2017 Tesla Model S Electrical System Problems

The charge port latch failed to release the mobile connector (consistent with TSB SB-18-44-002) I had to call Tesla customer service for manual release instructions, which was very difficult to get through to (unclear through the Tesla App) After manual release, the mobile connector was damaged since it got stuck during a rainstorm. Tesla replaced the entire charging port for ~$1,000 without first testing the mobile connector Though a known defect, TSB SB-18-44-002 was never applied to my vehicle and since my vehicle was out of warranty, I was charge for the full replacement of the charging port. I was put at risk because I was stranded with a charging port cable unable to release from my vehicle and unable to drive.

Here’s a clear, professional paragraph you can use for your NHTSA report: ⸻ While using Tesla’s Auto Summon feature in a controlled parking environment, my vehicle (2017 Tesla Model S) made unintended contact with a stationary garage pillar. At the time, I was actively supervising the vehicle as required, and it was operating at low speed. The vehicle appeared to misjudge clearance while maneuvering, resulting in a sideswipe to the front passenger side and damage to the side mirror. This incident posed a safety risk as the vehicle’s automated steering did not maintain adequate distance from a fixed object, which could present greater danger in tighter environments or near pedestrians. There were no warning lamps, alerts, or abnormal sounds prior to the incident to indicate an imminent issue. No emergency crews responded, and there were no injuries. The collision involved only a stationary object (garage pillar).

This is a supplemental filing to my prior NHTSA complaint (#11697718) regarding a high-voltage isolation fault and shutdown risk. The vehicle displayed warnings including “vehicle may shut down during driving,” “may not charge,” and repeated BMS isolation fault messages. It became inoperable at a public charging station. The manufacturer confirmed isolation faults in the drive unit and the A/C compressor. Their own service notes stated that the vehicle “may shut down during regular driving” and that charging “may not be safe.” Despite this, the vehicle was left at 0% state of charge for an extended period and then charged by the manufacturer. They later stated to a regulator that the vehicle was “trickle charged at 1 amp for 6 hours,” but the vehicle’s range increased by approximately 100 miles, which is not physically possible at that charging current (1 amp at 240V for 6 hours = 1.44 kWh ≈ 4–5 miles). This discrepancy suggests the vehicle may have been charged at a higher rate than claimed and without proper cooling, despite the documented A/C failure that is necessary for battery thermal management. Battery condition is unknown because the manufacturer refused to perform or provide a battery health analysis, isolation resistance values, thermal logs, or charging session data. The safety defect could not be verified as repaired. While this safety issue remained unresolved, the manufacturer rejected a Tesla roadside tow arranged under regulator instruction to second service center and instead arranged an unauthorized tow to remove the vehicle from their facility without my consent. The vehicle was taken to a non-manufacturer storage lot while still in an unsafe state. I am concerned about: • high-voltage isolation faults, • shutdown risk during driving, • unsafe charging performed by the manufacturer, • possible battery damage from low SOC and charging without A/C cooling, and • mishandling of an active safety defect. The vehicle is available for inspection.

While charging at a Tesla Supercharger, the vehicle began making extremely loud mechanical noises on October 7, 2025, as if something inside the high-voltage system was about to explode. A warning appeared stating “Vehicle may shut down at any time.” A service request was opened the next day. Tesla scheduled the first available appointment nearly a month later, leaving the vehicle unsafe to drive. Before that appointment date, on October 31, 2025, the vehicle completely shut down at a Supercharger and could not be restarted. Tesla Roadside Assistance was dispatched three times before the car was successfully towed to a Tesla Service Center. The failure was diagnosed by the service center as a high-voltage isolation fault logged in the Battery Management System. The problem disables the vehicle suddenly and without warning, posing a serious safety hazard if it occurs while driving. Warning lamps and shutdown messages were present prior to the failure. Tesla service staff stated they could not access diagnostic data until the customer paid for unrelated parts (12-volt battery and A/C compressor). After being challenged, they later retrieved limited battery data proving that the high-voltage system had recorded faults. Tesla has not yet issued a written warranty determination or performed a full battery inspection. The incident demonstrates that a high-voltage battery isolation fault can cause the vehicle to become completely inoperable and may create risk of sudden loss of power while driving or charging. The component (battery pack and related electrical systems) remains in Tesla’s possession and can be inspected upon request.

I have documented examples of 3 total incidents now where a Tesla OTA "Update" on my vehicle caused a safety issue. Event 1: Nov 27, 2025. Tesla OTA Update renders my left turn light non-functional for ~24 hours. Resolution per forums only was to not touch the card for 24 hours to allow it to shift into "sleep" mode which would resolve the issue. Instructions were that only a service center could resolve the issue. Event 2: Sept 3, 2025. Tesla OTA Update renders my car unable to charge. The issue is resolved following a ~24 hour "sleep" cycle which allows my car to somehow resume charging. Telsa advised the only resolution was to come in for service and to replace a $3000 part. Event 3: Sept 23, 2025. Tesla OTA Update once again renders my car unable to use it's left turn light. Power cycling the vehicle was able to resolve the issue but once again the instructions was only that service could resolve the issue. Each "update" risks sigificant "safety" related issues and Tesla's only resolution is to pay hundreds of dollars for someone to "troubleshoot" that which shouldn't be a problem.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V838000 (Electrical System) and 24V051000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V838000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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. The contact was informed by the Tesla Service Center that the infotainment system hardware needed to be replaced for the software update under the recall. VIN tool showed no open recall.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V838000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local service center was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V838000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that he had opened several service tickets with the manufacturer for the recall repair. The manufacturer informed the contact twice that the update for the recall remedy software version 2023.44.30 had been performed on the vehicle; however, the contact verified that the current software installed on the vehicle was version 2022.8.10.17. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that they did not have a software version 2023.44.30 available for his vehicle at the time. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V838000 (Electrical System) however, the recall was not repaired. The contact stated there was several appointments made to repair the vehicle under recall, but the appointments were cancelled. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated an appointment was later granted, however the repair to the fix the recall was not applied, and it was reported as repaired as it no longer showed as an unrepaired recall for the VIN. VIN tool shows no open recall.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V838000 (Electrical System) however, the contact was informed by the dealer, that the computer needed to be updated from Media Control Unit 1 to Media Control Unit 2 to receive proper software updates. The contact stated the vehicle was using the latest autosteer computer software however, the infotainment was using on the Media Control Unit 1 computer which was no longer receiving software updates or safety updates. The contact stated that the computer was able to receive updates, however, the manufacturer chose not to write codes for the older computers due to the cost. The vehicle was not updated version 2022.8.10.16 to the necessary version 2023.44.30 or later due to the cost. The approximate failure mileage was 91,840.

See attached document for complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V838000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. In addition, the contact stated that the software would reboot while driving. Due to the failure, the defrost system was inoperable while driving in inclement weather. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V051000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at 60 MPH in autopilot and changing lanes, the vehicle jerked violently to the left. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V838000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

The screen that shows the rear view camera turns on intermittently when engaged. It will often not turn on when shipped to reverse. The sentry system has stopped working as well as the main screen will shut off while driving from time to time, which removes the ability to turn on any heat or air, defroster etc... This was a previous recall and I am a new purchaser of the vehicle. I notified Tesla, they stated that they see where it is having issues but it was already recalled and fixed and any new fixes are no longer under the recall.

The back-up camera is not functioning. I get a black screen whenever I put the car in reverse. I can use the mirrors but the visibility behind the car is not very good. This makes it much ch more difficult to back out and avoid other cars and pedestrians. I have tried to reset/restart the various software systems with no improvement. I understand there is a recall for other Model 3 and Model S cars, I don’t u sweats d how my VIN is not covered as it has tb exact same issue as reported for the recall.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel electronics malfunctioned causing the horn to become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local service center to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the horn failure was caused by a faulty steering wheel air bag module assembly, and that the module assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 55,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V085000 (Steering, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to make right and left turns as signaled by the software. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

This is a 2017 Tesla Model S with 31K miles. The vehicle has lost its ability to charge on ny AC current. Only charges with DC from Tesla supercharger. Service told me that I needed a replacement part (Kit, Service, Gen3, charge sys, 48A, 1PH (1462537-02-E). Invoiced amount was $2500. Tesla refused to cover under 8 year battery warranty even though the problem is directly related to charging the battery.