2020 Tesla Model S Recalls, Complaints & Specs
11 safety recalls list the 2020 Tesla Model S, and owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
11 safety recalls for the 2020 Tesla Model S
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Warning light/devices (seat belts)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
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External/pedestrian alert (forward collision avoidance) and software (electrical system)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound…
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's…
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Instrument cluster/panel (electrical system)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements…
Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
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Software (electrical system)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be…
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this…
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Automated/adaptive steering (steering)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in…
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this…
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Electric power assist system (steering)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at…
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Software (electrical system) and external/pedestrian alert (forward collision avoidance)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner…
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External/pedestrian alert (forward collision avoidance) and software (electrical system)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to…
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Automated/adaptive steering (steering)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service…
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System."
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's…
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Camera (forward collision avoidance) and 3 other components
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
Remedy: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is…
80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2020 Tesla Model S have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA; 16 describe a crash. Reports cite 8 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 10,246 miles. Complaints peaked in 2022 with 22 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The vehicle has been taken to Tesla multiple times due to ongoing controllability and safety concerns. The Autopilot system will occasionally brake unexpectedly at green lights or when another vehicle”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 11, 2026 · Electrical system
“The rear doors have emergency release cables in case the power is cut during a collision. These cables are hidden, not glowing, and have a small square pull on the end that is difficult to find and pu”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 4, 2025 · Structure
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2020 Tesla Model S (Model S Long Range, Model S Long Range Plus, Model S Performance (19in Wheels), Model S Performance (21in Wheels), …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 97–117 MPGe |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 98–121 / 96–112 |
| Fuel | Electricity |
| EPA class | Large Cars |
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
Compare Tesla Model S model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Tesla Model S model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Tesla Model S | 8 | 61 |
| 2013 Tesla Model S | 11 | 460 |
| 2014 Tesla Model S | 9 | 365 |
| 2015 Tesla Model S | 9 | 668 |
| 2016 Tesla Model S | 10 | 647 |
| 2017 Tesla Model S | 9 | 426 |
| 2018 Tesla Model S | 11 | 169 |
| 2019 Tesla Model S | 10 | 44 |
| 2020 Tesla Model S | 11 | 80 |
| 2021 Tesla Model S | 23 | 179 |
| 2022 Tesla Model S | 20 | 139 |
| 2023 Tesla Model S | 13 | 114 |
| 2024 Tesla Model S | 6 | 38 |
| 2025 Tesla Model S | 2 | 6 |
| 2026 Tesla Model S | 0 | 6 |
Checking a specific 2020 Tesla Model S
How do I know if my 2020 Tesla Model S has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 11 campaigns currently list the 2020 Tesla Model S; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Tesla dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 21V00B000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Tesla models
- Model 34,348 complaints
- Model Y4,222 complaints
- Model X1,549 complaints
- Cybertruck207 complaints
- Semi3 complaints
- Roadster2 complaints
- ROADSTER21 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.