Is the 2025 Tesla MODEL S reliable?

The 2025 Tesla MODEL S has 7 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: SUSPENSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2025 Tesla MODEL S?

Top problems: SUSPENSION (2 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (2 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2025 Tesla MODEL S?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHION, BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE. Contact any Tesla dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2025 Tesla MODEL S?

The 2025 Tesla MODEL S has an EPA rating of 124 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $620. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

Is the 2025 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 2025 Tesla MODEL S?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2025 Tesla MODEL S is approximately $2,651/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 2025 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 2025 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.

2025 Tesla MODEL S

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2025 Tesla MODEL S has 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.0x the segment average of 276. The most common issue is suspension problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: tires wear excessivly due to incorect factory and non-adjustable camber settings causing extreme saftey concerns/blowouts, which are not visible without removal of tire or lifting of vehicle by average motorist. my vehicle experienced this within first 10,000 miles on new car with new tires. fourtun. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 5)

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

29%

• TIRES WEAR EXCESSIVLY DUE TO INCORECT FACTORY AND NON-ADJUSTABLE CAMBER SETTINGS CAUSING EXTREME SAFTEY CONCERNS/BLOWOUTS, WHICH ARE NOT VISIBLE WITHOUT REMOVAL OF TIRE OR LIFTING OF VEHICLE BY AVERAGE MOTORIST. MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THIS WITHIN FIRST 10,000 MILES ON NEW CAR WITH NEW TIRES. FOURTUN
• I experienced excessive rear tire wear on both rear tires inner side The tire ended up blowing out on the rear passenger tire

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TIRES WEAR EXCESSIVLY DUE TO INCORECT FACTORY AND NON-ADJUSTABLE CAMBER SETTINGS CAUSING EXTREME SAFTEY CONCERNS/BLOWOUTS, WHICH ARE NOT VISIBLE WITHOUT REMOVAL OF TIRE OR LIFTING OF VEHICLE BY AVERAGE MOTORIST. MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THIS WITHIN FIRST 10,000 MILES ON NEW CAR WITH NEW TIRES. FOURTUN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (2)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHION24/12/2024

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 212, "Windshield Mounting."

Risk: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.

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 2025 Tesla MODEL S

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$614

Per month

$51

Per mile

5.1¢

kWh/mi

0.27

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 2025 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

$2,651

Full coverage / month

$221

Liability only / year

$816

vs US avg

+58%

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 age1.15x

= Full coverage estimate$2651

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

EV Incentives for 2025 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.

Historic eligibility: 2025 Tesla MODEL S vehicles purchased on or before September 30, 2025 may still qualify for the federal credit on the 2025 tax return. Check with a tax professional for your specific vehicle's eligibility.

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

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~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 7 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
SUSPENSION: TIRES WEAR EXCESSIVLY DUE TO INCORECT FACTORY AND NON-ADJUSTABLE CAMBER SETTINGS CAUSING EXTREME SAFTEY CONCERNS/BLOWOUTS, WHICH ARE NOT VISIBLE WITHOUT REMOVAL OF TIRE OR LIFTING OF VEHICLE BY AVERAGE MOTORIST. MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THIS WITHIN FIRST 10,000 MILES ON NEW CAR WITH NEW TIRES. FOURTUN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: The power train of my 2025 Tesla Model S failed. As a result, the car had several systems alert on my console that they were "unavailable" or "degraded", and in addition to the alerts I experienced their loss or degradation in real time. This included braking, steering, stability control, and trac
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: Tesla’s automatic wipers are unreliable. This vehicle lacks a dedicated rain sensor and instead uses the forward-facing camera and neural net to detect moisture. In light rain, the system often fails to activate. More critically, it frequently triggers false wipes during dry conditions—sometimes mul
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
WHEELS: I experienced excessive rear tire wear on both rear tires inner side The tire ended up blowing out on the rear passenger tire
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Tesla dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)