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2021 Tesla Model S: Recalls, Complaints & California Lemon Law

Below are recalls and complaints reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Tesla Model S. This information is consumer-reported and provided for general informational purposes only. Vehicles like this may qualify under California lemon law depending on their individual repair history.

24
Recalls reported to NHTSA
174
Complaints filed with NHTSA
310-256-2622
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Recalls Reported to NHTSA

The following recalls were reported to NHTSA. A recall does not by itself establish that any individual vehicle is defective.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHION

NHTSA #21V868000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment.

Reported consequence: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-007.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

NHTSA #21V00B000

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

NHTSA #21V846000

STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING

NHTSA #22V037000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

NHTSA #22V045000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

NHTSA #22V104000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S vehicles. The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly.

Reported consequence: An incorrectly assembled inflator can cause a delayed or improper deployment of the side curtain air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Tesla Service Centers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-001.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

NHTSA #22V050000

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT

NHTSA #22V063000

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

NHTSA #22E092000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model S exterior side rearview mirrors, part numbers: 1622232-00-B and 1622233-00-B. The driver side exterior rearview mirrors are convex (curved glass) and the passenger side mirrors do not include the "Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear" etched warning. As such, these mirrors fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Reported consequence: When using the incorrect mirrors, the driver may misjudge the distance of other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the mirrors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-12-002.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT

NHTSA #22V235000

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT

NHTSA #22V296000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S, Model X, and 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating certain firmware releases. The infotainment central processing unit (CPU) may overheat during the preparation or process of fast-charging, causing the CPU to lag or restart.

Reported consequence: A lagging or restarting CPU may prevent the center screen from displaying the rearview camera image, gear selection, windshield visibility control settings, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will improve CPU temperature management, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-009.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

NHTSA #22V702000

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

NHTSA #22V818000

STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING

NHTSA #23V085000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:DRIVER MONITORING:SOFTWARE

NHTSA #23V838000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

NHTSA #23V743000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

NHTSA #23V488000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.

Reported consequence: A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect the front-row seat belts and connect the seat belts to pretensioner anchors, or replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-004.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

NHTSA #24V554000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES

NHTSA #24V376000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

NHTSA #24V051000

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT

NHTSA #24V153000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHION

NHTSA #24V967000

AIR BAGS

NHTSA #25V172000

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

NHTSA #26V283000

Complaints Filed with NHTSA

The following are consumer-reported complaints filed with NHTSA. These are unverified allegations and are not proof that any defect exists.

STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STEERING

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,BACK OVER PREVENTION

STEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TIRES

STEERING

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUSPENSION

STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES

TIRES

SERVICE BRAKES

TIRES

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

STRUCTURE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

LANE DEPARTURE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STEERING

STEERING

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

SUSPENSION

STEERING

WHEELS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SUSPENSION,WHEELS

WHEELS

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE

TIRES

SEAT BELTS

STEERING

TIRES

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

POWER TRAIN

LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE

SUSPENSION

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

WHEELS

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

SEAT BELTS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

STRUCTURE

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VISIBILITY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

VISIBILITY/WIPER

STEERING

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SERVICE BRAKES

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

TIRES

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STEERING

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Allegedly reported: 3 injuries (as reported to NHTSA).

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

STEERING

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

TIRES

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

ENGINE

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

SUSPENSION

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUSPENSION,WHEELS

SUSPENSION

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

VISIBILITY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

SERVICE BRAKES

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

AIR BAGS

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SERVICE BRAKES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

STRUCTURE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AIR BAGS

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

STEERING

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

STEERING

STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

WHEELS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SEATS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LANE DEPARTURE

STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Allegedly reported: 1 death (as reported to NHTSA).

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE

STEERING,WHEELS

LANE DEPARTURE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

STRUCTURE

STEERING

STEERING

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

STEERING

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

STEERING

WHEELS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION

STEERING

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

AIR BAGS

SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Allegedly reported: 1 injury (as reported to NHTSA).

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS

SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUSPENSION,SEAT BELTS,SEATS

TIRES

STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

STEERING,STRUCTURE

SUSPENSION,WHEELS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUSPENSION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

STEERING,SUSPENSION

STEERING

STRUCTURE

TIRES

SUSPENSION

VISIBILITY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicles like this may qualify — get a free review

If your 2021 Tesla Model S has had repeated repairs for the same problem, you may have rights under California lemon law. Tell us about it and we will review your situation at no cost and no obligation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

There are 24 recalls reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Tesla Model S. Recalls are issued by the manufacturer or NHTSA and do not by themselves establish that any individual vehicle is defective.

Important Legal Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney regarding your specific situation. Viewing this page or contacting Lucky Lemon Law does not create an attorney-client relationship; such a relationship is formed only by a signed written agreement.

The recalls and complaints shown here are reported to NHTSA and are consumer-reported, unverified allegations. They do not establish that any defect exists in any individual vehicle, and nothing on this page should be read as asserting that the 2021 Tesla Model S is defective. Counts reflect items filed with NHTSA and may not be current. “May qualify” statements are general and do not mean any particular vehicle or owner qualifies.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and depends on its own facts. Lucky Lemon Law is responsible for the content of this advertisement.