2019 Tesla Model S Electric Problems And Complaints

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$75,000 - $133,000
Starting Price 

Users Opinions on 2019 Tesla Model S Electric

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Disliked by Users

  • GR

    Google Review

    01/12/2019

    Rating:

    (1 Out Of 5 stars)

    ... could be larger. The B-pillar blocks my peripheral vision. On exit, there is an elbow-gouger on the B-pillar. Ouch! It is nearly impossible yo extricate yourself from the car, unaided, because you have to put your legs up over the sill, then try to squeeze between the wheel and the seat. The Tesla died on the highway. No power, nothing. Apparently, this just happens. Tesla didn't seem worried about thisRead More

    Source: edmunds

  • C

    CCharlie

    23/10/2019

    Rating:

    (1 Out Of 5 stars)

    ... Autopilot in my Model S is basically a glorified version of cruise control. It defeats the purpose of buying a Tesla.) I am incredibly disappointed in Tesla's practices of periodically repackaging Autopilot features with minimal to no visibility on the buyer's side. The documents I received describing Autopilot are very unclear and the conversations with Tesla representatives did notRead More

    Source: edmunds

  • S

    Sam

    13/05/2019

    Rating:

    (2 Out Of 5 stars)

    ... their customer. If you have a question, want to schedule service, need a part, be prepared to be shuttled to a web site. I returned the car within the 7 day 1000 mile time period as the gas mileage on the highway was 25% under the 300 miles promised. There is no documentation when you return the car and it is not possible to get someone on the phone to answer a question.Read More

    Source: edmunds

2019 Tesla Model S Problem, Complaints, Issues, Recall and which year to avoid?

9

Recalls

12

Investigations

38

Complaints
Overall Safety Rating
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 7, 2024

The 2019 Tesla Model S is a Sedan that does shine bright in terms of reliability. With iSeeCars giving it 9.5 out of 10, the Model S takes the top spot in its segment. Tesla has managed to sell slightly more than 14,100 units in 2019, suggesting the vehicle has degraded in terms of quality compared to its previous year. However, with 5 recalls and 25 complaints, the reliability is questionable as its rivals like the Lexus LS 500h, the Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid, and BMW 7 Series plug-in hybrid Sedan have all maintained a much more controlled amount of complaints and recalls. We would pick the 2019 Tesla Model S over the previous model year as it carries lesser issues in comparison. The Tesla Model S from 2019 does not seem to be the best when it comes to retaining value as it currently sells for an average of $61,999, which is a large dip from the $75,000 that it was originally listed for.

2019 Tesla Model S problems, and user complaints

Engine and Mechanical Complaints

  • SERVICE BRAKES: The contacts stated that the vehicle freely activated the brakes while driving at 70 MPH on autopilot. There were no alert lights turned on. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal to deactivate the vehicle's brakes. The rejection reoccurred without autopilot on the vehicle, according to the contact.

Safety Complaints

  • FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: The contact is having the same problems as many others when driving with AutoPilot enabled. While using cruise control, the car will indeed use its brakes for no apparent reason. The car sometimes will slam on the brakes without warning or reason, putting the occupants and the cars behind the owner in danger.

Exterior

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING: Tesla creates a one-piece headlight with no replaceable parts. This includes the headlights, high beams, and, most importantly, the daytime running lights. All of these components are mounted on an LED strip, which overheats and un-soldiers as a result of the high heat, resulting in premature failure. Some owners have reported as little as three months of life before the device fails.

Dashboard

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: The contact stated that his vehicle's horn stopped functioning without warning after receiving an over-the-air (OTA) software fix. The contact had called the service center and was told that the parts needed to service the vehicle were on their way. In addition, while driving the vehicle, the digital display stopped functioning and would not work. The vehicle speed would not display during the failure, and the turn signals, brake lights, and hazard lights were also unusable. According to the contact, the failure was intermittent.

2019 Tesla Model S recall

S.No.

Recall Date

NHTSA Campaign ID

Issues noticed

Additional remarks

Remedy

1

November 1, 2022,

22V818000

Loss of Power Steering Assist

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain Model S vehicles manufactured between 2017 and 2021. When driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole, the electronic power-assisted steering (EPAS) system may lose power steering assist.

Tesla has provided a free over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system. Owner notification letters will be mailed on December 31, 2022.

2

March 18, 2022,

22V169000

Initial Delay In Rearview Image Display/FMVSS 111

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S vehicles that have Autopilot Computer 2.5 and are running specific firmware releases. When the vehicle begins to reverse, the rearview image may not appear immediately.

Tesla will provide a free over-the-air (OTA) software update. Letters of notification to owners were mailed on May 17, 2022.

3

January 27, 2022,

22V037000

Vehicle May Fail to Stop at Stop Sign

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain Model S vehicles manufactured between 2016 and 2022. The "rolling stop" functionality included in the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to pass through an all-way stop intersection without stopping.

Tesla will provide a free over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the "rolling stop" functionality. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2022.

4

December 21, 2021,

21V00B000

Front Trunk Hood May Open Unexpectedly/FMVSS 113

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain Model S vehicles manufactured between 2014 and 2021. If the front trunk latch assembly is misaligned, the secondary hood latch will not engage.

Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly for free if necessary. Letters of notification to owners were mailed on February 18, 2022.

5

October 29, 2021,

21V846000

Unexpected Activation of Automatic Emergency Brake

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain Model S vehicles manufactured between 2017 and 2021 that use software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may result in a false forward-collision warning (FCW) or the activation of the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system.

Tesla Service has released a free over-the-air (OTA) software update. The recall started on October 25, 2021.

Should you buy a used 2019 Tesla Model S?

When the Tesla Model S was released in 2012, it caused a stir with its roadster achievement and ground-breaking EV technology. It is still Tesla's flagship sedan and remains one of the most prestigious luxury EVs on the market. Customers looking for an electric vehicle frequently consider the 2019 Tesla Model S. After all, the manufacturer claims that this vehicle is intended to go anywhere. Nevertheless, numerous owners are experiencing trouble taking it anywhere other than for service. However, the common Tesla Model S problems are severe, relating to its service brakes, forward collision avoidance, exterior lighting, and electrical system. A few of those considerations include a sturdy expected reliability rating, which Tesla has continued to struggle with. When compared to competitors such as the Lexus LS 500h, the Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid, and the BMW 740e Xdrive iPerformance, the Tesla Model S offers a comfortable driving experience with dexterity, and finesse.

  • Complaints
  • Recalls
  • Investigations
  • Manufacturer Communications

January 27, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11638835

Components: 020000 SUSPENSION

NHTSA ID Number:
11638835

Incident Date:
January 27, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
5YJSA1E25KF

Consumer Location:
AUSTIN, TX

Summary
Experienced rattling while driving. Brought car in and was told this is a known problem. Obtained copy of...

October 12, 2024, NHTSA ID Number: 11619468

Components: 175100 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

NHTSA ID Number:
11619468

Incident Date:
October 12, 2024

Vehicle Identification Number:
5YJSA1E28KF

Consumer Location:
HUDSON, MA

Summary
Rear trunk power lift gate would not open. There is an emergency release on rear lift gate if someone is ...

September 10, 2024, NHTSA ID Number: 11613861

Components: 030000 BRAKES (PWS)

NHTSA ID Number:
11613861

Incident Date:
September 10, 2024

Vehicle Identification Number:
5YJSA1E28KF

Consumer Location:
MILLBURY, MA

Summary
Vehicle suddenly stopped on highway luckily there were no drivers behind me. The vehicle all of a sudden ...

June 6, 2024, NHTSA ID Number: 11592780

Components: 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NHTSA ID Number:
11592780

Incident Date:
June 6, 2024

Vehicle Identification Number:
5YJSA1E20KF

Consumer Location:
CINCINNATI, OH

Summary
On [XXX] at approximately 1230 pm my husband loaded my [XXX] child into the car. He shut the door then ...

February 28, 2024, NHTSA ID Number: 11574485

Components: 020000 SUSPENSION

NHTSA ID Number:
11574485

Incident Date:
February 28, 2024

Vehicle Identification Number:
5YJSA1E44KF

Consumer Location:
ORANGE, CA

Summary
The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and ...

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