Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 S.
The 2021 Tesla S is a fully electric luxury sedan powered by Tesla's proprietary electric drivetrain, representing a mid-cycle point in the Model S lineage that had long been the brand's flagship. This model year stands out for an unusually high recall count of 24, paired with 175 owner complaints logged across categories, the largest of which falls under the broad "Unknown or Other" designation — a signal that many reported issues resist easy mechanical classification. Taken together, these figures place the 2021 among the more troubled years in the Model S reliability history, suggesting that researchers should weigh potential electrical and build-quality concerns carefully when evaluating this model year against earlier or later iterations.
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.