The Lemon Index
20232025Too new: partial score · still collecting complaints
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 12,426 in the U.S. in 2024 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 38 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
38 owner complaints, first 3 years 96–122 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 25V172000 (airbags), 25V002000 (back over prevention) and 24V967000 (airbags) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the lane-keeping warnings work without false alerts?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump 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 38 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
I was using summon to pull my car forward out of the parking spot and when I let go of the button the car continue driving forward indefinitely until I chased it down and touch the door handle
2024 Tesla Model S owner · NHTSA complaint 11642295
More owner reports
While FSD was engaged. It made a sudden aggressive, swerving maneuver with no warning towards the cars next to us, sounded alarms, and then forcefully disengaged nearly causing an accident
NHTSA complaint 11645936
10:33am driving manually very safely blinker on 5mph to turn into driveway. As i turn, sounds 3 beeps and displays “vehicle departing lane” on screen.
NHTSA complaint 11625689
Recalls 6
- Airbags · recall issued 2025
An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image.
- Airbags · recall issued 2024
The driver's air bag could tear during deployment.
Show all 6 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.
- 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.
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 | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Tesla Model S (All Variants) 5 HB AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $600–$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. 2024 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 2024 Tesla Model S reliable?
We can't score it: only 12,426 were sold in the U.S. in 2024 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2024 Tesla Model S problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lane assist (84%), electrical (21%) and steering (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2024 Tesla Model S have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2024 Tesla Model S have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2024 Tesla Model S cost in fuel a year?
About $600 to $800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Tesla Model S year is better than the 2024?
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