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.
Tesla Model S tire blowout problems
33 of the 3,428 owner complaints about the Tesla Model S describe tire blowout or tread separation, most of them for the 2022 model year.
- owner complaints
- 33
- worst model year
- 2022
- typical mileage
- 60,000
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
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.
2024 Tesla Model S. Repeated rear tire and rear wheel failures with abnormal wear and possible rear alignment or suspension-related defect. Tesla service history shows repeated rear tire replacements beginning at about 5,165 miles, a later four-wheel alignment, a right rear tire replacement for uneven tire wear under the basic vehicle warranty at about 21,594 miles, a documented bent left rear wheel at about 27,047 miles, a left rear wheel replacement due to crack after a low-pressure/PULL OVER SAFELY alert at about 30,489 miles, and then a right rear tire blowout at about 38,358 miles. In the same March 12, 2026 service record, Tesla also noted inner sidewall damage on the opposite rear tire. Concern is an unresolved recurring rear tire, wheel, alignment, or suspension defect creating blowout risk and unsafe operation. Tesla has replaced tires and wheels but has not identified or corrected the root cause.
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.
Vehicle: 2021 Tesla Model S Long Range VIN: [XXX] I am reporting multiple safety-related defects that existed at delivery or developed shortly thereafter, and Tesla has refused to diagnose or repair them under warranty. These defects create an unsafe driving condition and risk of loss of control or collision. Defect Summary: 1.Alignment Defect at Delivery: On the day I bought the car, the steering wheel pulled to the left and felt unstable. I reported this immediately to Tesla. They dismissed it as “normal.” 2.Premature Tire Wear: Within months, the left tire wore down to the steel belts on the left side while the right side had normal wear. An independent shop confirmed this was caused by suspension/bushing issues, not road damage. 3.Suspension/Bushing Failure: A third-party Tesla-certified shop confirmed that the suspension components are bent/tweaked and require replacement for safe driving. Tesla refused to inspect these components properly. 4.Unlatched Rear Seat at Delivery: The rear seat was delivered unlatched, which is a major safety hazard during braking or collision. 5.Broken Glass Under Rear Seat: Broken glass was found under the rear seat cushion at delivery, raising concerns about vehicle history and delivery inspection standards. 6.New Defect While in Tesla’s Custody: On Nov 17, 2025, moisture accumulated inside the left taillight while the vehicle was parked outdoors at Tesla’s Stockton facility. This can cause electrical shorting or lighting malfunction. Tesla’s Response: Tesla has repeatedly refused to inspect the suspension properly, dismissed my complaints, and produced an inaccurate service invoice that did not reflect what was discussed. They told me we are “at an impasse.” These defects pose a serious safety risk (tire blowout, loss of control, lighting malfunction). I request the federal safety agency investigate these issues as they may indicate broader problems with Tesla’s suspension, alignment, and delivery inspection processes. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),
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.
Tires wear excessivly due to incorect factory and non-adjustable camber settings causing extreme saftey concerns/blowouts, which are not visible without removal of tire or lifting of vehicle by average motorist. My vehicle experienced this within first 10,000 miles on new car with new tires. Fourtuneatly a flat LED to further inspection and replacement before inccuring tragic or adverse consequences.
I have a 2021 Tesla Model S Long Range with rear tire size 295 / 30 ZR 21. Both rear tires are worn so bad on the insides that the cords are showing. These tires were purchased and installed by Tesla along with a wheel alignment under 10,000 miles ago. The tires still look like new on the center and outside of the tire so I had no clue this was happening. The only way I became aware was because the low tire pressure warning kept coming on I started losing air slowly over the last month and thought maybe I had a puncture. The damage to the tire isn’t easily visible when just looking under the vehicle. I urge anyone with these tires to check them as it can easily result in a blow out.
Driving on freeway when the rear tire tread peeled off the inside tire tread wheel/blow out almost causing an accident. The vehicle pulled hard while driving and almost lost control. The problem has been inspected and confirmed by the Tesla dealer. The tire warning did alert after the tire blew out. This is a very frequently reported incident with the Model S plaid. A defect in the factory camber causing the blowout. Extensive wear is seen on the very inside wall of the tire. You couldn’t see or measure the tire wear from the outside of the vehicle. This is a scary and dangerous problem that needs to be fixed. I bought this vehicle brand new from Tesla Factory and the vehicle had less than 13,000 miles. The alignment was also measured when getting repaired and had bad results.
Tires wear less than 1k miles. Deflate, side wall wear, separation, tread wear etc. Have purchased around 8 tires from January 2022 - Present FRONT - 265/35/ZR21 101Y Extra Load REAR - 295/30/ZR21 102Y Extra Load Michelin honored tire failure for side wall separation then denied all other claims. And this is the only tire Tesla has on hand since there is no spare.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Tesla Model S tire blowout
Which Tesla Model S years have tire blowout or tread separation problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2022 (11 complaints), 2021 (7 complaints) and 2013 (4 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Tesla Model S?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history