This was a Autodrive malfunction event on a brand new Tesla Model S. I was in standstill traffic when my car, which had been engaged in Autodrive, lurched forward and suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed into the car in front of us, without any driver prompts. The problem was immediately reported to Tesla who has been delaying in providing the data logs and engineering analysis for over …
2021 tesla Model S electrical problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
On [XXX] at approximately [XXX] I was driving down a small back alley/street in Baltimore when my Tesla Model S Plaid sedan stopped operating. It would not restart, including with the emergency restart bar. Since I was unable to restart it, I left it there while I ran into an appointment. About maybe 20 minutes later it started up like nothing was wrong. I did not receive any warnings on the das…
REAR PARKING SAFETY CAMERA FAILING WITH GREEN LINE, BRAND NEW CAR.HAPPENS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, IN STREET AND IN DRIVEWAY. HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES, HAVE CAUGHT ON VIDEO. LONG KNOWN ISSUE DATING BACK ON SAME MODEL AT LEAST TO 2018, SEE HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/GREEN-LINE-ON-SCREEN-WHEN-CAMERA-IS-ON-AT-DARK.129223/ FOR IDENTICAL ISSUE. MULTIPLE SERVICE TRIPS, MORE TIME IN SERVICE …
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2021 tesla Model S?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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