CarRecallWatchThe 2020 Tesla Model S has 11 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA, including 16 crashes, 8 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Forward Collision Avoidance (31 reports).
2020 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.
External speaker can drown out pedestrian warning sounds
Certain Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles from model years 2017 through 2022 have a Boombox feature that can play sounds through the external speaker while the vehicle is moving.
External speaker can drown out EV pedestrian warning sounds
Certain Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles have a Boombox feature that can play sound through an external speaker while the car is moving.
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.
Most common 2020 Tesla Model S problems
Problem areas named in the 80 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 31 |
| Suspension | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Structure | 5 |
| Wheels | 4 |
What owners report
The vehicle has been taken to Tesla multiple times due to ongoing controllability and safety concerns. The Autopilot system will occasionally brake unexpectedly at green lights or when another vehicle is passing on the right side. The vehicle has also experienced repeated drivetrain issues, including the half shafts failing at least four times within a short period. During acceleration, the vehicle can be difficult to control at times, and the wheels exhibit noticeable vibration. Despite replacing two full sets of tires within two years and completing multiple balancing and service attempts, the issue has not been resolved. These ongoing problems have contributed to premature tire wear and
The rear doors have emergency release cables in case the power is cut during a collision. These cables are hidden, not glowing, and have a small square pull on the end that is difficult to find and pull. I had great difficulty in testing the function to ensure the emergency cable pulls worked. They need to have a glowing T-handle on the end to facilitate location and movement, and the emergency cable location should be marked and visible in the car, just like the emergency hood and truck release are.
Rear emergency release cable does not open the trunk. The latch mechanism failed with a trunk full of groceries, I pushed down the rear setts to access the trunk compartment and crawled back and popped open the emergency release cable and it did not function. I have a service for the car scheduled for Dec 2nd to repair/replace the latch mechanism.
Wheels: From the original purchase of the vehicle, I had a small air leak from the right rear tire. I addressed this with Tesla and they said nothing was wrong. I lived with it adding pressure from time to time. When it was time to replace the tires because the originals were only good for 20,000 miles at most. Upon replacing the tires, it was discovered that the right rear rim was cracked which explained why it was leaking all this time. Not long after the tire replacement, I experienced another leak on the right front. I brought it back in to check for a leak in the tire and again discovered it was cracked also, but had 2 cracks in this one ð¡. I discussed this with the tire shop and he
On 09/18 , I was using the Smart Summon feature of my Tesla Model S in the parking lot of Costco, Greenwood (Indianapolis, IN). The intent was to have the vehicle autonomously navigate from its parked spot toward my location, as designed and advertised by Tesla. During the Summon operation: 1.The vehicle failed to correctly detect and avoid a fixed obstacle (the cart return stand where shopping carts are housed). 2.Instead of stopping or rerouting safely, the car collided with the structure, causing visible damage to the front of the vehicle. 3.While there was no damage to public property or injury to people, the incident demonstrated a serious safety risk, since pedestrians or nearby vehic
2020 Tesla Model S questions
Does the 2020 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls for the 2020 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 2020 Tesla Model S?
Based on 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Forward Collision Avoidance (31), Suspension (14), Unknown Or Other (14).
How do I check if a recall on my 2020 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.