2022 Tesla Model S: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Suspension, Wheels · VA

2022 Model S Long Range, 21″ Arachnid wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 295/30ZR21 rear, 265/35ZR21 front. Rear tires wear through to the cords on the inner shoulder while the rest of the tread looks new; fronts wear the outer shoulder. Nine replacement tires from Tesla in 47,000 miles (rears May 2025 and Oct 2026; fronts May 2024, Apr 2026, Jun 2026), plus two loaner-wheel flats (May and Aug 2026). Every failure presented as a slow leak or flat with no visible wear. Tesla performed four-wheel alignments on 5/18/2024 and 4/22/2026, both recorded “within specifications”; a front tire fitted at the second alignment failed about 2,300 miles later. Tesla never identified a cause. On 10/22/2026 the Tysons Corner, VA service manager attributed the wear to lack of tire rotation; Tesla's own invoices of 12/23/2022, 7/19/2023, 4/22/2026 and 10/22/2026 record “Tire rotation recommended: No,” and the service manual allows only side-to-side swaps on this staggered setup, which cannot move inner-shoulder wear. The cause appears to be the non-adjustable negative rear camber on 2021+ Model S, as described in ODI 11636646, 11645675, 11710217, 11732580 and 11580793. Hidden inner-edge failure on a 4,800-lb car at highway speed is a blowout risk. Requesting investigation of the 2021+ Model S rear suspension geometry on 21″ wheels.

Filed Jul 13, 2026 · Wheels · MN

This vehicle has a recurring suspension defect causing a chassis or suspension component to make physical contact with the inner shoulder of the rear tires during normal operation, producing a sharp linear cut progressing to full cord exposure and fraying of internal steel and aramid belts. This has occurred on at least three sets of rear tires between July 2025 and June 2026. Tesla's own service records document the damage pattern on multiple occasions. No root cause has ever been identified or corrected by Tesla's service department. A tire with exposed and fraying cords on a vehicle producing over 1,000 horsepower presents a serious risk of catastrophic blowout at speed.

Filed Jan 11, 2026 · Wheels · MD

Complaint Category: Tires / Suspension Summary of Issue: I am reporting a recurring and deceptive safety defect involving extreme inner-edge tire wear on my Tesla Model S. On three separate occasions, my rear tires have worn down to the metal structural cords exclusively on the innermost shoulder, while the remaining 90% of the tread appeared in excellent, near-new condition. Safety Hazard: This defect creates a high risk of catastrophic blowout at highway speeds. Because the wear is hidden on the far interior edge of the tire, it is invisible to the driver during standard daily visual inspections. The vehicle’s non-adjustable rear suspension geometry (aggressive negative camber) places extreme stress on the inner shoulder, causing it to fail structurally while the rest of the tire looks safe. Tesla’s Response: Tesla Service has been unable to provide a permanent remedy, stating the vehicle is "within spec," despite the recurring nature of the failure. I am filing this to urge the federal safety agency to investigate whether this suspension geometry constitutes a design defect that requires a mandatory recall or corrective hardware.

Filed Oct 20, 2025 · Suspension, Wheels · NY

Since purchase, I have experienced nine tire-related failures, including four separate blowouts at highway speed, leaving the vehicle disabled on major roads multiple times. The most recent occurred on [Insert Date], when the car suffered another blowout and is now disabled at my residence. This pattern of failure has occurred despite tire replacements and service visits by Tesla. The issue began on the day of delivery, when a tire failed within 70 miles, and service staff admitted the car had not been safety inspected prior to delivery. Tesla has replaced nearly all tires, reimbursed a third-party shop once, and confirmed on a recorded call that the level of tire failure is abnormal. Still, no root cause has been identified. The failures have occurred under normal driving conditions and pose a serious safety hazard to me, my family (including children), and others on the road. My family now refuses to ride in the car. This issue is ongoing, unresolved, and I believe there is a systemic defect involving the vehicle’s suspension, alignment, or structural components that is contributing to abnormal tire wear and catastrophic blowouts. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this vehicle and Tesla’s CPO inspection process, and that appropriate safety action be taken before someone is seriously injured or killed.

Filed Feb 10, 2024 · Wheels · SC

Tire separation on the inside rear tires. I purchased my car new and had continued slight loss of air pressure at 12,000 miles. I inspected the rear tires and found one of the tires and begun to split open (at the seam where tread adheres to the tire), the other tire once sprayed with soap water had tiny pin hole leaks all the way around the same seam. I had tires replaced and filed a tire warranty claim. The original tires were Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and the tires I replaced them with were the same. Now at 30,343 miles the same problem occurred, both tires show separation around the inside seam with the tread still remaining. If left uncorrected/addressed the tires would eventually blow out driving.

Filed Dec 19, 2022 · Tires · OR

Rear tires have alarming wear on the inside, where the inside sidewall meets the tread. This is identical to the other complaints that are logged on the federal safety agency about Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rear tires on Tesla Model S Plaid cars. Tires are: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 295/30 ZR21 102Y XL BSW. Specifically, the right rear tires loses pressure and needs to be reinflated. The left rear tire, according to inspection, actually looked worse, but is not yet losing pressure. This is impossible to see or know about without removing the tire or putting the car on a lift, since it is on the is inside sidewall/tread of the rear tire. There is high danger of a blowout because of some type of defect (camber/suspension or tire) which cannot be seen by the consumer. I would have never known about this if the tire technician had not alerted me, and probably would have had a high-speed blowout.

Filed Dec 19, 2022 · Suspension · OR

Rear tires have alarming wear on the inside, where the inside sidewall meets the tread. This is identical to the other complaints that are logged on the federal safety agency about Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rear tires on Tesla Model S Plaid cars. Tires are: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 295/30 ZR21 102Y XL BSW. Specifically, the right rear tires loses pressure and needs to be reinflated. The left rear tire, according to inspection, actually looked worse, but is not yet losing pressure. This is impossible to see or know about without removing the tire or putting the car on a lift, since it is on the is inside sidewall/tread of the rear tire. There is high danger of a blowout because of some type of defect (camber/suspension or tire) which cannot be seen by the consumer. I would have never known about this if the tire technician had not alerted me, and probably would have had a high-speed blowout.

Filed Oct 27, 2022 · Tires · RI

Inner tire tread only wears significantly to the point of failure. This may be a factory alignment issue or other but is noted in many forums. I was losing air quickly and based on research saw this was a common issue with these specific cars. The tread appears fine at 8000 miles but when removing the wheel from the car you can notice the inner surface only is worn to the point of failure with the inner belt showing is parts. I was able to remove the wheel and see the issue before experiencing a blowout while driving.

Filed Oct 14, 2022 · Suspension · 10,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model S equipped with Michelin tires, Tire Line: Pilot Sport 4S Tires, Tire Size: 295/30/ZR21, DOT Number: 4M5203DX4321. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the tread inside both rear tires had severely worn to the extent that the wires inside both tires were exposed. The contact was informed that the failure could have led to a severe tire blowout. The mechanic also informed him that the failure was caused by a vehicle misalignment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The tires were not replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

Filed Oct 11, 2022 · Tires · TX

The OEM Michelin rear tire used on the 2021 and 2022+ Tesla Model S has a serious safety defect which results in extreme wear/tread separation at the inner sidewall/tread junction. Numerous defective tires are shown on this thread, among others: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/plaid-21%E2%80%9Drear-tire-woes-factory-defect.269394/ Both Tesla and Michelin report the tires are nationwide backorder (likely due to the number of tire failures in the field). Thus far, Tesla and Michelin have taken NO action on proactive tire replacements, despite repeated requests. (Perhaps they are awaiting accidents with fatalities first?) Please take action to secure a recall as this defect is extremely difficult to note as the tire tread separation occurs most often at the inner sidewall of the rear tires, a nearly impossible area to inspect.

Filed Sep 28, 2022 · Suspension · CA

Factory oem tire separated on the driver side rear. This could have ended badly had i not noticed the difference in handling of the vehicle. It appears the rear camber of the vehicle causes strain on the inner side of the tire and there is zero calibration that can be made to help fix this. Tesla told me it’s a Michelin issue and Michelin says it’s a Tesla suspension issue.