2017 Tesla Model S problems
The 2017 Tesla Model S was sold with an engine that we have documented: the Tesla Model S / Model X. The Tesla Model S / Model X has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2017 cars, such as central touchscreen (MCU unit) failure on the Model S.
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2017 Tesla Model S score: good reliability
Calculated using only 5 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Electric motor7.63 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension6.71 fault
- Brakes8.40 faults
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering6.90 faults
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights6.60 faults
- Electronics and infotainment8.61 fault
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior0.00 faults
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2016 Tesla Model S
- Score: 7.1 → 7.5
- No longer affected by: leaks from battery cooling hoses (Model S 2012-2016) (Tesla Model S / Model X), on-board charger fault (AC charging) (Tesla Model S / Model X), corrosion of the power steering motor bolts on the Model S (rest of the car) and model S parking brake failure (2017 campaign) (rest of the car)
Tesla Model S / Model X engine in the 2017 Tesla Model S
Names: Model S 60 · Model S 70D · Model S 75D · Model S 85 · Model S 90D · Model S 100D · Model S P100D · Model S Gran Autonomía · Model S Performance · Model S Plaid
- Buy
Second stage: 75D, 90D, 100D, P100D, Long Range and Performance (2016-2020)
417–754 hp
Auto Bild tested a 2019 Model X 75D and found hardly any motor or battery faults; the problems cited are in the front drive and auxiliary electronics.[3]
Faults that affect 2017 cars
- Critical severityFrequency: RareTraction batteryHigh-voltage battery or battery management (BMS) faultNormal degradation is low: Tesla publishes an average loss of 12% at 320,000 km. Real battery faults are rare, with a few BMS cases and replacements before 250,000 km cited by fiches-auto.fr.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectric motor and reduction gearVibrations from worn front driveshaftsOn dual-motor versions, the front driveshafts can wear and cause vibrations under hard acceleration. Auto Bild cites it on the Model X and fiches-auto.fr records several cases; the motor and reduction gear assembly does not usually fail.
- High severityFrequency: RareElectric motor and reduction gearElectric motor or drive unit faultThe motor and reduction gear units of the Model S and X are considered robust: Auto Bild hardly records any faults. fiches-auto.fr says some owners have replaced the motor or battery before 250,000 km, though without frequency figures.
Faults outside the engine in the 2017 Tesla Model S
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentCentral touchscreen (MCU unit) failure on the Model SAccording to the fiches-auto.fr entry, the Model S central screen has failed in 3 of 21 testimonies, in one case before 2,000 km. The entry also mentions a campaign over the Nvidia Tegra 3 chips in cars built before 2018.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionPremature wear of the front suspension and bushes on the Model SThe fiches-auto.fr entry records 3 suspension mentions in 21 testimonies: premature wear of front parts, collapsed air suspension and faulty bushes, with one case that required replacing the whole wishbone at 40,000 km.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Tesla Model S reliable?
The 2017 Tesla Model S was sold with an engine that we have documented: the Tesla Model S / Model X. The Tesla Model S / Model X has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2017 cars, such as central touchscreen (MCU unit) failure on the Model S.
Is the 2017 Tesla Model S better than the 2016?
Our score goes from 7.1 in 2016 to 7.5 in 2017. No longer affected by: leaks from battery cooling hoses (Model S 2012-2016) (Tesla Model S / Model X), on-board charger fault (AC charging) (Tesla Model S / Model X) and corrosion of the power steering motor bolts on the Model S (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the Tesla Model S?
According to our score, the best are 2026, 2025, 2024 and 2 other years with the same score (8.3/10). The year with the worst score is 2012 (7.1/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2017 Tesla Model S have?
The most important ones documented for 2017 cars are: high-voltage battery or battery management (BMS) fault (Tesla Model S / Model X, critical severity), electric motor or drive unit fault (Tesla Model S / Model X, high severity), vibrations from worn front driveshafts (Tesla Model S / Model X, medium severity), central touchscreen (MCU unit) failure on the Model S (electronics and infotainment, medium severity) and premature wear of the front suspension and bushes on the Model S (suspension, medium severity).
Own a 2017 Tesla Model S? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiabilité Tesla Model S (2012-2021): tous les problèmesfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
- Tesla Model SWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
- Gebrauchtwagen-Test Tesla Model X: Der Tesla Model X macht gebraucht nur wenig ÄrgerAuto Bild · Motoring press · published 25 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German