2018 Tesla Model S: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Tesla Model S: 11 recalls, 169 owner complaints and up to 103 mpg combined.
Recalls
11 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Visibility (wipers, glass), Exterior lights Vehicle recall #21V035000 · 2021 · 134,951 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Forward collision avoidance, Forward collision avoidance Vehicle recall #21V846000 · 2021 · 11,728 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Unexpected activation of the aeb system May cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla service has released an over-the-air (ota) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #21V00B000 · 2021 · 130,441 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Tesla service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022.
Steering Vehicle recall #22V037000 · 2022 · 53,822 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #22V169000 · 2022 · 947 vehicles
What's wrong: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 model s, model x, and 2017-2020 model 3 vehicles equipped with autopilot computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image May not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (ota) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022.
Steering Vehicle recall #22V818000 · 2022 · 40,168 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #23V085000 · 2023 · 362,758 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (ota) software update, free of charge.â owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023.â
Electrical Vehicle recall #23V838000 · 2023 · 2,031,220 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (ota) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024.
Electrical Vehicle recall #24V051000 · 2024 · 2,193,869 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (ota) software update, free of charge.
Forward collision avoidance, Electrical Vehicle recall #24V153000 · 2024 · 6,557 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, "minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles."
Why it matters: Pedestrians May be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the pws sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #24V376000 · 2024 · 125,233 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (ota) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 21 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Forward collision avoidance (50): the most common themes are electrical failure (4).
- Other / unknown (36): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), stalls / loses power (4).
- Electrical (34): the most common themes are electrical failure (8).
- Speed control / throttle (27): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (8).
The 2018 Tesla Model S has 169 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 15 Model S model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 227). Complaints peaked in 2022 (34 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 16,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (428 complaints, 9 recalls), 2019 (44 complaints, 10 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (193 (front) 193 (rear) (75 kW-hr battery pack)) | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 102e | 105e | 103e | Electricity |
| Electric (193 (front) 193 (rear) (100 kW-hr battery pack)) | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 101e | 102e | 102e | Electricity |
| Electric (270 kW AC Induction (75 kW-hr battery pack)) | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 97e | 100e | 98e | Electricity |
| Electric (193 (front) 375 (rear) (100 kW-hr battery pack)) | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 92e | 105e | 98e | Electricity |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Tesla Model S.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Tesla Model S. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Tesla Model S problems?
Owners have filed 169 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance (50), other / unknown (36), electrical (34).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Tesla Model S get?
EPA ratings run up to 103 mpg combined, across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Tesla Model S repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.