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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2008–2011

Tesla Roadster recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints for the Tesla Roadster, covering model years 2008 to 2011. The 2008, 2010 and 2011 model years drew the most complaints (1 each), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Tesla Roadster VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 2 recall campaigns on file
  • 3 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 3 model years with data (2008–2011)
  • most complaints: 2008, 2010, 2011 (1 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (1 complaint)
  • latest recall 10V458000 (reported Oct 1, 2010)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Tesla Roadster complaints by model year

3 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2008, 2010 and 2011 model years share the highest count, 1 complaints each.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Tesla Roadster owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2008–2011Column chart of 3 complaints across 4 model years. The highest are 2008, 2010, 2011 with 1 each. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2008: 1 complaint120082009: 0 complaints20092010: 1 complaint120102011: 1 complaint12011
Tesla Roadster complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Tesla Roadster complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200810000
201010000
201110000
All model years30000

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Tesla Roadster components

top 5 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 1 complaint (33.3% of all 3), followed by Power Train (1) and Suspension (1).

Components named most often in Tesla Roadster complaints (top 5)
Components named most often in Tesla Roadster complaints (top 5)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System133.3%
Power Train133.3%
Suspension133.3%
Traction Control System133.3%
Vehicle Speed Control133.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Tesla Roadster recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Roadster, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model years 2008 to 2010. The 2008 and 2010 model years appear in the most campaigns (1 each).

  • 2 recall campaigns
Tesla Roadster recall campaigns covering each model year
2008: 1 campaign2009: no campaigns2010: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 10V458000

    Reported

    Electrical System › 12V/24V/48V Battery › Cables

    Model year 2010

    Tesla is recalling certain model year 2010 roadster 2.0 and 2.5 vehicles equipped with a 12V auxiliary cable. The 12V auxiliary cable for the low voltage back up power system may be improperly routed. If the wire is improperly routed, and trapped against the wheel well cover, the wire may abrade against the edge of the carbon fiber armature and, over time, expose the wire. Contact between the bare wire and carbon fiber may cause a short-circuit leading to possible electrical arching.

    Consequence:
    Short circuit and electrical arcing could lead to a fire in the right front headlamp area.
    Remedy:
    Tesla motors will check the routing of the 12V auxiliary cable and install a protective sleeve over the wire free of charge. This will prevent misrouting and pinching by the wheel well cover. The safety recall began on October 31, 2010. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 877-888-3752.

    Filed by Tesla, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 09V178000

    Reported

    Wheels › Hub

    Model year 2008

    Tesla motors, inc. is recalling 345 MY 2008 Tesla Roadster vehicles manufactured between March 2008 and April 22, 2009. The rear hub flange bolts on some of these vehicles may be under-torqued and may become loose. A loose hub could lead to degradation in vehicle handling, and a rubbing noise from the rear of the vehicle.

    Consequence:
    If the problem is not addressed promptly, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could lead to a crash.
    Remedy:
    Tesla will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on May 28, 2009. Owners may contact Tesla toll-free at 1-877-888-3752.

    Filed by Tesla, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Tesla Roadster questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Tesla Roadster have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the Tesla Roadster, covering model years 2008 to 2011. The most recent, 10V458000, was reported on October 1, 2010 and is filed under “Electrical system”. The 2008 and 2010 model years are covered by the most campaigns (1 each).

Which Tesla Roadster model year has the most complaints?

The 2008, 2010 and 2011 model years tie, with 1 complaints each out of 3. Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Tesla Roadster complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 1 complaint, or 33.3% of all 3. Power Train (1) and Suspension (1) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Tesla Roadster?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Tesla dealer.

How many Tesla Roadster complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 3 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Tesla models

6 models · most complaints first

The Tesla models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Tesla VIN decoder with every Tesla model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Tesla models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.