The Lemon Index
20222024Too new: partial score · still collecting complaints
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,052 in the U.S. in 2023 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 114 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
114 owner complaints, first 3 years 120 MPGe combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V283000 (back over prevention), 25V172000 (airbags) and 24V967000 (airbags) done? It has 13 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 114 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 →
In owners' words
nhtsa recall 23V-838; TC2023-657 has made my car less safe to drive. The constant nagging and nannying requires me to take attention off the road. Please stop.
2023 Tesla Model S owner · NHTSA complaint 11561109
More owner reports
No proper horn button, this is a major safety issue. Horn should be in the center or steering wheel. Almost got into crash.
NHTSA complaint 11565357
Phantom breaking. I picked up my new Model S on Sept 7th. While on the thruway on AutoPilot, the car will suddenly brake. I am not near to anyone. This is a hazard.
NHTSA complaint 11544761
Recalls 13
- 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 13 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.
- 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.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2024
Software instability may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2023
The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash.
- 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.
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued 2023
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.
- 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…
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 AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model S (All Variants) 5 HB AWD Early Release | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $650 (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. 2023 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 2023 Tesla Model S reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,052 were sold in the U.S. in 2023 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 114 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2023 Tesla Model S problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (23%), steering (18%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Tesla Model S have?
13 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 2023 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 2023 Tesla Model S have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2023 Tesla Model S cost in fuel a year?
About $650 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Tesla Model S year is better than the 2023?
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