2015 Tesla Model S transmission problems

Filed Jul 27, 2025 · Transmission · CA

Large drive unit that has previously been replaced by Tesla failed due to coolant ingress leaking through rotor seal. Known issue per 3rd party technicians.

Filed Oct 2, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · FL · crash

Car isn't cooling while supercharging. Problem originated while at Tesla Collision in Fort Lauderdale. Mike DiPietro, the general mgr stated they don't have a supercharger at Tesla Collision Fort Lauderdale to test it and they're not willing to drive it to the supercharger to test it because it's a service issue. When I dropped the car off it cooled while supercharging and now that it's not cooling while supercharging it presents a fire and safety hazard because it will only cool the moment the car is unplugged from the supercharger and then cools full blast for 45 minutes after the car is unplugged. I am well aware of the proper functioning of the cooling of 2015 Tesla Model S P90DL's because I have two of them and have since 2017. The fact that the cooling system kicks ONLY AFTER I UNPLUG from the supercharger clearly indicates the car sees a need to cool but because of a software issue. MIKE DIPIETRO, THE GENERAL MGR OF TESLA COLLISION FORT LAUDERDALE IS NOW THREATENING TO SUE ME BECAUSE I'M REPORTING A FIRE SAFETY/ACCELERATED BATTERY DEGRADATION ISSUE AND I SIMPLY WANT TO PICK THE CAR UP IN THE CONDITION WHICH i DELIVERED IT WHERE THE SUPERCHARGING WAS WORKING PROPERLY COOLING WHILE SUPERCHARGING. THREATENING LEGAL ACTION BECAUSE I'M REPORTING AN ISSUE THEY MAY NEED TO COORDINATE WITH TESLA SERVICE TO FIX AMOUNTS TO BULLYING. If I pick the car up it implies my consent the car is fixed and is NOT a fire safety hazard. They are unwilling to fix the supercharging fire the car is presenting because Tesla Service is a separate entity than Telsa Collision. This is NOT a valid excuse and reason not to fix this fire and safety issue. Please coordinate so that I may forward the chronological email chain which clearly shows the fire and safety issue can be clearly traced back to the [XXX] service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 18, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · TX

The component that Tesla has stated is the part that is failing is the MCU (Media Control Unit) which was a recalled part at one point but then Tesla decided to replace only a single part of the MCU which was the eMMC (embedded MultiMedia Card). Luckily the vehicle was not driving when it completely shut down and would not start back up but I was stuck in a restaurants drive-thru for roughly 4 hours till I could get a tow truck to come tow it. The tow truck had to put the car on dollies as the vehicle would not enter tow mode nor would it enter its emergency neutral mode so the vehicle could be moved. The windows would not go up or down and luckily the trunk was able to open because if not then I would have been stuck outside my vehicle as the door handles did not come out after I got out of it and closed the door behind me. Please read the messages from the tech as you will see that they tried to act as if they did not know what was going on with my vehicle but then i asked something else and they stated exactly what the issue was but supposedly could not confirm it was that unless they charged me a diagnosis fee and "got hands on" which I'm sure that info of what was wrong with my vehicle was nothing they needed to get their hands on. There were no warning lamps or messages UNTIL the vehicle shut off on me in the drive-thru and then the warnings started to populate staying that the vehicle was off, vehicle could not detect brake being pressed, and that the vehicle was not detecting the key. The repair estimate is no longer available in my app for some reason, probably because I did not repair the vehicle as they were wanting me to upgrade to the new MCU that is in the current vehicles and it would have been roughly $2,400.00. Just today, the vehicle would not start, would not move my seat or anything to its memorized position when I got in the vehicle and the screen was frozen, just as it did when the original recall happened of the MCU/eMMC, photo/videoattached.

Filed Feb 2, 2024 · Transmission · SC

Bought the car used. Had issues with rear drive unit that was replaced under warranty. Similar issue before warranty expired and was checked out by Tesla and noted to be " normal" noise. Later the nose got louder and repeat diagnostic recommended RDU to be replaced at a cost of nearly $8500. I believe that the RDU on older models were defective.

Filed Dec 13, 2023 · Acceleration, Fuel system · CA · crash

The Model S, which was bought in 2015, had a sudden acceleration while I was trying to park near the entrance gate of the parking lot. The accident happened on May 25, 2023. Fortunately, nobody got hurt and the car was totaled. I feel strongly that this should be investigated, as this can be a very serious public safety issue. It was inspected by the insurance company. There were no warning messages prior to the failure.

Filed Nov 13, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Driving my car and it completely gives out in the middle of traffic without any warning or alter almost causing an accident. When asked about the absence of alert they said I may or may not get one and I should be lucky it just cut off (randomly in traffic mind you) because if it didn’t it would’ve burst into flames. Being the Rear Drive Unit is the second most important part of the vehicle an alert should be given 100% of the time as no alert could cause injury to myself or other drivers. This means there are other Tesla drivers out there with a probable chance of their randomly car stopping without any control of the vehicle endangering lives. This oddly happens 60 days outside my 8 year warranty when I haven’t any issues at all and receive alerts for everything down to my fob key being low on battery. In addition the whole time they were just trying to convince to get a new one because they just happen to be running a limited time promo that I can transfer my free supercharging to a new vehicle if I purchased. A lot of people have reported (down to the day) of their car dying suddenly after warranty but no avail Tesla says they won’t goodwill repair my vehicle although I could’ve died or been seriously injured.

Filed Jun 1, 2022 · Electrical, Transmission · IL

Rear drive unit failure Failed while driving, letters turned red and car became unresponsive. Car later became responsive between 3-10 seconds. Has occurred 5 times in a week. Dealer claims moisture to drive unit is what caused it and repair was covered under warranty except the harness attached to it, dealer charged me $599 for the harness. If seals are failing and allowing moisture to happen, which then leads vehicles to be unresponsive while driving is a huge risk. Please look into this, there are others online with the same issue

Filed Apr 2, 2022 · Transmission · FL

I am from Florida and was passing through Vegas. The time was about 9:41 pm. I was on my way from Las Vegas, NV and I charged the car to 90% and was on my way to the Kingman, AZ Supercharger (Traveling on U.S. 93). The car was at 32% at the bottom of the mountain (Approx +3400ft). The cars indicators showed arrival to Kingman supercharger @ 31%. However, while reaching near the Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area (Approx +4000ft - so approx gradual 600ft climb). The car started to alert me that I needed to pull over as there is no more power. The car still showed 30% power remaining and approx 23 miles. The destination was 2.7 miles (5 min) away. The car drove for about 20 - 50ft then lost the ability to accelerate. I put my hazards on and had to cut drivers off to get over to the right shoulder (No shoulder on left) before it stopped rolling uphill. There were also no street lights (very dark) and the cell signal was very weak. I was able to call Tesla roadside who saw remotely that the car had 38% remaining power. The battery immediately started dropping quickly while talking to him. The car refused to start/go into neutral when the tow company came. We had it taken back to Vegas where it took Tesla over a month to acquire a replacement battery. I slept in the car and was not provided a loaner for months. Even had to get a job there. While waiting for the repair I discovered the cooling system had issues. Tesla won't say it but I am sure the cooling system failure led to the battery not being cooled and dying. The louvers were all broken, and the compressor needed to be replaced. I mentioned to Tesla long before I did this trip that the AC was making noises and they ignored it multiple times. I even recorded the sounds it made and played it for them. I have a video and more info than I can fit in here. Even though there is proof of past issues I still am responsible for the cost of their mistakes. In more ways than 1. I spent the holidays and my birthday stuck here.

Filed Sep 16, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · GA

On September 7, 2021 I was driving in heavy rain conditions. The rain was so heavy I could only drive at speed of 25 mph. My car displayed a message "Car may not restart - service required" I pulled under a canopy of a gas station and put the car in PARK. The car did not restart after that and was towed to Tesla Service Center. The next day I was told that a RAPID MATE vehicle side connector failed due to water ingress and that HV battery needs to be replaced due to same damage. I was presented with a $23622.54 invoice even, though, the battery is covered under existing powertrain warranty. The car was never driven into standing water or a puddle. Water has NOT entered the interior of the car. The battery and other electrical components of the car are poorly insulated / isolated presenting the risk of water damage and or electric shock under ordinary driving conditions.

Filed May 4, 2021 · Brakes, Fuel system · 48,000 miles · TX

After having my battery coolant heater replaced on february 22, 2021 I noticed problems with my car starting up slowly. Note error messages were noted on my vehicle however. On march 10 while driving home from work on a smooth straight freeway the entire electrical system in my car failed causing propulsion to go off line and the brake pedal to lock up and become non-functional until the system rebooted. For approximately 20 to 30 seconds it was impossible to depress the brake pedal. Fortunately I was on the freeway and pressing the brake pedal wasn't required. I am concerned about the safety of this vehicle now since I had mistakenly believed that there was redundancy in the systems that would preserve brake function in the midst of a power failure. There is no manual hand brake. I am extremely concerned that a system failure like this could happen again as I am approaching an intersection, a school zone or going down a steep decline. I have attached invoices from the original service with the battery coolant heater that was replaced as well as the subsequent service after the incident where the technicians identified that the drive unit was improperly connected