Shifterati

Tesla Model S · Facelifted (2017–2020)

2018 Tesla Model S

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

  • Touchscreen memory wear Built before March 3, 2018, 2017–2018 One source so far

    What to check: Confirm with Tesla that recall 21V035000 was done: the touchscreen's memory board replaced with a larger one.

    The same memory chip as the original cars wears out. Cars built up to March 3, 2018 are covered by the recall.

    Sources 1

  • Door handles that do not extend All years

    What to check: Walk up to the car with the key and watch every handle come out.

    The handles can fail to come out, or break. Owners say the problem was not fully solved on later cars.

    Sources 2,3

  • Worn or replaced battery All years

    What to check: Get a battery health report showing how much capacity is left.

    Recurrent found battery replacements more common on 2013 to 2018 cars than later ones. Tesla's warranty repairs a pack at 70 per cent.

    Sources 4,5

  • Worn suspension All years One source so far

    What to check: Look for a car sitting low at one corner, which on air suspension can be a leak.

    The car's weight wears suspension parts, and air suspension can leak.

    Sources 5

  • Air conditioning All years One source so far

    What to check: Make sure the air conditioning blows cold.

    It also helps keep the battery cool.

    Sources 5

Recalls

  • 21V035000 2012–2018

    The touchscreen's memory chip wears out, losing the rear camera, defrost settings and turn signals. The memory board is replaced.6,7,1

  • 21V846000 2017–2021

    On one software version, a communication fault can cause false collision warnings or sudden emergency braking. Fixed over the air.8,9

  • 21V00B000 2014–2021

    The front trunk latch can be out of line, so the hood's second latch does not catch and the hood can open.10,9

  • 22V037000 2016–2022

    Full Self-Driving Beta can roll through all-way stops without stopping. Fixed over the air.11,12

  • 22V169000 2018–2019

    On some cars with the 2.5 Autopilot computer, the rear camera picture can appear late when reversing. Fixed over the air.7,13

  • 22V818000 2017–2021

    Power steering assist can drop out on rough roads or after a pothole. Fixed over the air.8,9

  • 23V085000 2016–2023

    Full Self-Driving Beta can behave unsafely at junctions and respond poorly to speed limit changes. Fixed over the air.11,14

  • 23V838000 2012–2023

    Autosteer's checks may not do enough to stop a driver misusing it. Fixed over the air.6,14

  • 24V051000 2012–2023

    The brake, parking brake and ABS warning lights are shown in letters too small. Fixed over the air.6,14

  • 24V153000 2013–2021

    A factory reset can silence the sound that warns pedestrians of the car. Fixed over the air.15,7

  • 24V376000 2012–2024

    The seat belt warning may not come on for an unbelted driver. Fixed over the air.6,16

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

Sources

  1. NHTSA recall report 21V035
  2. Jalopnik on used reliability
  3. Tesla Motors Club thread
  4. Kelley Blue Book on battery replacements
  5. InsideEVs used buyer's guide
  6. NHTSA recalls (2012 Model S)
  7. NHTSA recalls (2018 Model S)
  8. NHTSA recalls (2017 Model S)
  9. NHTSA recalls (2021 Model S)
  10. NHTSA recalls (2014 Model S)
  11. NHTSA recalls (2016 Model S)
  12. NHTSA recalls (2022 Model S)
  13. NHTSA recalls (2019 Model S)
  14. NHTSA recalls (2023 Model S)
  15. NHTSA recalls (2013 Model S)
  16. NHTSA recalls (2024 Model S)