| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Expensive Tesla Model S repairs by problem area
Engine (26%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)
Brakes and Traction Control (6%)
Suspension and Steering (15%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (36%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)
Other (6%)
Chart based on 47 repairs.
Tesla Model S repair cost distribution
$2500+ (19%)
$1000 - $2499 (81%)
$500 - $999 (0%)
$100 - $499 (0%)
< $100 (0%)
Chart based on 36 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2017 Tesla Model S
Engine not specified
| 21080 mi C $13000 |
The entire suspension was replaced on the vehicle as well as the brakes callipers rotors the electronic Nvidia powered screen and the charging port |
2017 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
328-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic AWD
| 61000 mi US $1500 |
Clicking at wheel when taking off and breaking |
| 7000 mi US $1000 |
Battery coolant heater and 12 volt battery failure. |
2016.5 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
417-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic AWD
| 20000 mi US $1100 |
Tires were in need of replacement. Tires needed to be replaced after normal wear and tear. Heavy car and regenerative braking contributed to the need to replace earlier than other cars. |
| 54000 mi US $1200 |
The main battery's thermal regulator failed, requiring replacement. |
| 62000 mi US $1500 |
failing storage prompted the trip. Would have been free, but opted to upgrade the entire system to the latest instead of simple repair |
2016.5 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
315-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD
| 22000 mi US $370 |
Faulty actuator for one of the air vents was preventing airflow through one vent. Actuator replacement fixed the problem. |
| 31000 mi US $256 |
12 Volt battery needed replacement. |
| 34000 mi US $300 |
RF outside door handle was intermittently malfunctioning. When it failed, the door handle would present but pulling on the handle would not open the door. Tesla sent a mobile technician to my home. He replaced the door handle, for which I was charged $303. I was only charged for parts and not for labor or for the service visit, and the handle was working correctly when the tech left, about an hour after he arrived. |
| 35000 mi US $300 |
Tesla notified me that the repairs that my car needed were too complicated or required too much equipment to be handled by a mobile technician and that I would have to bring the car to the service center. July 20 – 5 weeks after the unsuccessful repair attempt – was the soonest appointment that I could get. They removed the RF door panel, adjusted the outside door handle and door glass, and seemed to fix the wind noise problem from 6/14. That door handle now seems to work properly. Upon disassembling the LF door, they decided that it needed a wiring harness, which they did not have in stock. It arrived within a couple of business days and was installed. Afterwards, Tesla said that they wanted to install “one more part,” again one that was not in stock locally. A couple of business days later, an updated control module arrived and was installed. Problems persisted, though, as they say that they had difficulty uploading firmware again (all of which makes me believe that the wiring harness really wasn’t defective at all.) On Thursday 8/5/21, after 17 days at the service center, my car was finally returned to me. Currently, everything seems to be working correctly. Initially, I was told that the repair would take 1 – 2 days, and I was given $200 in Uber credits for transportation. When it became apparent that the repairs would take a while, on Friday 7/23, I was given a loaner car to drive. The only charges for this visit were a total of roughly $300 for the wiring harness and the labor to install it. As a side note, I would like to point out that when I got my car back on 8/5, the interior – particularly the tan leather on the seats – was extremely dirty. |
| 40000 mi US $1633 |
Touchscreen developed bubbles and was dripping goo onto the console. Touchscreen was replaced. |
2016 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
417-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic AWD
| 52000 mi US $425 |
Right rear door handle replacement due to failure |
| 57000 mi US $265 |
Truck latch/actuator failed & was replaced |
| 88500 mi US $1728 |
both lower control arms + alignment |
| 89230 mi US $1100 |
both upper control arms replaced |
2016 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
373-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD
| 118420 mi C $960 |
Battery coolant leak. Replaced coolant pump, coolant, etc |
| 74400 mi C $1250 |
Replaced left. Main headlight assembly. Service man came to my driveway to make the change and hence fast turnaround. |
2015 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
463-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic AWD
| 9000 mi US $300 |
rat damage to electrical system in the front trunk. |
| 15000 mi US $2500 |
console panel failure leading to inability to charge (ie, refuel) car. |
| 16000 mi US $300 |
rear trunk would not completely close. |
| 57136 mi €244 |
12V battery dead |
| 64411 mi €2673 |
AC charger dead |
2015 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
422-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic AWD
| 73000 mi US $1700 |
Front and rear trailing arms |
| 143000 mi US $600 |
AP.1 radar sensor recalibrated do to misalignment. |
2015 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
329-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic AWD
| 69440 mi C $1200 |
Battery heater failure |
| 105000 mi US $1800 |
The main screen developed a bubble in between the layers of glass, and has become quite slow to respond to input. We opted to purchase the MCU2 upgrade as this solved both probmems. |
2014 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
416-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD
| 72000 mi US $200 |
Driver door handle would not present, so had to enter car on passenger side and unlock door from inside. Replaced door handle (including actuator motor and electrical connector). |
| 78000 mi US $2100 |
The EPROM for my infotainment system was recalled. It was also having intermittent outages. Rather than replace that part, I paid extra to upgrade to newest infotainment system. Also needed to replace radio as new infotainment system wouldn’t work with old one. |
| 80000 mi US $1200 |
Old tire pressure sensors reported a fault. Probably batteries worn out. Rather than replace in kind (pass or fail tire pressure) I upgraded to newer sensors and receiver that report pressure in psi. |
2014 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
362-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD
| 79097 mi $1800 |
Both sway bar links in the front was replaced. |
2014 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
302-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD
| 43877 mi US $1499 |
Instrument panel failed--a known problem. Screen begins to come apart, with "bubbles" emerging to obscure the display. Had to pay Tesla $1300 to install a refurbished part! Rear parking sensor fell into the bumper, because the glue (!) holding it in from the factory failed. Tesla charged $105.00 to re-glue the sensor in place. Process took more than 7 hours, because software continued to fail and car was immobilized. |
2013 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
416-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD
| 74000 mi US $2300 |
This is an electric vehicle and the on board charging mechanism was not working so it was replaced. |
| 81000 mi US $3600 |
Controller for air suspension. On board charger. New MMC chip under warranty. New screen, original screen developed a leak. |
| 46000 mi US $1700 |
right front passenger door sags out of alignment over time |
| 48000 mi US $1700 |
right front door misaligned, interfering with closure, generating wind noise |
| 48500 mi US $918 |
rear right window will not stay rolled up and makes grinding noise when operating mechanic noticed excessive wear on rear suspension and replaced |
| 59200 mi US $200 |
a/c stopped cooling -- compressor fault |
| 68000 mi US $200 |
door handle failed to retract and stopped opening the door |
| 98000 mi US $200 |
Motor replaced due to difficulty in getting alignment done properly. Under warranty |
| 103000 mi US $2000 |
Pads and rotors needed to be replaced |
| 111000 mi US $8000 |
Electric Motor required replacement. |
2013 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
362-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD
| 66400 mi US $2300 |
Replaced front rotors and pads |
| 90000 mi US $300 |
Replaced window regulator $300 |
| 62000 mi US $2500 |
Check engine light initiated repair. DCDC inverter replaced. |
| 101000 mi US $3500 |
heater replacement ($1250) DC-DC converter replacement ($2250) |
| 102000 mi US $250 |
Headlight replaced |
| 140000 mi US $1800 |
High voltage to Low voltage converter replaced |
| 47120 mi C $1600 |
Replace main computer and touchscreen due to memory failure and leaking touchscreen |
| 73000 mi US $1375 |
The tire Pressure Monitoring System failed and was upgraded |
| 78000 mi US $2100 |
Controller board failure |
| 37000 mi US $270 |
replace 12V battery |
| 42000 mi US $1800 |
AC compressor failed and needed replacement. Steering rack bolts had broken, resulting in the steering rack needing replacement. |
| 42000 mi US $2000 |
replaced battery coolant heater seized brake caliper |
2013 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
302-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD
| 82700 mi US $176 |
Although the driver's door handle presented itself, it would not unlock/open the door when pulled on. Technician removed and replaced the door handle position switch. |
| 91000 mi US $1000 |
Cracked windshield was replaced. |
| 113894 mi US $1300 |
Tire monitoring system communication error. Correction: Retrofit Continental TPMS Module and Harness |
| 59000 mi US $1700 |
onboard charging unit required replacement |
| 83000 mi US $600 |
Right rear parking brake locked and would not release making the vehicle undrivable. |
| 96000 mi US $1100 |
Replaced touch screen which had developed air bubbles. |
2012 Tesla Model S 4dr Hatch
416-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD
| 65000 mi US $1300 |
DU replaced And axle splines lubed sunroof. still making intermittent noise when closing, works fine otherwise. |
| 80000 mi US $190 |
taillight plastic cracking from sun exposure replaced right taillight |
See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks
See TrueDelta's information for all Tesla models.
