2018 Tesla Model S vehicle speed control problems
27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the vehicle speed control on the 2018 Tesla Model S — 16% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I pulled my Tesla Model S in a parking lot, and as I turned the car into a parking spot, the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb next to the parking lot and hit a tree. The car speed when I pulled into the parking lot and then into a parking spot was very low. so I was very surprised and…”
filed May 22, 2026
“While driving using cruise control, in the space of 9-10 miles, the vehicle had 14-16 instances of sudden, unexpected braking for no reason. Most were moderate braking incidents slowing the car 15-30 mph before I hit the accelerator to get the car back up to speed. 2 incidents were where the car…”
filed Oct 22, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Vehicle Speed Control problems in other Model S years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Model S | 6 | 6% |
| 2022 Model S | 9 | 7% |
| 2021 Model S | 14 | 8% |
| 2020 Model S | 8 | 10% |
| 2019 Model S | 3 | 7% |
| 2017 Model S | 35 | 8% |
| 2016 Model S | 79 | 12% |
| 2015 Model S | 40 | 6% |
| 2014 Model S | 22 | 6% |
| 2013 Model S | 25 | 5% |
| 2012 Model S | 1 | 2% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Tesla Model S
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.