2020 Tesla Model S vs 2021 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 | 2020 Tesla Model S | 2021 Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 80 | 175 |
| Recall campaigns | 11 | 23 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 64 | 91 |
| Investigations | 8 | 8 |
| Crash reports | 16 | 13 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | — | — |
| Median reported incident mileage | 5,000 mi | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Tesla Model S | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 23 | 47 |
| Steering | 10 | 29 |
| Electrical System | 7 | 25 |
| Suspension | 14 | 16 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 14 |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 15 |
| Structure | 5 | 9 |
| Lane Departure | 4 | 9 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Vibration / shaking | 6 | 0 |
| Stalling | 5 | 10 |
2020 Tesla Model S
2021 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.