CarRecallWatchThe 2023 Tesla Model S has 13 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 115 complaints with NHTSA, including 8 crashes.
The most-reported problem area is Unknown Or Other (58 reports).
2023 Tesla Model S recalls
Delayed Rearview Camera Image Raises Backover Crash Risk
Certain Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles running software version 2026.8.6 may show the rearview camera image late after the vehicle is shifted into reverse.
Horn May Not Sound Due to Wrong Steering Air Bag Pad
Some Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles may have been built with a steering wheel air bag that has the incorrect horn pad.
Driver Airbag May Tear During Deployment
Certain Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles from model years 2021 through 2024 may have a driver's frontal airbag cushion that could tear when the airbag deploys.
Hood May Open While Driving, Blocking View
Certain Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles may have a hood latch assembly that fails to detect when the hood has not been fully latched after being opened.
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.
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.
Rearview camera image may fail to display in reverse
Certain vehicles equipped with full self-driving computer 4.0 and running specific software versions may experience software instability that prevents the rearview camera image from appearing on the screen.
Cabin doors can unlock in a crash, raising injury risk
Certain Model S and Model X vehicles from 2022 and 2023 may have cabin doors that unlock during a crash.
Driver Misuse Risk With Autosteer Driver-Assist Feature
This recall covers vehicles with Autosteer, an SAE Level 2 driver-assistance feature.
Wrong driver airbag may deploy incorrectly in crash
Some steering wheels or yokes were replaced with a different style, but an airbag not designed for that replacement may have been installed.
Front Seat Belts May Detach in a Crash
Certain front-row seat belts may not be properly connected to the pretensioner anchors, which means the belt can come loose from its attachment point.
Forward Camera May Misalign, Disabling Automatic Braking Without Warning
The forward-facing camera on certain 2023 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles may be misaligned.
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.
Most common 2023 Tesla Model S problems
Problem areas named in the 115 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 58 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 27 |
| Steering | 21 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 6 |
| Wheels | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Lane Departure | 4 |
What owners report
While driving at freeway speed at about 9:15 PM with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) engaged, the car suddenly jerked and told me to take over. Several safety systems then failed at once: ABS disabled (ESP_a025), stability control disabled (DI_a222), traction control disabled (DI_a223), Automatic Emergency Braking unavailable (APP_w009), Vehicle Hold disabled (DI_a245, DI_a246), steering assist reduced (UI_a020), and lane departure avoidance unavailable (APP_w264). Steering became very heavy and regenerative braking stopped, so the car coasted freely and would only slow with the brake pedal. I exited the freeway and drove slowly home. The alerts stayed active after a reboot. The car was towed
Tesla removed speed control from their "full self-driving" product. They have removed the ability to conveniently switch to normal cruise control (have to pull over on freeway or get off freeway to park first) and speed profiles use outdated map data and frequently suddenly change speeds. Sometimes they go away faster than the speed limit and sometimes the car suddenly drops 20mp less in the middle of freeway traffic.
Catastrophic structural failure of the rear driver-side (LH) brake caliper assembly on a 2023 Tesla Model S Plaid at approximately 18,036 miles. While driving normally on a public roadway, the factory-installed rear LH brake caliper bolts backed out completely due to improper assembly torque or a latent material defect. The unbolted caliper detached entirely from its mounting bracket and collapsed into the spinning wheel barrel. The caliper became violently wedged between the wheel rim and the rotor, instantly puncturing the wheel, flattening the driver-side rear tire, damaging the passenger-side (RH) rear tire, and causing an immediate loss of vehicle control. The loose caliper acted as
My 2023 Tesla Model S has a horn activated by a small button on the right side of the steering wheel rather than by pressing the center of the steering wheel. During a recent dangerous traffic situation, I needed to use the horn immediately to warn another driver, but I could not locate and activate the horn button quickly enough while concentrating on avoiding the hazard. No collision occurred. The incident occurred approximately on August 23â24, 2026; I do not recall the exact date. I reported this to Tesla as a safety concern. Tesla confirmed that my vehicle can be converted to the newer steering wheel configuration with a mechanical center horn. Tesla initially quoted $1,177.34 for t
My Tesla Model S has a touch-sensitive horn button on the right side of the steering wheel. In urgent situations, I've often had difficulty quickly locating it to get another driver's attention. Tesla quoted me $1800 to replace the steering wheel with a model that has the horn in the center, like most other cars. This is a safety concern because owners shouldn't have to pay to move the horn for safety reasons. Tesla should be required to retrofit any model with a touch button for the horn to one with the horn in the center of the steering wheel.
2023 Tesla Model S questions
Does the 2023 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls for the 2023 Tesla Model S: Delayed Rearview Camera Image Raises Backover Crash Risk; Horn May Not Sound Due to Wrong Steering Air Bag Pad; Driver Airbag May Tear During Deployment; Hood May Open While Driving, Blocking View; Seat belt warning may not sound for unbelted driver. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Tesla Model S?
Based on 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Unknown Or Other (58), Forward Collision Avoidance (27), Steering (21).
How do I check if a recall on my 2023 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.