KnownCarProblems2014 Tesla Model S Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 366 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Tesla Model S, most often about the electrical (36% of complaints, typically around 64,000 miles). It is 5th of 15 Model S model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2014 Tesla Model S problems
Electrical
133 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: propulsion system, instrument cluster/panel.
The Tesla mcu1 is known to fail as highlighted by many respectable news agencies. There are even shops around the country specializing in this crazy repair that involves hacking the car. The mcu in my car is beginning to fail and will black out/freeze randomly. Basically the ideal use for it, is not to use it so it…
The car has lost a large amount of charging speed. Tesla has informed me multiple times there is nothing wrong when I know for a fact the charge speed has dropped an average of 10kw from when I first bought it. My main marker was at 5p% the car would be at 72kw and now after a random OTA update a few months ago at 5p%…
Suspension
90 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear.
This is another example of a Tesla with a rear wheel assembly that has fallen completely off the car. Https://m.iaai.com/vehicledetenc.aspx?auctionid=0&itemid=21617174&rowid=10&pagesource=vehicleresults# the car has suffered heavy front end damage but there is no sign of damage at the rear left that could explain why…
Here is anothe Tesla in the salvage yard. Https://m.iaai.com/vehicledetenc.aspx?auctionid=0&itemid=23004896&rowid=19&pagesource=vehicleresults front lh suspension has collapsed. Tire is peeled off the rim and has the tread worn away tire is partially peeled off the rim and the wheel is damaged. These failures seem to…
Other or unspecified
82 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
My emmc chip failed in mcu when vehicle was five years old with less than sixty thousands miles. No rear view camera, no accessories are working, no AC, touch screen went black. With 'pin to drive' activated car becomes a brick: you can't enter pin because screen doesn't work - can't start/drive. Replacement with…
May be related tp pe 20-010 in my car sometimes AC is off immediately alos in combination with rearview mirror is set to reverse driving position. Sometimes it happens together even whilst driving forward. Depending on weather conditions visibility is reduced immediately try to pull over to emergency lane is dangerous…
Transmission
27 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles.
Total main computer failure (mcu) - many safety features were unaccessible and not available including but not limited to turn signals and hazard lights stop working, the settings for autopilot and driving are gone, the suspension settings, the ability to turn on headlights manually, ability to manually lock and…
On may 20th, 2019, the subject vehicle was updated with Tesla's software updates and lost over 20 miles overnight. The vehicle has suffered from a throttling of performance, charging speeds, and a lowered maximum battery voltage capacity which has LED to a significant decrease in the number of rated miles available.…
Steering
27 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2014 Tesla model- s. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH another vehicle was merging into the left lane where she was driving, and she made an immediate turn into the right lane. The contact stated she felt the vehicle pulled strongly into the right lane and then pulled back strongly into the…
Broken front coil springs occurred while vehicle was sitting in the driveway. It appears the driver and passenger side failed at the same time. Tire came in contact with wheel liner. No previous indication of a problem before failure steering universal joint went over time where the steering wheel would have to be…
Lights
27 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles.
When I went to start the car the central touchscreen failed. Could not control the lights, A/C, heating, could not recharge the car. Tesla charged me out of warranty over $2000 to replace the touchscreen with a refurbished one. They refused to give the old part to me even though this was replaced in nevada where the…
My Tesla s has yet another defective mcu console ruined by excessive data communication by Tesla.. It is dangerous to drive because the car speed is extremely faint in the instrument window, and there is no sound when the turn signal is activated, no radio, no map, and no HVAC control. I have to pay Tesla $1553.to…
Body and structure
26 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Because the computer in the Tesla Model S from 2014 was broken, the car was very low in suspension. Tesla knew about it in may 2020, but did not offer a repair even if I paid $2,500. Eventually the frame of the car touched the rear passenger side and the tire exploded and the wheel was so low that is bent the frame…
Door handle extension. The car has experienced multiple door handle defects, wherein the handle will not extend to open the door. Without extension the door cannot be opened. This issue happened when the car was new and all four handles were replaced, and again at 62,000 miles, when the driver's door malfunctioned.…
Fuel system
24 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles.
Tesla has limited charging speed after a 2019.16.x software update to almost 3x slower, following reports of fires with cars while just sitting there. The car has additionally began deteriorate quickly as distance available to drive after the 2019.16.x update has gone down as well. This is now known on the internet as…
Re: NHTSA action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updates the battery range on my vehicle has been capped via a software update by Tesla without my consent. I was not notified that Tesla would cap my battery's maximum charge, which in turn reduced the range and power of my vehicle…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2014 Tesla Model S recalls
Seat belts: warning light/devices
Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed july 26, 2024. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-24-00-008.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 model s, 2015-2024 model x, 2017-2023 model 3, and 2020-2023 model y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Electrical: instrument cluster/panel
Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-24-00-003.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 model s, 2016-2024 model x, 2017-2023 model 3, 2019-2024 model y, and 2024 cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the brake, park, and antilock brake system (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems" and 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Electrical: software
Risk: In certain circumstances when autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed february 10, 2024. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-23-00-008.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 model s, 2016-2023 model x, 2017-2023 model 3, and 2020-2023 model y vehicles equipped with all versions of autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the sae level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed february 18, 2022. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-21-11-003.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 model s vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 113, "hood latch system."
Visibility and wipers: defroster/defogger/hvac system
Risk: The emmc controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the emmc is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the vcm daughterboard with one containing an enhanced emmc controller, free of charge. The recall began march 29, 2021. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-21-21-001.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 tesla model s and 2016-2018 model x vehicles with a center display equipped with a nvidia tegra 3 processor and an 8gb emmc nand flash memory device. When the 8gb emmc nand flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the emmc controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and tesla service centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began may 29, 2019. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-19-20-001.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling all 2014-2016 model s vehicles equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and tesla service centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began may 7, 2019. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-18-32-002.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 tesla model s vehicles equipped with bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began march 6, 2018. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-17-33-002.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2016 model s and model x vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.
Seat belts: front
Risk: If the seat belt is not correctly attached to the pretensioner, it may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat belts, correcting their connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on december 14, 2015. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-15-20-002.
Full defect summary
Tesla motors, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 model s vehicles manufactured may 31, 2012, to november 12, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver or front passenger seat belts that may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Recall 23v838 remedy effectiveness
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) is opening a recall query to assess the remedy adequacy of recall 23v838. On december 12, 2023, tesla filed a defect information report (recall 23v838) applicable to all tesla models produced and equipped with any version of its autopilot system, which tesla described as an sae level 2 (l2) advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). Autopilot is the simultaneous engagement of teslaâs traffic-aware cruise control (tacc) and autosteer. In describing the safety defect, teslaâs defect information report (dir) explained that âthe prominence and scope of the systemâs controls may be insufficient to prevent driver misuse,â and tesla committed to th
Sudden unintended acceleration
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition requesting that odi reevaluate its decision to deny dp20-001 on the basis that intermittent high electrical current demands on the vehicles' 12vdc systems may have caused some or all of the incidents examined by odi in dp20-001. The petitioner bases this information on a review of open-source research and the dp20-001 denial. The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following odi number: 11528471.
Defect petition interlock request
Summary
On march 21, 2023, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition requesting a ârecall of all tesla carsâ produced from 2013 to the date on which the petition was filed due to what petitioner considers to be the increased likelihood of pedal misapplication. Attached to the petition is a paper authored by petitioner. According to petitioner, the differences in the operator controls between the subject tesla vehicles and internal combustion engine powered vehicles promote driver pedal misapplication, leading to sudden unintended acceleration (sua) incidents. To fix this alleged defect, petitioner argues that the subject vehicles should be equipped with measures that require:
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Autopilot system driver controls
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) upgraded pe21020 to ea22002 on june 8, 2022, to extend work and deepen the pe21020 crash analysis, to supplement that analysis with additional data, and to perform vehicle evaluations to understand how teslaâs autopilot system may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the driverâs supervision. To support this work, odi collected additional crash information and assessed vehicle control authority, driver engagement technologies, and related human factors considerations associated with partial automation via analysis of peer vehicle data and hands-on vehicle evaluation, assessments from NHTSA human
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Autopilot & first responder scenes
Summary
On august 13, 2021, NHTSA?s office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe21-020) to assess the performance of tesla?s autopilot system (a system characterized by tesla as an sae level 2 driving automation system designed to support and assist the driver in performing the driving task) available in tesla vehicles. The investigation opening was motivated by an accumulation of crashes in which tesla vehicles, operating with autopilot engaged, struck stationary in-road or roadside first responder vehicles tending to pre-existing collision scenes. Upon opening the investigation, NHTSA indicated that the pe would also evaluate additional similar circumstance crashes of
Fore link failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation based on forty-three complaints alleging failure of the left or right front suspension fore links in tesla model year (my) 2015 through 2017 model s and my 2016 through 2017 model x vehicles. The investigation has identified 426 instances of failure on part number 1041570-00-a or 1041575-00-a fore links.none of the instances resulted in any loss of vehicle control. One minor crash with no injuries is associated with the 426 instances fore link failures.a majority of the failures occurred between one to fifteen MPH while parking in driveways or parking lots.in the eight instances where the vehicle was traveling more
Loss of rearview camera
Summary
On november 20, 2020, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened engineering analysis (ea) 20-003 to investigate incidents of media control unit (mcu) failures resulting in loss of rearview camera in model year (my) 2012-18 tesla model s and model year (my) 2016-2018 tesla model x vehicles equipped with the nvidia tegra 3 processor with an integrated 8gb emmc nand flash memory device. During its investigation, odi learned that the expected usage life rating for the 8gb emmc nand flash memory device is approximately 3,000 âp/eâ or program-erase cycles, after which the emmc nand flash memory device would become fully consumed and no longer be operational, leading to a failure of the
Loss of rearview camera
Summary
On june 22, 2020, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe20-010 to investigate incidents of media control unit (mcu) failures resulting in loss of rearview camera in model year (my) 2012-2015 tesla model s vehicles equipped with the nvidia tegra 3 processor with an integrated 8gb emmc nand flash memory device. Emmc nand flash devices have a finite lifespan based upon the number of program/erase (p/e) cycles. The subject mcu allegedly fails prematurely due to memory wear-out of the emmc nand flash. Tesla used the same mcu with the tegra 3 processor in approximately 159 thousand 2012-2018 model s and 2016-2018 model x vehicles built by tesla through early-20
Questions about the 2014 Tesla Model S
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Tesla Model S?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (133 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles); suspension (90 complaints, typically around 20,000 miles); other or unspecified (82 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2014 Tesla Model S have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 28, 2024 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2014 a bad year for the Tesla Model S?
- It is 5th of 15 Model S model years by number of complaints, with 366 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.