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Tesla Model S Best and Worst Years

Recalls and crash-test ratings for every model year from 2012 to 2026, from official NHTSA data.

Model yearsData retrieved By Sources & methodology

Short answer

Among Tesla Model S model years through 2024, 2024 has the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (6) and 2021 has the most (23). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.

Quick read

Tesla Model S: Key Facts

Model years with data
15 (2012–2026)
Distinct recall campaigns
38
Fewest recalls
2024 (6)
Most recalls
2021 (23)
Most recalled system
Electrical system (33)
5-star overall rating
2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016

Tesla Model S Recalls and Ratings by Model Year

Tesla Model S — NHTSA recall campaigns and overall crash rating, model years 2012–2026
Model yearRecall campaignsOverall crash ratingMost recalled systems
2026 Recent: still collecting recalls 0 Not rated None on record
2025 Recent: still collecting recalls 2 Not rated Air bags, Back over prevention
2024 6 Not rated Air bags, Back over prevention, Electrical system
2023 13 Not rated Electrical system, Air bags, Back over prevention
2022 20 Not rated Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts
2021 23 Not rated Air bags, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance
2020 11 Not rated Forward collision avoidance, Steering, Electrical system
2019 10 Not rated Steering, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance
2018 11 Not rated Steering, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance
2017 9 Not rated Steering, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance
2016 10 5 stars Steering, Electrical system, Air bags
2015 9 5 stars Electrical system, Seat belts, Air bags
2014 9 5 stars Electrical system, Seat belts, Air bags
2013 11 5 stars Electrical system, Seat belts, Air bags
2012 8 Not rated Electrical system, Seat belts, Air bags

The scale of the difference

Recall Campaigns by Model Year

Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.

  1. 20260 recalls
  2. 20252 recalls
  3. 20246 recalls
  4. 202313 recalls
  5. 202220 recalls
  6. 202123 recalls
  7. 202011 recalls
  8. 201910 recalls
  9. 201811 recalls
  10. 20179 recalls
  11. 201610 recalls
  12. 20159 recalls
  13. 20149 recalls
  14. 201311 recalls
  15. 20128 recalls

Tesla Model S: Analysis

How to read recall counts

A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.

What the recalls were about

Across all model years, the systems named most often in Tesla Model S recalls are electrical system (33), steering (29), seat belts (22), air bags (18) and forward collision avoidance (17). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.

Crash-test ratings

NHTSA has an overall star rating for 4 of these 15 model years, and 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.

FAQ: Tesla Model S Best and Worst Years

What are the best years for the Tesla Model S?

By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2024 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 6 each.

Which Tesla Model S model years have the most recalls?

2021 has the most, with 23 recall campaigns each.

Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?

No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.

Sources & methodology

Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Model S", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.

NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by . Editorial policy