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Buying a used 2021 Tesla Model S? Check these 24 recalls first

24 NHTSA recalls · 176 owner complaints on file

The 2021 Model S recall record is dominated by restraints: curtain airbags that may deploy improperly, a possibly incorrect driver airbag, two separate actions for a driver airbag that may tear open, and front seat belts that may detach. Add a hood that may fly open, a hood latch warning failure, loss of power steering assist, unprompted braking, and the FSD Beta traffic-law recall. Complaints total 176 — unverified reports — led by forward collision avoidance (47) and steering (29). No stop-driving advisories.

Before you buy

1. Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
2. Pull VIN recall status for all four airbag actions and the front seat belt recall.
3. Tug-test both front belts and check the hood latch and safety catch engage properly.
4. Note any unprompted braking or heaviness in the steering during the test drive.
5. Open recalls are repaired free at any Tesla dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.

Recalls covering the 2021 Tesla Model S

What owners have reported to NHTSA

176 complaints filed for this model year, including 13 mentioning a crash, 2 a fire and 4 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.

Other model years

• All Model S recalls