2018 Tesla Model S vs 2020 Tesla Model S
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2018 Tesla Model S | 2020 Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 168 | 80 |
| Recall campaigns | 11 | 11 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 78 | 64 |
| Investigations | 8 | 8 |
| Crash reports | 36 | 16 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | — | — |
| Median reported incident mileage | 16,500 mi | 5,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Tesla Model S | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 49 | 23 |
| Electrical System | 34 | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 27 | 8 |
| Suspension | 20 | 14 |
| Service Brakes | 25 | 6 |
| Steering | 15 | 10 |
| Lane Departure | 13 | 4 |
| Structure | 10 | 5 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 5 | 5 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 6 |
2018 Tesla Model S
2020 Tesla Model S
Compare all Tesla Model S vs Tesla Model S years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.