All Reported Problems
Every documented issue for this vehicle, organized by category
Documentation Opacity
3 issues reported
Tesla advertises 0-60 mph times for the Model S Plaid and Long Range on their website, but hides fine print details like 'with first foot of rollout subtracted' only for the Plaid, making comparisons ...
Tesla's privacy notice uses vague legal language and contains contradictory statements about data deletion rights, such as promising permanent account deletion on the support page but qualifying it 's...
Tesla lists accessories like winter wheel/tire packages as 'in stock' for immediate purchase, but owners report paying upfront only to wait months without delivery.
Electronic Alerts & Nags
2 issues reported
The Tesla displays a 'roll away' warning when exiting the vehicle without pressing the Park button on the screen, even if the car is safely parked. Owners find this alert intrusive and wish for a togg...
Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Autopilot require constant pressure on the steering wheel to confirm driver attention, frequently nagging if it detects insufficient torque. Owners report this as annoying ...
Interface Friction
6 issues reported
The Model S uses a yoke instead of a traditional steering wheel, with turn signal buttons on it rather than stalks. Owners complain the buttons are hard to locate and use when the yoke rotates, especi...
The Model S relies entirely on a central touchscreen for functions like climate control, glovebox, and volume, with no physical buttons or knobs. Owners find this slow and frustrating compared to trad...
The Model S has automatic flush door handles that extend when approaching. Reviewers call them annoying and outdated compared to newer Tesla flush designs that open with a button press.
The Model S yoke lacks a center horn button, making it difficult to quickly access the horn in emergencies. Owners report this has created dangerous situations.
The rear passenger-side door handle has a noticeable delay between pulling it and the door actually opening. This mechanical lag frustrates users.
The electric driver-side mirror only partially unfolds automatically and requires manual pushing to fully extend. This hardware issue persists despite the electronic assist.
OTA Behavior
5 issues reported
Tesla service centers sometimes perform unsolicited 'courtesy' OTA software updates during unrelated repairs. One owner reported the update failed, breaking cameras and Full Self-Driving functionality...
Tesla's over-the-air (OTA) software updates change vehicle behavior like braking, but release notes often omit these details. Owners learned of a major Model 3 brake update via Elon's tweet instead of...
Certain OTA firmware updates cause display bugs, like incorrect wheel graphics triggering persistent 'Park Assist Unavailable' warnings and disabling Summon. Service center fixed by reverting wheel ic...
Post-OTA updates like version 9 cause persistent glitches such as blank owner manuals, release notes, and web browser, requiring steering wheel resets that temporarily fix but recur.
Tesla pushed an OTA update that disabled Steam gaming capability on the vehicle's computer in new Model S/X. Other entertainment apps remain functional, but gaming hardware/software was removed.
Privacy & Surveillance
10 issues reported
Tesla vehicles transmit the full Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in plain text during HTTPS handshakes every half hour to Tesla servers. This exposes a unique identifier for the car before encrypt...
When sharing a Tesla account for features like solar monitoring, others gain full access to vehicle controls and real-time location tracking. Users cannot limit access to just non-vehicle features wit...
The Tesla app shares the vehicle's precise real-time location with anyone who has access, such as family members or significant others. There is no option to restrict location visibility without remov...
Resetting a password on an old Tesla account can log users into someone else's account due to email mismatches or system errors. This exposes another person's vehicle data and controls unexpectedly.
Tesla owners can remotely access live interior and exterior cameras while renting the vehicle on platforms like Turo. This allows surveillance of renters without their knowledge.
Tesla's updated privacy policy enables collection from driver-facing cameras and internal microphones, which users argue are unnecessary for vehicle operation. Owners worry about lack of security for ...
Tesla vehicles fail to send notifications for unauthorized movement like towing from secure locations, leading owners to mistakenly believe their car was stolen. The app shows updated location only up...
Tesla Insurance monitors driving behavior via vehicle sensors to calculate a safety score, which can raise premiums for poor scores. Users seek ways to disable tracking after purchase but cannot.
Tesla employees have internally shared sensitive cabin camera videos depicting children, nudity, and personal items via company chat systems. This breaches customer privacy despite the footage origina...
Opting out of Tesla's extensive data collection (location, telemetry, cameras) deactivates vehicle connectivity, blocking advanced features, real-time alerts, and potentially causing damage or reduced...
Remote Control Capability
1 issue reported
Tesla vehicles can be remotely controlled via the mobile app after being assigned to a user's Tesla account. Owners report Tesla mistakenly assigning their vehicle to a random stranger, granting unaut...
Software Stability
4 issues reported
The Model S's main 17-inch touchscreen, which controls nearly all vehicle functions including driving, navigation, and entertainment, develops yellow discoloration or lines after 1-2 years of use.
The Model S's central touchscreen, which handles all major vehicle controls, randomly goes blank, rendering key functions inaccessible.
The main touchscreen arrives dusty at delivery, indicating poor quality control in the infotainment system assembly.
The Model S's advanced electronics and software exhibit frequent minor bugs and annoyances that owners must tolerate during regular use.
Subscription Lock-in
4 issues reported
Tesla discontinued one-time Full Self-Driving (FSD) purchases after February 2026, shifting to monthly subscriptions for new buyers. Owners who paid upfront retain permanent access without losing valu...
Full Self-Driving (FSD), Tesla's semi-autonomous driving software, requires a $100 monthly subscription fee after initial trials or purchases. Owners express frustration at the ongoing high cost for b...
Tesla's local keyless entry (phone-as-key) uses Bluetooth and works without internet connectivity after setup. Remote unlocking and app controls require internet connection to Tesla servers; physical ...
Tesla requires data sharing for over-the-air (OTA) updates, remote app services, and in-car connectivity. Opting out to protect privacy disables these essential features, leaving owners with reduced v...
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