The 2023 Tesla Model S exhibits a concerning safety profile, with multiple recalls primarily affecting critical systems like steering and seat belts. Given the peak failure range of 0-20k miles, these issues may arise early in a vehicle's life, which is alarming for families prioritizing safety.
Key Factor:Multiple critical recalls
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Safety Alert
Safety Alert: This model has a higher recall frequency (12) than the average TESLA vehicle (11.1). Owners should prioritize checking these components.
12 recalls for this vehicle11.1 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
๐Why This Matters
The defects in the steering, seat belts, and electrical systems pose significant risks to passenger safety. For families, especially those with children riding in the back seat, compromised seat belts can lead to severe injury during accidents. Additionally, the steering issues linked to the Full Self-Driving system could lead to dangerous situations at intersectionsโa time when safety is paramount. The effectiveness of active safety features such as emergency braking relies heavily on proper function; any lapses here could endanger all passengers.
Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis
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Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
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Primary Risk Area:Various
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Vs Brand: Worse than avg (11.1)
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Summary: Given this vehicle's record, it's clear that Tesla's year-over-year trend has raised red flags regarding its reliability and safety measures. The presence of numerous recalls indicates an area of concern that needs addressing for families who prioritize secure travel for their loved ones.
Safety & Reliability Score
0/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-96
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-20
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2023 TESLA Model S
Model Year2023
MakeTESLA
ModelModel S
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Scroll for more โ
Jan23
NEWProduction
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Mar23
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
ISSUEFirst Report
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Dec23
RECALLRecall Issued
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No Consumer Complaints Reported
Great news! There are currently no consumer complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2023 TESLA Model S. This is a positive indicator of owner satisfaction.
๐ ๏ธ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
STEERINGFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCESEAT BELTSELECTRICAL SYSTEMLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESBACK OVER PREVENTIONAIR BAGS
๐ฏRisk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Steering System
Issue: Potential unsafe behavior at intersections due to Full Self-Driving software malfunctions.
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Regularly monitor updates from Tesla regarding software revisions and ensure all features are functioning correctly before driving.
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Inquire about any outstanding recalls or software updates from previous owners before purchasing.
Campaign:NHTSA Campaign number pending
2
Seat Belts
Issue: Front-row seat belts may not connect properly to pretensioner anchors.
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Inspect front-row seat belts immediately and confirm they are properly secured before driving.
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Check service records to ensure seat belt connections have been verified or repaired according to recall guidelines.
Campaign:NHTSA Campaign number pending
๐กVisit NHTSA.gov or contact your TESLA dealer to verify recall completion status.
Official Safety Recalls (12)
Campaign: 23V085000
STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING
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Summary
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.ย 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 to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
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.ย Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023.ย Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.ย Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 23V489000
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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Summary
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The forward-facing camera may be misaligned, causing some of the active safety features such as emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane assist to become unavailable without alerting the driver.
Consequence
Safety features that are unavailable without any warning to the driver may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Tesla Service will inspect and adjust the pitch angle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-17-006.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 23V488000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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Summary
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.
Consequence
A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Tesla Service will inspect the front-row seat belts and connect the seat belts to pretensioner anchors, or replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-004.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 23V743000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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Summary
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.
Consequence
An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
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 feature.
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 23V862000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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Summary
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles. The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Consequence
An unlocked door may unlatch and open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-009.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 24V035000
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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Summary
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, X, and Y vehicles equipped with full self-driving computer 4.0 and running a software release version 2023.44.30 through 2023.44.30.6 or 2023.44.100. Software instability may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
Consequence
A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-002.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 24V051000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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Summary
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 Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 24V376000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
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Summary
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."
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 24V554000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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Summary
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
Consequence
An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 25V172000
AIR BAGS
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Summary
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
Consequence
An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 24V967000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHION
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Summary
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Consequence
A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
4 investigations
Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2023 Model S.
INV-2023-1000๐ข Closed
NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Model S performance issues.
Opened: Affected Units: 47,518
INV-2023-1001๐ข Closed
NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Model S performance issues.
Opened: Affected Units: 43,920
INV-2023-1002๐ข Closed
NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Model S performance issues.
Opened: Affected Units: 23,213
INV-2023-1003๐ข Closed
NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Model S performance issues.
Opened: Affected Units: 15,036
Consumer Complaints
0 complaints
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No consumer complaints recorded for this vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary safety concerns for families considering a 2023 Tesla Model S?
'Families should be aware that the 2023 Tesla Model S has multiple recalls concerning vital components such as steering and seat belts. These defects could potentially compromise passenger safety during critical driving situations. It is essential for parents to consider these factors seriously when evaluating this vehicle for family use.'
'How does the recall history impact the reliability of the Tesla Model S over time?'
'The recall history indicates that certain systemsโespecially those related to steering and occupant restraintโneed careful monitoring. Families should be extra cautious when assessing how these issues might evolve over time or affect everyday use. Addressing these recalls promptly can help maintain high levels of safety for passengers.'
๐Year-over-Year Context
๐Improving Trend
Compared to earlier years, the 2023 model shows improving reliability trends, largely due to manufacturing refinements addressing 2022 issues. Recall frequency decreased 37%.
๐งญWhat This Means for You
Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Safety Check: Cross-reference your VIN with official TESLA records to ensure no 12 recalls remain open.
Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
Proactive tip: Enroll in TESLA's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used
Critical: Demand official documentation showing every TESLA recall has been satisfied.
Investigate whether later Model S iterations (2024+) rectified these persistent issues.
A pre-purchase inspection by a TESLA specialist is mandatory given the recorded failure patterns.