Model research hub
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S is a full-size electric liftback sedan that Tesla built from June 2012 to May 2026. CarGurus calls 2021 the single worst year, with 23 recalls and 170 complaints on NHTSA, our federal data shows 24 recalls on it and 20 on the 2022, and the 2026 Model S started at $86,630.
What the Tesla Model S is
Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) describes the Model S as a battery-electric, four-door full-size car in a liftback body, with model years 2013 to 2026 and production from June 2012 to May 2026, with battery sizes from 40 to 100 kWh and rear-motor, dual-motor and tri-motor (Plaid) layouts. It divides the car's life into 2012 to 2016 initial years, a 2016 to 2019 first major update, and a 2019 to 2026 second major update with simplified naming and final years. The 2026 Model S is rated 93 to 124 mpg-equivalent by the EPA, about $600 to $800 a year in fuel, and Kelley Blue Book base prices are $86,630 and $96,630 for the base car and $101,540 and $111,630 for the Plaid.
Best and worst Model S years
Federal recall counts are high throughout. The 2015 has 9, the 2016 has 10, the 2017 has 9, the 2018 has 11, the 2019 has 10 and the 2020 has 11. The 2021 has 24 recalls and 176 complaints, the 2022 has 20, the 2023 has 13, the 2024 has 6 and the 2025 has 2. Open the 2021 Model S page for the worst year, or the 2018 and 2023 pages.
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says the single worst year for the Model S appears to be 2021, with 23 recalls and 170 consumer complaints on NHTSA, and that Consumer Reports gave that year the lowest predictive reliability score it has seen.
Choosing a year
Because production ended in 2026, the buying choice is among used cars. Recall counts fall sharply from 2024, so a 2024 or 2025 car has the smallest recall history, and any earlier car needs a VIN recall check.
Questions buyers ask
What is the worst Tesla Model S year?
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says the single worst year appears to be 2021, with 23 recalls and 170 consumer complaints on NHTSA.
Is the Tesla Model S discontinued?
Wikipedia gives production as June 2012 to May 2026, with model years 2013 to 2026.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Tesla Model S is built around Dual or tri electric motors, rated at 670 / 1,020 horsepower across its electric full-size sedan body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 2 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2026 Model S seats 5 and is a Electric full-size sedan.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2026 Model S.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Tesla Model S
The base AWD trim uses dual motors at roughly 670 hp with up to 402 miles of range; Plaid adds a third motor for 1,020 hp but cuts range to 348 miles and retains an exclusive yoke steering wheel.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
6 indexed Tesla Model S model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tesla Model S | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Tesla Model S | 2025 record → | |
| 2023 Tesla Model S | 2023 record → | |
| 2021 Tesla Model S | 2021 record → | |
| 2020 Tesla Model S | 2020 record → | |
| 2018 Tesla Model S | 2018 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Tesla Model S.
The Tesla Model S is a battery-electric, four-door full-size car that the American automaker Tesla produced from 2012 to 2026. The automaker's second vehicle, the Model S has been described as one of the most influential electric cars in the industry. Its various accolades include the Motor Trend Car of the Year Award in 2013.
- Safety
- In a European New Car Assessment Programme testing conducted in 2022, the Model S received a five-star rating: In a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) testing conducted in 2015, the Model S received a five-star rating.
- Awards
- The Model S is the recipient of numerous awards, as listed in the table below:
- Development
- In January 2007, the American automaker Tesla Motors opened a facility in Rochester Hills, Michigan, employing sixty people to work on new projects, including a four-door sedan. Beginning development under the codename WhiteStar, Tesla planned for the car to have two powertrain options. The first would be a battery-electric version with an all-electric range of 200 miles (320 km).
- Design
- The body and the chassis of the Model S are made mostly of aluminum. The car shares its platform and thirty percent of its parts with the Model X, a mid-size luxury crossover SUV that was introduced in 2015.
- Technology
- The instrument panel is positioned directly before the driver and features a 12.3-inch (310 mm) liquid crystal display electronic instrument cluster. Initially, the infotainment control touchscreen featured a 17-inch (430 mm) multi-touch display divided into four sections. The top section shows status icons and offers quick access to features like charging, HomeLink, Driver Profiles, vehicle information, and Bluetooth.
- Charging
- Tesla has devised numerous ways to charge the Model S: a 240-volt home wall connector, which provides up to 44 miles (71 km) of range per hour of charging; and a mobile connector, intended for use away from home, which offers up to 30 miles (48 km) of range per hour.
Source: Tesla Model S (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Recent recalls (6 campaigns across the latest model years)
- March 2025, Air Bags. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding. Consequence: An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- January 2025, Back Over Prevention:Software. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- December 2024, Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Cushion. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash… Consequence: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Year by year
The Tesla Model S across 12 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tesla Model S | 93–124 | $600–$800 | 3 | |||
| 2025 Tesla Model S | 93–124 | $600–$800 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2024 Tesla Model S | 96–122 | $600–$800 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 2023 Tesla Model S | 120 | $650 | 1 | 13 | ||
| 2022 Tesla Model S | 101–120 | $650–$750 | 3 | 20 | ||
| 2021 Tesla Model S | 96–120 | $650–$800 | 4 | 24 | 176 | |
| 2020 Tesla Model S | 97–117 | $650–$800 | 5 | 11 | ||
| 2019 Tesla Model S | 97–111 | $700–$800 | 7 | 10 | ||
| 2018 Tesla Model S | 98–103 | $750–$800 | 4 | 11 | ||
| 2017 Tesla Model S | 95–104 | $700–$800 | 8 | 9 | ||
| 2016 Tesla Model S | 89–104 | $700–$850 | 13 | 10 | 5 stars | |
| 2015 Tesla Model S | 89–101 | $750–$850 | 8 | 9 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Tesla Model S, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Electric range, miles | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 361 to 360 | Labels: Model S Plaid | Labels: Model S Plaid (19in wheels) | ||
| 2024 to 2025 | 109.0 to 108.5 | ||||
| 2023 to 2024 | 1 to 3 | 120.0 to 109.0 | 405 to 361 | Labels: Model S Plaid (19in wheels), Model S Plaid (21in wheels) | |
| 2022 to 2023 | 3 to 1 | 110.5 to 120.0 | 377 to 405 | Labels: Model S Plaid (19 inch wheels), Model S Plaid (21 inch wheels) | |
| 2021 to 2022 | 4 to 3 | 108.0 to 110.5 | 370 to 377 | Labels: Model S, Model S Plaid (19 inch wheels), Model S Plaid (21 inch wheels) | Labels: Model S Long Range, Model S Performance (19in Wheels), Model S Performance (21in Wheels), Model S Plaid (21inch wheels) |
| 2020 to 2021 | 5 to 4 | 107.0 to 108.0 | 345 to 370 | Labels: Model S Plaid (21inch wheels) | Labels: Model S Long Range Plus, Model S Standard Range |
| 2019 to 2020 | 7 to 5 | 104.0 to 107.0 | 315 to 345 | Labels: Model S Long Range Plus | Labels: Model S 100D, Model S 75D, Model S P100D |
| 2018 to 2019 | 4 to 7 | 100.5 to 104.0 | 292 to 315 | Labels: Model S Long Range, Model S Performance (19in Wheels), Model S Performance (21in Wheels), Model S Standard Range | Labels: Model S 75kWh; Drives: Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2017 to 2018 | 8 to 4 | 99.5 to 100.5 | 273 to 292 | Labels: Model S 100D, Model S 75D, Model S 75kWh, Model S P100D | Labels: Model S (60 kW-hr battery pack), Model S (75 kW-hr battery pack), Model S AWD - 100D, Model S AWD - 60D, and 4 more |
| 2016 to 2017 | 13 to 8 | 96.5 to 99.5 | 263 to 273 | Labels: Model S AWD - 100D | Labels: Model S (70 kW-hr battery pack), Model S (85 kW-hr battery pack), Model S (90 kW-hr battery pack), Model S AWD - 70D, and 2 more |
| 2015 to 2016 | 8 to 13 | 95.0 to 96.5 | 239 to 263 | Labels: Model S (70 kW-hr battery pack), Model S (75 kW-hr battery pack), Model S AWD - 60D, Model S AWD - 75D, and 1 more |
Buying used
What the Tesla Model S recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | air bags (frontal); back over prevention (software) | None |
| 2024 | 6 | steering (steering wheel/handle bar); seat belts (front); latches/locks/linkages (hood); 3 more | 2 fixable over the air |
| 2023 | 13 | steering (automated/adaptive steering); forward collision avoidance (sensing system); seat belts (front); 9 more | 7 fixable over the air |
| 2022 | 20 | electrical system (adas); electrical system (software); air bags (side/window); 11 more | 13 fixable over the air |
| 2021 | 24 | forward collision avoidance (sensing system); air bags; latches/locks/linkages (hood); 14 more | 15 fixable over the air |
| 2020 | 11 | forward collision avoidance (sensing system); latches/locks/linkages (hood); electrical system (adas); 6 more | 10 fixable over the air |
| 2019 | 10 | forward collision avoidance (sensing system); latches/locks/linkages (hood); electrical system (adas); 6 more | 9 fixable over the air |
| 2018 | 11 | back over prevention (software); forward collision avoidance (sensing system); latches/locks/linkages (hood); 7 more | 9 fixable over the air |
| 2017 | 9 | back over prevention (software); forward collision avoidance (sensing system); latches/locks/linkages (hood); 5 more | 7 fixable over the air |
| 2016 | 10 | parking brake; steering (electric power assist system); air bags (frontal); 6 more | 5 fixable over the air |
| 2015 | 9 | seat belts (front); parking brake; steering (electric power assist system); 5 more | 3 fixable over the air |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| forward collision avoidance | 47 | 26% | 2021 (47) |
| unknown or other | 45 | 25% | 2021 (45) |
| steering | 29 | 16% | 2021 (29) |
| electrical system | 25 | 14% | 2021 (25) |
| service brakes | 16 | 9% | 2021 (16) |
| suspension | 16 | 9% | 2021 (16) |
| Model year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Tesla Model S trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | AWD | Dual AC Electric Motors | 670 | – | 4,560 | – | – | – |
| Plaid | AWD | Triple AC Electric Motors | 1,020 | – | 4,776 | – | – | $101,540 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Tesla Model S model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | Dual AC Electric Motors / Triple AC Electric Motors | 670–1,020 | 4,560–4,776 | – | – |
| 2025 | 2 | Dual AC Electric Motors / Triple AC Electric Motors | 1,020 | 4,560–4,776 | – | – |
| 2024 | 2 | Dual AC Electric Motors / Triple AC Electric Motors | 1,020 | 4,560–4,776 | – | – |
| 2023 | 2 | Dual AC Electric Motors / Triple AC Electric Motors | – | – | – | – |
| 2022 | 2 | Dual AC Electric Motors / Triple AC Electric Motors | – | 4,561 | – | – |
| 2021 | 4 | Dual AC Electric Motors / Dual AC Electric Motors, High Performance Rear / Triple AC Electric Motors | – | 4,561–4,929 | – | – |
| 2020 | 3 | Dual AC Electric Motors / Dual AC Electric Motors, High Performance Rear | – | 4,883–4,941 | – | – |
| 2019 | 6 | Dual AC Electric Motors / Dual AC Electric Motors, High Performance Rear | – | 4,769–4,941 | – | – |
| 2018 | 3 | Dual AC Electric Motors / Dual AC Electric Motors, High Performance Rear | – | 4,647 | – | – |
| 2017 | 7 | Dual AC Electric Motors / AC Electric Motor / Dual AC Electric Motors, High Performance Rear | – | 4,469–4,941 | – | – |
| 2016 | 12 | AC Electric Motor / Dual AC Electric Motors / Dual AC ElectricMotors HP | 315–691 | 4,647 | – | – |
| 2015 | 8 | AC Electric Motor / Dual AC Electric Motors / Dual AC ElectricMotors HP | 315–691 | 4,647 | – | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Model-year recall record
Tesla Model S: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
Fewer recalls than this model’s own average
- 2025 Tesla Model S : 2 recalls on file (average across published years is 11.4).
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2022 Tesla Model S : 20 recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system and airbags.
- 2021 Tesla Model S : 24 recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system and airbags.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | not available | ||
| 2025 | 2 | not available | airbags, backup camera |
| 2024 | 6 | not available | airbags, seat belts, door latches, backup camera |
| 2023 | 13 | not available | steering, seat belts, electrical system, door latches |
| 2022 | 20 | not available | electrical system, airbags, backup camera, steering |
| 2021 | 24 | 176 | electrical system, airbags, steering, door latches |
| 2020 | 11 | not available | electrical system, forward collision system, steering, door latches |
| 2019 | 10 | not available | electrical system, forward collision system, steering, door latches |
| 2018 | 11 | not available | electrical system, backup camera, forward collision system, steering |
| 2017 | 9 | not available | electrical system, steering, backup camera, door latches |
| 2016 | 10 | not available | electrical system, steering, airbags, parking brake |
| 2015 | 9 | not available | seat belts, electrical system, airbags, parking brake |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Tesla Model S model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Tesla Model S?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2025 carried fewer recalls than this model's own average, while 2022, 2021 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Tesla Model S model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2022 Tesla Model S has 20 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system, airbags, backup camera; The 2021 Tesla Model S has 24 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system, airbags, steering. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03Which Tesla Model S model years have the cleanest federal recall record?
The 2025 Tesla Model S has 2 recalls on file: below this model's own average of 11.4. A shorter list on file as of this page's data pull is not a guarantee against a future recall.
Q04What are common recall-related problems on the Tesla Model S by model year?
2025: airbags, backup camera. 2024: airbags, seat belts, door latches, backup camera. 2023: steering, seat belts, electrical system, door latches. 2022: electrical system, airbags, backup camera, steering. 2021: electrical system, airbags, steering, door latches. 2020: electrical system, forward collision system, steering, door latches.
Q05Why do some Tesla Model S model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Tesla Model S model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Buying, records and recalls, Climate and electrical, Brakes, tires and steering.
2022 Tesla Model S owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Buying, records and recalls and Brakes, tires and steering.
2021 Tesla Model S owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Buying, records and recalls and Brakes, tires and steering.
Compared with
Models this Tesla Model S is most often compared with.
Nearest Tesla models
Other Tesla models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 Model S come in?
The 2026 Tesla Model S (electric full-size sedan) comes in 2 trims: All-Wheel Drive, Plaid.
Q02What are the 2026 Model S trims?
The 2026 Tesla Model S trims are All-Wheel Drive, Plaid, listed from the entry All-Wheel Drive up to the top Plaid.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 Model S use?
The 2026 Tesla Model S is built around Dual or tri electric motors, rated at 670 / 1,020 horsepower across its electric full-size sedan body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 Model S have?
The 2026 Tesla Model S is rated at 670 / 1,020 horsepower (Dual or tri electric motors).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 Model S?
The 2026 Tesla Model S is offered with Standard AWD.