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2023 Tesla Model S problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2023 Tesla Model S has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 114owner complaints
- 8crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 0injuries reported
114 complaints, against an average of 223 for the other 14 Tesla Model S model years.
Every Tesla Model S model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2023 Tesla Model S?
The components named most often in the 114 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2023 Tesla Model S owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 114 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2023 Tesla Model S been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2023 Tesla Model S as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2023 Tesla Model S recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAUpdate Vehicle Firmware To Restore Post-Crash eCall Functionality
Risk: On affected vehicles the eCall audio system will not operate in compliance with Regulations when the front passenger seat is occupied. As a result communications between the occupants of the vehicle and an eCall public safety answer point are unavailable post-crash.
Fix: Install modified software via an Over the Air (OTA) wireless update.
EU Safety GateThe vehicle may have been equipped with an incorrect driver airbag during servicing to retrofit an alternative steering wheel.Airbags that are not adapted to the vehicle configuration can lead to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe front seat belt may not be properly attached to the pre-tensioner anchor and may not function properly in the event of a collision,…The front seat belt may not be properly attached to the pre-tensioner anchor and may not function properly in the event of a collision, increasing the risk of injury.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2023 Tesla Model S owners report?
12 of the 114 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Tesla removed speed control from their "full self-driving" product. They have removed the ability to conveniently switch to normal cruise control (have to pull over on freeway or get off freeway to park first) and speed profiles use outdated map data and frequently suddenly change speeds. Sometimes they go away faster than the speed limit and sometimes the car suddenly drops 20mp less in the middle of freeway traffic.
Catastrophic structural failure of the rear driver-side (LH) brake caliper assembly on a 2023 Tesla Model S Plaid at approximately 18,036 miles. While driving normally on a public roadway, the factory-installed rear LH brake caliper bolts backed out completely due to improper assembly torque or a latent material defect. The unbolted caliper detached entirely from its mounting bracket and collapsed into the spinning wheel barrel. The caliper became violently wedged between the wheel rim and the rotor, instantly puncturing the wheel, flattening the driver-side rear tire, damaging the…
My 2023 Tesla Model S has a horn activated by a small button on the right side of the steering wheel rather than by pressing the center of the steering wheel. During a recent dangerous traffic situation, I needed to use the horn immediately to warn another driver, but I could not locate and activate the horn button quickly enough while concentrating on avoiding the hazard. No collision occurred. The incident occurred approximately on August 23–24, 2026; I do not recall the exact date. I reported this to Tesla as a safety concern. Tesla confirmed that my vehicle can be converted to the newer…
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while exiting a supercharging station with the Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature engaged, the message "Take Over Immediately" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle abruptly accelerated into an intersection and crashed head-on with another vehicle. The air bags deployed as needed. The contact stated that a Police report was filed; however, the report number was not provided. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it remained undiagnosed and unrepaired. The manufacturer…
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the horn button on the right side of the steering wheel was not easily accessible. The contact was concerned that the issue could prevent the driver from beeping the horn during emergencies, increasing the risk of a crash. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to purchase the improved steering wheel designed with a center horn. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Tesla just sold me a car with defective front half shafts axles. The car makes a reproducible and very concerning accelerator pedal shudder that makes the entire vehicle front vibrate, including the steering wheel and brake pedals while the car is accelerating between 30-60mph. This interferes with safety features like, lane departure assistance and blind spot steering wheel feedback, Confusing the driver and creating a distracting scenario where an accident can happen. Upon bringing this to the attention of the service center in Fort Myers Florida, the service center manager took a drive test…
My car had a software update last night. This morning, there is now a forced "feedback" prompt that comes on the information screen whenever I disengage the autopilot. This prompt grays out the rest of the screen and does not disappear until I manually select a feedback option. This forced prompt is very distracting, requiring manual user input to get rid of, which makes driving distracting and dangerous.
The vehicle is over reporting it's speed by 5% this is a large discrepancy which effects safety by causing people drivers around you to change lanes because you are traveling under the speed limit. Tesla is unable to calibrate the speedometers are the service center. They have documented the failure. It also adds miles to the odometer prematurely. This problem started after Tesla upgraded the car with a Track Package which is a $24,000 upgrade
While operating my 2023 Tesla Model S Long range using Full Self Driving Supervised and software version 14.2.1.25, the speed control no longer is available and has been replaced by speed profiles. When operating the vehicle on Interstate 77 Southbound around Statesville, NC and on or about December 22, 2025, I set the speed profiles to standard in a 55 mph zone in which the Tesla recognized and displayed that it was operating in a 55 mph zone in Standard profile mode, the car varied in speed (with no traffic ahead) from about 57 mph to over 76 mph. This is highly unsafe and I had to…
The left turn signal is intermittent, it works most of the time, but many times the button on the yoke will not turn on the turn signal. Tesla wants $265 to fix it even though I still am under the factory warranty. After a quick internet search this appears to be a known problem. Because there is no turn yoke (which is a very poor design and that should be recalled) I have to rest my finger on the detent for the left and right switch. If I do not I am turning on the incorrect signal. This is either a button problem or software issue, I had to have my first yoke replaced on 4/22/24 as it was…
Experienced severe phantom breaking on [XXX] in route to Las Vegas at 70mph September 2024. In heavy rain, while windshield wipers set to auto...........wipers have stopped momentarily blinding the driver, a problem Tesla hasn't fixed on my neighbors 2019 Model 3. The stalkless design prevents safe use of turn signals, horn and gear shifts. Wife who only drives an ICE car can not safely operate turn signals, horn and gear shifts in my 2023 Tesla Model S. Camera system constantly renders 'Blinded' error messages halting Autopilot features. Tesla's resolution is to clean camera's before…
While driving west on [XXX] thru Utah at 78 mph (speed limit posted 80) the car suddenly and almost violently applied full brakes and reduced speed to 50 mph before I could override by applying added pressure to the accelerator. There were no cars in front of me for over a mile, and the following cars were well back as well. This occurred late morning on perfectly dry pavement. There were few if any clouds, the temperature was in the mid to high 90's. The highway was divided with a significant center divider. If there had been a person following me within 5 car lengths there would certainly…
2023 Tesla Model S: questions owners ask
Is the 2023 Tesla Model S reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Tesla Model S; the most common categories were steering (20, 17.5%), forward collision avoidance (17, 14.9%), electrical system (9, 7.9%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 8 complaints mention a crash.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Tesla Model S?
Across 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are steering (17.5% of complaints), forward collision avoidance (14.9% of complaints), electrical system (7.9% of complaints), vehicle speed control (6.1% of complaints), visibility/wiper (5.3% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2023 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2023 Tesla Model S. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why do the headlights or taillights fail on my 2023 Tesla Model S?
5 of the 114 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2023 Tesla Model S (4.4%) describe headlights, taillights or brake lights failing or condensation in the lamps. One owner wrote: "Left Turn Signal Button About 1 in 20 times, the left turn signal button on the steering wheel does not register a press. Pressing multiple times in multiple places on the left arrow icon makes no difference." (NHTSA complaint 11582617, April 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why do the windshield wipers stop working on my 2023 Tesla Model S?
4 of the 114 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2023 Tesla Model S (3.5%) describe windshield wipers stopping or failing. One owner wrote: "I had a software update on my Tesla Model S for minor fixes (s/w version # 2024.14.9) and when I came to start the car the following systems are now working; 1/ All camera's are not working including review view camera." (NHTSA complaint 11592398, June 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Model S
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2023 only; combines NHTSA's entries for MODEL S (ALL VARIANTS) and MODEL S (ALL VARIANTS) LATER RELEASE.