2014 Tesla Model S: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 28, 2026 · Transmission · TN

**Incident / Defect Description for the federal safety agency Safety Complaint** **Vehicle Information** - Make: Tesla - Model: Model S - Year: 2014 - VIN: [XXX] - Approximate Mileage: 148,129 miles - Date of Discovery / Failure: 04/23/2026 **Description of the Defect** This vehicle is equipped with Tesla’s Large Drive Unit (LDU / rear drive unit), which was used in the majority of 2012–early 2020 Model S vehicles (RWD and Performance models). The LDU design routes coolant through the hollow rotor shaft. Over time, the rotor seal fails and allows ethylene glycol coolant to leak internally into the motor and inverter. Evidence of this failure is easily visible by removing the rear speed sensor, where blue coolant, corrosion, and debris are present. This is a well-documented design flaw affecting thousands of vehicles. **Consequences of the Defect** Coolant intrusion causes: • Corrosion and rust in the stator windings • Washing out of bearing grease • High-voltage isolation faults • Inverter damage • Complete drive unit failure **Safety Risks** This defect presents an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety because: • Drive unit failure can occur suddenly and without warning while driving, resulting in total loss of propulsion. This is especially dangerous on highways, in traffic, or at high speeds. • Coolant inside high-voltage electrical components increases the risk of electrical shorts, arcing, or fire. • Reduced power or complete shutdown can lead to loss of vehicle control and potential crashes. I have experienced complete drive unit failure. Many other owners report identical issues, often between 50,000–120,000 miles. Tesla has not issued a recall despite this being a widespread, predictable design defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 10, 2023 · Steering · WA

I had a hard braking event to avoid a collision with a vehicle that ran a red light in front of me and immediately lost power steering and was notified park assist was also unavailable. Error codes EPAS_w001, EPAS_w002, and a GTW code I can’t remember. After leaving the vehicle on a charger overnight, the error codes disappeared and power steering returned.

Filed Oct 18, 2022 · Acceleration, Transmission · CA

The vehicle went into "REDUCED POWER" (Turtle Mode) error. Which reduced the power and the ability to accelerate out of an intersection and away from incoming traffic. I followed the recommendations of powering the vehicle off. It would correct itself then randomly does the same thing. This is SAFETY ISSUE and needs to be resolved before someone gets into a major accident which will result in great bodily injury or death.

Filed Sep 5, 2019 · Airbags, Steering · PR

"takata recall" and bolts that attach the power steering motor to the power steering gear. Subject: recall code: 19v‑002 / recall code: 18v‑204 / recall code: 19v‑002. Replacement of front airbags and power steering engine bolts. Hon. Gentlemen, my advance and respectful regards. As agent of the hon. Mr. (xxxx), I come to expose and request as follows: please inform my constituent member that I have received a letter from you. Realizing the need to replace your tesla brand air bag. This need, according to your information, is related to a defect detected in certain models produced between 2014 and 2016. More inform you. Failure to remedy the anomaly may result in the explosion of the aforementioned air bag, and as a consequence passengers may be hit with sharp metal fragments, resulting in serious injury or even death (as document attached). I have also learned from you that due to exposure to corrosive environments certain bolts may break and result in the loss of power steering, which may result in accidents (see attached document). In the light of the foregoing, my constituent immediately went to tesla's premises in lisbon, av. Antnio augusto de aguiar 31, 1069-413, in order that your representative should carry out the interventions indicated by your services. Successes that regrettably, tesla in lisbon refuses to make the necessary replacement, and for this reason the vehicle in question remains a serious danger to those who drive it. Now, in the light of all the above, and since the life of my constituent and his family is at present in danger, I use this letter in order to ask you to tell me where to go to solve it. The reported anomalies. Without another matter at the moment, awaiting your dear news, I subscribe myself with high consideration. Annex: your calling actions, vehicle registration. The lawyer redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 27, 2015 · Fuel system · 9,850 miles · VA

The car gave a failure message and then lost all power. It shut down completely as I navigated through traffic in neutral onto the shoulder. I called tesla and was told this is a known software release bug. They said to turn off range mode and the issue will not recur. Meanwhile they are working on a software fix. I believe that this is a life and death issue. It is being reported by many other model s p85 d owners on the tesla forum. I believe that tesla should immediately contact all owners as this issue is extremely dangerous and may cause serious accidents. Please understand this - the error causes the car to shut down while driving and has affected many teslas already. It almost caused an accident in my case and will certainly cause a more serious event if not addressed.

Filed Feb 26, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · 100 miles · CA

My 2 day old p85d suddenly died in the middle of an intersection: tesla built these p85d cars with faulty electrical contactors that it was secretly recalling through its forums. The faulty contactors caused some newly released p85d cars to lose all power within first 100 miles. Tesla should issue a public recall to replace the faulty contactors. Tesla shipped the p85d cars with old seats , even when it charged customers for next generation seats. Tesla needs to improve its processes and make sure it releases cars only when safe for public roads. I shouldn't be paying over $100k to go through these pains and dangers. More here: http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/40527-my-2-day-old-p85d-suddenly-died-in-the-middle-of-an-intersection my 2 day old p85d suddenly died in the middle of an intersection:- well ... My short range brand new p85d with 191km (120mi) died suddenly in the middle of an intersection (completely stopped moving) on -12c weather. Even the heater stopped working. My 10 year old son and I had to get out and push it to the side. Called my ds who called roadside assistance who put him on hold for 30 minutes and then told me that it will be an hour before a tow truck arrives. My son and I were freezing with no heater so I made my 80 year old dad come and pick us up. Needless to say ... I am not impressed. I knew I was buy bleeding edge but a complete breakdown 2 days and 140km after leaving the showroom? Really?

Filed Feb 25, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 535 miles · CA

P85d lost power on road, "pull over safely". With tesla's latest firmware updat e0.167 pushed otu untested to all p85d cars, the car loses all power suddenly when driving. It leaves the drivers stranded in the middle of roads dangerously. Tesla is not issuing a recall, and is trying to suppress this and many many other quality and safety issues by limiting the information to its forums only, and sometimes removing those information to support its high quality image, and sustain its bubble stock valuation. More details here in this thread. Hope they don't remove the entire thread. Http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/43075-p85d-lost-power-on-road-pull-over-safely -- was heading down a 45 MPH road at about 57. Had the cruise set. No cars in front. Was taking a very slight curve in the road and the cruise disengaged by itself. No errors or anything, just as if I had tapped the brake or something. Hmm... So I resumed it and it went back to work. Less than half a mile later I disengaged cruise to regen to a stop to make a left at a light. A couple of seconds into that and I got this dreaded message: "car needs service; pull over safely".