Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2017 Tesla Model S
NHTSA data on file today
The 2017 Tesla Model S has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 395 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #24V376000 Seat Belt Warning System Malfunction/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V051000 Incorrect Font Size on Warning Lights/FMVSS 105 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V838000 Autopilot Controls Insufficient to Prevent Misuse NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V085000 Full Self-Driving Software May Cause Crash NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V818000 Loss of Power Steering Assist NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V037000 Vehicle May Fail to Stop at Stop Sign NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V00B000 Front Trunk Hood May Open Unexpectedly/FMVSS 113 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V846000 Unexpected Activation of Automatic Emergency Brake NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V035000 Center Display Can Lose Rearview Camera Image NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 104 complaints
- Suspension 104 complaints
- Unknown or Other 91 complaints
- Forward Collision Avoidance 57 complaints
- Steering 42 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 35 complaints
Of the 395 complaints on file, 47 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 395 complaints, owners report 22 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2017 Tesla Model S has received 395 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns. Complaints mainly highlight suspension and electrical system issues. Despite these concerns, the recall campaigns largely target software and safety system updates, which Tesla can often address remotely, suggesting a mixed reliability profile. However, given the limited severity in complaints relative to the number of vehicles on the road, this vehicle provides an average reliability outlook.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| suspension | Unknown | $800–$2,500 | common |
| electrical system | Unknown | $500–$2,000 | common |
| forward collision system | Unknown | $300–$900 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Tire rotations every 10,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Air filter replacement every 2 years
- Cabin air filter replacement annually
- Inspect and lubricate all body hinges regularly
- Coolant check every 50,000 miles
- 12V battery replacement as needed
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual suspension noises
- Fluctuating electrical features
- Unresponsive touch screen
- Erratic speed control behavior
- Unexpected brake activations
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2017 Tesla Model S at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.