Thinking about buying a used Tesla Model S (2014–2021) in New Zealand? We've documented 5 known faults for this model spanning engine, electrical, suspension, and body & rust. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated major. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
5
Documented faults
Major
Most serious
$500–$3,500
Typical repair
5
Systems covered
Known Tesla Model S faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
01Early drive unit bearing wear — 'milling' noise and unit replacement
MajorOccasionalEngine $6,000–$15,000 to fix
Early Model S rear drive units are documented for bearing wear that produces a rising hum or 'milling' noise with road speed, and many 2012-2016 cars had one or more complete drive unit swaps under Tesla's 8-year drive-unit warranty — which has now expired on these cars. A car already running a later-revision (often 'Q' revision) replacement unit is a better bet than an original. Out of warranty, a replacement or rebuilt drive unit through an independent EV specialist is a four-to-five-figure job, so listen carefully at speed with the radio off.
Symptoms to notice
Rising whine/hum with road speed (changes with speed, not revs of anything else)
'Milling' or grinding note under acceleration
Clunk on throttle lift
What to check
Drive at 80-100 km/h with the stereo and climate fan off and listen for a speed-proportional whine or grind from beneath the rear seat. Ask the service history whether the drive unit was ever replaced under warranty and which revision was fitted — Tesla service records show this.
Where to look: Rear drive unit (motor/gearbox) between the rear wheels
Ask the seller
“Has the drive unit ever been replaced, and when?”
“Any abnormal noise reported at speed?”
02Retractable door handle failures (first-generation handles)
MinorVery commonBody & Rust $400–$1,200 to fix
The Model S's motorised pop-out door handles are a signature failure on 2012-2017 cars: microswitches, gears and wiring harnesses inside the handle mechanism fail, leaving a handle that won't present, won't retract, or a door that won't open from outside. Most cars this age have had at least one handle repaired, and out-of-warranty replacement of all four is commonly quoted in the low thousands; improved aftermarket gear/harness repair kits are much cheaper per handle at an independent EV workshop. Test every handle — including with the car locked and unlocked — because a dead handle is easy for a seller to avoid demonstrating.
Symptoms to notice
Handle doesn't present when you approach with the key
Handle presents but door won't unlatch
Handle stuck out while driving
Clicking/grinding from the door when handles cycle
What to check
Walk up with the fob and check all four handles present promptly and retract cleanly; open every door from outside AND inside; lock and unlock twice and repeat. Ask which handles have been repaired or upgraded (later-revision internals are a plus) and see invoices.
Where to look: All four exterior door handles
Ask the seller
“How many door handles have been repaired or replaced, and with which revision parts?”
“Do all four handles present every time, hot or cold?”
ElectricalMajor
SuspensionMajor
InteriorCosmetic
3 more documented faults on the Tesla Model S
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 5 documented faults for the Tesla Model S, the recurring problem areas are engine, electrical, and suspension. A Tesla Model S with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Tesla Model S?
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We've catalogued 5 known faults for the Tesla Model S, covering engine, electrical, and suspension. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Tesla Model S?
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Most single repairs on the Tesla Model S fall between $500–$3,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 5 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Tesla Model S?
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Yes. A Tesla Model S inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.