Owners have reported 14 crashes, 3 fires and 6 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 Tesla Model S. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints26
SUSPENSION
Owners report frequent issues with the suspension system of the 2019 Tesla Model S, notably involving vibrations and rattling during acceleration, as well as loud clicking noises. Complaints often describe problems with the front half shafts and control arms, with some owners experiencing repeated failures and replacements. These issues are reported to occur at various mileages, with some incidents happening as early as 2,000 miles. Safety concerns are highlighted by reports of suspension failures leading to crashes, including one incident involving a fire and injury. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring suspension problems and the associated repair costs.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report multiple issues with the electrical system of the 2019 Tesla Model S, with frequent mentions of display and dashboard screens going blank or freezing, sometimes while driving. These failures lead to loss of essential functions such as speedometer, turn signals, and hazard lights. Complaints often describe sudden loss of power or unintended acceleration, with two incidents resulting in crashes and one involving an injury. Several owners experience these issues at varying mileages, with some reporting problems shortly after software updates. The potential for loss of vehicle control and the inability to access or start the car highlight significant safety implications for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several notable issues with the 2019 Tesla Model-S. A frequent complaint involves phantom braking, with multiple owners describing sudden, unexplained braking at high speeds, often while using autopilot or adaptive cruise control. Additionally, some owners experience electronic failures where the main monitor shuts off during driving, temporarily disabling essential controls. There are also reports of falcon wing doors detecting non-existent obstructions and failing to open properly. One complaint involves a fire, indicating a serious safety concern. These issues appear to occur across various mileage ranges and can pose significant safety risks, including abrupt stops and loss of control features.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints11
STEERING
Owners of the 2019 Tesla Model S frequently report issues with the steering system, with several complaints highlighting sudden power steering assist failures. Symptoms often include increased steering effort and erratic autopilot behavior, particularly during lane changes or while navigating curves. Some owners mention these problems occurring at highway speeds, with a few reporting incidents at approximately 5,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as one complaint involves a crash and fire, and others describe near-miss situations due to steering malfunctions. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues, especially given the recurring nature of the complaints and the possible safety risks involved.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints10
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report frequent instances of phantom braking in the 2019 Tesla Model S, particularly when using cruise control or autopilot. Typical symptoms include sudden, hard braking without any apparent obstruction, sometimes described as almost skidding, and unexpected braking when approaching road signs or shadows. These incidents occur across various mileage ranges, with one report noting the issue at 59,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with one reported crash attributed to brake failure, although no injuries or airbag deployments occurred. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, particularly as they can lead to sudden stops on highways, which could pose a risk of rear-end collisions.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints10
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report frequent issues with the forward collision avoidance system in the 2019 Tesla Model S, particularly involving "phantom braking" where the vehicle unexpectedly brakes without apparent cause, often at highway speeds. Complaints frequently mention sudden deceleration from speeds as high as 75 mph to as low as 25 mph, which can create a safety hazard for both the vehicle occupants and surrounding traffic. These incidents often occur with the autopilot or cruise control engaged, and some owners note that the problem persists over several years of ownership. The failure is sporadic but consistent, with some owners experiencing it multiple times during a single trip. Safety implications are significant, as the sudden braking can lead to potential rear-end collisions, especially on busy highways.
Owner complaints8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2019 Tesla Model S frequently report issues with the vehicle's speed control systems, particularly involving unexpected braking and unintended acceleration. Complaints often describe "phantom braking" incidents where the car abruptly decelerates without apparent cause, especially when using adaptive cruise control, leading to near-miss rear-end collisions. Some reports also mention sudden unintended acceleration, with one case involving a crash and an injury. These issues are noted at varied mileages, with one incident occurring at approximately 12,548 miles. Buyers should be aware of these safety implications, as the problems have led to crashes and potential loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints6
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2019 Tesla Model S frequently report issues with the vehicle's structure, particularly involving the bumper and door functionality. One recurring problem involves the bumper not being fully attached, even after multiple repair attempts, although a new bumper installation resolved this for one owner. Another common issue concerns the Falcon Wing Doors, which fail to open in high temperatures due to an "Obstacle Detected" error, requiring manual intervention that involves disabling child safety locks. Safety implications are significant, as two complaints involve crashes: one due to a backup camera screen switching off unexpectedly, and another involving the Full Self Driving feature's Summon function causing a collision with a parked car. These issues occur across varying timelines, with no specific mileage patterns reported.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints5
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2019 Tesla Model S frequently report issues with sudden unintended acceleration, often occurring during low-speed maneuvers such as parking or turning, which is sometimes followed by crashes. In several instances, the air bags fail to deploy during these crashes, even when multiple collisions occur. Complaints highlight incidents with vehicles having low mileage, such as one report at 76.2 miles. Safety implications include crashes and, in one case, significant injuries. These patterns suggest potential safety risks that used car buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints3
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2019 Tesla Model S report recurring issues with the power train, specifically related to the half shafts and drive units. Complaints frequently mention abnormal ticking sounds and vibrations, with some owners needing to replace the half shafts multiple times within a short mileage range, typically around 2,000 to 23,000 miles. Another concern involves sudden loss of power while driving, with one report describing the vehicle losing power on a busy highway shortly after a warning lamp illuminated, necessitating a tow and resulting in a fuse and battery replacement. These issues raise potential safety implications, as sudden power loss could increase the risk of accidents in traffic. Buyers considering a used 2019 Model S should be aware of these reported power train issues and monitor for similar symptoms.
