2023 Tesla Model S problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My Tesla Model S has a touch-sensitive horn button on the right side of the steering wheel. In urgent situations, I've often had difficulty quickly locating it to get another driver's attention. Tesla quoted me $1800 to replace the steering wheel with a model that has the horn in the center, like most other cars. This is a safety concern because owners shouldn't have to pay to move the horn for safety reasons. Tesla should be required to retrofit any model with a touch button for the horn to one with the horn in the center of the steering wheel.

NHTSA complaint #11756007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

​The driver's seat assembly on the vehicle suffers from a critical mechanical and software tracking defect that causes the seat to permanently jam into a mechanical lock, creating an immediate and severe safety hazard. ​The electronic calibration soft-stops for the driver's seat allow the mechanism to travel past the safe limits of the track when indexed or operated. When the seat reaches the absolute mechanical limit of the rear rail, the lead screw/worm gear mechanism binds tightly, resulting in a total mechanical lock where the motor lacks the breakaway torque to reverse direction. This causes the driver's seat to become permanently stuck in the fully rearward position. ​This defect directly compromises vehicle safety by potentially preventing a driver from safely reaching and operating the brake and accelerator pedals. ​The vehicle has been taken to the manufacturer's service center on three separate occasions for this exact issue. During these three visits, technicians physically replaced the seat motor, checked track alignment, and attempted recalibration. Despite these repeated hardware interventions, the defect persists, and the seat continues to travel past safe limits and bind into a mechanical lock. The manufacturer has now refused to correct the underlying track/assembly defect under warranty, incorrectly dismissing the recurring, hazardous mechanical failure as "customer education." The vehicle lacks a safe physical fail-safe to prevent the seat from self-destructing into a permanently jammed state.

NHTSA complaint #11753375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Repeated warning of failure of Front left safety restraint system. Now also a seatbelt warning light. Have already bright car to service three times. Tesla acknowledges inability to resolve recurrent issue. I think this was a recall issue for previous years of this model, Model S. Most recent yesterday, Friday, June 12, 2026.

NHTSA complaint #11743884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I feel Tesla has introduced two safety issues with a recent version of software relating to the "Full Self Driving (Supervised)" feature. Issue #1. When disengaging the Full Self Driving ("FSD") software, Tesla positions a dialog box over the main center display screen. The box takes up a fairly large portion of space. The purpose of the box is to provide feedback on the reason for disengaging FSD. This dialog box does not dismiss by itself. The only way for the user to dismiss it is to tap one of the 4 options presented or leave a voice message. This is an unnecessary distraction that in no way is required for the user to operate the vehicle. Tesla is mandating feedback and introducing distractions when users take over control of the vehicle for their sole benefit. It is also akin to a penalty for disabling FSD, as it a generally negative experience for most people. Issue #2. Tesla has introduced a mandatory "FSD Streak" counter. This number appears on the smaller instrumentation screen for the S & X models. The counter counts the number of miles consecutively traveled by FSD. When a driver disables FSD for any reason, the counter resets to 0. The gamification of keeping FSD enabled is a major safety issue. Some people are highly susceptible to increasing this number as high as possible as if it were a video game. In situations where they should likely disable FSD and make manual control, there are inevitably users that will hesitate or maybe even not take control at all because they do not want to reset the counter. Tesla does not have any options to disable or remove this counter, so even people who know they are susceptible to this cannot remove it. This is akin to placing an open beer in the car and saying people will not drink it because they have self control... only - as we know, addiction is a disease, and games are just as addicting as many substances.

NHTSA complaint #11743804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the horn button on the right side of the steering wheel was not easily accessible. The contact was concerned that the issue could prevent the driver from beeping the horn during emergencies, increasing the risk of a crash. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to purchase the improved steering wheel designed with a center horn. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable.

NHTSA complaint #11742158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Tesla just sold me a car with defective front half shafts axles. The car makes a reproducible and very concerning accelerator pedal shudder that makes the entire vehicle front vibrate, including the steering wheel and brake pedals while the car is accelerating between 30-60mph. This interferes with safety features like, lane departure assistance and blind spot steering wheel feedback, Confusing the driver and creating a distracting scenario where an accident can happen. Upon bringing this to the attention of the service center in Fort Myers Florida, the service center manager took a drive test with me, and was able to replicate the issue, but immediately started dismissing it as "normal" and within Tesla specs. This is becoming a regular practice at that service center, where they deem warrantable issues as normal and within (their tolerance). I insisted that this issue is not to be taken likely by Tesla, because it is something that involves a safety hazard. Upon further research, I was able to find that this issue is happening to many Teslas model S and X, where the front axles bend due to the weight and high torque of the vehicles. The issue falls completely under warranty and the half shafts should be replaced, but apparently Tesla has instructed their service centers to dismiss and disregard the symptoms, and just tell the customers that no warranty replacement will occur, because it is not necessary, we just have to drive the cars like this, until the car completely fails, or an accident happens because one of the bent axle shafts breaks on a highway during normal drive. I recording this report as evidence that the issue has been reported to the highest vehicle safety authorities, and I expect a corrective action so Tesla can fix my car under the existing unexpired warranty.

NHTSA complaint #11737380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

Tesla just sold me a car with defective front half shafts axles. The car makes a reproducible and very concerning accelerator pedal shudder that makes the entire vehicle front vibrate, including the steering wheel and brake pedals while the car is accelerating between 30-60mph. This interferes with safety features like, lane departure assistance and blind spot steering wheel feedback, Confusing the driver and creating a distracting scenario where an accident can happen. Upon bringing this to the attention of the service center in Fort Myers Florida, the service center manager took a drive test with me, and was able to replicate the issue, but immediately started dismissing it as "normal" and within Tesla specs. This is becoming a regular practice at that service center, where they deem warrantable issues as normal and within (their tolerance). I insisted that this issue is not to be taken likely by Tesla, because it is something that involves a safety hazard. Upon further research, I was able to find that this issue is happening to many Teslas model S and X, where the front axles bend due to the weight and high torque of the vehicles. The issue falls completely under warranty and the half shafts should be replaced, but apparently Tesla has instructed their service centers to dismiss and disregard the symptoms, and just tell the customers that no warranty replacement will occur, because it is not necessary, we just have to drive the cars like this, until the car completely fails, or an accident happens because one of the bent axle shafts breaks on a highway during normal drive. I recording this report as evidence that the issue has been reported to the highest vehicle safety authorities, and I expect a corrective action so Tesla can fix my car under the existing unexpired warranty.

NHTSA complaint #11737380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Tesla just sold me a car with defective front half shafts axles. The car makes a reproducible and very concerning accelerator pedal shudder that makes the entire vehicle front vibrate, including the steering wheel and brake pedals while the car is accelerating between 30-60mph. This interferes with safety features like, lane departure assistance and blind spot steering wheel feedback, Confusing the driver and creating a distracting scenario where an accident can happen. Upon bringing this to the attention of the service center in Fort Myers Florida, the service center manager took a drive test with me, and was able to replicate the issue, but immediately started dismissing it as "normal" and within Tesla specs. This is becoming a regular practice at that service center, where they deem warrantable issues as normal and within (their tolerance). I insisted that this issue is not to be taken likely by Tesla, because it is something that involves a safety hazard. Upon further research, I was able to find that this issue is happening to many Teslas model S and X, where the front axles bend due to the weight and high torque of the vehicles. The issue falls completely under warranty and the half shafts should be replaced, but apparently Tesla has instructed their service centers to dismiss and disregard the symptoms, and just tell the customers that no warranty replacement will occur, because it is not necessary, we just have to drive the cars like this, until the car completely fails, or an accident happens because one of the bent axle shafts breaks on a highway during normal drive. I recording this report as evidence that the issue has been reported to the highest vehicle safety authorities, and I expect a corrective action so Tesla can fix my car under the existing unexpired warranty.

NHTSA complaint #11737380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have been consistently at risk since I picked up my car in late December 2023. The Horn icon which is impossible for older people to see, especially at night, is located in a place that is very hard to find on the steering wheel and unintuitive. Just yesterday, a large truck was coming around the corner near my house in my lane in the opposite direction and I could not find the horn to honk. It was another near miss. Interestingly, Tesla changed the design and put the horn in the middle of the steering wheel where it belongs starting in January 2024 just a few days after I picked up my car. I need the Horn in an intuitive place in the middle of the steering wheel for my safety and the safety of the other people on the road I believe Tesla should pay to change out the steering wheel

NHTSA complaint #11736794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My car had a software update last night. This morning, there is now a forced "feedback" prompt that comes on the information screen whenever I disengage the autopilot. This prompt grays out the rest of the screen and does not disappear until I manually select a feedback option. This forced prompt is very distracting, requiring manual user input to get rid of, which makes driving distracting and dangerous.

NHTSA complaint #11734662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

My car had a software update last night. This morning, there is now a forced "feedback" prompt that comes on the information screen whenever I disengage the autopilot. This prompt grays out the rest of the screen and does not disappear until I manually select a feedback option. This forced prompt is very distracting, requiring manual user input to get rid of, which makes driving distracting and dangerous.

NHTSA complaint #11734662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The vehicle is over reporting it's speed by 5% this is a large discrepancy which effects safety by causing people drivers around you to change lanes because you are traveling under the speed limit. Tesla is unable to calibrate the speedometers are the service center. They have documented the failure. It also adds miles to the odometer prematurely. This problem started after Tesla upgraded the car with a Track Package which is a $24,000 upgrade

NHTSA complaint #11713173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

The vehicle is over reporting it's speed by 5% this is a large discrepancy which effects safety by causing people drivers around you to change lanes because you are traveling under the speed limit. Tesla is unable to calibrate the speedometers are the service center. They have documented the failure. It also adds miles to the odometer prematurely. This problem started after Tesla upgraded the car with a Track Package which is a $24,000 upgrade

NHTSA complaint #11713173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The vehicle is over reporting it's speed by 5% this is a large discrepancy which effects safety by causing people drivers around you to change lanes because you are traveling under the speed limit. Tesla is unable to calibrate the speedometers are the service center. They have documented the failure. It also adds miles to the odometer prematurely. This problem started after Tesla upgraded the car with a Track Package which is a $24,000 upgrade

NHTSA complaint #11713173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The horn is a little button on the steering wheel. Tesla has since switched to a center horn. I assume this is due to safety concern that accessing the horn during a panicked situation is difficult. I have almost been in a few accidents as it is impossible to find the horn while evading a potential accident. Tesla will not modify my vehicle as a safety related issue and instead wants to charge almost 2,000. This should be a recall. Tesla switched back to a center horn, a clear admission that there is a design flaw. How they can't modify a vehicle under a recall is ludicrous.

NHTSA complaint #11707197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Auto emergency braking is occurring when vehicle recognizes leaves as people. This has happened on three occasions. It is startling to say the least and a matter of time that I am rear ended due to this. Service center acknowledged these events but said they can't do anything about it.

NHTSA complaint #11707195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

While operating my 2023 Tesla Model S Long range using Full Self Driving Supervised and software version 14.2.1.25, the speed control no longer is available and has been replaced by speed profiles. When operating the vehicle on Interstate 77 Southbound around Statesville, NC and on or about December 22, 2025, I set the speed profiles to standard in a 55 mph zone in which the Tesla recognized and displayed that it was operating in a 55 mph zone in Standard profile mode, the car varied in speed (with no traffic ahead) from about 57 mph to over 76 mph. This is highly unsafe and I had to repeatedly move back to Chill or Sloth mode at which time the vehicle strongly and unsafely braked causing cars behind me to close on me quickly and have to make strong and unplanned braking maneuvers to avoid hitting me. This was not the case when I bought the car and FSD when operating under 13.2.9. The removal of max speed control is extremely unpredictable and unsafe for me and those around me.

NHTSA complaint #11706639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

While operating my 2023 Tesla Model S Long range using Full Self Driving Supervised and software version 14.2.1.25, the speed control no longer is available and has been replaced by speed profiles. When operating the vehicle on Interstate 77 Southbound around Statesville, NC and on or about December 22, 2025, I set the speed profiles to standard in a 55 mph zone in which the Tesla recognized and displayed that it was operating in a 55 mph zone in Standard profile mode, the car varied in speed (with no traffic ahead) from about 57 mph to over 76 mph. This is highly unsafe and I had to repeatedly move back to Chill or Sloth mode at which time the vehicle strongly and unsafely braked causing cars behind me to close on me quickly and have to make strong and unplanned braking maneuvers to avoid hitting me. This was not the case when I bought the car and FSD when operating under 13.2.9. The removal of max speed control is extremely unpredictable and unsafe for me and those around me.

NHTSA complaint #11706639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

needed to honk the horn to alert another driver of impending collision but the small button, now located to the right of the center of the steering wheels, is too hard to locate in a quick emergency situation. you look away , miss the button and set off wipers instead.,... shd be put back as pushable center

NHTSA complaint #11694180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Without prior incident or warning all ADAS systems stopped working, including adaptive cruise control, AP, FSD, automatic emergency breaking, blind spot warning, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, parking collision warning. There were no alerts displayed on either driver’s display (other than ‘park assist unavailable’). Also there was no visualization of surrounding traffic, roads etc that is normally visible. The cameras were clean. Rebooting the MCU did not resolve the issues.

NHTSA complaint #11687249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Without prior incident or warning all ADAS systems stopped working, including adaptive cruise control, AP, FSD, automatic emergency breaking, blind spot warning, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, parking collision warning. There were no alerts displayed on either driver’s display (other than ‘park assist unavailable’). Also there was no visualization of surrounding traffic, roads etc that is normally visible. The cameras were clean. Rebooting the MCU did not resolve the issues.

NHTSA complaint #11687249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

Without prior incident or warning all ADAS systems stopped working, including adaptive cruise control, AP, FSD, automatic emergency breaking, blind spot warning, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, parking collision warning. There were no alerts displayed on either driver’s display (other than ‘park assist unavailable’). Also there was no visualization of surrounding traffic, roads etc that is normally visible. The cameras were clean. Rebooting the MCU did not resolve the issues.

NHTSA complaint #11687249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

The steering wheels on these Tesla Model S vehicles have a horn button instead of depressing the center of the wheel. This button is difficult to find when turning the wheel or when an incident is happening.

NHTSA complaint #11684245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.