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2018 Tesla Model S

Electric
Large Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
D
Safety Signal
61 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 11
Complaints36 crash · 3 fire · 21 injured reported 170
Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —
EV rangebest configuration, EPA 335 mi
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Tesla Model S is sold in the U.S. as an electric large hatchback with 4 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Model S 100D, is EPA-rated at 335 miles with 102 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 170 complaints, most often about the forward collision avoidance.

Tesla Model X — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Tesla Model X (2012 generation) · Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Model S 75DElectricAWD193 (front) 193 (rear) (75 kW-hr battery pack)102105103 MPGe259 mi32.612 h$750
Model S 100DElectricAWD193 (front) 193 (rear) (100 kW-hr battery pack)101102102 MPGe335 mi33.212 h$750
Model S 75kWhElectricRWD270 kW AC Induction (75 kW-hr battery pack)9710098 MPGe249 mi34.210 h$750
Model S P100DElectricAWD193 (front) 375 (rear) (100 kW-hr battery pack)9210598 MPGe315 mi34.612 h$800

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39838, 39839, 39837, 39840.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Model S 75D10 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 0 / California ZEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay Elite
Model S 100D, Model S 75kWh, Model S P100D10 / 10California ZEV / Federal Tier 3 Bin 0All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay Elite

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleHatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Doors5
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Fuel Economy

FuelElectric

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainAWD/All-Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds1

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Parking assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

Optional: Adaptive cruise control

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim. Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length195.7 in
Width (body, without mirrors)77.2 in
Height56.7 in
Wheelbase116.5 in
Track, front65.4 in
Track, rear66.9 in
Curb weight4,656–4,969 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear47/53 to 51/49

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: 4-door Sedan AWD, 4-door Sedan RWD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Recalls (11)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Seat Belts

SB-24-00-008
125,233 vehicles 90% reported repaired
Problem Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." Risk A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash. Fix Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V376000 reported May 28, 2024 Tesla, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Electrical System

SB-24-00-006
6,557 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles." Risk Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V153000 reported Feb 27, 2024 Tesla, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Electrical System

SB-24-00-003
2,193,869 vehicles
Problem Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems." Risk Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V051000 reported Jan 30, 2024 Tesla, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

SB-23-00-008
2,031,220 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature. Risk In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash. Fix Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
NHTSA campaign 23V838000 reported Dec 12, 2023 Tesla, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

SB-23-00-001
362,758 vehicles 96% reported repaired
Problem Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exc Risk FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash. Fix Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023.  Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.  Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V085000 reported Feb 15, 2023 Tesla, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

SB-22-00-014
40,168 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole. Risk A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, 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-22-00-014.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V818000 reported Nov 1, 2022 Tesla, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Back Over Prevention

SB-22-00-004
947 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility." Risk A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-004.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V169000 reported Mar 18, 2022 Tesla, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

SB-22-00-001
53,822 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop. Risk Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V037000 reported Jan 27, 2022 Tesla, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

SB-21-11-003
130,441 vehicles
Problem Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System." Risk If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-11-003.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V00B000 reported Dec 21, 2021 Tesla, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Forward Collision Avoidance

SB-21-00-004
11,728 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system. Risk Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
NHTSA campaign 21V846000 reported Oct 29, 2021 Tesla, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Back Over Prevention

SB-21-21-001
134,951 vehicles 87% reported repaired
Problem Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions. Risk The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V035000 reported Jan 29, 2021 Tesla, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Adas — FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Engineering Analysis to evaluate Tesla’s Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) degradation detection system. The focus of this investigation will be to assess the system’s ability, when encountering reduced roadway visibility conditions, to detect degradation and alert the driver with sufficient time to respond. ODI will evaluate the performance of FSD in degraded roadway conditions and the updates or modifications by Tesla to the degradation detection system, including the timing, purpose, and capabilities of the updates, and Tesla’s assessment of their safety impact. Tesla’s FSD is an advanced

Opened Mar 18, 2026 · action EA26002 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System:Adas — Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged open

The Office of Defects Investigation (“ODI”) is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of FSD executing driving maneuvers that constitute traffic safety violations. This investigation concerns versions of FSD that Tesla has labeled as "FSD (Supervised)" and "FSD (Beta)." Tesla characterizes FSD as an SAE Level 2 partial automation system requiring a fully attentive driver who is engaged in the driving task at all times. Level 2 partial automation systems are designed to support and assist the driver in performing certain aspects of the driving task, requiring a driver to supervise and intervene as necessary.  The driver remains

Opened Oct 7, 2025 · action PE25012 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System:Adas — Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements open

The Office of Defects Investigation (“ODI”) has identified numerous incident reports submitted by Tesla, Inc. (“Tesla”) in response to Standing General Order 2021-01 (the “SGO”), in which the reported crashes occurred several months or more before the dates of the reports. The majority of these reports involved crashes in which the Standing General Order in place at the time required a report to be submitted within one or five days of Tesla receiving notice of the crash. When the reports were submitted, Tesla submitted them in one of two ways. Many of the reports were submitted as part of a single batch, while others were submitted on a rolling basis. Preliminary engagement between ODI and T

Opened Aug 20, 2025 · action AQ25002 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System:Adas:Autonomous/Self Driving — Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts. closed

On January 6, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation 24003 (PE24033) to investigate Actually Smart Summon (Summon) sessions resulting in crashes during active sessions. According to Tesla, Summon is a short-distance SAE Level 2 system, controlled by the user from a cell phone within a certain distance and intended for use in parking lots and on private property. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by Tesla as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify Summon incidents resulting in crashes. ODI's analysis indicates that almost all Summon reported crashes involved minor property damage claims with no reported incidents involving a vu

Opened Jan 6, 2025 · closed Apr 3, 2026 · action PE24033 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System:Adas — FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions closed

On October 17, 2024, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24031) of Tesla’s Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) to assess: the ability of the FSD system to detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions; whether any other FSD crashes had occurred under degraded roadway visibility conditions that are similar in nature to the four SGO-reported crashes identified in the opening document, and if so, the contributing circumstances for each of those crashes; and any updates or modifications by Tesla to the FSD system that may affect the performance of FSD in degraded roadway visibility

Opened Oct 17, 2024 · closed Mar 18, 2026 · action PE24031 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System:Adas:Driver Monitoring:Software — Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening a Recall Query to assess the remedy adequacy of Recall 23V838. On December 12, 2023, Tesla filed a Defect Information Report (Recall 23V838) applicable to all Tesla models produced and equipped with any version of its Autopilot system, which Tesla described as an SAE Level 2 (L2) Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). Autopilot is the simultaneous engagement of Tesla’s Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) and Autosteer. In describing the safety defect, Tesla’s Defect Information Report (DIR) explained that “the prominence and scope of the system’s controls may be insufficient to prevent driver misuse,” and Tesla committed to the deployme

Opened Apr 25, 2024 · action RQ24009 · the investigation’s page →

Vehicle Speed Control — Sudden Unintended Acceleration open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP20-001 on the basis that intermittent high electrical current demands on the vehicles' 12VDC systems may have caused some or all of the incidents examined by ODI in DP20-001. The petitioner bases this information on a review of open-source research and the DP20-001 denial. The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number: 11528471.

Opened Jun 29, 2023 · action DP23002 · the investigation’s page →

Unknown Or Other — Defect Petition Interlock Request closed

On March 21, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting a “recall of all Tesla cars” produced from 2013 to the date on which the petition was filed due to what Petitioner considers to be the increased likelihood of pedal misapplication. Attached to the Petition is a paper authored by Petitioner. According to Petitioner, the differences in the operator controls between the subject Tesla vehicles and internal combustion engine powered vehicles promote driver pedal misapplication, leading to sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) incidents. To fix this alleged defect, Petitioner argues that the subject vehicles should be equipped with measures that require: (i)

Opened Apr 7, 2023 · closed Mar 18, 2026 · action DP23001 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021. On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System — Autopilot System Driver Controls closed

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded PE21020 to EA22002 on June 8, 2022, to extend work and deepen the PE21020 crash analysis, to supplement that analysis with additional data, and to perform vehicle evaluations to understand how Tesla’s Autopilot system may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the driver’s supervision. To support this work, ODI collected additional crash information and assessed vehicle control authority, driver engagement technologies, and related human factors considerations associated with partial automation via analysis of peer vehicle data and hands-on vehicle evaluation, assessments from NHTSA human fact

Opened Jun 8, 2022 · closed Apr 25, 2024 · action EA22002 · the investigation’s page →

Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:120/240 Vac Electrical System:Receptacle — Tesla Passenger Play closed

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-023) on December 21, 2021, to evaluate the driver distraction potential and use frequency / circumstances of in-vehicle game-play functionality referred to as ?Passenger Play? in certain model year (MY) 2017-2022 Tesla Model 3, S, X, and Y vehicles. Distracted driving can result in an increased risk of a crash. PE21-023 was prompted by the receipt of Vehicle Owners Questionnaire (VOQ) 11439598 from the owner of a 2021 Model 3 on November 6, 2021. ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Tesla on January 20, 2022 and received Tesla?s response on March 4, 2022. On December 24, 2020, Tesla introduced Passenger P

Opened Dec 21, 2021 · closed May 26, 2023 · action PE21023 · the investigation’s page →

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf. Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a subst

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System:Adas — Autopilot & First Responder Scenes closed

On August 13, 2021, NHTSA?s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-020) to assess the performance of Tesla?s Autopilot system (a system characterized by Tesla as an SAE Level 2 driving automation system designed to support and assist the driver in performing the driving task) available in Tesla vehicles. The investigation opening was motivated by an accumulation of crashes in which Tesla vehicles, operating with Autopilot engaged, struck stationary in-road or roadside first responder vehicles tending to pre-existing collision scenes. Upon opening the investigation, NHTSA indicated that the PE would also evaluate additional similar circumstance crashes of

Opened Aug 13, 2021 · closed Jun 8, 2022 · action PE21020 · the investigation’s page →

Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — Loss of rearview camera closed

On November 20, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) 20-003 to investigate incidents of media control unit (MCU) failures resulting in loss of rearview camera in model year (MY) 2012-18 Tesla Model S and model year (MY) 2016-2018 Tesla Model X vehicles equipped with the NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with an integrated 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. During its investigation, ODI learned that the expected usage life rating for the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device is approximately 3,000 “P/E” or Program-Erase cycles, after which the eMMC NAND flash memory device would become fully consumed and no longer be operational, leading to a failure of the medi

Opened Nov 12, 2020 · closed May 2, 2024 · action EA20003 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel — Loss of rearview camera closed

On June 22, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE20-010 to investigate incidents of media control unit (MCU) failures resulting in loss of rearview camera in model year (MY) 2012-2015 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with the NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with an integrated 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. EMMC NAND flash devices have a finite lifespan based upon the number of program/erase (P/E) cycles. The subject MCU allegedly fails prematurely due to memory wear-out of the eMMC NAND flash. Tesla used the same MCU with the Tegra 3 processor in approximately 159 thousand 2012-2018 Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles built by Tesla through early-20

Opened Jun 22, 2020 · closed Nov 22, 2020 · action PE20010 · the investigation’s page →

Vehicle Speed Control:Springs — Sudden Unintended Acceleration closed

On December 19, 2019, NHTSA received a petition from Mr. Brian Sparks requesting that the Agency recall all [Tesla] Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles produced from 2013 to the present due to sudden unintended acceleration (SUA). In his petition and follow-up submissions, the petitioner identified a total of 232 non-duplicative complaints to NHTSA, including 203 reporting crashes. On January 13, 2020, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition DP20-001 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI's evaluation included reviews of all complaints and supporting information referenced by the petitioner, as well as 14 additional complaints to NHTSA related to SUA crash

Opened Jan 13, 2020 · closed Jan 8, 2021 · action DP20001 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery Thermal:Management:Software — Battery Management Software Updates closed

In a letter dated September 17, 2019, Mr. Edward Chen petitioned the NHTSA to initiate a defect investigation of certain Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles that received revised battery management software in one or more over-the-air (OTA) updates from Tesla, beginning in May 2019. The petitioner bases his request on vehicle fires that took place worldwide and OTA software updates Tesla made to the Battery Management System (BMS) of certain Tesla vehicles that resulted in loss of available vehicle mileage range and increased charging durations. On October 1, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP19-005 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. Information provided by Tesla in

Opened Oct 1, 2019 · closed Sep 28, 2021 · action DP19005 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Model S

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2018 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Tesla publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2018 Tesla Model S, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
170complaints filed

36 involved a crash · 3 a fire · 21 injuries · 0 deaths reported

62 per 10,000 built · Tesla reported 27,275 Model S built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2018: 6 · 2019: 15 · 2020: 28 · 2021: 19 · 2022: 34 · 2023: 28 · 2024: 17 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 9

Most-cited components

Unspecified 36
Electrical System 35
Vehicle Speed Control 28
Service Brakes 25
Suspension 20

In depth: automatic emergency braking problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Design flaw on the rear suspension set up causes excessive tire wear on the inside of the tires. Very likely goes without being detected even by the service centers and can cause serious accidents due to tire blow outs specially on freeway drives
Suspension at 34,000 miles Feb 20, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11310421
I was pulling into a parking spot in a place I park on many occasions, had my foot off the accelerator, to put on the brake, and the car suddenly accelerated, went up over the curb, and almost down an embankment. I was able to stop the car before that happened
Vehicle Speed Control at 7,657 miles Feb 8, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11307883
I was using the autosummon on my Tesla. I had used the car to park itself so figured that it would be safe to try. Car was close to a wall. Car immediately moved forward and hit the wall. There was no time to stop it as it turned immediately
Structure at 16,000 miles Feb 6, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11307454
The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while still seated in the vehicle in the driveway after the vehicle was stopped and the gear shift lever placed in the park position, the front seat passenger attempted to exit the vehicle and the vehicle accelerated independently.
Electrical System at 7,700 miles Jan 30, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11302964
It was on friday morning on january 11th 2020 at 8.30am. I was slowly pulling into a parking space in front of my medical office where I have practiced for 21 years. I was in an outdoor parking deck. I touched the brakes to stop the car and the car suddenly accelerated forwards and hit a concrete wall in front of it.
Air Bags at 2,000 miles Jan 17, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11300152
On at least 2 occasions, while driving the car, the electrical system stopped working. One time, the car just shut down at a stop sign nearby my office; the second time, while driving on the highway, the car continued to run but all of the other electrons: speedometer, turn signals, radio stopped working.
Electronic Stability Control at 6,800 miles Oct 22, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11270166

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Tesla itself: 8 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 1 killed, 9 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 29 per 100,000 built. Every Model S model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 16k

miles, typically

Half the 63 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 10,000 and 21,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 17
10k–20k 23
20k–30k 8
30k–40k 6
40k–50k 2
50k–60k 2
60k–70k 1
70k–80k 0
80k–90k 1
90k–100k 1
100k–150k 2
150k + 0

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Suspension1816,0000.94×
Electrical System1620,0000.89×
Vehicle Speed Control137,6570.55×
Unspecified1317,500—

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2018-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: vehicle speed control (0.55×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
5 HB AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★6%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Driver-assist crash reports (18)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
18reports filed

1 minor · 1 no injury reported · 16 severity unknown

Jul 2021 to Aug 2026 · 16 with an air bag deployment · 4 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: not named in the filings

Crash partner: Unknown 7 · Other 6 · Pole / Tree 2 · Passenger Car 1

Filed by: Tesla, Inc.

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Aug 2026Level 2Passenger CarunknownWA27 mph13781-16247
Jul 2026Level 2SUVunknownOH21 mph13781-15757
Jun 2026Level 2UnknownunknownMD—13781-15618
Oct 2025Level 2UnknownunknownCA7 mph13781-11909
Aug 2025Level 2OtherunknownAZ65 mph13781-13457
Sep 2024Level 2Unknownno injury reportedGA—13781-8752
Apr 2024Level 2UnknownunknownVA55 mph13781-7667
Mar 2024Level 2OtherunknownCA18 mph13781-7785
Nov 2023Level 2Pole / TreeunknownCA42 mph13781-6754
Mar 2023Level 2Pole / TreeminorMD—13781-5664
Jul 2022Level 2OtherunknownUN—13781-3485
Jul 2022Level 2Pickup TruckunknownTX45 mph13781-3366

Showing the 12 most recent of 18; every one is in this page’s JSON and the dataset.

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 78
Most recentmanufacturer date 2025-06-03
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 39 service bulletins, 39 over-the-air updates

Most often about: Unknown Or Other, Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility, Seats, Electrical System.

  • SB-25-16-003 Service bulletin
    2025-06-03 · Electrical System
  • On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the battery powered Pyrotechnic High Voltage (HV) Battery Disconnect will reach the end of its battery lifespan in the near future, which will trigger alerts and may limit the vehicle’s performance.
  • fsd-12-5-4-1_s3xy.pdf Over-the-air update
    2024-09-30 · Unknown Or Other
  • Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the
  • fsd-12-5-4_s3xy.pdf Over-the-air update
    2024-09-30 · Unknown Or Other
  • Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the
  • fsd-12-5-3_s3xy.pdf Over-the-air update
    2024-09-30 · Unknown Or Other
  • Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the
  • 2024.38_s3xy.pdf Over-the-air update
    2024-09-30 · Unknown Or Other
  • Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the
  • 2024.26.9_s3xy.pdf Over-the-air update
    2024-09-30 · Unknown Or Other
  • Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the
  • 2024.32_0824.pdf Over-the-air update
    2024-08-31 · Unknown Or Other
  • Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the
  • 2024.32.3_082024.pdf Over-the-air update
    2024-08-31 · Unknown Or Other
  • Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 Tesla Model S failed the safety inspection on 1.7% of first inspections — close to the 1.9% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected.

New York inspections 1.7%

failed the safety inspection

486 initial inspections of 477 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2018 Model SEvery 2018 vehicleBehind it
Failed the safety inspection1.7%1.9%486
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.21%0.22%486
Miles driven a year9,03210,002odometer at inspection
Average odometer74,77282,833odometer at inspection

Electric vehicles get no emissions test in New York, so the safety inspection is the record here. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2018 vehicle” is every 2018 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Common questions about the 2018 Model S

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2018 Tesla Model S have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 11 recall campaigns for the 2018 Tesla Model S. The most serious on file is 23V085000, covering Steering. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2018 Tesla Model S?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2018 Tesla Model S yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it D (61/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Tesla Model S?

Across the 4 EPA-rated configurations of the 2018 Tesla Model S, the longest EPA range is 335 miles on a charge. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2018 Tesla Model S?

Transport Canada measured it at 195.7 in long, 77.2 in wide (body, without mirrors), 56.7 in tall, on a 116.5 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,656–4,969 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2018 Tesla Model S?

Owners have filed 170 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Tesla Model S, most often about forward collision avoidance, unspecified, electrical system. Of those, 36 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 21 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2018 Tesla Model S?

The EPA smog rating for the 2018 Tesla Model S is 10 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California ZEV, Federal Tier 3 Bin 0 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2018 Tesla Model S?

The manufacturer has filed 78 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2018 Tesla Model S, most often covering unknown or other, equipment, equipment adaptive/mobility. The most recent is dated 2025-06-03. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2018 Tesla Model S do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 Tesla Model S failed the safety inspection on 1.7% of first inspections — close to the 1.9% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected. The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations4 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates4 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls11NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints170NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings5 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins78NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations17NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports18NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSA9 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

JSON for this page · API