Research priorities
Tesla Model S years to avoid?
The official records cannot justify a blanket avoid list. Higher complaint volume is not a reliability score. Compare the recorded complaint themes and recall evidence before you check a specific VIN.
What the stored evidence shows
What do the stored Tesla Model S records show?
The stored comparison records 667 complaints for the 2015 Tesla Model S and 644 for 2016. For 2015, the largest component label is electrical system; for 2016, it is suspension. The separate recall projection lists 9 campaigns for 2015 and 10 for 2016. These complaint totals are not failure rates and do not adjust for vehicle numbers, age, mileage or condition, so they cannot establish a year to avoid. Use the component labels to focus further research rather than assuming a diagnosis for an individual car.
Next step: Read the relevant year dossier and official campaign details, then check the exact VIN, specification and maintenance history.
- 2015 Tesla Model S dossier
- 2016 Tesla Model S dossier
- Tesla Model S recall register
- Official VIN recall check
Historical snapshot: complaint/EPA comparison generated ; recall projection generated . These summaries do not establish current recall status. Sources and methods.
Do not read this as an avoid list.
Older and higher-selling years usually accumulate more reports. A low count can mean a newer or rarer car—not a safer one.
Use these signals to form questions, not a buying verdict. Compare the complete year matrix, read the underlying complaint themes, check whether recall repairs were completed and arrange an independent inspection. Condition, maintenance history, mileage and exact specification can matter more than the model-year total alone.
667 indexed complaints; 9 recall campaigns in the snapshot.
Reported components: electrical system, unknown or other, suspension. These are complaint labels, not confirmed defects.
Open the 2015 dossier →02 · Investigate2016644 indexed complaints; 10 recall campaigns in the snapshot.
Reported components: suspension, electrical system, unknown or other. These are complaint labels, not confirmed defects.
Open the 2016 dossier →03 · Investigate2013459 indexed complaints; 11 recall campaigns in the snapshot.
Reported components: electrical system, unknown or other, suspension. These are complaint labels, not confirmed defects.
Open the 2013 dossier →Complaint comparison generated ; recall projection generated . Missing counts are not zero. These are dated snapshots; use the official VIN lookup for current recall status.
Confirm against the official NHTSA recall search. Best year? · Full matrix · Recalls