Is the 2019 Tesla MODEL S reliable?

The 2019 Tesla MODEL S has 69 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Tesla MODEL S?

Top problems: DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (12 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (11 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Tesla MODEL S?

Yes, there are 10 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES. Contact any Tesla dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2019 Tesla MODEL S?

The 2019 Tesla MODEL S has an EPA rating of 102 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $753. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

Is the 2019 Tesla MODEL S often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Tesla MODEL S: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Tesla MODEL S?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Tesla MODEL S is approximately $2,305/year (ev-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2019 Tesla MODEL S qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2019 Tesla MODEL S may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2019 Tesla MODEL S

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2019 Tesla MODEL S has 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 276. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: at ~5,000 total vehicle miles, our 2019 model s performance had sudden and complete power steering assist failure at highway speeds, possibly concurrent with autopilot (autosteer) failure. either i, or the autopilot system, turned off the autopilot feature at or near a slight curve on an interstate. There are 10 recalls issued for this model year.

5 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

12 complaints

17%

• AT ~5,000 TOTAL VEHICLE MILES, OUR 2019 MODEL S PERFORMANCE HAD SUDDEN AND COMPLETE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, POSSIBLY CONCURRENT WITH AUTOPILOT (AUTOSTEER) FAILURE. EITHER I, OR THE AUTOPILOT SYSTEM, TURNED OFF THE AUTOPILOT FEATURE AT OR NEAR A SLIGHT CURVE ON AN INTERSTATE
• I have a Tesla with Full Self Driving software. On Oct 15, around 1:15 PM Central, in Austin, we had finished lunch. Testa was parked around 100 ft away and I pressed Summon to have the car come to where we were. Completely line of sights. The car while pulling out hit the car parked next to it a
• This is my 6th trip with 2019 Tesla S from Chicago to San Francisco / 1st time SO MANY “PHANTOM BRAKING” incidents / FLAT TIRE WARNING error / screen shut off 3 times …..

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“AT ~5,000 TOTAL VEHICLE MILES, OUR 2019 MODEL S PERFORMANCE HAD SUDDEN AND COMPLETE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, POSSIBLY CONCURRENT WITH AUTOPILOT (AUTOSTEER) FAILURE. EITHER I, OR THE AUTOPILOT SYSTEM, TURNED OFF THE AUTOPILOT FEATURE AT OR NEAR A SLIGHT CURVE ON AN INTERSTATE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Tesla MODEL S

Based on 26 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 5K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (10)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE27/01/2022

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.

Risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.

Very low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2019 Tesla MODEL S

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$747

Per month

$62

Per mile

6.2¢

kWh/mi

0.33

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Tesla MODEL S

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,305

Full coverage / month

$192

Liability only / year

$816

vs US avg

+38%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-luxury)1.62x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2305

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Tesla MODEL S Service Intervals

Oil change

N/A (electric vehicle)

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Cabin air filter

24K mi

EVs have no oil, no spark plugs, no transmission fluid. Brake fluid every 2 years. Tire rotation every 6,250 miles. HEPA cabin filter every 2 years (Model S/X). AC desiccant bag every 6 years.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Tesla New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

8 yr / 120K mi

EV battery

8 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / 50K mi

Battery: Model S/X 8yr/150K miles; Model 3/Y Standard Range 8yr/100K, Long Range/Performance 8yr/120K

These are the terms for a new Tesla. If you're buying a used 2019 MODEL S, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Tesla dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2019 Tesla MODEL S

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 69 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: AT ~5,000 TOTAL VEHICLE MILES, OUR 2019 MODEL S PERFORMANCE HAD SUDDEN AND COMPLETE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, POSSIBLY CONCURRENT WITH AUTOPILOT (AUTOSTEER) FAILURE. EITHER I, OR THE AUTOPILOT SYSTEM, TURNED OFF THE AUTOPILOT FEATURE AT OR NEAR A SLIGHT CURVE ON AN INTERSTATE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2019 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILETHEY WERE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY UNKNOWN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AND WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES SEIZED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL GOT DISLODGED FROM THE STRUT AND THE CAR WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. IT WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET AFTER JUST GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: This is my 6th trip with 2019 Tesla S from Chicago to San Francisco / 1st time SO MANY “PHANTOM BRAKING” incidents / FLAT TIRE WARNING error / screen shut off 3 times …..
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 10 recalls have been completed — free at any Tesla dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)