2020 Tesla Model S problems
Owners have filed 123 complaints about the 2020 Tesla Model S with NHTSA. Forward collision avoidance accounts for 25.2% of them — the clear leader, ahead of suspension at 11.4%.
Complaints123
Crashes25
Fires0
Injuries8
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Forward collision avoidance 25.2% · 31
Unknown or other 11.4% · 14
Suspension 11.4% · 14
Steering 8.1% · 10
Vehicle speed control 6.5% · 8
Electrical system 5.7% · 7
Service brakes 4.9% · 6
Power train 4.9% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 25 describe a crash and 8 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 10 model years of the Tesla Model S in this data, 2020 draws comparatively few complaints; 2015 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 29 in the last three years against 72 in the three before. The issues here may already have been addressed.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 2,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Driving on freeway speed 80mph with no other cars around the car slammed on brakes while on cruise control. It was able to accelerate and the next time I put the cruise control on a few minutes later it slammed on brakes again. Car clean no warning that it was trying to avoid an unseen object. Drove rest of the way without cruise control on and no problems. Forward collision avoidance
The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100. Forward collision avoidance · reported at 100 miles
While driving with adaptive cruise control or auto pilot the car will apply the breaks for flashing yellow lights. Random times there is nothing around and it will just tap the breaks lunging you forward then contrinues as normal. Forward collision avoidance
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Tesla Model S years
2016 1,027 complaints · 20.4% suspension 2017 673 complaints · 16.9% electrical system 2018 288 complaints · 24.0% forward collision avoidance 2021 279 complaints · 22.2% forward collision avoidance 2022 198 complaints · 22.7% forward collision avoidance 2023 162 complaints · 15.4% forward collision avoidance