2017 Tesla Model S 60
Common Problems
Ranked from 187 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
33 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Suspension Failure
36complaintsHigh severitySuspensionSuspension components, particularly the front control arm, have been reported to fail, leading to dangerous driving conditions.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Infotainment system failures leading to loss of safety features
21complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe infotainment system frequently fails, leading to loss of safety features such as backup camera, navigation, and climate control, posing a significant safety risk.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Loss of audio and other functions when touchscreen malfunctions
21complaintsMedium severityElectricalWhen the touchscreen malfunctions, it often leads to loss of audio, climate control, and other critical functions, making the car difficult to operate safely.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Touchscreen freezing or blacking out during driving
21complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe touchscreen frequently freezes or blacks out, causing loss of access to essential features such as navigation, climate control, and safety systems.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Media Control Unit (MCU) Failure
20complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe MCU frequently fails, causing loss of critical functions such as navigation, climate control, and backup camera.
- 6
Suspension issues leading to unsafe driving conditions
17complaintsHigh severitySuspensionSuspension components have been breaking or malfunctioning, leading to unsafe driving conditions and potential loss of control.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Steering System Malfunction
14complaintsHigh severitySteeringSteering system failures lead to loss of control, including steering wheel locking and unexpected steering behavior.
- 8
Vehicle Speed Control Malfunction
13complaintsSafety riskOtherThe vehicle speed control malfunctions, causing the car to accelerate uncontrollably or fail to decelerate properly.
- 9
Electrical System Issues
12complaintsMedium severityElectricalMultiple electrical system failures cause the touchscreen to fail, leading to loss of control of various vehicle functions.
- 10
Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunction
12complaintsMedium severityOtherThe forward collision avoidance system engages unexpectedly, causing sudden and aggressive braking without warning.
- 11
Brake System Malfunction
8complaintsHigh severityOtherUnexpected brake engagement occurs while driving, leading to sudden and aggressive braking without warning.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Center touchscreen going blank or freezing
8complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe central touchscreen display frequently goes blank or freezes, causing loss of vehicle functionality and distraction to the driver.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Steering Failure During Reversing
8complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering linkage or ball joint fails during reversing, causing the car to lose control.
- 14
Suspension Ball Joint Failure
8complaintsHigh severitySuspensionThe ball joints on the suspension break, causing the car to lose control during driving or reversing.
$300–$900est. control arm / ball joint replacement · 1.5–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Suspension Collapse During Reversing
8complaintsHigh severitySuspensionThe front or rear suspension collapses during reversing, causing the car to lose control and potentially crash.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Uncontrollable Acceleration Without Warning
8complaintsSafety riskOtherThe car accelerates uncontrollably without warning, leading to crashes and property damage.
- 17
Front Suspension Links Failing
7complaintsHigh severitySuspensionSuspension forelinks are breaking, causing tires to rub against the wheel wells and leading to loss of control.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Steering Assist Issues
7complaintsMedium severitySteeringSteering assist systems malfunction, causing difficulty in steering or erratic behavior.
- 19
Suspension Link Breakage During Backing Out
6complaintsHigh severitySuspensionSuspension links break when backing out of driveways, causing significant damage and loss of control.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Autopilot Malfunction
5complaintsMedium severityOtherAutopilot functions improperly, leading to lane departure, lane swerving, or unexpected acceleration.
- 21
Power Steering Failure
5complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe power steering system fails, making it extremely difficult to steer the vehicle.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 22
Steering Lock-up
5complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel locks up, making it impossible to steer the vehicle.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 23
Unpredictable Lane Departure
5complaintsSafety riskOtherThe vehicle suddenly attempts to make an unexpected lane change, leading to collisions or near-misses.
- 24
Back-up camera and rearview mirror failure
4complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe back-up camera and rearview mirror fail to function properly, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents during reversing.
- 25
Front suspension control arm failure
4complaintsHigh severitySuspensionThe front suspension control arm breaks unexpectedly under low-speed conditions, causing the car to lift and potentially leading to loss of control.
$300–$900est. control arm / ball joint replacement · 1.5–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 26
Visibility and Wiper System Failures
3complaintsLow severityOtherHeadlights and wipers fail prematurely, reducing visibility and safety during driving conditions.
- 27
Back Over Prevention System Failure
2complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe back over prevention system intermittently fails to operate, posing a safety risk during reversing.
- 28
Backup Camera Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe backup camera sometimes displays a frozen image from an earlier time, posing a risk to drivers when reversing.
$250–$800est. backup camera replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 29
Door Latch Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severityOtherDriver-side door latches malfunction, preventing the door from opening from the outside, posing a safety risk in emergencies.
$200–$600est. door lock/latch repair · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 30
Exterior Lighting Failure
2complaintsMedium severityOtherDaytime running lights and exterior lighting frequently fail, reducing visibility and potentially leading to accidents.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 31
Steering Assist Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringSteering assist occasionally fails, requiring manual effort to turn the wheel, increasing the risk of loss of control.
- 32
Steering wheel locking up or becoming unresponsive
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel locks up or becomes unresponsive during driving, posing a significant safety risk to the driver and passengers.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 33
Unintended Acceleration
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe car has suddenly accelerated uncontrollably, leading to potential loss of control and accidents.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.