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moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Of the 5 model years of Tesla Model S we track for electrical problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (12).
All 5 active electrical recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the HV battery umbrella valves, over time, may become damaged due to road debris. Replace all 5 umbrella valves with updated parts. This new revision, R1, updates the affected Countries/Regions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built between approximately January 2021 and September 22, 2022, the High Voltage (HV) battery ports’ plungers intended for internal water leak egress (also known as flood ports) can be replaced with plungers that are more robust against external ingress due to submersion during flooding or other similar high-severity abuse instances. Replace all 5 flood port plungers with updated parts. This new revision, R2, updates the affected Countries/Regions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the HV battery umbrella valves, over time, may become damaged due to road debris.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built between approximately January 2021 and September 22, 2022, the High Voltage (HV) battery ports’ plungers intended for internal water leak egress (also known as flood ports) can be replaced with plungers that are more robust against external ingress due to submersion during flooding or other similar high-severity abuse instances.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On certain Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles, the interior camera requires replacement to mitigate reduced driver attentiveness detection performance in low-light conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The 2022 Model S electrical and interface issues span from poor daily usability to potential safety threats. Owners report the redesigned capacitive-touch turn signal buttons are indistinguishable by feel, requiring eyes off the road to locate them—a serious hazard during turns or on 2-lane highways. The center console touchscreen fails to register 50% or more of legitimate finger inputs on HVAC and other controls; the voice command fallback is equally broken, with 80% accuracy at best and frequent failures to execute acknowledged commands. Several owners describe catastrophic failures: unannounced emergency braking in cruise and lane steering (10+ events per 25-mile trip), an AC drain that leaks directly onto the restraint control module and disables steering wheel buttons and the horn, and a spontaneous airbag deployment with no impact. A seat belt reminder failed to sound, and Tesla service could not install the required software fix. An electrical system power failure required battery replacement at 47,000 miles. The shift lever and hazard switch became inoperative at 1,500 miles. GPS navigation gives wrong directions regularly. One disabled driver with 46 years of driving experience cannot reach the relocated horn and faces an $1,800 bill to restore it. Tesla service has been unresponsive or dismissive across these reports.
Same Tesla Model S electrical reports on nearby years: 2021
Tesla replaced the mechanical left-stalk turn signal control with capacitive touch buttons on the left steering wheel. Owners report these buttons are not tactilely distinct, require visual confirmation to activate, and force eyes off road during turns or in non-default steering positions. At highway speeds, a 5-second visual distraction covers 440 feet.
When: Immediate upon 2022 model delivery
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to locate turn signal buttons by touch alone; Must look at steering wheel to activate turn signals; Difficult to signal while turning or with wheel not in default position; Safety hazard on 2-lane roads and rotaries
The main touchscreen fails to register touch inputs reliably, particularly for HVAC controls, sliders, and buttons. Owners report 50%+ failure rate on legitimate taps (7 of 12 touches produce no effect). The voice command backup system is equally unreliable at roughly 80% accuracy and often fails to execute acknowledged commands.
When: Observed from delivery, repeatable during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Touch inputs do not register on HVAC controls; Slider adjustments fail to change fan speed or temperature; Voice commands recognized but not executed; Voice commands misheard or completely rejected; Requires repeated interaction, forcing driver attention away from road
Repairs/costs cited: Apple devices do not exhibit this problem; no acknowledged Tesla solution
Vehicle triggers severe emergency braking events multiple times per trip without warning, operator input, or visible trigger. Occurs when cruise control or lane steering is active. No warning lights or messages precede these events. Occurs approximately 10+ times per 25-mile highway trip. Does not occur when driver has full manual control.
When: Observed from first use of cruise control and lane steering; approximately 400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden hard braking during cruise control operation; Sudden hard braking during lane steering operation; No warning indicators before braking; No explanation message after braking; Risk of rear-end collision from following vehicles; Approximately 10+ events per 25-mile trip
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla service cancelled appointment and referred owner to written explanation rather than diagnostic service
The audible seat belt reminder failed to engage when seat belt was not fastened. Vehicle was diagnosed as requiring software update; however, Tesla service center and mobile technician were unable to complete the software update for undisclosed reasons. Vehicle remains unrepaired.
When: Approximately 400 miles; first noticed pulling out of garage
Symptoms owners cite: No audible reminder when driving without fastened seat belt; Software update required but not executable
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla service center and mobile technician unable to install software update
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Numbers 22V045000 (Electrical System, Seat Belts) and 22V063000 (Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance); manufacturer exceeded reasonable time for recall repair; vehicle not repaired
AC condensate drain leaks directly onto the safety restraint control module, wetting it and deactivating multiple electrical systems. Loss of power to steering wheel buttons (left blinker, right blinker, horn) and airbag system. Tesla service technician reported this is a known recurring issue in 2021 and newer Model S vehicles but no TSB or recall exists.
When: Observed while vehicle parked; could occur during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: AC condensate leak above restraint control module; Module wetness deactivates vehicle systems; Loss of power to steering wheel buttons; Loss of left and right blinker function; Loss of horn function; Airbag system affected
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla service technician confirmed AC drain leak occurs frequently in 2021+ Model S
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or recall issued; known issue per service tech
While parked and occupied, vehicle displayed 'Electrical System Power Reduce - Vehicle will Shut down' message. Vehicle stopped charging, shut off when removed from charger, and displayed 'Climate Keeper Unavailable Due to System Fault.' Dealer diagnosed battery replacement needed but vehicle not repaired.
When: While parked, occupied; approximately 47,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power reduction warning message displayed; Vehicle shutdown message; Vehicle stopped charging; Vehicle powered off when disconnected from charger; Climate control system fault message; Vehicle immobilized
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement required per dealer diagnosis; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no further assistance provided
The shift lever and hazard warning activation switch became inoperable. Dealer diagnosed that the control bar needed replacement. Vehicle was not repaired.
When: Approximately 1,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever inoperable; Hazard warning switch inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: Control bar replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but provided no further assistance
Airbag deployed while vehicle was parked, unoccupied (or briefly occupied only), and powered off. No accident, impact, or collision occurred.
When: While parked after couple hours; vehicle powered off
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed spontaneously; No impact or accident; Vehicle powered off at time of deployment
Navigation system provides incorrect route guidance due to GPS signal errors. Owner forced to rely on phone navigation instead, creating distraction and safety risk during driving.
When: Ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: Navigation gives wrong directions; GPS signal errors; Owner must use phone for route planning during driving; Distraction during operation
Tesla relocated horn function from standard center steering wheel position to a new location. Disabled driver (46+ year driving experience) cannot reach relocated control. Tesla quotes $1,800 to relocate horn back to center wheel position. Represents significant financial hardship and safety limitation for this population.
When: Upon 2022 model delivery
Symptoms owners cite: Horn control relocated from center steering wheel; Disabled driver unable to access relocated horn; Excessive cost ($1,800) to restore original accessibility
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla quotes $1,800 to reinstall horn at center steering wheel
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
The navigation system keeps giving wrong directions due to an error in the GPS signal, I had to use my phone for route frequently. This is distracting and dangerous, and can lead to fatal accidents.
On November 1, I terminated my 3 year lease on a 2019 Tesla S for a new lease on a 2022 Tesla Model S. I was very happy with my original lease. During this week of driving I learned of the many changes that were made for this new model. So far most of them are only a matter of adjusting to these new/modified features. But some of them are definitely a safety hazard. This is the deletion of the…
Today I parked my car front of my house after couple ours I heard the voice and when I come close to my car I see the airbag is deployed I want you know the car doesn’t have any impact any accident when the airbag is deployed the car was off
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Based on the 12 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 24,250 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.
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.
Yes — 5 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.