2015-2016 · 2 model years

Tesla Model S 70D Problems by year

Owners have filed 1,250 complaints about the Tesla Model S 70D across 2 model years, and it has 0 recalls. The 2016 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (604). The most reported problem area is the electrical system, followed by the suspension.

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Most complaints for its age2016604 complaints · 0 recallsSee the 2016

Complaints: 1,250
Recalls: 0
Crashes: 158
Fires: 23
Injuries: 93
Deaths: 12

Model S 70D complaints by model year

2015 6042016

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Fires	Top problem	Grade
2016	604	0	89	12	Suspension	-
2015	646	0	69	11	Electrical system	-

Most common Model S 70D problems

Latest Model S 70D complaints

2015 Tesla Model S 70D Steering

A few times the steering control has shut off while I am driving. Steering failure lasts a few seconds and then returns to normal function. The car makes a VERY loud alarm sound when the steering is inoperable. I have not seen any failure messages on the screen or in the Service menu. I took the car to Tesla for service yesterday. They did some sort of remote scan of the fault codes and told me that there is nothing wrong. They told me to continue to drive the car and record when the steering stops working again....

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This sounds like ridiculously bad advice to me. While the steering control has always returned in just a few seconds, that does not mean that it will in any future failure. I am concerned about driving this car. Tesla wants $275 an hour to investigate the problem, which also seems ridiculous to me. I have seen that there has been a recall for similar problems in newer Tesla Model S vehicles. It seems logical to me that these problems may be related and deserve additional investigation ... at Tesla's expense.

2015 Tesla Model S 70D Electrical system

Many air bubbles are appearing towards the bottom of the instrument panel on our 2015 Tesla Model S. This started a couple of weeks ago and the bubbles are increasing in size and number and they are moving upwards. The bubbles don't presently obscure important driver information such as the transmission mode (drive, park, reverse, neutral), remaining battery range (e.g. 80%), car speed (mph), parking sensor distance, brake light status, car door open, frunk open, tailgate open, time, outdoor temperature, car...

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lights on/off, warning lights, etc. However, the bubbles likely will do so in the future. Much of this information is vital for safe driving (e.g. transmission mode, speed (mph), remaining battery range, brake light status, and warning lights). As such this display should be replaced by Tesla at nominal or no charge to the owner. According to the internet, the cause of these air bubbles is a failed seal around the instrument cluster that allows a lamination fluid between the LCD display and the cover glass to leak out. It is a very common problem with older Model S's. It is a critical safety problem.

2016 Tesla Model S 70DOther & unknown

The center touchscreen is leaking a sticky glue-like substance and has visible bubbles forming inside the screen. This affects visibility and operation of essential vehicle functions like hvac, navigation, and defrost controls. This issue is worsen with heat exposure. The screen also freezes randomly.

2015 Tesla Model S 70D Transmission & drivetrain

Large drive unit that has previously been replaced by Tesla failed due to coolant ingress leaking through rotor seal. Known issue per 3rd party technicians.

2016 Tesla Model S 70D Suspension

I was backing out of a parking space and the front driver side fore link broke. Internet search reveals this is a known issue associated with Tesla Model S during the period mine was manufactured (February 2016), caused an investigation & service bulletin from the NHTSA, and a recall in China, hence I wanted to report this occurence.

2015 Tesla Model S 70DOther & unknown

Hi, my trunk won't open when I press the button. This is the second occurrence that jas happend. When inside the trunk compartment the emergency cable to open the trunk is also not responsive and can not open the trunk. I think this is a big safety concern as the safety cord is there for a reason and in both cases id did not worked.

Questions about the Tesla Model S 70D

Which Tesla Model S 70D years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2015 (646), 2016 (604). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2016 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

What are the most common Tesla Model S 70D problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the electrical system (393), suspension (351), steering (132) most often.

How many recalls does the Tesla Model S 70D have?

NHTSA lists no recalls for any Tesla Model S 70D model year on file.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data