How many recalls does the 2020 Tesla Model S have?

The 2020 Tesla Model S has 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2020 Tesla Model S has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2020 Tesla Model S?

Of 123 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is forward collision avoidance.

2020 Tesla Model S Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2020 Tesla Model S has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 6,129,297 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the forward collision avoidance. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SEAT BELTS 24V376000 2024-05-28 125,233 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

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.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 24V153000 2024-02-27 6,557 affected

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141,…

Consequence

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24V051000 2024-01-30 2,193,869 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23V838000 2023-12-12 2,031,220 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

STEERING 23V085000 2023-02-15 362,758 affected

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation.Â The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an…

Consequence

FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.Â Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023.Â Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.Â Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

STEERING 22V818000 2022-11-01 40,168 affected

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.

Consequence

A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 22V235000 2022-04-12 594,894 affected

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to…

Consequence

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at…

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 22V063000 2022-02-04 578,607 affected

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to…

Consequence

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's…

STEERING 22V037000 2022-01-27 53,822 affected

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.

Consequence

Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 21V00B000 2021-12-21 130,441 affected

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 21V846000 2021-10-29 11,728 affected

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.

Consequence

Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.

Complaints by component

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

SUSPENSION

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

STEERING

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

POWER TRAIN

SERVICE BRAKES

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Total complaints123

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The rear doors have emergency release cables in case the power is cut during a collision. These cables are hidden, not glowing, and have a small square pull on the end that is difficult to find and pull. I had great difficulty in testing the function to ensure the emergency cable pulls worked.…”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2025-12-04

“The vehicle has been taken to tesla multiple times due to ongoing controllability and safety concerns. The autopilot system will occasionally brake unexpectedly at green lights or when another vehicle is passing on the right side. The vehicle has also experienced repeated drivetrain issues,…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2025-12-01

“The vehicle has been taken to tesla multiple times due to ongoing controllability and safety concerns. The autopilot system will occasionally brake unexpectedly at green lights or when another vehicle is passing on the right side. The vehicle has also experienced repeated drivetrain issues,…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2025-12-01

“The vehicle has been taken to tesla multiple times due to ongoing controllability and safety concerns. The autopilot system will occasionally brake unexpectedly at green lights or when another vehicle is passing on the right side. The vehicle has also experienced repeated drivetrain issues,…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2025-12-01

“Rear emergency release cable does not open the trunk. The latch mechanism failed with a trunk full of groceries, I pushed down the rear setts to access the trunk compartment and crawled back and popped open the emergency release cable and it did not function. I have a service for the car scheduled…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2025-11-09

“Rear emergency release cable does not open the trunk. The latch mechanism failed with a trunk full of groceries, I pushed down the rear setts to access the trunk compartment and crawled back and popped open the emergency release cable and it did not function. I have a service for the car scheduled…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2025-11-09

“On 09/18 , I was using the smart summon feature of my tesla model s in the parking lot of costco, greenwood (indianapolis, in). The intent was to have the vehicle autonomously navigate from its parked spot toward my location, as designed and advertised by tesla. During the summon operation: 1.the…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2025-09-18

“On 09/18 , I was using the smart summon feature of my tesla model s in the parking lot of costco, greenwood (indianapolis, in). The intent was to have the vehicle autonomously navigate from its parked spot toward my location, as designed and advertised by tesla. During the summon operation: 1.the…”

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING · reported 2025-09-18

Defect investigations

Investigation AQ25002 Opened 2025-08-20 · open

Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements

The Office of Defects Investigation (â€œODIâ€�) has identified numerous incident reports submitted by Tesla, Inc. (â€œTeslaâ€�) in response to Standing General Order 2021-01 (the â€œSGOâ€�), in which the reported crashes occurred several months or more before the dates of the reports. The majority of these reports…

Investigation DP22005 Opened 2023-01-27 · closed 2023-08-07

Pedestrian alert sounds

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…

Investigation DP23001 Opened 2023-04-07 · closed 2026-03-18

Defect Petition Interlock Request

On March 21, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting a â€œrecall 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…

Investigation DP23002 Opened 2023-06-29 · open

Sudden Unintended Acceleration

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…

Investigation EA22002 Opened 2022-06-08 · closed 2024-04-25

Autopilot System Driver Controls

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 Teslaâ€™s Autopilot system may exacerbate human factors or behavioral…

Investigation EA22002 Opened 2022-06-08 · closed 2024-04-25

Autopilot System Driver Controls

Investigation EA26002 Opened 2026-03-18 · open

FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Engineering Analysis to evaluate Teslaâ€™s Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) degradation detection system. The focus of this investigation will be to assess the systemâ€™s ability, when encountering reduced roadway…

Investigation PE21020 Opened 2021-08-13 · closed 2022-06-08

Autopilot & First Responder Scenes

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)…

Investigation PE21023 Opened 2021-12-21 · closed 2023-05-26

Tesla Passenger Play

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-023) on December 21, 2021, to evaluate the driver distraction potential and use frequency / circumstances of in-vehicle game-play functionality referred to as ?Passenger Play? in certain model year (MY) 2017-2022 Tesla Model 3, S, X, and Y…