2020 Tesla Model S

Watch out for

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

• 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 ^1,2

• 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 ^3,4

• 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 ⁴

• 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 ⁴

Recalls

• 21V846000 2017–2021

  On one software version, a communication fault can cause false collision warnings or sudden emergency braking. Fixed over the air.^5,6

• 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.^7,6

• 22V037000 2016–2022

  Full Self-Driving Beta can roll through all-way stops without stopping. Fixed over the air.^8,9

• 22V063000 2020–2022

  The Boombox can drown out the pedestrian warning sound. Replaced by 22V235000.^10,9

• 22V235000 2020–2022

  The Boombox can drown out the pedestrian warning sound, including in Summon. Replaces the fix for 22V063000.^10,9

• 22V818000 2017–2021

  Power steering assist can drop out on rough roads or after a pothole. Fixed over the air.^5,6

• 23V085000 2016–2023

  Full Self-Driving Beta can behave unsafely at junctions and respond poorly to speed limit changes. Fixed over the air.^8,11

• 23V838000 2012–2023

  Autosteer's checks may not do enough to stop a driver misusing it. Fixed over the air.^12,11

• 24V051000 2012–2023

  The brake, parking brake and ABS warning lights are shown in letters too small. Fixed over the air.^12,11

• 24V153000 2013–2021

  A factory reset can silence the sound that warns pedestrians of the car. Fixed over the air.^13,14

• 24V376000 2012–2024

  The seat belt warning may not come on for an unbelted driver. Fixed over the air.^12,15

Sources

1. Jalopnik on used reliability
2. Tesla Motors Club thread
3. Kelley Blue Book on battery replacements
4. InsideEVs used buyer's guide
5. NHTSA recalls (2017 Model S)
6. NHTSA recalls (2021 Model S)
7. NHTSA recalls (2014 Model S)
8. NHTSA recalls (2016 Model S)
9. NHTSA recalls (2022 Model S)
10. NHTSA recalls (2020 Model S)
11. NHTSA recalls (2023 Model S)
12. NHTSA recalls (2012 Model S)
13. NHTSA recalls (2013 Model S)
14. NHTSA recalls (2018 Model S)
15. NHTSA recalls (2024 Model S)