2023 Tesla Model S recalls and problems

The 2023 Tesla Model S has 13 safety recalls and 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Tesla dealer.

Recalls
13
Complaints
115
Crashes / fires
8 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2023 Tesla Model S vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2023 Tesla Model S recalls

Recall 26V-283: Back Over Prevention

Reported May 4, 2026 · 218,868 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and Model X vehicles operating software version 2026.8.6. The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-001.

Recall 25V-172: Air Bags, Electrical System

Reported Mar 19, 2025 · 91 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.

Risk: An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.

Recall 24V-967: Air Bags

Reported Dec 23, 2024 · 487 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 212, "Windshield Mounting."

Risk: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.

Recall 24V-554: Latches/Locks/Linkages, Electrical System

Reported Jul 24, 2024 · 1,849,638 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.

Risk: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.

Recall 24V-376: Seat Belts

Reported May 28, 2024 · 125,233 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

Recall 24V-051: Electrical System

Reported Jan 30, 2024 · 2,193,869 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

Recall 24V-035: Back Over Prevention

Reported Jan 22, 2024 · 199,575 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, X, and Y vehicles equipped with full self-driving computer 4.0 and running a software release version 2023.44.30 through 2023.44.30.6 or 2023.44.100. Software instability may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.

Risk: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-002.

Recall 23V-862: Electrical System, Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Dec 19, 2023 · 120,423 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles. The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Risk: An unlocked door may unlatch and open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-009.

Recall 23V-838: Electrical System

Reported Dec 12, 2023 · 2,031,220 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

Risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

Recall 23V-743: Air Bags, Steering

Reported Nov 3, 2023 · 194 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.

Risk: An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.

Recall 23V-489: Forward Collision Avoidance

Reported Jul 14, 2023 · 1,337 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The forward-facing camera may be misaligned, causing some of the active safety features such as emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane assist to become unavailable without alerting the driver.

Risk: Safety features that are unavailable without any warning to the driver may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and adjust the pitch angle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-17-006.

Recall 23V-488: Seat Belts

Reported Jul 14, 2023 · 15,869 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.

Risk: A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Tesla Service will inspect the front-row seat belts and connect the seat belts to pretensioner anchors, or replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-004.

Recall 23V-085: Steering

Reported Feb 15, 2023 · 362,758 vehicles affected · Tesla, Inc.

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

Risk: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

2023 Tesla Model S problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Unknown or Other58
Forward Collision Avoidance27
Steering21
Electrical System10
Vehicle Speed Control7
Service Brakes6
Visibility/Wiper6
Wheels5
Exterior Lighting5
Lane Departure4
Suspension4
Structure3

Most reported parts

  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 13
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 9
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 5
  • Structure › Body — 3
  • Electrical System › Horn — 3
  • Lane Departure › Warning — 2
  • Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 1
  • Lane Departure › Assist — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 150,332 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2023 Tesla Model S complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes · reported Oct 25, 2026
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…
Vehicle Speed Control · reported Sep 30, 2026
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.
Service Brakes · reported Sep 9, 2026
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…
Steering · reported Aug 28, 2026
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 23–24, 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…
Unknown or Other · reported Aug 10, 2026
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.

Other Tesla Model S years

Compare all Tesla Model S years · All Tesla models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2023 Tesla Model S have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2023 Tesla Model S: 26V-283 (back over prevention), 25V-172 (air bags, electrical system), 24V-967 (air bags), 24V-554 (latches/locks/linkages, electrical system), 24V-376 (seat belts) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2023 Tesla Model S?

Owners report unknown or other problems most often (58 reports), followed by forward collision avoidance (27). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 150,332 miles.

Are Tesla recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Tesla dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.