The Lemon Index
2024Too new: partial score · still collecting complaints
Complaints only. Tesla doesn't report U.S. sales by model, and no estimate covers this model year on its own, so there's no per-car score. Owners filed 6 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
6 owner complaints, first 3 years 93–124 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 25V002000 (back over prevention) and 24V967000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
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 6 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 experienced excessive rear tire wear on both rear tires inner side The tire ended up blowing out on the rear passenger tire
2025 Tesla Model S owner · NHTSA complaint 11704875
Recalls 2
- 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.
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 (All variants) 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Tesla Model 3 (All variants) 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. 2025 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 2025 Tesla Model S reliable?
We can't score it: Tesla doesn't report U.S. sales by model, and no estimate covers this model year on its own, so there is no per-car rate. Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2025 Tesla Model S problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (33%), transmission & drivetrain (33%) and wipers & visibility (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2025 Tesla Model S have?
2 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2025 Tesla Model S have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 33% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2025 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 2025?
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