2017 Tesla Model S 75d
Common Problems
Ranked from 160 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
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 - 2
Media Control Unit (MCU) Failure
21complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe MCU frequently fails, causing loss of critical functions such as navigation, climate control, and backup camera.
- 3
Recurring display issues leading to loss of vehicle controls
21complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe center console screen frequently blanks out or displays incorrectly, leading to loss of access to essential vehicle controls and safety features.
$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
Suspension issues leading to vehicle instability
16complaintsMedium severitySuspensionThe suspension system has been reported to have multiple failures, including broken parts and unusual noises, affecting the stability and handling of the vehicle.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Vehicle Speed Control Malfunction
12complaintsSafety riskOtherThe vehicle speed control malfunctions, causing the car to accelerate uncontrollably without warning.
- 7
Center touchscreen going blank or freezing
10complaintsMedium 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 - 8
Steering System Malfunction
9complaintsMedium severitySteeringSteering system issues, including loose or broken steering knuckles, can cause discomfort and potential loss of control during driving.
- 9
Forward collision avoidance system malfunctions
8complaintsMedium severityOtherThe forward collision avoidance system engages unexpectedly, causing sudden braking without any detected obstacles.
- 10
Front suspension forelinks failing
8complaintsHigh severitySuspensionThe front suspension 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 - 11
Suspension Ball Joint Failure
8complaintsHigh severitySuspensionThe ball joint on the suspension breaks, causing the car to lose control and potentially crash.
$300–$900est. control arm / ball joint replacement · 1.5–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Suspension Collapse During Reversing
8complaintsHigh severitySuspensionThe front 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 - 13
Uncontrollable Acceleration Without Warning
8complaintsSafety riskOtherThe car accelerates uncontrollably without warning, leading to crashes and property damage.
- 14
Unpredictable Acceleration in Parking
8complaintsSafety riskOtherThe car accelerates unexpectedly while attempting to park, leading to crashes and property damage.
- 15
Steering Failure During Reversing
7complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering system fails during reversing, causing the car to lose control and potentially crash.
- 16
Steering system failures
7complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering system malfunctions, causing the steering to lock or the car to veer off course, posing a significant safety risk.
- 17
Back-up camera and rearview mirror issues
6complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe back-up camera and rearview mirror intermittently fail, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of back-over incidents.
- 18
Steering Assist Issues
6complaintsMedium severitySteeringSteering assist features intermittently fail, causing difficulty in steering or lane changes.
- 19
Unintended Acceleration
6complaintsSafety riskOtherThe car accelerates unintentionally, posing a risk of hitting pedestrians or objects behind the vehicle.
- 20
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 - 21
Autopilot Malfunction
4complaintsMedium severityOtherAutopilot features fail to operate correctly, leading to lane departure or incorrect speed control.
- 22
Forward Collision Avoidance Malfunction
4complaintsMedium severityOtherForward collision avoidance systems fail to function correctly, leading to potential collisions.
- 23
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 - 24
Steering wheel locking up or becoming unresponsive
3complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering wheel locks up or becomes unresponsive during driving, posing a risk of loss of control and potential accidents.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 25
Back-up Camera Failure
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe back-up camera intermittently fails to turn on, reducing rear visibility.
- 26
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 - 27
Daytime Running Light Failure
2complaintsHigh severityOtherDaytime running lights fail prematurely, posing a safety hazard due to reduced visibility.
- 28
Door Latch Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severityOtherDriver-side door latches fail to release properly, potentially leading to serious injury in emergencies.
$200–$600est. door lock/latch repair · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 29
Lane Departure Assistance Failure
2complaintsMedium severityOtherLane departure assistance incorrectly initiates lane changes, putting the driver and others at risk.
- 30
Powertrain Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severityTransmissionPowertrain malfunctions cause unexpected acceleration, posing a safety risk.
- 31
Steering Assist Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringSteering assist malfunctions, requiring significant physical effort to turn the wheel.
- 32
Unreliable backup camera
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe backup camera stops working, requiring replacement or repair, though it is not a safety-critical issue.
$250–$800est. backup camera replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 33
Visibility and exterior lighting issues
2complaintsLow severityOtherHeadlights and daytime running lights are failing prematurely, reducing visibility and safety during driving.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes
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.