Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Tesla Model S, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Forward collision avoidance23
- Suspension14
- Unknown or other14
- Steering10
- Vehicle speed control8
- Electrical system7
- Power train6
- Service brakes6
- Structure5
- Wheels4
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 8 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2020 Tesla Model S failed the safety check 1.17% of the time — 1% less often than the average 2020 passenger car (1.18%). Median odometer at inspection: 31,142 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2020
5,108 new Tesla Model S cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2020; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (898), Sweden (891), Germany (778).
- Average mass
- 2,276 kg
- Average CO₂
- 0 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 249 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Electric 100%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
In the Netherlands
293 first registered in 2020 are on Dutch roads; 13% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €87,790.
Most common APK defects
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld90
- Band onvoldoende profiel58
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm50
- Mistlicht voor onjuist afgesteld47
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde46
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm23
- Band beschadigd16
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht14
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
836 cars built in 2020 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 12 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 815 of these cars first registered in 2020 took their annual MOT test. 80% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2020 the figure was 88%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 12.1% | 4.9% |
| Visibility | 7.1% | 2.8% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.0% | 3.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.9% | 0.2% |
| Suspension | 0.9% | 0.7% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.5% | 0.2% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
321 of these cars first registered in 2020 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 118,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
32 2020 cars are on the New Zealand register; 16% arrived as used imports, 84% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2020 Tesla Model S.
| 2024283 21 May 2024 | Lights And Instruments Issue: A previous over-the-air (OTA) software update could cause the vehicle not to display the correct visual warning indicators when there are problems with… |
| 2024130 27 Feb 2024 | Other Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the pedestrian warning system not to work. As a result, the vehicle may not produce enough sound to … |
| 2023657 12 Dec 2023 | Accessories Issue: On vehicles equipped with the Autosteer advanced driver-assistance feature, when using the feature, the vehicle may not provide strong enough warnings … |
| 2023063 14 Feb 2023 | Accessories Issue: In certain traffic situations, when the FSD Beta advanced driver assistance feature is engaged, the vehicle may perform maneuvers that break certain tr… |
| 2021783 21 Dec 2021 | Structure Issue: On certain vehicles, the front trunk (frunk) hood latch may not be positioned properly. As a result, the secondary latch may not hold the hood closed. … |
| 2020497 20 Oct 2020 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, when switching the distance display setting from kilometers to miles, the speedometer displays the vehicle speed in miles per hour… |
| 2020435 15 Sept 2020 | Lights And Instruments Issue: Certain vehicles do not have the correct warning indicator to show when the passenger airbag is turned off. Recent changes to Canadian regulations requ… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System."
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Tesla told its dealers about the 2020 Tesla Model S: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11008831 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008830 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008829 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008827 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008824 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008807 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008806 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008805 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008803 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008800 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008783 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008782 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008781 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008779 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008776 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006914 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006913 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006912 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006911 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006910 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005742 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005741 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005740 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005738 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005737 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
Defect Petition Interlock Request
Pedestrian alert sounds
Autopilot System Driver Controls
Unexpected Brake Activation
Tesla Passenger Play
Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation