2017 Tesla Model S P90d
Common Problems
Ranked from 159 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
24complaintsHigh severitySuspensionSuspension components, particularly the front control arm, have been reported to fail, leading to sudden and potentially dangerous malfunctions.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
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 - 3
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 - 4
Media Control Unit (MCU) Failure
20complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe MCU frequently fails, causing loss of critical functions such as navigation, climate control, and backup camera.
- 5
Random blackouts of the main screen
20complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe main screen of the car randomly goes black, leading to loss of all functions controlled by the touchscreen until it reboots.
- 6
Inability to start the car due to touchscreen issues
18complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe car may not start if the touchscreen is malfunctioning, leaving the driver unable to use any of the car's controls until the system reboots.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Front suspension control arm failure
14complaintsHigh severitySuspensionThe front suspension control arm breaks unexpectedly under low-speed conditions, leading to loss of vehicle stability.
$300–$900est. control arm / ball joint replacement · 1.5–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Steering System Malfunction
11complaintsMedium severitySteeringSteering issues, including sudden loss of control and unusual noises, have been reported, affecting driving safety.
- 9
Forward collision avoidance system malfunctions
10complaintsMedium severityOtherThe forward collision avoidance system is intermittently engaging the brakes without cause, posing a risk of accidents.
- 10
Center display screen failure
8complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe central touchscreen display intermittently goes blank or freezes, causing loss of vehicle functionality and distraction.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
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 - 12
General system failures
8complaintsMedium severityOtherVarious unspecified system failures are reported, including dashboard malfunctions and software issues.
- 13
Back-up camera and visibility issues
7complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe back-up camera and exterior lighting systems fail, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents during reversing operations.
- 14
Visibility and exterior lighting issues
7complaintsLow severityOtherExterior lighting and visibility issues are reported, including headlight and daytime running light failures.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Uncontrollable Acceleration
6complaintsSafety riskOtherThe car can suddenly accelerate without the driver's input, even when the brake pedal is pressed, leading to potential crashes and property damage.
- 16
Lane departure warning system failure
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe lane departure warning system malfunctions, leading to loss of critical safety warnings and increased risk of accidents.
- 17
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 - 18
Steering Ball Joint Failure
5complaintsMedium severitySteeringBall joints in the steering system can break or wear out, causing difficulty in steering and potentially leading to loss of control.
$300–$900est. control arm / ball joint replacement · 1.5–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Steering wheel lock-up
5complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel locks up or becomes unresponsive, posing a risk to the driver's ability to control the vehicle.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Suspension Collapse
5complaintsHigh severitySuspensionThe air suspension can collapse on all four wheels, causing the car to lose stability and potentially leading to loss of control or rollover.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Wheel and tire damage
5complaintsHigh severityOtherThe wheel or tire can become detached or damaged, leading to potential loss of vehicle control and safety risks.
- 22
Autopilot Malfunction
4complaintsMedium severityOtherAutopilot malfunctions cause the vehicle to lose control or fail to respond to commands, posing a safety risk.
- 23
Steering Assist Issues
4complaintsMedium severitySteeringSteering assist may be reduced or fails entirely, leading to difficulty in controlling the vehicle.
- 24
Back-up Camera Failure
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe back-up camera intermittently fails to turn on, reducing rear visibility.
- 25
Backup Camera Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe backup camera sometimes shows a frozen image from an earlier time, posing a risk for drivers reversing into obstacles.
$250–$800est. backup camera replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 26
Daytime Running Light Failure
2complaintsHigh severityOtherDaytime running lights fail prematurely, posing a safety hazard due to reduced visibility.
- 27
Door handle defects
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe door handles extend and retract improperly, potentially causing wire failures and difficulty opening doors.
$200–$600est. door lock/latch repair · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 28
Electrical System Intermitency
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe central touchscreen and instrument cluster intermittently fail, affecting vehicle operation and safety.
- 29
Steering Assist Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringSteering wheel becomes unresponsive or requires excessive force, increasing the risk of loss of control.
- 30
Steering UJoint Binding
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering universal joint binds, leading to inconsistent steering feel and potential loss of control.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 31
Suspension clunking noise
2complaintsLow severitySuspensionAn abnormal clunking noise occurs during slow-speed driving, indicating potential suspension system failure.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 32
Unintended Acceleration
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe car has suddenly accelerated without driver input, leading to potential loss of control and accidents.
- 33
Vehicle Speed Control Issues
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe vehicle speed control system malfunctions, causing the car to accelerate or decelerate uncontrollably.
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.