Common Issues and Pre-Purchase Tips

Beyond the LDU, Autopilot, and MCU, these are the known problem areas on 2012–2017 Model S and Model X. Each is rated by how likely it is to cost you money. Start with the scan, then work the checklists on your test drive.

Critical: budget for repair Inspect on test drive Minor / varies by year
Door handles
Inspect
$200–400 eaDo all four present & retract?
Suspension
Critical
VariesClunks over bumps? Uneven tire wear?
Front half shafts
Inspect
~2 hr laborShudder under hard acceleration?
Service records
Now
-Get PDFs before account transfer

Door Handles Model S

Inspect

The Model S uses motorized self-presenting handles that extend as you approach. They're one of the most common failure points on early cars, and which of three generations is fitted largely decides reliability.

Gen 1
~2012–2014

First generation. These will fail, not if, but when. Still on original Gen 1 handles? Budget for replacement.

Gen 2
~2015–2016

Improved design, meaningfully more durable than Gen 1. Can still fail, but far less often.

Gen 3
~2017+

Best of the three. Most reliable; failures are uncommon.

On the test drive

  • Test all four handles: they should present smoothly on approach and retract as you walk away.
  • Ask whether any have been replaced, and with which generation.

Replacement cost $200–$400 per handle including labor

Suspension Model S & X

Critical · Safety

NHTSA has logged numerous complaints of control-arm failures on 2012–2017 cars. A ball joint can crack and separate, a genuine safety concern that has drawn multiple service bulletins.

SB-15-31-004Front Lower Control Arm Ball JointsFree play causes clicking/clunking over bumps. Fix: wedge-lock washers.SB-17-31-001Front Suspension Fore LinksCars built Jan–May 2016 may have fore links below strength spec.2019 TSBLower Rear Control ArmsCracking on Model S built Jun 2013–Jan 2014. Both sides replaced.

On the test drive

  • Listen for clunks or knocking over bumps at low speed, and creaking when steering.
  • Check tires for uneven wear: a sign of alignment issues from worn components.
  • With air suspension, cycle all ride heights and listen to the compressor. A failing compressor or leaking air spring is an expensive repair.
  • Ask for records of any suspension work or alignment, and whether the TSBs above were addressed.

Front Half-Shaft Vibration Model S & X

SB-21-39-001
Inspect

Tesla issued a bulletin for dual-motor Model S and Model X built before approximately May 2019: the front drive-unit half shafts can cause excessive vibration or shudder during hard acceleration, worse at higher ride heights. It's a TSB, not a recall: fixed only on customer complaint, not proactively.

Affected

All dual-motor (D and P) Model S / X built before ~May 2019; includes all AWD SC01-eligible cars.

Symptoms

Vibration, shudder, or rattle from the front under hard acceleration; worse at higher ride heights.

The fix

Both front half shafts replaced with updated parts; clevis and axle seal if needed. ~2-hour repair.

On the test drive

  • Do a hard pull from a stop and feel the front for vibration or shudder. Repeat at different ride heights if the car has air suspension.
  • Ask whether the half shafts were replaced under SB-21-39-001; check the service records.
View TSB SB-21-39-001 on NHTSA

Get Service Records before transfer

Time-sensitive

Once the seller removes the car from their Tesla account, the service history goes with it. Tesla will not share records with the new owner. Capture everything before the car leaves their account.

  1. 1Have the seller open the Tesla app and go to Service History.
  2. 2Export or screenshot ALL service records as PDFs.
  3. 3Send them to you before the car is removed from their account.
  4. 4Review for battery / drive-unit, MCU / eMMC, coolant-delete, suspension, and door-handle work, plus any open recalls.
  • Confirm the car is current on all recalls and recommended campaigns.
  • Pay special attention to high-voltage battery work, MCU/eMMC replacements, and drive-unit service.

If the seller refuses to share records, treat it as a red flag.