There are a handful of electric vehicles (EVs) that most of the public know about or have heard of. Being at the forefront of the electric automotive industry, Tesla has produced some of the most mainstream EVs in the last fifteen years. High popularity tends to spark many people’s interests, leading individuals such as yourself to seek more information on all the hype. Tesla keeps its catalog simple, with minimal personalization, but maintains models that offer up-to-date technologies and competitive ranges. The Model 3 is the entryway vehicle, one of the more affordable options in the lineup, but if you can spare some extra money, you can go for one of their nicest “models,” the Model S.
Electric vehicles tend to get a bad rep in various areas, stirring up some myths that have now been debunked, and one of these areas is whether an electric vehicle is reliable or not. Just like any other vehicle, whether it’s your traditional non-electric vehicle (ICE), hybrid (HEV), or plug-in hybrid (PHEV), there are always going to be some bad apples that don’t shed too much reliability. When you’re one of the leading brands in a particular industry, you’ll tend to take the brunt of conflicts and controversies, which is the case for Tesla. The main takeaway is that, in some years, its models have been better than others, but like any other car brand, Tesla produces reliable vehicles. The Tesla Model S has been in production since 2012, and there is a lot to unpack when diving into the reliability of each year.
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In compiling this article, we have cross-referenced information for vehicle reliability, maintenance, and pricing from sources like ConsumerReports, NHSTA, and CarEdge to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. Please note that we have ranked the following models based on most recalls to least recalls. Also, note that ConsumerReports gave the 2025 Model S a predicted reliability rating of 35 out of 100, but we haven’t added it to the list since the model is not out yet.
13
2021 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 21
The 2021 Tesla Model S is the year to kick things off, and rather than rating them based on their reliability ratings, each model will be organized based on its recalls. This is because all the credible automotive sources, such as J.D. Power, ConsumerReports, and ISeeCars, didn’t grade each year. In order to make things fair for each year, the best alternative would be to base it on its recalls.
Reliability
ConsumerReports covered most of the Model S’s years, and it’s worth noting that this credible source can be a hard grader. Any car that receives a score above 40 to 50 will offer decent reliability. The 2021 Tesla Model S received a 21 out of 100 for its reliability and was involved in 21 recalls. This puts it in last place with the most recalls out of the other 11 models. The average yearly maintenance cost on the 2021 Model S was $510.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $510
- Reliability Rating: 21/100
- Total Recalls: 21
- Current Price: $62,645
12
2022 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 17
The 2022 Model S lands second to last place the following year. It should be expected that later years will offer more reliability and fewer recalls due to the manufacturer ironing out all the kinks. It seems this isn’t the case for the Model S, as the newer years still come into contact with many recalls. This also might be a reoccurrence due to Tesla constantly implementing new innovations and reworking their models year after year.
Reliability
The 2022 Tesla Model S received fewer recalls than the previous year, but 17 is still a large number. Many of the recalls involved the electrical system, visibility, and seat belts. ConsumerReports gave it a 26 out of 100 for reliability, which is better than the 2021 Model S’s grade. The average yearly maintenance cost was $425, which was also lower than the previous year.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $425
- Reliability Rating: 26/100
- Total Recalls: 17
- Current Price: $65,517
11
2020 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 11
The 2020 Tesla Model S is up next, and it’s starting to show a trend that the years in the 2020 region come with the most recalls. This might be a letdown to some, as many people want newer models rather than old ones. If the Tesla Model S keeps coming with more recalls in the newer years, the earlier models are expected to be more practical.
Reliability
The 2020 Model S does sit low on the list, but it drops the recalls drastically compared to the two shown above. It came into contact with 11 recalls, which is six less than the 2022 model. Recalls centered around the electrical system shouldn’t come as a surprise, and that was the case for most of the recalls on the 2020 model. It received a 40 out of 100 reliability rating, which is pretty good for a ConsumerReports grade. The average yearly maintenance came out at $580.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $580
- Reliability Rating: 40/100
- Total Recalls: 11
- Current Price: $46,245
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10
2018 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 11
The 2018 Tesla Model S breaks the trend of the 2020 models, which come with the most recalls but are still close in age. The 2018 Model S saw minimal changes and carried over everything from the previous year.
Reliability
The 2018 Tesla Model S ties with the model above with its 11 recalls. Like the years above, it dealt with electrical system malfunctions, loss of power steering, and visibility issues. It came close to tying it in its reliability rating but only received a 37 out of 100. This is still good compared to the first two models. The average yearly maintenance for the 2018 Model S is $777.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $777
- Reliability Rating: 37/100
- Total Recalls: 11
- Current Price: $34,305
9
2013 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 11
The 2013 Tesla Model S is one of the earlier models, and you would think that it would come in last place. While it does sit low on the list, it’s worth noting that earlier models tend to be involved in the most recalls, but that isn’t the case for the 2013 model.
Reliability
The 2013 Tesla Model S nudges itself next to the 2018 and 2020, making it a three-way tie for its 11 recalls. It didn’t receive a reliability rating and was the second year for the production of the Model S. The yearly maintenance cost sits a bit higher than the first models to appear, which came at $974.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $974
- Reliability Rating: N/A
- Total Recalls: 11
- Current Price: $18,047
8
2023 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 10
The 2023 Tesla Model S
saw minimal changes but did include a new key card that replaced the previous key fob. Tesla lowered some of the prices, such as the regular steering wheel coming at a no-cost option, and gave the Standard Range trim a cheaper price tag.
Reliability
The 2023 Tesla Model S drops the recalls down to 10. Most of the newer models sit higher on the list, showcasing that they are more prone to recalls than the older models. On the plus side, the 2023 Model S received a better reliability rating than some of the others, which was 40 out of 100. The average yearly cost is the second lowest on the whole list, predicted to be $372.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $372
- Reliability Rating: 40/100
- Total Recalls: 10
- Current Price: $73,151
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7
2016 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 10
The 2016 Tesla Model S underwent some minor changes, including the removal of the blacked-out front grill, and houses some new adaptive LED headlights. The other noticeable change in the 2016 model was an improved air filtration system.
Reliability
The 2016 Model S matches the recalls of the model above, which was 10. While it mimics the recalls, it receives a different reliability rating, which came out at 29 out of 100. The average yearly maintenance cost also doubled, with a projected $832 being expected to be paid yearly.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $832
- Reliability Rating: 29/100
- Total Recalls: 10
- Current Price: $26,837
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6
2019 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 10
The 2019 Tesla Model S received a good bit of upgrades. Some of these included a new adaptive air suspension and rebranding of the trims. These trims are seen in the majority of Tesla’s models, which are Standard, Long Range, and Performance.
Reliability
The 2019 Tesla Model S makes another three-way tie with the 2016 and 2023, all receiving 10 recalls. The 2019 didn’t receive a reliability rating, and its average yearly maintenance cost, $691, is slightly higher than the average of all the models.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $691
- Reliability Rating: N/A
- Total Recalls: 10
- Current Price: $41,431
5
2015 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 9
The 2015 Tesla Model S saw minimal changes and carried over from the previous year. With it being an older model, the used prices have dropped drastically, with a 2015 model being able to be picked up for $23,936.
Reliability
The 2015 Tesla Model S lowers the number of recalls by one, with 9 recalls. It is also the last model on the list to score a reliability rating of 40 out of 100. This means only three years scored a 40 (2015, 2020, and 2023), which is pretty low in terms of “reliability”. The average yearly maintenance cost sat high on the board, at $862.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $862
- Reliability Rating: 40/100
- Total Recalls: 9
- Current Price: $23,936
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4
2017 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 9
The 2017 Tesla Model S received a facelift, with the faux front grille replaced with a new front design and reshaped headlights. This year also marked significant changes, including a new standard 48-amp onboard charger that replaced the 40-amp one.
Reliability
The 2017 Tesla Model S ties with the 2015 model regarding recalls, which came out at 9. These recalls included electrical system malfunctions, loss of power steering, and seat belts. It received a reliability score of 28 out of 100, which was the ballpark for a handful of other years. The average yearly cost is expected to be $810.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $810
- Reliability Rating: 28/100
- Total Recalls: 9
- Current Price: $30,375
3
2014 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 9
The 2014 Model S lands itself in fourth place, and it is a bit surprising that some of the earlier models flourished better than the newer ones. The changes in the 2014 model were a three-layer battery shield made out of aluminum and titanium and the introduction of autopilot.
Reliability
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) showed that the 2014 Model S ran into 9 recalls. This is still a big chunk of recalls for a car that sits low on the reliability list. It missed out on a reliability rating, and its average yearly maintenance was higher than some of the others, coming out at $906.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $906
- Reliability Rating: N/A
- Total Recalls: 9
- Current Price: $20,337
2
2012 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 8
In third place is the first production year of the Model S. Similar to the model above, it’s unusual for older years, let alone the first year of a new car, to come with fewer recalls than the rest. If you’re in the market for a reliable Model S but want one of the more affordable options, then the 2012 Model S is worth looking at.
Reliability
The 2012 Model S encountered eight recalls which dealt with electrical system malfunctions, airbags rupturing, and seat belts not correctly attaching to the pretensioner. It didn’t receive a reliability rating, and it comes with the highest average yearly maintenance, $1,040, which is the most out of all the years.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,040
- Reliability Rating: N/A
- Total Recalls: 8
- Current Price: $18,982
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1
2024 Tesla Model S
Recalls: 2
The
2024 Tesla Model S
comes in second place, and it could be argued that it also came in first. While you’ll have to wait to see why that is, it’s worth noting that it shouldn’t be a surprise that the 2024 Model S sits where it does. The 2024 Model S is almost a year old, and the models above have been on the market later, allowing all the recalls to pop up over time.​​​​​​​
Reliability
The 2024 Tesla Model S showed two recalls, and if you put money on it, you’d likely guess which one pertained to. The recalls included an electrical system malfunction leading to an unlatched hood and a failure in the seat belt warning system. The 2024 Model S didn’t receive a reliability rating, and its average yearly costs were cheaper than some of the models above, which came out to $338.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $338
- Reliability Rating: N/A
- Total Recalls: 2
- Current Price: $83,915