Is the Tesla Model S high maintenance?
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Tesla doesn't publish service prices, so we don't put a dollar figure on the Model S (AAA's mainstream electric vehicle average, for context, is $1,511 a year). NHTSA holds 3,217 owner complaints for the Model S, with 3 model years flagged in our years-to-avoid analysis; we don't have the sales data to turn that into a per-1,000 rate.
Verdict
Not priced
no OEM prices
Per year
Not priced
5 years
—
75,000 miles
NHTSA complaints
3,217
total on file
Model S maintenance cost: 5 and 10 years
Tesla doesn't publish service prices, and AAA's benchmark is built from top-selling mainstream models, so applying it to a Tesla would understate the cost. We don't put a dollar figure on it. For scale only: AAA's 2025 benchmark for mainstream electric vehicle models is $1,511 a year (10.07¢ a mile), and the all-vehicle average is $1,656. The best predictors of what you'll spend are the factory schedule below, the length of any included maintenance and the complaint record.
How the verdict is set: Two inputs. Cost: the estimate against AAA's $1,656 all-vehicle average (more than 3% under counts in the car's favor, more than 3% over against it). Complaints: NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold against the median of every model in our study (0.48); well under the median helps, well over hurts, roughly double or more hurts twice as much. Both low = "No"; both high = "Yes". Models without a dollar estimate get no verdict.
Model S service schedule highlights
From Tesla's documents for the Model S:
- Cabin air filter and HEPA filters every 3 years
- Brake fluid health check every 4 years
- Tire rotation every 6,250 miles
Source: Model S Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com)
Oil changes
Tesla's service-interval pages list no oil change; the cars are battery-electric.
Included maintenance
No complimentary scheduled maintenance confirmed for new Tesla vehicles. Tesla's service-interval pages describe no complimentary maintenance program. Tesla says the cars should be serviced as needed, that the list doesn't cover consumables (wipers, brake pads, 12V lead-acid battery), and that damage from opening the battery coolant reservoir isn't covered by warranty.
Tesla factory schedule
| Interval | Service items | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Every 6,250 miles (or 2/32 in tread-depth difference) |
| Model 3 Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com) |
| Every year |
| Model 3 Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com) |
| Every 2 years |
| Model 3 Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com) |
| Every 3 years |
| Model S Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com) |
| Every 4 years |
| Model 3 Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com) |
| Every 6 years (older Model 3 only) |
| Model 3 Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com) |
Common Model S problems (NHTSA data)
NHTSA holds 3,217 owner complaints for the Model S, with 3 model years flagged in our years-to-avoid analysis; we don't have the sales data to turn that into a per-1,000 rate.
- 3,217 owner complaints on file with NHTSA across all Model S model years.
- Most-reported systems: electrical system (145).
- Model years flagged in our years-to-avoid analysis: 2013, 2015, 2016.
- Best-rated years: 2012, 2019.
Complaints measure problems owners reported to the government, not repair bills: a high count signals more unscheduled repairs, which AAA's category benchmark doesn't adjust for. Model S years to avoid →
How the Model S compares in its AAA category (electric vehicle)
Same AAA category means the same dollar benchmark, so the complaint rate is what separates them. Luxury models aren't priced.
| Model | Est. per year | Complaints / 1,000 sold | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model S | Not priced | — | Not priced |
| Tesla Model 3 | $1,511 | — | No — low maintenance |
| Tesla Model Y | $1,511 | — | No — low maintenance |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Model S high maintenance?
Tesla doesn't publish service prices, so we don't put a dollar figure on the Model S (AAA's mainstream electric vehicle average, for context, is $1,511 a year). NHTSA holds 3,217 owner complaints for the Model S, with 3 model years flagged in our years-to-avoid analysis; we don't have the sales data to turn that into a per-1,000 rate.
Is the Model S expensive to maintain?
Tesla doesn't publish service prices, and AAA's benchmark is built from top-selling mainstream models, so applying it to a Tesla would understate the cost. We don't put a dollar figure on it.
How often does the Model S need an oil change?
Tesla's service-interval pages list no oil change; the cars are battery-electric. Check your owner's manual for your engine; severe-service intervals are shorter.
What is the cheapest Tesla to maintain?
Of the 3 Tesla models we cover, the Model 3 has the lowest estimated maintenance cost: about $1,511 a year (AAA 2025 electric vehicle benchmark). The Model Y shares that benchmark; we list the Model 3 first alphabetically.
What Model S years should I avoid?
Our NHTSA years-to-avoid analysis flags 2013, 2015, 2016. NHTSA holds 3,217 owner complaints for the Model S, with 3 model years flagged in our years-to-avoid analysis; we don't have the sales data to turn that into a per-1,000 rate.
Related
Sources and method
Dollar figures: none — not published by the manufacturer. Schedule, oil interval and included maintenance: Tesla's own documents, linked by row. Complaints: NHTSA's public complaint database, divided by published U.S. sales (CarWhere analysis).
- Your Driving Costs 2025 (brochure: cost per mile by vehicle category) — AAA (maintenance cents per mile by category)
- Your Driving Costs 2025 fact sheet (methodology) — AAA (what the maintenance line includes)
- NHTSA vehicle owner complaints database — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (complaints per 1,000 sold is a CarWhere calculation)
- Model 3 Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com) — Tesla (opened 2026-11-06)
- Model Y Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com) — Tesla (opened 2026-11-06)
- Model S Do It Yourself — Vehicle Service Intervals (service.tesla.com) — Tesla (opened 2026-11-06)