2019 Tesla Model S problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

While I have not experienced this issue personally yet, it is highly possible that it affects all 2012–2020 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with the large induction motor. The issue appears to involve a manufacturing/design defect that allows coolant to leak into the motor due to a failed seal. Once coolant enters the motor, it can short electrical components and potentially cause additional electrical issues. In many cases, the failure occurs without warning, immediately disabling the vehicle and potentially leaving the driver stranded without any notice. Tesla is fully aware of this issue, yet there does not appear to be a permanent corrective solution. Instead, owners can be faced with repair costs reportedly ranging from approximately $6,000 to $12,000, often involving replacement of the entire motor assembly. The affected seal is not an owner-serviceable component, nor is it something that can reasonably be prevented or maintained by the owner. In my opinion, this is an issue Tesla needs to take responsibility for. If the failure is the result of a design defect involving the motor’s cooling and electrical systems, Tesla should develop a permanent corrective repair or provide replacement motor assemblies at no cost to affected owners. As you know, coolant and high-voltage electrical systems are a particularly bad combination. A coolant intrusion failure can create more than just an expensive repair—it potentially creates a significant safety hazard and could result in injuries depending on the nature and severity of the electrical failure. I would also think that NHTSA has the ability to require Tesla to produce records documenting the number of failures they have experienced, investigated, and repaired. That information would be extremely valuable because individual owners have no way of determining how widespread the problem actually is. Tesla, however, has access to its own service and repair records and should be able to provide meaningful data on the

NHTSA complaint #11757258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

While I have not experienced this issue personally yet, it is highly possible that it affects all 2012–2020 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with the large induction motor. The issue appears to involve a manufacturing/design defect that allows coolant to leak into the motor due to a failed seal. Once coolant enters the motor, it can short electrical components and potentially cause additional electrical issues. In many cases, the failure occurs without warning, immediately disabling the vehicle and potentially leaving the driver stranded without any notice. Tesla is fully aware of this issue, yet there does not appear to be a permanent corrective solution. Instead, owners can be faced with repair costs reportedly ranging from approximately $6,000 to $12,000, often involving replacement of the entire motor assembly. The affected seal is not an owner-serviceable component, nor is it something that can reasonably be prevented or maintained by the owner. In my opinion, this is an issue Tesla needs to take responsibility for. If the failure is the result of a design defect involving the motor’s cooling and electrical systems, Tesla should develop a permanent corrective repair or provide replacement motor assemblies at no cost to affected owners. As you know, coolant and high-voltage electrical systems are a particularly bad combination. A coolant intrusion failure can create more than just an expensive repair—it potentially creates a significant safety hazard and could result in injuries depending on the nature and severity of the electrical failure. I would also think that NHTSA has the ability to require Tesla to produce records documenting the number of failures they have experienced, investigated, and repaired. That information would be extremely valuable because individual owners have no way of determining how widespread the problem actually is. Tesla, however, has access to its own service and repair records and should be able to provide meaningful data on the

NHTSA complaint #11757258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While I have not experienced this issue personally yet, it is highly possible that it affects all 2012–2020 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with the large induction motor. The issue appears to involve a manufacturing/design defect that allows coolant to leak into the motor due to a failed seal. Once coolant enters the motor, it can short electrical components and potentially cause additional electrical issues. In many cases, the failure occurs without warning, immediately disabling the vehicle and potentially leaving the driver stranded without any notice. Tesla is fully aware of this issue, yet there does not appear to be a permanent corrective solution. Instead, owners can be faced with repair costs reportedly ranging from approximately $6,000 to $12,000, often involving replacement of the entire motor assembly. The affected seal is not an owner-serviceable component, nor is it something that can reasonably be prevented or maintained by the owner. In my opinion, this is an issue Tesla needs to take responsibility for. If the failure is the result of a design defect involving the motor’s cooling and electrical systems, Tesla should develop a permanent corrective repair or provide replacement motor assemblies at no cost to affected owners. As you know, coolant and high-voltage electrical systems are a particularly bad combination. A coolant intrusion failure can create more than just an expensive repair—it potentially creates a significant safety hazard and could result in injuries depending on the nature and severity of the electrical failure. I would also think that NHTSA has the ability to require Tesla to produce records documenting the number of failures they have experienced, investigated, and repaired. That information would be extremely valuable because individual owners have no way of determining how widespread the problem actually is. Tesla, however, has access to its own service and repair records and should be able to provide meaningful data on the

NHTSA complaint #11757258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Received error message on screen that a left front seat belt error occurred with an error code of rcm2_a564. Indications are that this error then disables the airbag deployment and the seat belt reaction to an accident. Since this is a safety issue, it should be subject to recall.

NHTSA complaint #11747590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

Two of the rims cracked, right rear and left front, both on the interior edge.

NHTSA complaint #11710893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

After a recent Tesla firmware update, the backup camera (FMVSS 111 rear visibility function) stopped working. When shifting into reverse, the display shows a black/blank screen instead of the required rearview image. However, the rear camera preview feed still functions, indicating the camera hardware is intact and the failure is likely in the MCU/deserializer routing or software handling of the reverse camera mode. Tesla Service refused to investigate the firmware or signal-routing path and instead recommended a full MCU replacement at my expense without providing diagnostic logs or evidence that the update was not the cause. They closed the case and declined further review while the federally required safety feature remains inoperative. This appears to be a software- or firmware-triggered failure of a federally mandated safety system following a Tesla-pushed update, and I request NHTSA review.

NHTSA complaint #11701794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Tesla’s software updates have rendered systems useless the vehicle wants to hug and sometimes cross the left double yellow lines. It cannot hold a constant speed and since their implementation of “supervised” full self driving, have made my vehicle unsafe

NHTSA complaint #11688285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

Tesla’s software updates have rendered systems useless the vehicle wants to hug and sometimes cross the left double yellow lines. It cannot hold a constant speed and since their implementation of “supervised” full self driving, have made my vehicle unsafe

NHTSA complaint #11688285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

My Tesla supervised FSD is a safety hazard. Promised programming updates have not improved the erratic, UNSAFE “assistance. I try it after each update, but I’m afraid to rely on it other than 5-10mph bumper to bumper road conditions. I don’t have one specific occurrence to report and thank goodness no fatality!

NHTSA complaint #11655710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

My Tesla supervised FSD is a safety hazard. Promised programming updates have not improved the erratic, UNSAFE “assistance. I try it after each update, but I’m afraid to rely on it other than 5-10mph bumper to bumper road conditions. I don’t have one specific occurrence to report and thank goodness no fatality!

NHTSA complaint #11655710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

My Tesla supervised FSD is a safety hazard. Promised programming updates have not improved the erratic, UNSAFE “assistance. I try it after each update, but I’m afraid to rely on it other than 5-10mph bumper to bumper road conditions. I don’t have one specific occurrence to report and thank goodness no fatality!

NHTSA complaint #11655710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Experienced rattling while driving. Brought car in and was told this is a known problem. Obtained copy of the bulletin from Tesla saying this was a “fix upon notification” rather than a recall. Then was forced to pay for the repairs. Upon investigation, this has been reported consistently since 2016. This seems fraudulent as it should cross the threshold of a recall. I would like Tesla to cover the costs of my repair as they would do under a recall.

NHTSA complaint #11638835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

Rear trunk power lift gate would not open. There is an emergency release on rear lift gate if someone is stuck in the car. Emergency release doesn't work, pulled on it multiple times and it is jammed doesn't move. So in an emergency you are stuck. Appeared today for first time. I have called Tesla to fix this issue. There are three beeps when the system malfunctions but a lot of good that does you if emergency release to open the lift gate doesn't work. Seems to be a common problem reviewing complaints on the internet... not matter what it should release.

NHTSA complaint #11619468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH:EMERGENCY MECHANICAL RELEASE

Rear trunk power lift gate would not open. There is an emergency release on rear lift gate if someone is stuck in the car. Emergency release doesn't work, pulled on it multiple times and it is jammed doesn't move. So in an emergency you are stuck. Appeared today for first time. I have called Tesla to fix this issue. There are three beeps when the system malfunctions but a lot of good that does you if emergency release to open the lift gate doesn't work. Seems to be a common problem reviewing complaints on the internet... not matter what it should release.

NHTSA complaint #11619468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Vehicle suddenly stopped on highway luckily there were no drivers behind me. The vehicle all of a sudden started beeping even though there was a clear path and no obstructions. Then stopped. I was panicked and in awe at what was happening. I couldn’t get the vehicle to drive I was just stuck for 10-15 seconds. I was finally able to get the car moving again but the problem hasn’t happened since. Any information as to what may have gone wrong may help other Tesla owners who may or may have not experienced this… yet

NHTSA complaint #11613861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Vehicle suddenly stopped on highway luckily there were no drivers behind me. The vehicle all of a sudden started beeping even though there was a clear path and no obstructions. Then stopped. I was panicked and in awe at what was happening. I couldn’t get the vehicle to drive I was just stuck for 10-15 seconds. I was finally able to get the car moving again but the problem hasn’t happened since. Any information as to what may have gone wrong may help other Tesla owners who may or may have not experienced this… yet

NHTSA complaint #11613861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On [XXX] at approximately 1230 pm my husband loaded my [XXX] child into the car. He shut the door then tried to open the driver site door. At that time the inside the car was 93 degrees. The car shut off. Telsa customer support was contacted multiple times. My husband expressed the urgency multiple times that there was a child under [XXX] who was stuck. There was no urgency with Telsa. We were told to contact 911 if we wanted to get our child out. There is no way to manually open the tesla model S door from the outside. At approximately 1300 911 was dispatched and the window was broken at 1330. The internal temperature of the car was approximately 110 F. She was assessed by the firefighers and determined that she did not need to go to the hospital for observation as my husband is a medical professional and her temperature was not severe enough to warrant observation. The sent a tow truck that arrived at approximately 1345. Tesla did expedite the tow truck. We were told multiple times there is absolutely no way to open an model S door manually from the outside. And given no options. We informed them we were at our house and had multiple tools. However we were unable to break the window on our own and had to call 911. My car was at the dealership [XXX] and shut down had not occurred prior to this, nor was this noted as a finding after the maintenance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11592780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

On [XXX] at approximately 1230 pm my husband loaded my [XXX] child into the car. He shut the door then tried to open the driver site door. At that time the inside the car was 93 degrees. The car shut off. Telsa customer support was contacted multiple times. My husband expressed the urgency multiple times that there was a child under [XXX] who was stuck. There was no urgency with Telsa. We were told to contact 911 if we wanted to get our child out. There is no way to manually open the tesla model S door from the outside. At approximately 1300 911 was dispatched and the window was broken at 1330. The internal temperature of the car was approximately 110 F. She was assessed by the firefighers and determined that she did not need to go to the hospital for observation as my husband is a medical professional and her temperature was not severe enough to warrant observation. The sent a tow truck that arrived at approximately 1345. Tesla did expedite the tow truck. We were told multiple times there is absolutely no way to open an model S door manually from the outside. And given no options. We informed them we were at our house and had multiple tools. However we were unable to break the window on our own and had to call 911. My car was at the dealership [XXX] and shut down had not occurred prior to this, nor was this noted as a finding after the maintenance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11592780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On [XXX] at approximately 1230 pm my husband loaded my [XXX] child into the car. He shut the door then tried to open the driver site door. At that time the inside the car was 93 degrees. The car shut off. Telsa customer support was contacted multiple times. My husband expressed the urgency multiple times that there was a child under [XXX] who was stuck. There was no urgency with Telsa. We were told to contact 911 if we wanted to get our child out. There is no way to manually open the tesla model S door from the outside. At approximately 1300 911 was dispatched and the window was broken at 1330. The internal temperature of the car was approximately 110 F. She was assessed by the firefighers and determined that she did not need to go to the hospital for observation as my husband is a medical professional and her temperature was not severe enough to warrant observation. The sent a tow truck that arrived at approximately 1345. Tesla did expedite the tow truck. We were told multiple times there is absolutely no way to open an model S door manually from the outside. And given no options. We informed them we were at our house and had multiple tools. However we were unable to break the window on our own and had to call 911. My car was at the dealership [XXX] and shut down had not occurred prior to this, nor was this noted as a finding after the maintenance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11592780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to complete a turn, the contact heard an abnormal sound emanating from the front end of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the front-end suspension and informed the contact that they observed normal wear and tear. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 58,000.

NHTSA complaint #11574485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The intermittent wipers do not work at all. I created a service ticket with Tesla and they informed me that this is a known bug affecting Model S & X vehicles and that there is currently no known date for a fix to be released.

NHTSA complaint #11561188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Sept 9th, 2023 while driving on the interstate the vehicle lost all propulsion power, red lights shown in "gear, P N D" indicator area. I was in left lane and had to get to the side of the road, 4 lanes over, where putting the car in park and back in drive allowed for it to move forward again. I proceeded to a charging station to inspect the car and during this I hear a thump in the trunk area when going over bumps. Upon inspection under the car the rear access cover was hanging down but it was dark. The following morning a closer look revealed the rear subframe where the engine mounts had broken and a large piece of the frame was missing from the inside down. Mounting tab and hardware were still in place but pulled from the structure itself. The car was not handling correctly as if it had a low tire but tire pressure was correct. At drop off I noticed the rear camber seemed quite cambered. As a structural engineer I can see where the mounting tab weld to the aluminum frame failed. The frame appears to be cast and extruded tubing welded together and the failure is what would be considered a weak point at a weld. Car is currently at Tesla Norfolk Virginia for an evaluation and when I showed them the issue the staff did not want to document the issue and requested I perform a drive along with a tech. I asked why as the pics were evidence enough as to my complaint and issue. Cursory investigation online yielded this is not an isolated occurrence and with others having very serious failures I felt it important that perhaps it is severe enough for a modified part replacement. For reference no crash damage or any other like issues have occurred prior with the car.

NHTSA complaint #11549422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.