Is the Tesla Model S Reliable?
2012–2026 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
Own a Tesla Model S? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Tesla Model S Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 2 | — | — | 81 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 79 | Good |
| 2024 | 6 | 54 | — | — | 63 | Fair |
| 2023 | 10 | 76 | — | — | 59 | Fair |
| 2022 | 15 | 86 | — | — | 60 | Fair |
| 2021 | 18 | 124 | 3 | — | 58 | Fair |
| 2020 | 10 | 59 | 4 | — | 63 | Fair |
| 2019 | 9 | 33 | 3 | — | 68 | Good |
| 2018 | 10 | 144 | 20 | — | 55 | Fair |
| 2017 | 8 | 322 | 17 | — | 51 | Fair |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the Model S Compares to Similar Vehicles
The Model S scores 10 points below the average hybrid. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.
Known Tesla Model S Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 902 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Tesla Model S reliable?+
The Tesla Model S scores 64/100 on our reliability index — rated "Fair." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 88 recall campaigns and 902 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year Model S is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2026 Model S achieved the highest reliability score of 81/100 with 0 recalls and 2 complaints.
How many miles does a Model S last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Tesla Model S owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Model S will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Tesla Model S Research
Check a Specific Tesla Model S VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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