Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 S.
The 2021 Tesla S Electric is an all-electric vehicle powered by dual electric motors, representing Tesla's flagship luxury sedan in this model year, and it carries a total of 24 recalls alongside 175 owner complaints filed to date, with the most frequently reported issue falling into an "Unknown or Other" category that does not point to a specific defect pattern; this level of recall activity positions the 2021 model year as one with notable reliability concerns within the vehicle's production history, suggesting prospective buyers should carefully weigh these factors against the model's otherwise strong reputation for electric performance and innovation.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 184.6 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 113.4 in |
| Curb weight | 4072 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63 / 62.6 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 48/52 |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2021 Tesla S top in one area — the unknown or other, 24 of 175 reports (14%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 24 recall campaigns target the unknown or other, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 13 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the unknown or other pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 175 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 24 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… 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…
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment. Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at…
Showing 5 of 91 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB-26-18-001 | 2026-02-04 | Unknown Or Other | On some Model S and Model X vehicles, the compression gap of the HVAC drain funnel seal… |
| SB-25-16-004 | 2025-09-03 | Electrical System | On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the HV battery umbrella valves, over time, may… |
| SB-25-16-002 | 2025-09-02 | Electrical System | On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built between approximately January 2021 and… |
| SB-25-16-004 | 2025-06-04 | Electrical System | On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the HV battery umbrella valves, over time, may… |
| N/A | 2025-05-13 | Electrical System | Proactive messaging sent directly to customers affected by Service Bulletin SB-25-16-002… |
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 24 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.