The Model S has been in production since 2015, yet compared to the Cybertruck that was launched 18 months ago, only has 5 times as many recalls
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- A new study reveals which Tesla models have been hit by the most US recalls.
- Despite only being 18 months old, the Cybertruck has been recalled eight times.
- Only 33 percent of recalls were fixed via OTA, the rest needed trips to dealers.
Electric cars contain fewer moving parts than combustion vehicles, but if you think that translates into less cars being recalled, think again. Last year Tesla issued recalls for more than 5.1 million cars, exceeding any other automaker, even former recall “champion” Ford. Now, a new study has revealed which Tesla models have been hit with the most return-to-base commands since the company produced its first car over 15 years ago.
If you guessed the Model S sedan was the company’s most-recalled product on the basis that it’s been in production longest, you’d be right. The Model S debuted in 2012, five years before the Model 3 and seven years ahead of the Model Y. But what’s surprising is how close the other cars came to it despite having been around for far less time.
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The Model S has racked up 39 recalls, while the Model X, which launched in 2015, is nipping at its heels with 38 recalls. The Model 3 sedan has logged 30 different recalls since its arrival in 2017, but the Model Y crossover, which didn’t make an appearance until 2020, has been recalled 33 times.
What About the Cybertruck?
Moving on to the Cybertruck, its tally of eight recalls appears at first glance to be low in comparison. However, when you consider that it’s only been in production for 18 months, you can see that it’s on course to blaze past every other Tesla if the automaker doesn’t get a grip on its quality niggles. Quality issues have included exterior parts coming loose, drive inverter problems, pedal pads coming loose, windshield wipers failing, and other electrical gremlins.
OTA Updates
One advantage Elon Musk’s brand had over most other automakers until recently, when they began to adopt similar tech, was its ability to perform OTA (air-the-air) updates. This meant that many Tesla recalls weren’t the traditional kind that required a trip to a dealer to sort. But maybe not quite as many as you imagined.
According to data crunched by Jersey-based car accident lawyers Brady, Reilly & Cardoso LLC, only 37.3 percent, or 31 of Tesla’s 83 recalls, were dealt with by OTA. The remaining 62.7 percent (52 recalls) necessitated a dealer visit.
Fortunately for service centers technicians, the automaker’s five biggest recalls have all been OTA jobs. The biggest, issued last year, affected 2.19 million vehicles and was to correct an incorrect font size for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights on the gauge clusters of the full range of Tesla vehicles. The second biggest recall was issued in 2023 and affected 2.03 million Model X, Model S, Model Y and Model 3 units which the NHTSA deemed allowed drivers to misuse the Autopilot system. That one was also an OTA fix.
At the other end of the scale, Tesla issued a recall in 2022 that affected only one car, a Model X that was missing a body structure reinforcement bracket in the second-row seat. And if you’re wondering what Tesla’s very first recall was due to under-torqued rear hub flange bolts on 345 examples of the MY08 Roadster.
Tesla’s Recall Numbers: Quality, Not Quantity
Although Tesla recalled a total of 5.1 million cars last year, versus 4.7 million for Stellantis and 4.4 million for Ford, it issued far fewer individual recalls. While Stellantis cranked out a staggering 67 separate recalls and Ford 62, Tesla announced just 15. Which sounds good until you remember Tesla has only ever built six different vehicle model lines in its (admittedly not that long) history, while the Detroit automakers that have been around nearly a century more, have built hundreds.