Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Tesla Model S VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 38 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2012–2026 cover that year.
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Tesla has sold the Model S in the US since the 2012 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 38 vehicle recall campaigns and 3,396 owner complaints. The 2015 has the most complaints of any model year (668). It is electric; EPA rates it at 89–124 MPGe combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
One generation in the data, 2012–2026: 38 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3,396 owner complaints.
Mentions in 3,396 NHTSA complaints.
5YJSA1E2?GF······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2016 Tesla Model S, built in Fremont, CaliforniaNHTSA has 38 campaigns on file for Model S model years 2012–2026, and the 2021 shows up in more of them than any other year (23), ahead of the 2022 (20). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Between them, the 2015 and 2016 hold 1,315 of the 3,396 complaints, or 39%. Tap any bar or generation.
Mentions in 3,396 complaints, 2012–2026.
The 2015 is the outlier. On its own it has 668 of the ’s 3,396 complaints (20%), more than any other Model S model year, and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (1,003 mentions), then suspension (731).
Tesla never replaced this Model S with a new generation and ended production in May 2026, after a major refresh for 2021. The 2013 to 2016 models draw the most NHTSA complaints, and the top theme is a center touchscreen that goes blank, reboots or fails. Many owners also report worn front suspension control arms. Owners of the 2021 mostly describe unexpected braking and the yoke and touch horn controls. CarComplaints lists worn suspension parts for 2013 and a dead touchscreen, door handles that do not open and a failed media unit for 2016. Recalls cover the touchscreen memory chip and power steering motor bolts that may corrode. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.
Every Model S version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.
Crashes 4 · fires 1 · injuries 6 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 41 · fires 19 · injuries 24 · complaints reporting a death 5
Crashes 52 · fires 9 · injuries 19 · complaints reporting a death 5
Crashes 70 · fires 12 · injuries 29 · complaints reporting a death 3
Crashes 92 · fires 12 · injuries 64 · complaints reporting a death 6
Crashes 55 · fires 4 · injuries 23
Crashes 36 · fires 3 · injuries 21
Crashes 4 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 16 · fires 0 · injuries 8
Crashes 13 · fires 2 · injuries 5 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 3 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 8 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 2 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.
EPA lists 69 Model S versions for model years 2012–2026. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
89–124 MPGe electric · CO₂ 0 g/mi
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Take 2012–2026. NHTSA lists 38 recall campaigns for the Model S, against 28 for the Porsche Taycan and 18 for the Mercedes-Benz EQS. Pick a range to compare.
Model years 2012–2026
Model years 2012–2026
Model years 2012–2026
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Illustration: VinNumber.net
Photo: Granada, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net
Model S places its VIN on the driver's door pillar, on the dashboard plate at the lower windshield, and in the touchscreen menu. An additional label is present near the front luggage area (frunk) on some configurations.
The 2015 leads with 668, ahead of the 2016 (647) and 2013 (459). Those first two alone make up 39% of the 3,396 Model S complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
NHTSA’s recall records show 38 vehicle campaigns for model years 2012–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.
17V-023 covers air bag inflators that can rupture. 18V-031, 19V-002 and 22V-104 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 14V-006. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
EPA rates the 2012–2026 Model S at 89–124 MPGe combined (electric; fueleconomy.gov).
For 2012–2026 models the Model S has 38 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Porsche Taycan has 28, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 18. Complaints run 3,396, 275 and 123 in that order, with no sales adjustment.