2021 Tesla Model S

Watch out for

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

Wrong airbag after a wheel swap All years One source so far

What to check: If the yoke or the wheel has been swapped, confirm with Tesla that recall 23V743000 was done.

The driver's airbag fitted after a swap may be the wrong one.

Sources ¹
Door handles that do not extend All years One source so far

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. In a crash that cuts the 12-volt power they may not open; the rear manual releases sit under the carpet below the rear seats.

Sources ²
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 ³
Battery capacity All years One source so far

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

Tesla's battery warranty runs 8 years or 150,000 miles and passes to a new owner. It repairs a pack at 70 per cent.

Sources ³

Recalls

21V846000 2017–2021
On one software version, a communication fault can cause false collision warnings or sudden emergency braking. Fixed over the air.^4,1
21V868000 2021
The driver's airbag can tear when it goes off.¹
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.^5,1
22V037000 2016–2022
Full Self-Driving Beta can roll through all-way stops without stopping. Fixed over the air.^6,7
22V045000 2021–2022
The seat belt chime may not sound at start-up for an unbelted driver. Fixed over the air.^1,7
22V050000 2021–2022
A software fault can trap refrigerant and weaken the windshield defroster. Fixed over the air.^1,7
22V063000 2020–2022
The Boombox can drown out the pedestrian warning sound. Replaced by 22V235000.^8,7
22V104000 2021–2022
The side curtain airbag inflators may be put together wrongly.^1,7
22V235000 2020–2022
The Boombox can drown out the pedestrian warning sound, including in Summon. Replaces the fix for 22V063000.^8,7
22V296000 2021–2022
The touchscreen's processor can overheat while fast charging and restart, losing the rear camera picture. Fixed over the air.^1,7
22V702000 2021–2022
A window may not reverse properly after it meets an obstruction. Fixed over the air.^1,7
22V818000 2017–2021
Power steering assist can drop out on rough roads or after a pothole. Fixed over the air.^4,1
22E092000 2021
The wrong door mirrors were fitted: a curved glass on the driver's side, and no distance warning etched on the passenger's side.¹
23V085000 2016–2023
Full Self-Driving Beta can behave unsafely at junctions and respond poorly to speed limit changes. Fixed over the air.^6,9
23V488000 2021–2023
The front seat belts may not be fixed properly to their pretensioner anchors and can come loose.^1,9
23V743000 2021–2024
When the yoke or the steering wheel was swapped, the wrong driver's airbag may have been fitted.^1,10
23V838000 2012–2023
Autosteer's checks may not do enough to stop a driver misusing it. Fixed over the air.^11,9
23V862000 2021–2023
The doors can unlock in a crash. Fixed over the air.^7,9
24V051000 2012–2023
The brake, parking brake and ABS warning lights are shown in letters too small. Fixed over the air.^11,9
24V153000 2013–2021
A factory reset can silence the sound that warns pedestrians of the car. Fixed over the air.^12,13
24V376000 2012–2024
The seat belt warning may not come on for an unbelted driver. Fixed over the air.^11,10
24V554000 2021–2024
The car may not notice a hood left unlatched, which could fly open. Fixed over the air.^1,10
24V967000 2021–2025
The driver's airbag can tear when it goes off.^1,14
25V172000 2021–2024
A driver's airbag fitted with the wrong horn pad can stop the horn working.^1,10
26V283000 2021–2023
On one software version, the rear camera picture can lag when reversing. Fixed over the air.^1,9

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

Watch out for

Recalls

Sources