Tesla Model S · Refreshed (2021–2026)
2022 Tesla Model S
Learn
What changed
No changes recorded for this year.
What it came with
Colors
- Ultra Red Metallic PR01 5
- Diamond Black PX02 5,6
- Frost Blue Metallic PB00 5,6
- Pearl White Multi-Coat PPSW Source pending
- Solid Black PBSB Source pending
- Obsidian Black Metallic PMBL Source pending
- Midnight Silver Metallic PMNG Source pending
- Deep Blue Metallic PPSB Source pending
- Stealth Grey PN01 Source pending
- Lunar Silver PN02 Source pending
Interiors
Compare with another year
Buy
Watch out for
Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.
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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 9
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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 10
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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
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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
- 22V037000 2016–2022
Full Self-Driving Beta can roll through all-way stops without stopping. Fixed over the air.11,12
- 22V045000 2021–2022
The seat belt chime may not sound at start-up for an unbelted driver. Fixed over the air.9,12
- 22V050000 2021–2022
A software fault can trap refrigerant and weaken the windshield defroster. Fixed over the air.9,12
- 22V063000 2020–2022
The Boombox can drown out the pedestrian warning sound. Replaced by 22V235000.13,12
- 22V104000 2021–2022
The side curtain airbag inflators may be put together wrongly.9,12
- 22V235000 2020–2022
The Boombox can drown out the pedestrian warning sound, including in Summon. Replaces the fix for 22V063000.13,12
- 22V296000 2021–2022
The touchscreen's processor can overheat while fast charging and restart, losing the rear camera picture. Fixed over the air.9,12
- 22V526000 2022
The front bumper carrier can make the passenger airbag go off wrongly in a low-speed crash.12
- 22V702000 2021–2022
A window may not reverse properly after it meets an obstruction. Fixed over the air.9,12
- 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
- 23V488000 2021–2023
The front seat belts may not be fixed properly to their pretensioner anchors and can come loose.9,14
- 23V743000 2021–2024
When the yoke or the steering wheel was swapped, the wrong driver's airbag may have been fitted.9,15
- 23V838000 2012–2023
Autosteer's checks may not do enough to stop a driver misusing it. Fixed over the air.16,14
- 23V862000 2021–2023
- 24V051000 2012–2023
The brake, parking brake and ABS warning lights are shown in letters too small. Fixed over the air.16,14
- 24V376000 2012–2024
The seat belt warning may not come on for an unbelted driver. Fixed over the air.16,15
- 24V554000 2021–2024
The car may not notice a hood left unlatched, which could fly open. Fixed over the air.9,15
- 24V967000 2021–2025
- 25V172000 2021–2024
A driver's airbag fitted with the wrong horn pad can stop the horn working.9,15
- 26V283000 2021–2023
On one software version, the rear camera picture can lag when reversing. Fixed over the air.9,14
Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.
What buyers say
Reputation: what owners and the press report
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Sought after: Better build quality All years One source so far
Owners quoted by Jalopnik say 2021 and later cars are well built, with few rattles or creaks.10
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Avoid: Yoke All years Less sought after One source so far
Jalopnik and Road & Track called the yoke a step backwards, and Consumer Reports criticised it as a distraction.2
Before you pay
Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.
Sources
- Kelley Blue Book 2021 review
- Wikipedia
- InsideEVs used buyer's guide
- Electrek on the round wheel
- TeslaTap paint
- Drive Tesla 2025 (US update)
- Drive Tesla 2021 (Plaid interior)
- MobileSyrup 2021 refresh
- NHTSA recalls (2021 Model S)
- Jalopnik on used reliability
- NHTSA recalls (2016 Model S)
- NHTSA recalls (2022 Model S)
- NHTSA recalls (2020 Model S)
- NHTSA recalls (2023 Model S)
- NHTSA recalls (2024 Model S)
- NHTSA recalls (2012 Model S)
- NHTSA recalls (2025 Model S)