2018 TESLA MODEL S Complaints

View complaints related to 2018 TESLA MODEL S. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 170 complaints submitted for the 2018 TESLA MODEL S. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2018 TESLA MODEL S
    - Redwood City, CA

    On freeway in traffic, autopilot is enabled. Vehicle is running perfectly fine in start stop traffic slowing down and speeding up as needed. Traffic starts to clear up, and as vehicle speeds up, there is a sudden slowdown again. Instead of braking/slowing down, autopilot turns off without an additional audible alarm (just the standard sound for turning off autopilot), instead the forward collision warning alert goes off. Able to brake in time to prevent accident.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL S
    - Boynton Beach, FL

    The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that he noticed that the display screen was distorted and that the adhesive around the display touchscreen was leaking. The contact stated that the adhesive also leaked onto the console. Additionally, the contact stated that due to the toxicity of the adhesive, he started to get headaches. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the display was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed to contact the Service Center, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL S
    - Maple Grove, MN

    I was using the vehicle's traffic aware cruise control, but not autopilot and the vehicle experiences sudden braking without warning or reason. I had no other vehicles near me, on a straight, flat road with no bridges, signs or other things to cast shadows. The weather was sunny, but the sun was not shining on the front of the vehicle. The most extreme instance starting braking the vehicle from 84mph and the vehicle reached close to 40mph before I could overtake the system by pressing on the accelerator. My passengers were thrown forward as well as our items within the vehicle. I'm thankful there was no vehicle behind me that could have rear-ended me. There is no reasonable way to contact the manufacturer other than asking for a service appointment which can't fix software errors. The manufacturer should provide an option for basic cruise control.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL S
    - Franklin Lakes, NJ

    I was pulling into my driveway and beginning to pull into the garage. Immediately after straightening the car out to fit the space in the garage, the car immediately launched itself, accelerating extremely quick with no chance to brake or brace for impact. The car and the house suffered damage and I’m currently awaiting MRI results for possible injuries. It was an evident malfunction in the car’s system.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL S
    - San Francisco, CA

    The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a complete stop, he activated the Auto Park feature to park the vehicle. The vehicle unexpectedly rolled forward and crashed into another vehicle next to his front passenger's side. The contact stated that it was a minor collision and that no police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle away from the scene. The vehicle was taken to a body shop, where it was diagnosed that an unknown part near the passenger's side front wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the Auto Park feature was activated; however, the Auto Park inadvertently disengaged, causing the vehicle to roll. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL S
    - Bellevue, WA

    Repeated problems with "phantom braking" when adaptive cruise control or autosteering is engaged. The vehicle would make unexpected hard breaking without any obvious triggers. In the past, I have made multiple "report bug" to Tesla immediately following phantom breaking, but no improvement noted thus far. This problem recurred yet again on I-5 today; the vehicle suddenly made a hard break despite absence of any issues in front of me; this resulted in the vehicle behind me having to take immediate evasive action by breaking and making a sudden lane change to avoid a collision.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL S
    - Madison heights , MI

    Component that failed is daylight running lights and is available for inspection. Daylight running lights are important to be seen easier by other vehicles and pedestrians, since they don’t work my vehicles is more difficult to be seen during the day. Confirmed by service center. Unknown if inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others, most likely not. No warning lights, no messages, no symptoms, first appeared approximately sept 2022

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL S
    - Whitefish Bay, WI

    Driving down an interstate at the speed limit, with light traffic. No cars immediately or in ahead of me. The car put on the brakes, or what is commonly referred to as "phantom braking" as I understand it. It has done this on prior occasions and I am familiar with it. It generally seems to be triggered by inconsistent pavement coloring or shadows. The car rapidly braked until I took over (I was using "Navigate on Autopilot" which was managing the speed and lane-keeping). There were no injuries or dangerous situation created during this event, besides being quite abrupt and startling. There are no known failures or issues in my vehicle that would have been likely to contribute. This occurred on Nov 24 in the late afternoon, driving westward. Weather was overcast.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL S
    - Fort Collins , CO

    While driving out 2018 Model S, it will brake hard while in adaptive cruise control of full self-driving mode for no reason. This happens frequently, whether driving on the highway or on city roads. It is terribly unsafe. I'm afraid eventually someone following too close will hit me.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL S
    - Irvine, CA

    I was travelling on the highway at high speeds when the traffic suddenly comes to a halt. My tires were screeching without any signs of ABS kicking in whatsoever. My car slid 20-30 feet since i braked.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE