Which Tesla Models Have Experienced the Most Recalls? It's a Close Competition | Carscoops

      The Model S has been in production since 2015, yet it has five times more recalls than the Cybertruck, which was launched just 18 months ago.

      A recent study has identified the Tesla models with the highest number of recalls in the US.

      Although the Cybertruck is only 18 months old, it has already experienced eight recalls.

      Only 33 percent of recalls were resolved through over-the-air (OTA) updates, with the remainder requiring visits to dealerships.

      Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts compared to combustion engines, but this does not necessarily lead to fewer recalls. Last year, Tesla recalled over 5.1 million vehicles, surpassing all other automakers, including Ford, which had previously held the recall record. Now, a new study reveals which Tesla models have received the most recalls since the company released its first car more than 15 years ago.

      If you predicted that the Model S sedan would be the most recalled vehicle due to its longer production history, you’re correct. The Model S was introduced in 2012, five years before the Model 3 and seven years ahead of the Model Y. However, it is surprising how closely the other models trail behind, despite being on the market for a shorter time.

      In terms of recalls, the Model S has accumulated 39, while the Model X, which launched in 2015, closely follows with 38 recalls. The Model 3 has seen 30 recalls since its introduction in 2017, while the Model Y, which debuted in 2020, has been recalled 33 times.

      As for the Cybertruck, it has only eight recalls, which may seem minor at first glance. However, considering its brief production period of 18 months, it is likely to outpace all other Tesla models if the company does not address ongoing quality issues. Reported quality concerns include loose exterior components, drive inverter malfunctions, loose pedal pads, faulty windshield wipers, and various electrical problems.

      One advantage Tesla had over many automakers until recently was its capability to perform over-the-air (OTA) updates. This feature allowed many recalls to be resolved without requiring a dealer visit. However, the actual number of recalls fixed this way might be less than anticipated.

      Data analyzed by the New Jersey law firm Brady, Reilly & Cardoso LLC indicates that only 37.3 percent, or 31 of Tesla's 83 recalls, were handled via OTA. The remaining 62.7 percent (52 recalls) required a dealership visit.

      Fortunately for service center technicians, all of Tesla's five largest recalls were OTA fixes. The largest, issued last year, affected 2.19 million vehicles due to an incorrect font size for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights on the gauge clusters across all Tesla models. The second-largest recall, issued in 2023, involved 2.03 million Model X, Model S, Model Y, and Model 3 units, which the NHTSA found allowed drivers to misuse the Autopilot feature; this was also an OTA fix.

      In contrast, a recall in 2022 affected just one Model X due to a missing body structure reinforcement bracket in the second-row seat. Tesla's very first recall was related to under-torqued rear hub flange bolts on 345 units of the MY08 Roadster.

      When it comes to recalls, Tesla's numbers reflect quality issues rather than quantity. Although Tesla recalled a total of 5.1 million vehicles last year—compared to Stellantis's 4.7 million and Ford's 4.4 million—it had far fewer individual recalls. Stellantis executed an impressive 67 separate recalls, and Ford had 62, while Tesla announced only 15. This figure seems decent until you consider that Tesla has only produced six different vehicle model lines in its (relatively short) history, whereas the established Detroit automakers have built hundreds over the course of nearly a century.

      TESLA’S TOP 5 BIGGEST RECALLS