The 2015 Model S is Tesla's first-generation long-range EV with proven battery longevity but notorious drive unit failures and some fit-and-finish issues. Early adopters see drivetrain rebuilds more often than battery problems.
Drive Unit (Motor/Transmission) Failure - Rear Unit on RWD, Front or Rear on AWD
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining, humming, or clicking from motor area during acceleration or regen, Milling noise at highway speeds, Drivetrain error messages on dash, Reduced power or limp mode, Leaking drive unit fluid (red/orange color)
Fix: Tesla historically replaced entire drive units under warranty; out-of-warranty requires R&R and either Tesla reman unit or third-party rebuild. 8-12 labor hours for single motor, 10-14 for dual. Some owners on second or third drive unit by 100k miles. Tesla extended drive unit warranty to 8yr/unlimited miles for early cars, check if yours qualifies.
Estimated cost: $5,000-15,000
Main Battery Pack Degradation and Contactors
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Range loss beyond expected 10-15% (seeing 20-30% loss), Charge rate limited to low speeds at Superchargers, Contactors failing to close - car won't start or go into drive, High voltage isolation faults
Fix: Battery degradation is gradual and mostly acceptable, but contactor failures require pack removal and internal repair. Individual module failures rare but catastrophic. Pack R&R is 12-16 hours. Tesla does not sell modules separately; used/salvage modules or full pack replacement required. Original 85kWh packs holding up better than expected overall.
Estimated cost: $3,000-8,000 for contactors; $15,000-25,000 for pack replacement
MCU (Media Control Unit) Touchscreen Failure - Tegra 3 Chip
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: Yellow border around touchscreen, Screen freezing, rebooting constantly, or going black, Slow response or ghosting, Backup camera failure, Loss of touchscreen functions including climate control access
Fix: The Tegra 3 chip in MCU1 fails from memory wear (eMMC). Tesla offered paid upgrade to MCU2 (Infotainment Upgrade, ~$2,500). Third-party shops can replace eMMC chip for less. Screen itself can also delaminate. 2-4 hours labor for MCU replacement. This is not a safety issue but severely impacts usability.
Estimated cost: $500-1,500 for eMMC repair; $1,500-2,500 for MCU upgrade
Door Handle Mechanism Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Handles fail to auto-present when approaching car, Handles stick in or out, Manual emergency release cable breaks, Frozen handles in cold weather
Fix: Early handles used gears and micro-switches prone to stripping and failure. Tesla revised design multiple times. Handle assembly replacement required, no rebuild option. 1-2 hours per handle. Tesla extended warranty covered many, but most 2015s now out of coverage. Keep emergency release functional.
Estimated cost: $400-700 per handle
12V Battery Failure and Power Conversion Issues
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: Car won't wake up or unlock, Random error messages on dash, Accessories failing (windows, locks, displays), Clicking from frunk area, Main battery full but car dead
Fix: The DC-DC converter charges a conventional 12V lead-acid battery that powers all accessories and contactors. 12V battery typically lasts 3-5 years. When it fails, car is completely dead despite full main battery. Easy 0.5-hour replacement, but Tesla-specific battery recommended. DC-DC converter failure less common but requires 4-6 hours to replace.
Estimated cost: $200-400 for 12V battery; $1,500-2,500 for DC-DC converter
Suspension Upper Control Arms and Bushings
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front end, Wandering steering or poor alignment retention, Inner tire wear, Visible ball joint or bushing deterioration
Fix: Air suspension cars see earlier failures than coil. Upper control arms develop play in ball joints and bushings. Front arms 2-3 hours each side, rears 2-4 hours. Alignment required after. Not Tesla-specific but accelerated by curb weight (4,600+ lbs). OEM Tesla parts recommended due to load requirements.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500 per axle including alignment
AC Evaporator and Cooling System Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Loss of AC cooling, Moisture or condensation inside cabin, Fogging on windshield that won't clear, Coolant smell in cabin, High voltage system overheating warnings
Fix: Evaporator core can leak refrigerant or coolant. Dash removal required, 10-14 hours labor. Tesla uses separate coolant loops for battery, motor, and cabin HVAC. Hose connections and quick-disconnects also prone to seepage. Inverter coolant service often neglected, leading to overheating and reduced performance.
Estimated cost: $2,000-4,000 for evaporator; $300-600 for hose repairs
Owner tips
Check drive unit fluid every 12,500 miles - red/orange fluid is normal, metal shavings are not. Fluid changes not officially required but recommended every 50k mi.
Keep 12V battery fresh (replace every 4 years) to avoid being stranded with full main battery.
Monitor MCU screen for yellow banding - get eMMC fixed before total failure locks you out of climate controls.
Verify remaining drive unit warranty coverage before purchase - some 2015s still covered to 2023 under extended 8yr/unlimited program.
Budget for door handle replacements - all four will likely need service at some point.
Use Tesla's service history lookup with VIN to see what's been replaced under warranty.
Buy one if major components (drive units, MCU) already replaced and you can DIY or have independent EV shop access - otherwise warranty expiration makes repair costs a gamble.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
Consequence: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
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. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · 21V00B000
2021-12-21
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System."
Consequence: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-11-003.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · 21V035000
2021-01-29 · EA20003
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.
Consequence: The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 19V002000
2019-01-07 · EA15001
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2014-2016 Model S vehicles equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-19-20-001.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 18V204000
2018-03-29
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.
Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-32-002.
PARKING BRAKE · 17V260000
2017-04-19
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.
Consequence: If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-17-33-002.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT · 15V780000
2015-11-23
Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Model S vehicles manufactured May 31, 2012, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver or front passenger seat belts that may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.
Consequence: If the seat belt is not correctly attached to the pretensioner, it may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat belts, correcting their connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-15-20-002.
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