On certain Model S vehicles, the liftgate has plugs that do not allow water to drain, causing condensation to build up inside the tail light assembly. Tail light functionality is not affected. The retrofit of updated drain-type liftgate plugs allows water to escape the liftgate and keep the tail lights dry.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Tesla Model S body problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 17 body complaints filed for the 2014 Tesla Model S, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Tesla Model S we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 17.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Three metal plates are installed on the front subframe to deflect road debris and protect the underbody from possible damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗It is possible to accidentally break off the aeroshield support tab from the HV Battery. If the tab breaks, the mid aeroshield is not fully supported, reducing the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle. The operation of the HV Battery is not affected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Instructions for installing the carbon fiber spoiler.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TESLA MOTORS: 2012-2014 S MODELS; BULLETIN INSTRUCTIONS AND REPAIR GUIDELINES FOR DRAFT ENTERING CABIN FROM A-PILLAR.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report that retractable door handles on the 2014 Model S fail chronically and repeatedly. Handles get stuck in the retracted position and won't open from outside, or they fail to extend altogether when the car is unlocked. One owner replaced all four handles twice within three years. Several owners say they've had the same handle replaced more than once and that Tesla has acknowledged the problem stems from using outdated first-generation parts with poor quality. Wiring harness defects are cited as a cause in multiple reports, and repairs are costly.
Beyond stuck-closed handles, owners describe doors opening unintentionally—rear doors popping open while reversing, and doors locking themselves when keys are left on the seat, trapping occupants inside. One owner's children were locked in the car; Tesla's response was to tell her to disable the autolock feature instead of preventing the problem.
Door handles also get dangerously hot in warm weather; one owner's child burned their hand touching a handle.
The front trunk (frunk) and rear trunk release and open on their own frequently while parked and while driving, sometimes triggered by software updates. One owner experienced the frunk pop open on I-93 at highway speed. These failures collectively pose problems for emergency responders, passengers trying to exit, and occupant safety during operation.
Same Tesla Model S body reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Retractable door handles fail to extend or get stuck retracted
Door handles fail to pop out when vehicle is unlocked, or remain stuck in the retracted position, making doors impossible to open from outside. Multiple owners report replacing the same handle two or more times within a few years of ownership. Some handles fail due to a small broken internal piece; others involve wiring harness defects.
When: Within 3–8 years of ownership; one failure noted at approximately 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Door handle does not extend when vehicle is unlocked; Handle stuck in retracted position; Door will not open from outside even when handle is manually pulled; Repeated failure of same handle after dealer repair; Both driver-side handles failed simultaneously in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla replaces door handles but uses what the manufacturer acknowledges are 'outdated' parts with 'poor quality' on first-generation Model S. Parts shortages have delayed replacements by months. Wiring harness repairs are reported to be costly. One owner added Velcro to the handle as a temporary workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla service center confirmed the issue is a known defect with outdated first-generation door handle parts. Manufacturer refuses warranty coverage in at least one reported case citing design fault with wiring harness.
Door handles open unintentionally while driving or in park
Rear and side doors open unexpectedly without occupant action, occurring both while vehicle is in motion and while parked. In one case, a rear door opened slightly when approached, then fully opened while reversing. Handles may retract with occupant's hand on them during normal door-opening attempts.
When: No specific mileage or timeline provided
Symptoms owners cite: Rear door opens slightly or completely during reversal; Door handle retracts while occupant has hand on it; Doors lock automatically when keys left inside car; No warning alerts before unintended opening (in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported the vehicle was taken to dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. Another owner disabled the autolock feature entirely as the only available workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla confirmed autolock-with-keys-inside behavior and suggested disabling the autolock feature. This issue has been discussed on Tesla's own message boards for years. Tesla told one owner they would request a 'new feature' to prevent autolocking with keys inside, treating it as a feature request rather than a safety fix.
Door handles become excessively hot in warm weather
Door handle surfaces reach temperatures high enough to burn skin when touched. One owner's 7-year-old child sustained a burn while attempting to open the door in warm weather. Owners report the handles require a protective covering to open safely.
When: In warmer weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Door handle surface burns skin on contact; Handle temperature too high to touch bare-handed; Requires covering or tool to open door safely
Repairs/costs cited: No repair notes provided; material composition unknown to owner
Front and rear trunk (frunk) opens unintentionally while driving and parked
Front and rear trunk latches release on their own, occurring frequently while the vehicle is parked and at least once while driving at highway speed. In one case, the problem began after Tesla replaced the media control unit.
When: Began after media control unit replacement in June 2020; one instance occurred on I-93 North highway
Symptoms owners cite: Front trunk suddenly releases while driving; Front and rear trunks open frequently while parked; Secondary latch prevented full opening in one highway incident; Problem recurred 7 times after initial highway incident
Repairs/costs cited: Service appointment scheduled in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla was notified of the issue in at least one case
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The car was stopped in stop and go traffic on las vegas boulevard with auto-pilot engaged (both acceleration/de-acceleration/breaking and steering). When the car in front began to move, the Tesla began to accelerate. I was not paying attention and another car tried to merge into my lane. The auto-pilot failed to recognize the other car and collided at approximately 10mph, causing minor external…
Had body trouble with your 2014 Tesla Model S?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2014 Tesla Model S?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 17 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 56,325 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Tesla/Model S.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.