CarBrief

The 2020 Model S has 80 NHTSA complaints on file, led by forward collision avoidance[1][2]. NHTSA also lists 11 recalls, and most of them use software updates[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].

80owner complaints[1]
11recalls[3]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 80 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Model S[1]. Of those, 16 mention a crash and none a fire[1]. The complaints report 8 injuries in total[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

The biggest groups by component:

We also read a small sample of the complaint texts for the top groups. It is not a count of all owners, so treat it as a flavor of what people write.

Braking and collision alerts. In the sample of 12 forward collision texts we read, 11 describe the car braking hard or sounding an alert with nothing in the way[2]. Some owners say it happened with cruise control only. A few of the texts are repeats of the same complaint[2].

Suspension. In a sample of 12 suspension complaints we read, 7 describe broken, cracked or collapsed parts[14]. Most of those come from reports about salvage cars. Five others describe loose or worn parts, vibration, knocking or uneven tire wear[14]. The median mileage at failure is 1,500[14].

Steering. In a sample of 10 steering complaints we read, 4 describe a loss of power steering assist, often with warning messages[16]. Three describe axle, half shaft or linkage vibration and failure[16].

Speed control. This group is small, but it has 3 crashes and 4 injuries[17]. In a sample of 8 texts we read, 3 describe the car surging forward while parking and 3 describe sudden braking or stopping under cruise control[17].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2020 Model S[3]. Here they are, newest first. Almost all use an over-the-air software update. Where a fact says Tesla "will" release an update, we do not show the fix as delivered.

Several of these recalls cover many Tesla models and model years, and they still apply to this car because they are listed for it.

Fuel economy and range

This is an electric car, so the EPA rates it in MPGe. Ratings for the five versions we have:

Version Combined MPGe Range
Long Range Plus[22] 117 402 miles
Long Range[23] 111 373 miles
Standard Range[24] 109 287 miles
Performance (19in wheels)[25] 104 348 miles
Performance (21in wheels)[26] 97 326 miles

All five are listed as all-wheel drive[23][25][26][24][22]. The 21-inch wheels on the Performance version go with the lowest combined rating of the five[23][25][26][24][22].

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 2020 Model S with an electric motor rated at 398 to 534 hp, depending on version[27].

Size, from Canadian-market specifications that can differ slightly from US cars[28]:

How 2020 compares with other years

2012: 61 complaints, 8 recalls20122013: 461 complaints, 11 recalls20132014: 366 complaints, 9 recalls20142015: 668 complaints, 9 recalls20152016: 648 complaints, 10 recalls20162017: 428 complaints, 9 recalls20172018: 170 complaints, 11 recalls20182019: 44 complaints, 10 recalls20192020: 80 complaints, 11 recalls8020202021: 179 complaints, 23 recalls20212022: 139 complaints, 20 recalls20222023: 114 complaints, 13 recalls20232024: 38 complaints, 6 recalls20242025: 6 complaints, 2 recalls20252026: 7 complaints, 0 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Model S model year. The 2020 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2012618
201346111
20143669
20156689
201664810
20174289
201817011
20194410
20208011
202117923
202213920
202311413
2024386
202562
202670

Across the 15 Model S model years in NHTSA's data, the 2020 car has 80 complaints and 11 recalls[3]. Five years have fewer complaints: 2012 (61[3]), 2019 (44[3]), 2024 (38[3]), 2025 (6[3]) and 2026 (7[3]). The other nine years have more, from 114 in 2023 to 668 in 2015[3].

For recalls, 2020 ties with 2013 and 2018 at 11[3]. The 2021, 2022 and 2023 model years have more, with 23, 20 and 13[3]. Recall counts include recalls that cover many model years.

Should you buy a used 2020 Model S?

The complaint count of 80 is lower than for 9 of the 14 other model years, but not the lowest[1][3]. The 11 recalls are mostly software fixes, yet several say Tesla "will" release the update, so ask the seller or a Tesla service center which ones are done[4][7][8][10][12]. Complaints in the samples we read point to braking behavior, suspension parts and steering assist[2][14][16]. Those are reports, not proof of how often it happens. Have the suspension and steering looked over before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Tesla Model S?
NHTSA has 80 complaints[1]. The largest group is forward collision avoidance with 23[2], then suspension with 14[14] and steering with 10[16].
How many recalls does the 2020 Tesla Model S have?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls for it[3]. Most are over-the-air software updates, and the hood latch recall is a service inspection[21].
What is the EPA range of the 2020 Model S?
It depends on version, from 287 miles for the Standard Range[24] to 402 miles for the Long Range Plus[22].
How much horsepower does the 2020 Model S have?
The EPA lists 398 to 534 hp depending on version[27].
Is 2020 a good year for the Model S?
It has 80 complaints, fewer than 9 of the other 14 model years and more than 5 of them[3]. It has 11 recalls, the same as 2013 and 2018[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 80 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Tesla Model S (16 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 23 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Tesla Model S model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 24V376, filed May 28, 2024: Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light / Devices. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 24V153, filed February 27, 2024: Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings › External / Pedestrian Alert. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 24V051, filed January 30, 2024: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 23V838, filed December 12, 2023: Electrical System › Adas › Driver Monitoring › Software. NHTSA recall database
  8. Recall 23V085, filed February 15, 2023: Steering › Automated / Adaptive Steering. NHTSA recall database
  9. Recall 22V818, filed November 1, 2022: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  10. Recall 22V235, filed April 12, 2022: Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings › External / Pedestrian Alert. NHTSA recall database
  11. Recall 22V063, filed February 4, 2022: Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings › External / Pedestrian Alert. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 22V037, filed January 27, 2022: Steering › Automated / Adaptive Steering. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 21V846, filed October 29, 2021: Forward Collision Avoidance › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  14. 14 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 14 complaints name the unknown or other component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 10 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 8 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 2,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  18. 7 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  19. 6 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  20. 6 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  21. Recall 21V00B, filed December 21, 2021: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Hood › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  22. EPA rating for Model S Long Range Plus, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 117 MPGe combined, 402 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for Model S Long Range, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 111 MPGe combined, 373 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Model S Standard Range, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 109 MPGe combined, 287 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for Model S Performance (19in Wheels), electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 104 MPGe combined, 348 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. EPA rating for Model S Performance (21in Wheels), electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 97 MPGe combined, 326 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  27. EPA Test Car List, 2020 Tesla Model S with electric motor: rated 398 to 534 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MODEL S 4DR SEDAN AWD: length 196 in, width 77 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,969 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.