The 2020 Model S is Tesla's mature flagship sedan with dual-motor AWD configurations, offering impressive performance but showing predictable wear patterns in drive units, cooling systems, and some build-quality quirks that become expensive past warranty.
Drive Unit (Motor/Transmission) Failure or Leaking Seals
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining or humming noise from front or rear motor during acceleration, Vibration at highway speeds, Drive unit fluid leak visible under vehicle, Reduced power or limp mode warning
Fix: Tesla's drive units have improved over earlier generations but still develop seal leaks or bearing noise. Complete R&R requires 8-12 hours labor depending on front or rear unit. Tesla often replaces entire assembly rather than rebuilding. Independent shops struggle with parts availability—most get handled at Tesla service centers.
Estimated cost: $7,000-15,000
High Voltage Battery Degradation and Module Failures
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Significant range loss beyond normal degradation (below 80% capacity), Battery imbalance warnings on screen, Reduced charge rate at Superchargers, Individual cell voltage errors in diagnostic mode
Fix: 2020 packs hold up better than earlier years but still see module failures. Full pack replacement is 15-20 hours labor; individual module replacement (if available) is 10-14 hours. Tesla rarely sells modules to third parties. Warranty coverage is critical—8 year/150k mile battery warranty often covers this.
Estimated cost: $12,000-22,000
MCU (Media Control Unit) / Infotainment System Failures
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Touchscreen becomes laggy or unresponsive, Random reboots while driving, Backup camera freezes or delays, Climate control stops responding to inputs
Fix: The MCU2 in 2020 models is more reliable than MCU1 but still fails. Replacement involves 3-5 hours labor for dash disassembly. Tesla charges premium for OEM parts. Aftermarket refurbished units exist but void any remaining warranty. Critical because backup camera is required for safe operation.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,500
Door Handle Mechanism Failures
Common · low severity
Symptoms: Door handle fails to extend when approaching vehicle, Handle extends but won't retract, Mechanical grinding noise from door, Handle sticks partially out
Fix: Tesla's auto-presenting door handles have multiple failure modes—micro-switches, motors, or frozen mechanisms in cold climates. Each handle is 1.5-2.5 hours labor including door panel removal and recalibration. Front handles fail more often than rears. Not safety-critical but annoying and common enough that most high-mileage Model S owners deal with at least one.
Estimated cost: $450-800
Air Suspension Compressor and Leak Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 75,000-125,000 mi
Symptoms: Vehicle sits lower than normal, especially after sitting overnight, Compressor runs constantly (audible cycling), Suspension fault warning on screen, Uneven ride height side-to-side
Fix: Air suspension (if equipped) develops leaks at struts or bags, or compressor wears out. Compressor replacement is 3-4 hours. Individual air strut is 2-3 hours per corner. Finding leaks requires soapy water test or smoke test. Some owners convert to coil springs ($2,500-3,500) to eliminate future issues.
Estimated cost: $1,200-4,000
12V Battery Failures Causing No-Start Conditions
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Car won't wake up or unlock via app or key fob, Frunk won't open (need manual release), Error messages about 12V system on startup, Accessories work but car won't initialize drive system
Fix: Tesla's 12V battery management is poor—the small lead-acid battery often fails without warning even though main HV pack is full. Replacement is simple (1 hour labor) but requires specific battery and system reset. Many owners keep a jump pack in the car. Tesla has improved monitoring in software updates but hardware still fails prematurely.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Front Hood Latch Failures (NHTSA Recall)
Rare · high severity
Symptoms: Hood alignment appears off, Warning about hood being open when it's closed, Hood pops open while driving (worst case)
Fix: 2020-2021 Model S had recall for secondary hood latch that could fail, allowing hood to open at speed. Tesla repair is 1-2 hours for latch replacement and adjustment. Critical safety issue—check recall status and get fixed at Tesla service center (free under recall). Not common but consequences are severe.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall)
Owner tips
Change drive unit fluid every 100,000 miles—Tesla says 'lifetime' but early changes prevent bearing wear
Monitor 12V battery voltage through app or OBD dongle—replace proactively every 3-4 years
Verify all recall work is completed before purchase, especially hood latch and steering recalls
Budget for extended warranty or self-insure—post-warranty repairs on Tesla require deep pockets
Find an independent Tesla specialist shop before you need one—dealer service is expensive and slow
Buy used if under warranty or you have $5k-10k repair fund—excellent driving experience but expensive when things break, and they will break.
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.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 2020 Tesla Model S
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
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 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Consequence: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
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.
STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING · 23V085000
2023-02-15 · EA22002
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
Consequence: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 22V818000
2022-11-01
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
Consequence: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 22V235000
2022-04-12
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Consequence: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V-063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V-063 will need to have the new remedy software installed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 22V063000
2022-02-04 · DP22005
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Consequence: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall has been superseded by Recall 22V-235. Tesla's number for the new recall is SB-22-00-003.
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.
Consequence: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 21V846000
2021-10-29
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
Consequence: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.