2024 Tesla Model S: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 316 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, automatic emergency braking, and backup camera. The 8 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2024- Owner complaints
- 316
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes reported
- 55
- 45 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/8 checked
2024 Tesla Model S: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Model S is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2024 Tesla Model S. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | AWD | 402 mi range |
- With a full charge, the range estimate on the dash should land near the EPA figure of 402 miles. A much lower number on a mild day can mean a worn battery; ask for a battery health report.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
AP4 computer and camera failure
1,000–4,000 miles
Driver-assist crashes
1,024–6,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2024 Tesla Model S, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical5511 crashes
Unintended acceleration leads this category, most often at parking-lot and driveway speeds, and drivers say braking does not stop it. Several crashes happen with Full Self-Driving or Autopilot engaged, including turns into parked cars and curbs. A second pattern is a failed AP4 computer that knocks out every camera, GPS, cruise control and emergency braking, often around 1,000 miles. Owners then wait weeks for a back-ordered replacement. One report describes a fire while the car was charging in a garage. A driver's window that closes by itself and pinches a hand also appears.
Automatic emergency braking485 crashes
Phantom braking dominates. The car brakes hard with nothing ahead, sometimes from highway speed, with or without cruise control on, and drivers report near rear-end collisions. Some say repeated service visits and camera cleaning did not help. Other reports describe Full Self-Driving steering into parked cars and a collision warning that sounded too late. The AP4 computer failure also appears here, disabling emergency braking at around 1,000 to 2,500 miles while owners wait weeks for parts. Software updates that changed braking and speed behavior draw safety complaints.
Backup camera253 crashes
The backup camera goes black, usually because every camera on the car fails at once. Owners tie this to a failed AP4 computer that appears within the first months, often between 1,000 and 2,015 miles. Part shortages push service dates back, and loaners are rarely offered. Parking sensors, blind-spot warnings and navigation drop out too, and the mirrors may stay dark. Separately, the rear view disappears from the screen when the driver adjusts climate or other controls while reversing, and some drivers then hit cars behind them.
Steering228 crashes
Locking, jerking or unresponsive wheels show up in these reports, sometimes at highway speed. Drivers describe the wheel locking during turns, sharp corrections on wet roads that spin the car, and uncommanded swerves under Full Self-Driving or Autopilot. Several reports end in crashes with injuries, including a rollover and a tree strike. Others report lane-departure steering input with the feature turned off, lost power assist, and an off-center wheel. Service sometimes declines repair because no fault code is stored.
Acceleration and cruise control207 crashes
Sudden surges forward happen mostly while parking or creeping up a driveway, and the car hits garage doors, walls or stone columns. One report describes a crash followed by a fire and a door that would not open. Phantom braking from highway speed also appears. Full Self-Driving updates draw complaints about removed manual speed adjustment and misread speed limits that leave the car too slow or too fast. The AP4 computer failure shows up here as well, disabling cruise control and cameras while owners wait for parts.
Lane keeping191 crash
A failed AP4 computer is the main reason lane keeping and lane departure warnings stop working, and it takes all cameras, GPS and the backup camera with it. This hits nearly new cars, from 56 miles up to around 4,000, and some owners say it started after a software update. Back-ordered computers mean weeks of waiting, usually without a loaner. Separately, Autopilot or Full Self-Driving steers across lanes or a double yellow line, and one injury crash followed a sudden pull across three lanes. Pillar cameras also report being blinded on dark roads.
Brakes124 crashes
Hard automatic braking with nothing ahead is the main pattern, sometimes to a full stop from highway speed, with or without cruise control. Drivers describe being thrown forward and near rear-end collisions, and service often finds nothing wrong. A smaller set of reports says the brakes failed to stop the car during unintended acceleration or on wet roads, ending in spins and crashes. Other complaints cite a stiff pedal with weak regenerative braking, a front motor shutdown that cut power steering and ABS, and a confusing parking-brake indicator.
Airbags95 crashes
Some crashes end with no deployment, including frontal impacts after reported unintended acceleration and a side impact where only the passenger-side bags fired. Other reports describe safety restraint fault messages for specific seats that come back after service. Some owners also see a passenger airbag that reads off with an adult belted in, or a seat-belt warning that never triggers. Service has blamed software or a low-voltage pin, and owners report repeat faults and month-long waits for appointments.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Model S owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Unknown. Drove car in front of garage. Car came to a full stop. About to put car into reverse from drive in order to back into the garage, when car suddenly accelerated forward. Turned wheel sharply to the left in order avoid hitting neighbors fences. Vehicle traveled in an arch and collided with a tree next to an fence and stopped.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2024
The vehicle would not stop and ran into the back of a friend. I am not safe in the vehicle as we were in a parking lot no way I could’ve reached top speed.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2024
When Adaptive cruise control is on random phantom braking occurs. It can be very severe and drops speeds of 20-30 miles within seconds. Occurs on highways and is random and occurs daily. ( multiple times in a day) Has been serviced 4 times and Tesla cleans the cameras and adjusts them. It has progressively gotten worse and Tesla said don't bring it in because they cannot fix it. They describe it as a software update.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2026
My 2024 Tesla Model Y hit a parked vehicle on the right side of the street during FSD self driving. The car suddently slanted to the right and hit the parked vehicle. During FSD drive, it did not give any warning before the accident. My dauther was injured on her face. Clearly the new version FSD v14.1 software is very defective. I am located in San Jose, CA.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2025
All cameras stopped working. Blind spot detection not working. Blinkers stopped working. No parking assist. Auto wipers . Adas not working. Screen auto brightness not working. Clicking when letting off accelerator. We damaged our tire and rim due to this issue.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2024
Park assist error message when put car in reverse. No visualizations on display. Early collision not working. Several times (not in this instance) backup camera has been black and does not show an image. Sentry system error message. FSD offline. (may not be a safety issue but wanted to provide information as it would show other errors in the system affecting safety) I have a scheduled appointment with the service center in February.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
Attempted to make a right turn, which the steering wheel then locked; unable to control car. Resulted in the car hitting two restaurant signs. Front right side of the car damaged, right side damage, no air bags deployed. No warning lamps or messages prior to failure. Vehicle not yet inspected, waiting for appointment (August 21st)
Filed with NHTSA, July 2024
Sometimes while making ordinary and safe traffic maneuvers the Lane Departure Warning system sometimes emits a very loud, distracting, and startling emergency chime. In particular it does this while turning into parking garages or driveways, which are already high-workload moments with high likelihood of nearby pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
How the 2024 compares with other Model S years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2024 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 8 Model S years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical5562
- Automatic emergency braking48133
- Backup camera251
- Steering2270
- Acceleration and cruise control2072
- Lane keeping195
Where the 2024 fits in the Model S's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2024 is the 12th model year of the Model S's first generation (2013 on).
It includes the 2021 update.
What changed for 2021
- Significant update including redesigned interior
- Introduction of high-performance Plaid model
Recalls to confirm (10)
Recall repairs are free at any Tesla dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V172000AirbagsMar 2025
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.
25V002000Backup cameraJan 2025
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Tesla will also identify any vehicles that experienced a circuit board failure, or stress that may lead to a circuit board failure, and replace the affected computers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-001.
24V967000AirbagsDec 2024
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.
24V935000Wheels and tiresDec 2024
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems.".
Risk: Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-018.
24V904000Exterior lightsDec 2024
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Model X vehicles. The parking lights and low beam headlights may flicker. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: Flickering headlights or parking lights may not suffciently illuminate the roadway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. All vehicles were updated by September 17, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-017.
24V886000SeatsNov 2024
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Model Y vehicles. The weld attaching the seat recliner mechanism to the front seat backs may fail.
Risk: The seat back frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Tesla service will replace the seat assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-13-004.
24V554000Door latches and locksJul 2024
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.
24V376000Seat beltsMay 2024
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.
24V051000ElectricalJan 2024
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.
23V743000SteeringNov 2023
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.
Also looking at these instead of a Model S?
Cars shoppers compare with the Tesla Model S, with their own 2024 checklists.
2024 owner complaints, side by side
- Audi e-tron GT1
- Volvo S901
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class7
- Hyundai Ioniq 633
- 2024 Tesla Model S316
