The Lemon Index
20202022Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,653 in the U.S. in 2021 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 155 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
155 owner complaints, first 3 years 96–120 MPGe combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Lexus ES 462021 BMW 5 Series 652021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 81
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2021 Tesla Model S
- Phantom braking (collision system)10 complaints
- Engine stalling9 complaints
Specific parts named in the 179 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Tesla Model S (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 13 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V283000 (back over prevention), 25V172000 (airbags) and 24V967000 (airbags) done? It has 24 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Tesla's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 155 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 17K miles (2K to 28K km) on the car (13 of all 155 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Driving on divided highway at night, the car slowed dramatically at each exit from the highway.
2021 Tesla Model S owner · NHTSA complaint 11562107
More owner reports
The vehicle intermittently brakes for no reason with the cruise control enabled. This is going to cause an accident.
NHTSA complaint 11487383
Another automatic phantom braking throwing us toward in the car with no objects or other cars in proximity.
NHTSA complaint 11521948
Recalls 24
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- Airbags · recall issued 2025
An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
- Airbags · recall issued 2024
The driver's air bag could tear during deployment.
Show all 24 recalls
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2024
The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2024
In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended.
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued 2024
A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
- Electrical · recall issued 2024
An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.
- Electrical · recall issued 2023
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.
- Steering · recall issued 2023
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.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2023
The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.
- Steering · recall issued 2023
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…
- Visibility · recall issued 2022
When using the incorrect mirrors, the driver may misjudge the distance of other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Steering · recall issued 2022
The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
- Visibility · recall issued 2022
The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2022
The infotainment central processing unit (CPU) may overheat during the preparation or process of fast-charging, causing the CPU to lag or restart.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
- Airbags · recall issued 2022
The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2021
The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued 2021
A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR AWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR AWD Early Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWD Early Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model S 5 HB AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $650–$800 (USD) a year in electricity (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year).
Every Tesla Model S year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Tesla Model S reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,653 were sold in the U.S. in 2021 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 155 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2021 Tesla Model S problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (37%), steering (16%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Tesla Model S have?
24 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2021 Tesla Model S safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2021 Tesla Model S have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Tesla Model S cost in fuel a year?
About $650 to $800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Tesla Model S year is better than the 2021?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about 3 times the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works