the car drove normally the rest of the way. When I parked and checked th
Full self driving mode floored the accelerator on our vehicle and after a few seconds immediately cut off the self driving feature display a fault code.
I pulled my Tesla Model S in a parking lot, and as I turned the car into a parking spot, the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb next to the parking lot and hit a tree. The car speed when I pulled into the parking lot and then into a parking spot was very low. so I was very surprised and startled to see the car suddenly on its own accelerating and jumping the curb.
Tesla designs a single piece headlight with no serviceable parts. This includes headlights, high beams, and namely daytime running lights. All of these components are on an LED strip that overheats and un-solders due to this high heat, which causes premature failure. Some owners have reported as little as 3 months of life before failing. The daytime running lights are essential for safety driving in low light situations. These daytime running lights are seemingly built to fail. The lights dim then eventually no longer work. Tesla's solution is to have the customer purchase a brand new headlight at $2,500. My vehicle is 2018 Tesla s with 43,400 miles and always kept in carnage. Tesla should
Car was in summon mode and crashed into a fence . Caused damage to frond end of the car
2018 Tesla Model S questions
Does the 2018 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls for the 2018 Tesla Model S: Seat belt warning may not sound for unbelted driver; Muted pedestrian alert sounds can raise crash risk; 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. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Tesla Model S?
Based on 170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Forward Collision Avoidance (70), Unknown Or Other (36), Electrical System (35).
How do I check if a recall on my 2018 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.