Reliable Auto DB

2020 Tesla Model S reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA has 11 recalls on file, including Warning light, Pedestrian alert, and Instrument cluster. NHTSA's complaint API returns no filings for the 2020 Model S, including years that have recalls on file, so a complaint count isn't shown. Recalls are tracked separately.

2018 Tesla Model S
Photo by Bahnfrend, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Tesla Model S. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (11)

Recall seat belts, front, warning light 2024-05-28 · NHTSA campaign 24V376000
Summary 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 Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
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.
Recall forward collision avoidance, warnings, pedestrian alert 2024-02-27 · NHTSA campaign 24V153000
Summary 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 Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
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 number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
Recall electrical system, instrument cluster 2024-01-30 · NHTSA campaign 24V051000
Summary 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 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
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.
Recall electrical system, driver assistance, self-driving, software 2023-12-12 · NHTSA campaign 23V838000
Summary 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 sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
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 recall is SB-23-00-008.
Recall steering, adaptive steering 2023-02-15 · NHTSA campaign 23V085000
Summary 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 a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
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 recall is SB-23-00-001.
Recall Electric power steering 2022-11-01 · NHTSA campaign 22V818000
Summary 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 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.
Recall electrical system, software 2022-04-12 · NHTSA campaign 22V235000
Summary 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 requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
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 notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V-063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V-063 will need to have the new remedy software installed.
Recall electrical system, software 2022-02-04 · NHTSA campaign 22V063000
Summary 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 requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
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 be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall has been superseded by Recall 22V-235. Tesla's number for the new recall is SB-22-00-003.
Recall electrical system, driver assistance, self-driving, software 2022-01-27 · NHTSA campaign 22V037000
Summary 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 at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
Recall latches, locks, and linkages, hood, latch 2021-12-21 · NHTSA campaign 21V00B000
Summary 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 number for this recall is SB-21-11-003.
Recall forward collision avoidance, sensing system, camera 2021-10-29 · NHTSA campaign 21V846000
Summary 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 SB-21-00-004.

NHTSA's complaint API returns no filings for the 2020 Model S, including years that have recalls on file, so a complaint count isn't shown. Recalls are tracked separately.

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2020 Tesla Model S (All Variants) 5 HB AWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Model S Long Range — Automatic (1-speed) All-wheel drive 115 107 111 MPG / 373 mi range $700
Model S Long Range Plus — Automatic (1-speed) All-wheel drive 121 112 117 MPG / 402 mi range $650
Model S Performance (19in Wheels) — Automatic (1-speed) All-wheel drive 104 104 104 MPG / 348 mi range $750
Model S Performance (21in Wheels) — Automatic (1-speed) All-wheel drive 98 96 97 MPG / 326 mi range $800
Model S Standard Range — Automatic (1-speed) All-wheel drive 113 105 109 MPG / 287 mi range $700

Specs and fitment

Pre-refresh, 2012–2020
Body styles Sedan
Tire size P245/45R19 (19"); P245/35R21 (21") front / P245/45R19 (19"); P265/35R21 (21", some Performance AWD use P245/35R21 rear) rear

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA recall 21V-035 covers certain 2012-2018 Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles whose center display uses an NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with an 8GB eMMC NAND flash device: when that flash reaches lifetime wear, some center-display functions can fail, including the rearview camera display, defrost/defog controls, and exterior turn-signal lighting. Tesla's remedy is to replace the VCM daughterboard with one that has an enhanced eMMC controller. Recall 22V-818 covers certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles whose electronic power-assist steering may lose assist on rough roads or after a pothole; Tesla released an over-the-air software update to recalibrate the EPAS system. Recall 23V-838 covers Model S vehicles (among other Tesla models) equipped with Autosteer versions leading up to the remedy software: NHTSA states that, when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 feature, and Tesla's remedy is an over-the-air software update.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Tesla Model S reliable?

NHTSA has 11 recalls on file, including Warning light, Pedestrian alert, and Instrument cluster. NHTSA's complaint API returns no filings for the 2020 Model S, including years that have recalls on file, so a complaint count isn't shown. Recalls are tracked separately.

Has the 2020 Tesla Model S been recalled?

The 2020 Tesla Model S has 11 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

What mpg does a 2020 Tesla Model S get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Tesla Model S is 107.6 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2018 Tesla Model S?

Pre-refresh (2012-2020), before the 2021 Palladium interior and Plaid redesign.

Can a US-market Tesla Model S tow a trailer?

Tesla's US owner's manual for 2012-2020 Model S warns not to use the car for towing and states it does not support a trailer hitch; there is no published US factory towing rating.