Tesla Model S engine failure problems

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · 108,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the parking brake seized while leaving a charging station, and the vehicle screeched into oncoming traffic and stalled. The parking brake warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle had not been charged prior to a snowstorm, and the battery became fully drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the main battery and 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced before the diagnostic test. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle failed to shift into drive or move. The jack mode was disengaged. While driving, the rear wheels were screeching. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB: SB-21-33-002). The vehicle was towed to another local dealer, Tesla Service Arlington-Glebe Rd (2710 S Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22206). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The battery was at 19 percent. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2025 · Suspension · 60,348 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a right turn there was an abnormal sound coming from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated then started to smell a burning rubber odor. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that the front passenger’s side wheel had seized in a right turn position and was rubbing against the wheel well. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Action Number: PE20020 (Suspension). The failure mileage was 60,348.

Filed Jun 30, 2025 · Engine · TX

Complete engine failure. Car became disabled and unable to move. Upon investigation, this was drive unit failure due to coolant leaking past the seal. A common issue of Tesla Model S and X with the large drive unit. I believe that this is a design flaw and should be a class action type situation. Can you help?

Filed Mar 20, 2024 · Transmission · NC

My 2014 P85D model S electric rear motor failed. I heard a loud noise coming from it so I took it in to Tesla and they agreed the motor was failing and needed to be replaced, Cost $6,582.04. If I had driven the car and the motor seized up it while on the highway it would have been catastrophic. I would have lost control as the motor froze the rear wheel. Tesla knows of this problem, has replaced many of them, unfortunately post warranty. They know the seals leak and coolant leaks into the motor and causes the motor to fail. They have made a number of design changes including the latest where they eliminate a cooling branch going through the motor. Prior to this change none of the fixes have eliminated the problem.

Filed Feb 12, 2024 · Brakes · OH

Similar issue to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V260000. Vehicle was in park. Shifted the vehicle into drive and the passenger side parking break seized and would not release.

Filed Dec 21, 2021 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 54,504 miles · CA · crash

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S 75. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the brakes were seized while on autopilot. In addition, there was a warning error the contact was unable to remember. The contact mentioned the emergency brake engaged independently and the contact was unable to control the vehicle which caused the vehicle to crash into the guardrail. A police report was not filed. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a service center where a diagnostic was not attempted but the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 21v846000 ( forward collision avoidance). The approximate failure mileage was 54,504. Vehicle was not listed on the recall.

Filed Dec 2, 2020 · Steering · 3,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2020 tesla model s. The contact stated while reversing from his garage, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated steering assist reduce, autopilot safety convenience feature unavailable and park assist unavailable warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the helpdesk for tesla for help to reset the system. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized with the same previous warning lights illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the road. The contact called the helpdesk and was able to reset the system again. The vehicle was taken to tesla (840 providence hwy, dedham, ma 0202; (781) 471-3001), where the vehicle was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

Filed Oct 21, 2019 · Acceleration, Airbags · 76 miles · TN · crash

Tl* the consumer owns a 2019 tesla model s. The consumer stated that whilethey were pulling into the driveway unknown, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into the garage door and wall. The air bags did not deploy, and the steering wheel and brakes seized. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76.2. *bf ori number (xxx) ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).')*jb *bf

Filed Aug 23, 2018 · Suspension · 42,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 tesla model s. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the front driver side wheel seized and the vehicle came to an immediate stop. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to tesla service center (457 pleasant st, watertown, ma) where it was diagnosed that the driver and passenger side link assemblies were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. The VIN was not provided. **tr updated 10/31/18

Filed Mar 24, 2017 · Suspension · 5,000 miles · CA

Here is a replacement suspension arm for sale on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/252541386417 the ball joint has snapped in half. Owners on the forums are complaining of the high cost of suspension repairs and suggesting owners source parts on ebay for diy repairs. Https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/holy-crap-repairs-are-insanely-expensive-beware.86514/ snip: the bolt securing the steering tie to the wheel chassis is broken. Knowing I'm getting fleeced,I call tesla, the replacement part runs about $375. The body shows me a service bulletin put out by tesla. It says in the event any damage to any steering or suspsenion component is encountered, one must replace xxx. This involves basically a new front end. Dropping the batteries, new AC compressor, new engine radiator, new beanies, a ton of work for fixing impact to one wheel at less than 5 MPH. Yaro, feb 22, 2017 rofl. This is such [xxx]. No way you need to replace any of those things. We just repaired a salvage model s that had front end damage. Replaced all the front end body parts and all the other functions work just fine. Also replaced that same control arm that you ripped out because it was slightly bent. Passed alignment with no issues and everything on the car works fine. I 100% guarantee that body shop is reselling all the parts they pulled off. Flatsix911, feb 26, 2017 last edited: feb 26, 2017 just did a quick search on ebay and found the front control arm for the model s readily available for $250. A good automotive tech could replace this part and check the suspension specs with a few hours labor. :cool: 2012-2015 tesla model s left front control arm 1048951-00-b | ebay please investigate these dangerously weak tesla suspensions. Thank you. Very concerned citizen. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).