2021 Tesla Model S: Problems & Reliability
CAUTION2021 Tesla Model S: CAUTION — 179 owner complaints, 1.4× the Model S median year by raw count; top issue: forward collision avoidance (48 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2021 is 1.57, where 1.00 is a typical Model S year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60. Most complaints are about non-critical systems; only 31% are severe (crash, fire, injury or a safety-critical system).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
179
NHTSA complaints
1.4×
vs. median Model S year
91
Service bulletins
24
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2021 Tesla Model S problems
Forward collision avoidance leads a spread-out record, named in 27% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2021 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 48 | 27% |
| Unknown or other | 45 | 25% |
| Steering | 29 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 25 | 14% |
| Speed control / throttle | 16 | 9% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2021 Tesla Model S recalls
24 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2021, reported between Oct 29, 2021 and May 5, 2026.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 26V283000 | May 5, 2026 | Backup camera / back-over prevention › Software |
| 25V172000 | Mar 20, 2025 | Air bags |
| 24V967000 | Dec 24, 2024 | Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Cushion |
| 24V554000 | Jul 24, 2024 | Latches, locks & linkages › Hood › Latch |
| 24V376000 | May 28, 2024 | Seat belts › Front › Warning light/devices |
| 24V153000 | Feb 27, 2024 | Forward collision avoidance › Warnings › External/pedestrian alert |
| 24V051000 | Jan 30, 2024 | Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel |
| 23V838000 | Dec 12, 2023 | Electrical system › Adas › Autonomous/self driving › Software |
| 23V743000 | Nov 3, 2023 | Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar |
| 23V488000 | Jul 14, 2023 | Seat belts › Front |
| 23V085000 | Feb 15, 2023 | Steering › Automated/adaptive steering |
| 22E092000 | Nov 1, 2022 | Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior |
+12 more campaigns on the NHTSA record.
2021 Tesla Model S service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 91 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2021 — close to the 76 of the median Model S year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (23), steering (4), engine & cooling (3). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2021 vs. the year before and after
From the 2020 to the 2021, owner complaints jumped 2.2× (80 → 179) — a step backward. The 2022 that followed fell 24% (179 → 136), so the 2022 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Model S | SOLID | 80 | 64 | 11 | — |
| 2021 (this page) | CAUTION | 179 | 91 | 24 | — |
| 2022 Model S | CAUTION | 136 | 87 | 20 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Tesla Model S years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2021 Tesla Model S
Forward collision avoidance (48 complaints on the 2021): ask about false automatic-braking events and look for driver-assist warning messages.
Steering (29 complaints on the 2021): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Electrical system (25 complaints on the 2021): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Speed control / throttle (16 complaints on the 2021): check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
Service brakes (16 complaints on the 2021): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Recalls: confirm all 24 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2021 Tesla Model S — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
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FAQ
Is the 2021 Tesla Model S reliable?
2021 Tesla Model S: CAUTION — 179 owner complaints, 1.4× the Model S median year by raw count; top issue: forward collision avoidance (48 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2021 is 1.57, where 1.00 is a typical Model S year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60.
What are the most common 2021 Tesla Model S problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2021 Tesla Model S are forward collision avoidance (48, 27%), unknown or other (45, 25%), steering (29, 16%). The manufacturer has 91 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2021 Tesla Model S have?
24 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2021 Tesla Model S, most recently 26V283000 (May 5, 2026, backup camera / back-over prevention); 25V172000 (Mar 20, 2025, air bags); 24V967000 (Dec 24, 2024, air bags). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2021 Tesla Model S before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2021 Tesla Model S come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.