2021 Tesla Model S Review

Name: 2021 Tesla Model S
Brand: Tesla

Price Range: $29,950 - $57,000

2019 Tesla Model S Performance Sedan Exterior Shown

Great

8.1

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid is the Usain Bolt of the car world. Line it up at a drag strip and it'll outsprint pretty much anything on the road today. The Model S' hatchback practicality and access to Tesla's Supercharger network are big pluses too. Unfortunately, the Model S also has some big drawbacks, such as a frustrating interface (the steering yoke, specifically) and disappointing fit and finish.

See all features & specs

Price & Payment

Select year

Average price: $43,932

Min$

Max$

See listings

Appraise My 2021 Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S model years

Tesla Model S for Sale

Tesla Model S types

Sedan
Plaid

Pros

Electric range is impressive
Wicked quick acceleration across the board
Liftback design affords abundant cargo space
Access to Tesla's extensive Supercharger network

Cons

Lack of a traditional steering wheel and turn stalks hampers usability
Interior isn't as refined as cabins in similarly priced sedans
No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration
Limited array of paint colors or other ways to customize from the factory

What's new

Revised model lineup
New ultra-performance Plaid version
Updated interior with horizontal-oriented touchscreen
New driver information display and rear-passenger entertainment display
Part of the first Model S generation introduced for 2012

Overview

Written by automotive expert Travis Langness

9/7/2021

The 2021 Tesla Model S is an all-electric sedan that sits at the top of the automaker's lineup. The Model S might be the oldest vehicle Tesla currently sells, but it's still desirable thanks to robust performance as well as unparalleled all-electric range. Currently, the Model S Long Range boasts an estimated 405 miles, which is the most from any EV on the market.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

26 listings

Sort by:

2021 Tesla Model S
Plaid Sedan
$48,750
good price
$1,544 below market
- 43,879 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- Alpha Motorsports Manassas (19 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Manassas, VA
** 100+ TESLAS IN STOCK, visit www.AlphaMS.com to view our entire TESLA or other EV vehicles in our inventory, BEST PRICES IN TOWN** OVER 30,000 VEHIC...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 5YJSA1E69MF431159
Stock: S431159
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2021 Tesla Model S
Long Range Sedan
$49,998
- 24,832 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use
- 405 mi range
- CarMax Dulles (3 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Sterling, VA
Wanna drive? CarMax puts you in the driver's seat-and that includes transparency. Certain cars may have unrepaired safety recalls, so check nhtsa.gov/...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: Yes
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 5YJSA1E55MF441596
Stock: 28661605
Certified Pre-Owned: No

See all for sale

There's also the Tesla Model S Plaid. The Plaid, which presumably gets its name from an obscure Spaceballs movie reference, gains an additional electric motor, for a total of three. The automaker is touting an output of 1,020 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 2 seconds.

Also on tap for 2021 is an updated interior. It features a new horizontally oriented touchscreen, which is the style Tesla implemented on its Model 3 and Y. It's paired with an additional dash-mounted driver information display above the steering yoke and an entertainment display for rear passengers. Wait, what's a steering yoke? Yep, leave it to Tesla to try to reinvent the (steering) wheel. The Model Y has a new design that's styled to look like an aircraft's flight yoke or, perhaps more whimsically, the twin-grip design from Knight Rider's KITT.

So what's it like driving the updated Model S? Check out our Expert Rating below to get our test team's evaluation of the car's performance, real-world range and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Great

8.1

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Tesla Model S on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8/10

How does the Model S drive? The thrust and speed delivered by this tri-motor-powered sedan is nothing short of mind-bending. In Edmunds' testing, the Model S Plaid rocketed from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds and passed the quarter-mile mark in 9.4 seconds at 150.8 mph. This is the quickest vehicle Edmunds has ever tested by a good margin, surpassing the prior Model S Performance (2.9 seconds and 11.1 seconds, respectively) or sport coupes such as the Lamborghini Huracan Evo (2.8 and 10.8 seconds, respectively). The Model S is also as easy to drive as a golf cart, albeit a 1,020-horsepower one.

You might know that Tesla claims 0-60 mph happens in just 1.99 seconds. The difference between our as-tested result and Tesla's likely comes down to the testing surface and number crunching. We do our acceleration tests on regular pavement, not a prepared drag strip. We also publish acceleration without using the drag racing 1-foot rollout. Applying that calculation would drop our tested 0-60 mph time down to 2.1 seconds.

We're less impressed with the Plaid's ability to stop and turn. While the powertrain will mostly retain its capability to catapult you to irresponsible speeds run after run, the brakes on our test car began to fade after slowing down from a few acceleration blasts. We ended up having to spend some significant time cooling down the brakes to ensure that they still worked. So from a safety standpoint, we lack some confidence in the Plaid's stopping hardware.

Even more disappointing is the Plaid's steering, which always feels too light and lacks a connection to the road. It's exacerbated by the awkward steering yoke that doesn't seem to serve any ergonomic function. The Plaid's tri-motor setup supposedly provides some sort of rear-axle torque vectoring, but the handling feels more muscle car and than sports car. It's not something that feels natural despite the high amount of road grip provided by the sticky summer tires.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the Model S? The Model S Plaid's world-beating speed doesn't come at the expense of everyday comfort. This is a car you wouldn't hesitate to take on a road trip, run errands or commute in. Ride comfort is commendable with the standard adaptive air suspension, even with the larger optional 21-inch wheels and their less cushy tire sidewalls. The climate control is tri-zone and works relatively well. The seat ventilation and heaters work well too.

But the seats themselves are nothing special. The cushions are decently soft but lack lateral support considering the Plaid's performance potential, and the adjustments are pretty basic. The rear seatbacks feel a bit upright and the floor sits high so your knees sit closer to your chest than in most other luxury sedans. The absence of a gasoline powertrain means a lot less noise entering the cabin, but there is some that comes from the electric motors, and some to a lesser degree from the road and the wind.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? This is one of the few areas where Tesla has taken a step back with the new Model S. The controversial steering yoke is the largest pain point here, and the decision to remove the traditional column stalks and replace them with touch-sensitive buttons has made simple everyday actions much more distracting. Even changing lanes requires you to take your eyes off the road momentarily to press the correct arrow button. The big 17-inch touchscreen is a little easier to navigate than the previous Model S touchscreen, but learning the menu structure will take a bit of time.

Interior space is decent as far as midsize sedans go, as is the ease of getting in and out. Notably, there is far more space here than in the Model S' closest EV competitor, the Porsche Taycan. The all-glass roof provides lots of headroom. But backseat toe room is a bit tight under the front seats. The floor height is also awkwardly high when you're sitting in back. The Model S is easy to see out of, especially out the front. The Model S' fastback hatch makes for a slightly shorter window view out of the back, but not so short to cause any real obstruction.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? Having Google Maps built-in continues to be one of the better navigation experiences, but it's not without issues. In areas of spotty service, you'll either have a slow-refreshing map or no map at all. But having the power of Google search in the car is a huge convenience, not to mention it looks great on a 17-inch touchscreen. The Plaid's 22-speaker sound system is also quite awesome and can push out loud-yet-rich sound through the cabin.

Though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration has become pervasive in the industry, Tesla still doesn't offer either system. The Bluetooth system offers just one phone connection at a time, while on some other cars you can connect additional devices. At least there are ample options for keeping your devices charged up with four wireless chargers, four USB-C ports and one USB-A port.

As far as driving aids go, no advanced driving aid system is better known than Tesla's Autopilot. It works great in slow-moving and stop-and-go traffic, but it seems to be more easily spooked or confused on roads that aren't clearly marked or are lined with parked cars on the shoulder. Tesla has a tendency to release new features in beta phase too, making you the guinea pig. This underdeveloped approach feels half-baked.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? The Tesla Model S is actually a hatchback, and that means there's lots of rear cargo space, plus a bonus front trunk that's easy to access and take advantage of. It features far more cargo space than many rivals, EV or not. The split rear seats fold flat, opening up the space even more. Storage up front is much improved compared to prior years of the Model S. There's a variety of sliding and retracting compartments that better help to organize all your stuff up front. The cupholders still lack an anti-tip design and don't hold drinks all that well, but there are also now door pockets, which means not everything has to go in the center console storage space.

Getting a car seat in and out is relatively easy. The doors open wide, though the anchors seem to be buried a little deeper than usual. The lack of headroom might be a bit of an issue when installing a seat.

Range and Efficiency

8/10

How are the range and efficiency? The 2021 Model S Plaid we tested was equipped with the optional 21-inch wheels, giving it an EPA-estimated range of 348 miles and a consumption rate of 33 kWh/100 miles. In Edmunds' real-world range testing, we came up just a tiny bit short of the EPA estimates, managing 345 miles on a single max battery charge with a slightly more efficient consumption rate of 32.1 kWh/100 miles. That's more range than just about every EVs we've tested except the Model 3 Long Range. The electricity consumption is also impressive given the car's power. A Porsche Taycan 4S we tested, for example, checked in with 32.3 kWh/100 miles.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Model S a good value? Is the Tesla Model S Plaid a good buy for the money at nearly $140,000? Well, that depends on what you value. If you're looking for a vehicle with incredible speed and nearly unassailable bragging rights, there is nothing better for the money. However, we found a number of questionable build quality issues, from the driver's door not being aligned correctly to torn rubber moldings and noticeably crooked interior trim pieces. If these sorts of things are overlooked during production, it makes us a bit uneasy about how the more important hardware has been assembled.

Build quality aside, access to Tesla's vast Supercharger network is one of the best parts of Tesla ownership. It helps relieve range anxiety and can allow you to take the Model S across the country on most major highways without worry. The basic warranty is four years/50,000 miles, which is about average in this luxury EV segment. The powertrain and battery are covered for eight years/120,000 miles.

Wildcard

10/10

Putting aside personal biases of those of us who prefer cars that are fun to drive around corners, the sheer power, speed and the ease of its accessibility make the Model S Plaid incredibly entertaining. It also has a strong sleeper vibe; there's no giant rear wing or other obvious styling element to indicate that you're driving a 1,020-horsepower sedan. We heartily respect understatement. Oh, did we mention that we drag raced this car against two of the fastest production motorcycles in existence? Yeah, we did that. And the Model S won. Handily.

2021 Tesla Model S trim level differences

The 2021 Tesla Model S is a five-passenger electric luxury sedan currently available in two trims: Long Range and Plaid. Previously, Tesla offered a Performance trim but phased it out in favor of the new Plaid trim. Here's what the Model S comes with, but be aware that Tesla updates the Model S on an ongoing basis rather than by model year, so additional changes may occur throughout 2021. Compare the 2021 Tesla Model S trim levels in-depth.

Which Model S trim does Edmunds recommend?

Picking a Model S is pretty easy because of the simplified model lineup. The Long Range should work out best for most buyers. Should you get the Full Self-Driving capability option? Probably, but just know that a lot of its automated driving features aren't enabled yet, and there's no guarantee on when (or if) that will actually happen. If you want sheer face-shattering performance, go for the Plaid trim level.

2021 Tesla Model S EV Insights

Trim:

Model S Long Range Plus

Estimated Range Based on Age

Not available

Charging

No charging time information available

EV Battery Warranty

8 yrs or 150,000 miles

According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.

Estimated battery warranty remaining is 3 years or 80,000 miles for this car.

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

$100

Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

Restrictions: Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Edmunds visitors receive a $100 discount when they contract with Treehouse for their home charger installation. Discount excludes permit, hosted inspection, and load management devices. Valid for 30 days.
To learn more, visit https://treehouse.pro/edmundsdiscount/

See All EV incentives

Cost to Drive

Not EPA Tested

Model S

$267/mo

Car Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet)
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in
Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Learn more about the installation services partnership

Need to install a charger at home?

Get a free quote

See All EV Insights

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Year

Make

Model

See pricing history

Reliability

The 2021 Tesla Model S has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 23 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, ranks it #1 out of 1 among Luxury Alternative Fuel Vehicles. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average

#1 out of 1 among Luxury Alternative Fuel Vehicles

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$823/yr

vs. $823/yr
for Average Luxury Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Frequency

0.36x/yr

vs. 0.4x/yr
for Average Luxury Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Severity

15.2%

vs. 15.2%
for Average Luxury Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Recalls

23 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 25V172000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-25-20-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 91
Defect Description:: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
Defect Consequence:: An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.

Recall Number:: 24V967000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-24-20-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 487
Defect Description:: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Defect Consequence:: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.

Recall Number:: 24V554000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-24-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 1849638
Defect Description:: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
Defect Consequence:: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.

Recall Number:: 24V376000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-24-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 125233
Defect Description:: 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."
Defect Consequence:: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Corrective Action:: 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 Number:: 24V153000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-24-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 6557
Defect Description:: 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."
Defect Consequence:: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: 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 Number:: 24V051000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-24-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 2193869
Defect Description:: 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."
Defect Consequence:: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: 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 Number:: 23V838000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-23-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 2031220
Defect Description:: 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.
Defect Consequence:: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: 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 Number:: 23V743000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-23-20-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 159
Defect Description:: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.
Defect Consequence:: An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Corrective Action:: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.

Recall Number:: 23V488000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-23-20-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 15869
Defect Description:: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.
Defect Consequence:: A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Tesla Service will inspect the front-row seat belts and connect the seat belts to pretensioner anchors, or replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-004.

Recall Number:: 23V085000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-23-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 362758
Defect Description:: 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.
Defect Consequence:: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: 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 Number:: 22V818000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-22-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 40168
Defect Description:: 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.
Defect Consequence:: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: 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 Number:: 22V702000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-22-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 1096762
Defect Description:: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Defect Consequence:: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.

Recall Number:: 22V296000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-22-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 129960
Defect Description:: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S, Model X, and 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating certain firmware releases. The infotainment central processing unit (CPU) may overheat during the preparation or process of fast-charging, causing the CPU to lag or restart.
Defect Consequence:: A lagging or restarting CPU may prevent the center screen from displaying the rearview camera image, gear selection, windshield visibility control settings, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will improve CPU temperature management, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-009.

Recall Number:: 22V235000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-22-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 594894
Defect Description:: 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."
Defect Consequence:: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: 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 Number:: 22V104000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-22-20-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 9
Defect Description:: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S vehicles. The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly.
Defect Consequence:: An incorrectly assembled inflator can cause a delayed or improper deployment of the side curtain air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Corrective Action:: Tesla Service Centers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-001.

Recall Number:: 22V063000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-22-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 578607
Defect Description:: 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."
Defect Consequence:: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: 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 Number:: 22V050000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-22-18-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 26681
Defect Description:: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Defect Consequence:: Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.

Recall Number:: 22V045000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-22-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 817143
Defect Description:: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Defect Consequence:: The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Corrective Action:: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.

Recall Number:: 22V037000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-22-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 53822
Defect Description:: 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.
Defect Consequence:: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: 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 Number:: 22E092000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-22-12-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 53
Defect Description:: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model S exterior side rearview mirrors, part numbers: 1622232-00-B and 1622233-00-B. The driver side exterior rearview mirrors are convex (curved glass) and the passenger side mirrors do not include the "Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear" etched warning. As such, these mirrors fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:: When using the incorrect mirrors, the driver may misjudge the distance of other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Tesla Service will replace the mirrors, 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-22-12-002.

Recall Number:: 21V868000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-21-20-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 7600
Defect Description:: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
Defect Consequence:: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Tesla Service will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-007.

Recall Number:: 21V846000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-21-00-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 11728
Defect Description:: 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.
Defect Consequence:: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: 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.

Recall Number:: 21V00B000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SB-21-11-0
Number of vehicles affected:: 130441
Defect Description:: 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."
Defect Consequence:: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: 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.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 8 years / 150,000 miles
EV battery Warranty: 8 years / 150,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 12 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles

Tesla Model S Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.2

31 reviews

5(42%)

4(10%)

3(3%)

2(19%)

1(26%)

See all 31 reviews of the Tesla Model S

Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 Tesla Model S videos

2021 Tesla Model S Plaid Review | The Fastest Tesla Money Can Buy — Our Full Instrumented Test | Price, Range, 0-60 & More

2021 Model S Features & Specs

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Long Range Plus

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$69,420
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
Engine Type	Electric
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	28.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 150,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Model S models:

Autopilot: Uses four cameras and a dozen sensors to monitor and improve safety and provide semi-automated operation in various driving situations.
Automatic Emergency Braking: Determines if a front collision is imminent and can initiate braking to prevent or mitigate a crash if the driver takes no action.
Lane Departure Warning: Warns the driver of an unintended lane change or drifting from the lane. Optional automated steering can steer the car back into the lane.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover5.7%

People who viewed this also viewed

Tesla Model Y
4.3 average Rating out of 20 reviews.
Starting at $39,990

See Tesla Model Y Inventory

Tesla Model X
Starting at $99,990

See Tesla Model X Inventory

Tesla Model 3
5.0 average Rating out of 1 reviews.
Starting at $36,990

See Tesla Model 3 Inventory

2021 Tesla Model S Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Range and Efficiency

Value

Wildcard

2021 Tesla Model S trim level differences

Which Model S trim does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Tesla Model S EV Insights

Estimated Range Based on Age

Charging

EV Battery Warranty

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

Cost to Drive

Am I Ready for an EV?

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Tesla Model S Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 Tesla Model S videos

2021 Model S Features & Specs

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed