Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

2015 Tesla Model S 70D Engine problems

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2015 Tesla Model S 70D's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 2% of all its complaints, most recently on July 5, 2025. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

SteeringEngine & cooling

Steering: While driving today (7/5/2025), all of a sudden and without warning, "driver assist" (power steering) became disabled. Steering wheel immediately became heavy in the sense that it was extremely difficult to turn. Motor: Also, on 02/22/2024, while driving on the freeway at freeway speed, all of a sudden and without warning, the rear LDU (large drive unit) failed and the car became inoperable. At that time, the car had approximately 45k miles on it.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 11671371
Engine & cooling

In 6 years the drive unit has failed and been replaced. Multiple other tesla owners report similar issue. I have a Tesla S 2015. The car will not drive or will abruptly stop driving when the drive unit fails. First incident I was driving on 55mph road and abruptly stopped. Second incident I cannot recall. Third incident tesla provided no support and the car was experiencing multiple driving failures which would turn back on to allow the car to only drive 2-7mph. Tesla reports they know it is a problem with the...

Read the full complaint

coolant leaking through the seals which kills the motor. If this is a KNOWN issue, why are these models still allowed on the road? This has me TERRIFIED knowing that a tesla can go from 55mph to abruptly stop when the drive unit dies. It happened to me! Now that I know it happens with others AND tesla is aware, it makes me question why there is no recall to fix it.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11588135
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

On September 7, 2021 I was driving in heavy rain conditions. The rain was so heavy I could only drive at speed of 25 mph. My car displayed a message "Car may not restart - service required" I pulled under a canopy of a gas station and put the car in PARK. The car did not restart after that and was towed to Tesla Service Center. The next day I was told that a RAPID MATE vehicle side connector failed due to water ingress and that HV battery needs to be replaced due to same damage. I was presented with a $23622.54...

Read the full complaint

invoice even, though, the battery is covered under existing powertrain warranty. The car was never driven into standing water or a puddle. Water has NOT entered the interior of the car. The battery and other electrical components of the car are poorly insulated / isolated presenting the risk of water damage and or electric shock under ordinary driving conditions.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11433218
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

Tesla has reduced the charging capacity and charge rate per: re: nhtsa action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updates prior to this software update, the charge rate was double the shown rate.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11395064
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

The mcu went out. Turn signals, brake lights, backup camera, hvac controls, all went with it. Car would drive, but would not

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11375004
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 tesla model s. The contact stated that there was a loud sound coming from the engine while the vehicle was plugged up and charging. The contact disconnected the charger in fear that the battery or the engine may explode. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to be fully charged. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,874.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11343651
Electrical systemDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

The mcu failed while we were traveling, which basically locked the climate control, access to suspension, speed control, autopilot, navigation, radio, turn signals, and back up camera.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11343085
Engine & cooling

My 2011 chevy equinox ran out of oil in between regular oil changes due to the oil consumption issue with the incorrect sized piston rings. This escalated quickly and destroyed my timing chain which destroyed my engine.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11340000
Electrical systemLightsEngine & cooling

The touchscreen in my 2015 model s has completely failed. I've attempted all of the resets that tesla recommends to restart the system to no avail. The car is nearly useless, none of the electrical features of the vehicle work, including heating/air conditioning, charging features, audio or turn signals. The car worked fine yesterday, today the screen was just gone.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · EngineNHTSA 11338680
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

With the recent news on nhtsa investigating tesla model s touchscreen unit problems, I like to add my experience for the record: on 01/31/20, my computer screen died which limited the car's functionality (e.G. No hvac, radio, bluetooth, etc). On 02/06/20, tesla came out to inspect my car, and verified I needed to replace the computer. The technician admitted how bad the problem was for productions with mcu v1 computers. But before the technician left, he performed a battery disconnect which made it worse. ...

Read the full complaint

Now the car was not able to charge which forced me to take the car immediately to tesla to replace the computer. On 02/19/20, the replacement computer was installed at the cost of $2,122.50. To add, tesla would not let me keep the original computer without an additional core charge of $500. 12 Days later on 03/02/20, tesla announced an infotainment upgrade on the backs of these ongoing issues: https://electrek.Co/2020/03/02/tesla-mcu-infotainment-upgrade/ https://www.Tesla.Com/support/infotainment

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11337651
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

The mcu v1 is known to fail. It's become sluggish and black screens. Not acting as it should.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11331536
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 tesla model s. The contact stated that the media control unit touch screen was inoperable. The contact stated that while attempting to recharge the battery, the system flickered and failed to charge. The contact stated that the back-up camera was also inoperable. The vehicle was undrivable. An independent mechanic went to the residence to inspect the vehicle and the contact was informed that the media control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,586.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11331503
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Re: nhtsa action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updates starting with a software update in may 2019, tesla capped the max voltage the high voltage battery would charge to. They claim they did this "out of an abundance of caution" after several non-crash fires happened to these models. Tesla took action to downgrade horsepower and range along with all other aspects of performance through a total voltage cap after claiming to be releasing a fire-safety update, but officially...

Read the full complaint

no safety update was released. This change happened while the car was parked in my garage and stationary. Is this car at risk of non-crash fire? Is it safe to park in my garage? Since tesla has refused to answer any of the above questions and only made vague statements implying a safety risk - to the press, not to me - I seek definitive answers from an nhtsa investigation.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11267601
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Starting with a software update in may 2019, tesla capped the max voltage the high voltage battery would charge to. They claim they did this "out of an abundance of caution" after several non-crash fires happened to these models. Tesla took action to downgrade horsepower and range along with all other aspects of performance through a total voltage cap after claiming to be releasing a fire-safety update, but officially no safety update was released. This change happened while the car was parked in my garage and...

Read the full complaint

stationary. Https://www.Theverge.Com/2019/5/16/18627746/tesla-fire-battery-software-update-model-s-x https://jalopnik.Com/tesla-is-updating-battery-software-after-a-model-s-catc-1834794877

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11266126
Seats & seat beltsBrakesEngine & cooling

Driving down the freeway at maximum speed limit (65) needed to remove wallet from back pocket. Unbuckled seat belt why still moving at maximum speed limit. Upon unbuckling seat belt engine immediate shut off and vehicle came to involuntary stop within approximately 5 seconds. Fortunately, the vehicle following was alert and stopped in time to avoid serious rear end accident. Very concerning if this occurs and owners are not notified of the danger we experienced.

Filed Incident Seat belts · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10914794

Tesla Model S 70D engine complaints by year

Model S 70D engine problems, every year

Had a engine problem with your 2015 Model S 70D? Tell other owners.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

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

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience