2017 Tesla Model S Powertrain (other) Problems

This is a supplemental filing to my prior NHTSA complaint (#11697718) regarding a high-voltage isolation fault and shutdown risk. The vehicle displayed warnings including “vehicle may shut down during driving,” “may not charge,” and repeated BMS isolation fault messages. It became inoperable at a public charging station. The manufacturer confirmed isolation faults in the drive unit and the A/C compressor. Their own service notes stated that the vehicle “may shut down during regular driving” and that charging “may not be safe.” Despite this, the vehicle was left at 0% state of charge for an extended period and then charged by the manufacturer. They later stated to a regulator that the vehicle was “trickle charged at 1 amp for 6 hours,” but the vehicle’s range increased by approximately 100 miles, which is not physically possible at that charging current (1 amp at 240V for 6 hours = 1.44 kWh ≈ 4–5 miles). This discrepancy suggests the vehicle may have been charged at a higher rate than claimed and without proper cooling, despite the documented A/C failure that is necessary for battery thermal management. Battery condition is unknown because the manufacturer refused to perform or provide a battery health analysis, isolation resistance values, thermal logs, or charging session data. The safety defect could not be verified as repaired. While this safety issue remained unresolved, the manufacturer rejected a Tesla roadside tow arranged under regulator instruction to second service center and instead arranged an unauthorized tow to remove the vehicle from their facility without my consent. The vehicle was taken to a non-manufacturer storage lot while still in an unsafe state. I am concerned about: • high-voltage isolation faults, • shutdown risk during driving, • unsafe charging performed by the manufacturer, • possible battery damage from low SOC and charging without A/C cooling, and • mishandling of an active safety defect. The vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11701872

Incident

Nov 26, 2025

This is an update to NHTSA Complaint #XXX with new safety information. My 2017 Tesla Model S (VIN [XXX] ) has a confirmed high-voltage isolation fault. Tesla replaced the rear drive unit under warranty, but Tesla’s own technician notes now state: “There is a risk of isolation alerts reoccurring during regular driving, use of HVAC system, or DC charging.” “Vehicle may power off due to isolation faults when the air conditioning is used.” This is Tesla acknowledging in writing that the vehicle may shut off during normal driving, even after repair. This presents a serious crash risk. The original failure occurred during Supercharging, with warnings including: • “Electrical system power reduced — vehicle may shut down unexpectedly” • “Vehicle may not restart” • “Air conditioning reduced — DC charging reduced” Tesla reproduced the isolation fault during diagnosis. Even after replacing the rear drive unit, Tesla documented that the isolation defect still exists and prevents a battery health check or DC fast-charge validation. Tesla has attempted to return the vehicle to me in this unsafe condition, while admitting the defect persists. They also stated they may charge storage fees or tow the vehicle, despite the unresolved safety issue. The defect affects the HV bus and can cause loss of propulsion, shutdown during driving, and charging failure. Tesla has not provided numeric test results (megohm isolation readings, insulation tests, or validation data) proving the vehicle is safe. This is an ongoing, manufacturer-confirmed HV isolation defect that can lead to sudden power loss. I request NHTSA review Tesla’s handling of this issue and link this filing to Case #XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11699154

Incident

Nov 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while approaching a stop light, while the contact was depressing on the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle accelerated on its own causing the contact to strike the vehicle in front. The contact stated that no warning light illuminated, and the brake assist did not activate. The contact stated when the vehicle struck the vehicle in front the vehicle continued driving forward and then the vehicle was able to come to a complete stop. The vehicle had front-ended damages and the other vehicle had rear-ended damages. No one was injured. The air bags deployed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a repair center. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 54,000.

NHTSA ID

11536165

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

Mileage

54,000 mi

While reversing into a parking spot, like I have over 1000 times in this car, I heard a loud crack and scrape. When the tow driver got the car up we were able to see it was a Lower A-arm failure in outward loaded bearing stress. This seems like a common problem with these cars as a simple google search found many other drivers with similar issues.

NHTSA ID

11490930

Incident

Oct 25, 2022

I HAVE REACHED OUT TO TESLA 3 TIMES TO FIX A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUE. 11 DAYS AFTER I REPORTED THE ISSUE AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS OK TO DRIVE I GOT INTO A ACCIDENT. IT TOOK TESLA 5 MONTHS TO GIVE BACK THE REPORTS OF THE CRASH IN WHICH THEY SAID IT WAS MY FAULT. I HAVE LOST TRUST IN THE COMPANY AND HAVE SEEN THAT 127 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE ACCORDING TO CNN PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE. ANY TESLA OWNER IS A PIONEER OF A FUTURE CREATION. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THEY TOLD ME AUTOPILOT IS ON BETA MODE ITS NOT PERFECT YET. THEY SHOULD NOT ALLOW PUBLIC TO USE A HAZARDOUS SOFTWARE. ALSO TESLA EMPLOYEES WERE VERY NEGLIGENT. I ALMOST DIED IN THIS ACCIDENT WITH MY FATHER AND THE MANAGER HAD NO IDEA OF MY CASE EVEN AFTER MY CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME AND THEY SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE. I GOT INTO A ACCIDENT 11 DAYS AFTER THEY OK'D MY CAR PLEASE HELP AS I AM FRUSTRATED AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE OR WHO TO GET TO FIX MY CAR. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF ADDRESSING SUDDEN INTENDED ACCELERATION TO TESLA MULTIPLE TIMES. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11307255

Incident

May 19, 2019

Mileage

35,000 mi

ON SATURDAY 5/11/2019 AROUND 12:45PM WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY MADE A LOUD SOUND THEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY LEAVING ME STUCK. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE CAR DISPLAY AN ERROR ON THE CENTER CONSOLE "UNABLE TO DRIVE, PLEASE PROCEED TO SAFETY" (SOMETHING LIKE THIS) I DID NOT TAKE A PHOTO SINCE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT BEING REAR ENDED. I HAD TO CALL 911 TO STOP ALL TRAFFIC SO THE CAR COULD BE PUSHED OFF THE HIGHWAY. AS WE WERE ABOUT TO PUSH THE CAR IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I WILL BE TAKING THE CAR INTO TESLA SERVICE SO THEY CAN TRY TO DETERMINE WHY THIS OCCURRED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT TO MYSELF AND OTHERS IF THIS HAPPENED DURING NON RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID

11207856

Incident

May 11, 2019

Mileage

9,000 mi

OUR TESLA HAS HAD TWO INCIDENTS IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION....ONCE SLOWLY GOING INTO A PARKING PLACE AND ONCE BACKING OUT OF OUR GARAGE. THE FIRST ONE RESULTED IN A COUPLE OF CRACKED RIBS (WITH SEATBELT ON) AND $18,000 IN DAMAGE. THE SECOND INCIDENT: THE TESLA, WHEN BACKING UP WENT TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL BY ACCELERATING AND IT BARRELED ACROSS THE STREET AND KNOCKING DOWN A TREE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE TESLA IS NOW IN THE REPAIR SHOP WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. NOT SURE YET OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNT. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE TESLA MODEL S.

NHTSA ID

11162968

Incident

Dec 15, 2018

Mileage

12,000 mi

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/22469458 THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLLOLLOPSED. THE FRONT WHEELS ARE ALL BRUTALISED! ALL THE DAMAGE APPEARS TO BE SELF INFLICTED AFTER THE SUSPENSION WENT WHOMPY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU. CONCERNED SENIOR CITIZEN. ETC ETC.

NHTSA ID

11079492

Incident

Feb 1, 2018

Mileage

5,000 mi

ON JULY 13, 2017, MY TESLA WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON THE I-680 IN THE VICINITY OF FREMONT, CALIFORNIA. MY VEHICLE WAS IN SELF-DRIVE MODE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT-MOST LANE AT 65 MPH. MY HANDS WERE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. WE ENTERED A LONG CURVE TO THE RIGHT AND APPROACHED STOPPED CARS AHEAD OF US. THE SELF-DRIVE MODE IN MY TESLA THEN STOPPED OPERATING AND I WAS LEFT TO SUDDENLY HAVE TO STEER THE TESLA ONTO THE LEFT SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY AHEAD OF ME. THIS ALL OCCURRED UNDER CLEAR SKIES AND DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. I COULD NOT SIMPLY ACCEPT THIS BEHAVIOR BY MY VEHICLE WITHOUT REGISTERING A COMPLAINT AT MY TESLA DEALER IN SEASIDE, CALIFORNIA. THE TESLA SERVICE REP EXAMINED THE LOGS ON MY VEHICLE AND LATER THAT SAME DAY REPORTED TO ME THAT THE SELF-DRIVING FEATURE ON MY TESLA WAS STILL IN BETA STAGE AND THAT MY NEW TESLA'S FIRMWARE WAS DEFECTIVE. I WOULD NOW LIKE TESLA TO TAKE BACK THIS TESLA AND RETURN TO ME A FULL REFUND. THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR FAILING OF THIS TESLA WHICH HAS ONLY ABOUT 700 MILES ON ITS ODOMETER. I TOOK INITIAL DELIVERY OF THIS TESLA ON MAY 3, 2017. THIS FAILURE OF THE SELF-DRIVING FEATURE OCCURRED AT AROUND 10:30AM ON JULY 13, 2017. THE FIRST FAILURE OF THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM OCCURRED ON MAY 3, 2017, THE ORIGINAL DELIVERY DATE. THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM HAD SIMPLY FROZEN AT THE DEALERSHIP. AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO RETURN THIS VEHICLE TO TESLA FOR A FULL REFUND.

NHTSA ID

11005992

Incident

Jul 13, 2017

Mileage

600 mi