2018 Tesla Model S service brakes problems
25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the service brakes on the 2018 Tesla Model S — 15% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I pulled my Tesla Model S in a parking lot, and as I turned the car into a parking spot, the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb next to the parking lot and hit a tree. The car speed when I pulled into the parking lot and then into a parking spot was very low. so I was very surprised and…”
filed May 22, 2026
“My 2018 Tesla Model S has a recurring safety-critical defect involving the steering system and the Chassis CAN communication network. On October 20, 2025, the vehicle had to be towed to a Tesla Service Center because it would not power on and displayed multiple safety alerts (traction control…”
filed Dec 11, 2025
“I was entering my drive way waiting for the garage to open suddenly my car just accelerated and hit the wall.”
filed Feb 12, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Service Brakes problems in other Model S years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Model S | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 Model S | 11 | 8% |
| 2021 Model S | 15 | 9% |
| 2020 Model S | 6 | 8% |
| 2019 Model S | 7 | 16% |
| 2017 Model S | 25 | 6% |
| 2016 Model S | 53 | 8% |
| 2015 Model S | 21 | 3% |
| 2014 Model S | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 Model S | 21 | 5% |
| 2012 Model S | 1 | 2% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Tesla Model S
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.