Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Tesla Model S owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that both infotainment screens located inside the vehicle would display blank images which rendered several electrical safety features inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle to a service center on three occasions where they informed him that they are aware of the failure but could not repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and he was given the same information as the service center. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
On January 3, 2022, at approximately 7:30pm we plugged our car into a dedicated 240v outlet that was installed by a licensed electrician and permitted by the city of Menlo Park. At approximately 8:30pm the charge was interrupted and then started again (per Tesla's records). We heard a couple of small noises and then a louder noise at 8:38pm. We opened the garage door and saw a large flame where the charging cord plugs into the outlet.
The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact noticed that there was acid leaking from the vehicle onto the contact's foot causing the foot to burn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the screen seal failed which cause the screen to leak and both screens needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was delaminating and distorted. The contact was unable to see the messages and sensors. The contact stated that the liquid crystal fluid was leaking. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Three separate reports from car to Tesla: Traction Control Disabled Stability Control Disabled Automatic Emergency Braking Disabled Two hours later my car caught on fire while parked at my home. It was declared a total loss.
In 2014, I ordered this Model S P85D, received it on 12/20/2014, I also purchased a 4-year extended service plan. Starting from March 2017, it started to encounter random yet serious problems. The car would randomly produce critical errors, displaying several types of error messages, while losing most of its driving power; the driver would have to perform emergency pullovers onto the road shoulder, if available, before the power rapidly reduce to zero. Then the driver need to restart the main computer (sometimes several times), to reset the error messages. Only after that, the car became drive-able again. I wrote an email to [email] on 03/23/2017 describing the problem, since then, this became a chronic issue; Service centers in Virginia, Maryland, and San Juan PR have performed numerous attempts on this problem, none of them was able to fix it. …
My [redacted] mother owns a 2014 Tesla Model S P85+ (VIN: [redacted] ) with only 50,367 miles. The vehicle suddenly became completely inoperable without warning. It would not turn on, would not charge, and the charge port would not open. The vehicle had to be towed. Tesla diagnosed failures of the high-voltage battery contactors, the onboard charger assembly, and HV circuit integrity. These are essential high-voltage components that should not fail at such low mileage. When these parts fail, the vehicle loses all ability to charge, loses all propulsion capability, and becomes a stranded hazard. This represents a safety concern because the vehicle can shut down without warning and cannot be moved, which could leave occupants stuck in unsafe conditions or traffic. …
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration I am submitting a complaint regarding repeated denial of access to charging infrastructure for my electric vehicle due to fraudulent billing activity within Tesla's Supercharger network. I own a 2014 Tesla Model S located in Alabama. My Tesla account has repeatedly recorded Supercharging sessions in California that were not performed by my vehicle. Tesla customer support representatives have acknowledged that this issue appears to involve VIN cloning or a flaw in their charging identification system. Because I blocked my credit card to prevent fraudulent charges, Tesla's system repeatedly flags my account as having unpaid balances and automatically disables my vehicle's access to the Supercharger network until those balances are resolved. …
The air conditioning system is also the battery management system for keeping the car at optimal operating temperatures. If this system fails then the car will shut down to protect the integrity of the batteries. I have had my car air conditioning system serviced four times and the front louvers that direct air flow continually fail. The service center has decided there is nothing they can do because the problem doesn't have a dedicated error code for them to address. However, when I supercharge the car and the car gets hot the louvers aren't functioning properly and the car will not charge. Once I let the car cool down and drive, if the louvers are still malfunctioning the car will reduce power to the point that I have to pull over on the freeway and allow the batteries to cool down. …
The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that her husband had buckled their son in the rear passenger's seat and closed the door; however, while her husband was attempting to open the driver's side door, the vehicle locked independently. The contact's husband attempted to unlock the vehicle with the key fob however, the vehicle would not unlock. The contact stated that her husband downloaded the Tesla App to attempt to unlock the vehicle but the vehicle remained locked. The contact's son also attempted to unlock the vehicle from the inside however, the vehicle failed to unlock or start-up. The contact's husband was able to lower the rear passenger's side window and remove the child from the vehicle. The contact stated that several hours later she was able to unlock and start the vehicle. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.
Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
Electrical system › ADAS › Driver monitoring › Software
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
NHTSA investigations
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening a Recall Query to assess the remedy adequacy of Recall 23V838. On December 12, 2023, Tesla filed a Defect Information Report (Recall 23V838) applicable to all Tesla models produced and equipped with any version of its Autopilot system, which Tesla described as an SAE Level 2 (L2) Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).
Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
On August 13, 2021, NHTSA?s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-020) to assess the performance of Tesla?s Autopilot system (a system characterized by Tesla as an SAE Level 2 driving automation system designed to support and assist the driver in performing the driving task) available in Tesla vehicles.
Autopilot System Driver Controls
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded PE21020 to EA22002 on June 8, 2022, to extend work and deepen the PE21020 crash analysis, to supplement that analysis with additional data, and to perform vehicle evaluations to understand how Tesla's Autopilot system may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the driver's supervision.
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
On December 19, 2019, NHTSA received a petition from Mr. Brian Sparks requesting that the Agency recall all [Tesla] Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles produced from 2013 to the present due to sudden unintended acceleration (SUA). In his petition and follow-up submissions, the petitioner identified a total of 232 non-duplicative complaints to NHTSA, including 203 reporting crashes.
Battery Management Software Updates
In a letter dated September 17, 2019, Mr. Edward Chen petitioned the NHTSA to initiate a defect investigation of certain Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles that received revised battery management software in one or more over-the-air (OTA) updates from Tesla, beginning in May 2019.
Electrical complaints in other Model S years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2014 Tesla Model S?
NHTSA has 133 complaints about the electrical system of the 2014 Tesla Model S, 36% of the model year's 366 complaints. The component named most often is propulsion system › traction battery (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Tesla Model S electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-051 (instrument cluster/panel, Jan 30, 2024); NHTSA recall 23V-838 (software, Dec 12, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Tesla Model S electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 5 fires and 2 injuries and 2 deaths to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.