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Body, doors & structure

2021 Tesla Model S Body problems

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2021 Tesla Model S's body, doors & structure with NHTSA - 6% of all its complaints, most recently on October 11, 2025. Doors, hoods and latches, frame rust, sunroofs, leaks, trim and structural failures.

Complaints
11
Recalls
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Body recalls for the 2021 Tesla Model S

Latch

24V5540001,849,638 vehicles affected

Over-the-air fix
The problem
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.
The risk
An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Latch

21V00B000130,441 vehicles affected

The problem
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."
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Body complaints

Body, doors & structure

Tesla Model S 2021 Long Range: Upon closing the rear trunk close button from the app or close button on the hatch, the hatch goes down but won't lock. It gives 3 beeps. Upon pressing open, it won't go up and gives 3 beeps.

Filed Incident Structure · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11692785
SteeringBody, doors & structure

The wrap on the steering yoke is peeling, already had a steering yoke replacement 18 months ago under warranty, and this replacement steering yoke exibiting same peeling issue. Could be a safety grip issue as the yoke portion is more slippery at the peeled section. Tesla refuses to replace this faulty yoke as a covered safety item.

Filed Incident Steering · StructureNHTSA 11680563
Body, doors & structure

Front license plate holder is required in California. The bracket that holds the plate on the car is secured to the bumper with adhesive tape only. My bracket became loose, and thankfully we were able to retrieve the plate and bracket upon parking. This would have been an obvious hazard to us and other motorists if it fell off while on the street or highway. Tesla does not have any alternative solutions to fix or repair this issue and advised we purchase an aftermarket bracket. The front bracket on my car must be attached to meet NTSB safety standards.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11652414
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 11620387
Body, doors & structure

I recently encountered a problem with my Tesla where the drivers door opened on its own while operating the vehicle. Tesla reported it was a faulty door handle. I am concerned that the software interlocks related to the door operation have anomalies that create a safety hazard fo car occupants.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11579075
Electrical systemSeats & seat beltsBody, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V051000 (Electrical System), 23V838000 (Electrical System), 23V862000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Electrical System) and 23V488000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the recall remedies were over-the air (OTA) software updates, and OTA updates had not been performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a Tesla Service Center,...

Read the full complaint

who informed the contact that he needed to pay the diagnostic test fee prior to the recall repairs. The contact declined to pay the fee because recall repairs were free of charge. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Seat belts · Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 11572290
AirbagsSeats & seat beltsBody, doors & structure

I have had my Tesla to their shop FOUR times to try to fix a safety airbag issue in the drivers side which they have had my car for weeks and weeks on end, only for me to get it back with the same issue after only a few days of repair! I asked them for a refund and other things and they have done nothing! They still make me pay full price for my lease even though they have had my car in their shop more than I have driving it.

Filed Incident Air bags · Seat belts · StructureNHTSA 11545272
Body, doors & structure

Drivers door will not latch and car thinks the door is closed/latched. This allows the driver to drive away with the door unlatched. I've had to open and close the door while moving to get it to latch which is obviously unsafe. In attached picture you can see how open the door is but the car gives no indication this is the case. Tesla has confirm the issue and has tried twice to correct the issue but it has not been corrected yet. No warning lights or error messages even with the door obviously open.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11520996
Body, doors & structure

Spontaneous explosion of front passenger door window while driving

Filed Incident Structure · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11483181
Body, doors & structure

Rear passenger door opened while driving on the highway. I was the only occupant, car doors were locked when this happened

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11457068
Body, doors & structure

UNKNOWN

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11435271

Tesla Model S body complaints by year

Model S body problems, every year

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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

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