Tesla Model S 60d
Problems & Worst Years
Every reported problem for the Tesla Model S 60d, model year by model year — ranked from 528 federal NHTSA complaints across 2016–2018.
Touchscreen and Media Control Unit failures define the 2016 and 2017 Tesla Model S 60D, with 453 and 321 total complaints respectively. In 2016, the center screen freezing or going blank accounts for 80 reports, and outright MCU failure adds 71 more, alongside general electrical glitches (69) and power-assist steering failure (47) — the latter worth a specific mention since it affects how much effort steering takes at low speed. A separate 40 reports describe unintended acceleration, rated safety-severity.
The 2017 model year carries the highest safety-severity count for this trim, six out of 37 problem categories, and the touchscreen theme intensifies: 21 reports each describe the screen freezing or blacking out while driving, a resulting loss of audio and other functions, an inability to start the car because of the touchscreen malfunction, and recurring display issues described as causing a loss of vehicle controls — four separate complaint titles pointing at what looks like one underlying MCU or touchscreen fault. Suspension failure is the single largest complaint that year at 40 reports.
By 2018, complaint volume drops sharply to 63 total, but unintended acceleration remains the top entry (28 reports, safety-rated), with suspension failure (9) and a steering assist reduction complaint (5, also safety-rated) continuing smaller versions of the earlier themes.
No recalls are attached to any of these three years in this dataset. Given the touchscreen's role isn't cosmetic in this car — complaints describe it affecting the ability to start the vehicle at all — testing the screen thoroughly, including a cold start, is worth doing before buying an early 60D. The 2018 model's lower volume likely reflects fewer of these cars in service that late rather than a fix having been found, so don't read the smaller number as an all-clear, since complaint counts track what owners reported, not a measured defect rate; a pre-purchase inspection and service history remain the better evidence.
Tesla Model S 60d problems by year
Complaint volume by model year (bar = relative to the worst year). Theworst yearsare the most-complained-about, weighted by safety-risk problems.
| Year | Complaint volume | Problems | Safety / High | Most common problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016worst | 308 | 15 | 1/8 | Center Media Control Unit (MCU) screen freezing or going blank Electrical · 80 complaints |
| 2017worst | 162 | 37 | 6/15 | Suspension Failure Suspension · 40 complaints |
| 2018worst | 58 | 9 | 2/3 | Unintended Acceleration Other · 28 complaints |
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls, 2016–2018. Problem clustering and year rankings are derived from the complaint record; complaint volume reflects reports filed, not total incidence or fault rate. Vehicle image is illustrative.