Tesla SEMI Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Tesla SEMI options? We analyzed 4 model years (2023–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Tesla SEMI has 3 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 2023–2026. The most reported issue area is STRUCTURE.
- Make
- Tesla
- Model
- SEMI
- Model years analyzed
- 2023–2026 (4 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 3
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2024 (3 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- STRUCTURE
- Reliability signal
- Excellent
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
ExcellentThe TESLA SEMI has 3 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 3 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 0 federal recall campaigns
- No crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
0 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
No NHTSA recalls were found in our database for this model. Always verify open recalls using your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2023–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 3 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
3 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owns a 2024 Tesla Cyber Truck. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed during daylight, the dashboard accent would reflect in the side mirrors. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and taken to a local dealer for repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred him to call NHTSA to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was unknown.
I had taken delivery of the truck 4 days earlier and had driven about 250 miles. There had been no warnings or incidents other than an issue with charging at my home. The Charger would fail 20 seconds after each charging attempt at home, but not at a Super Charging Station. On [XXX] a series of alerts went off regarding steering. First the onboard computer notified me that the "Rear axle steering was disabled and that the turning radius was limited." The system continued sending additional alerts saying that "Low voltage electrical system issue detected" and that vehicle power had been reduced. I made multiple attempts to resolve the issue from following the on screen directions of existing the vehicle to restarting the onboard computer before eventually reaching out to Tesla's Support Number. The truck could only move at a crawl (less than 5mph) and had difficulty getting onto the incline of the tow truck. At one point no amount of acceleration could take it further. The truck was towed to the Tesla Service Center that same evening. My concern is what if this would've happened on the highway? Since then I've attempted to reach out to the Tesla Service Center in Fort Lauderdale both in person and on the App and have not received any additional information. The service completion repair time has been pushed back from March 17th to March 27th to April 3rd with no explanation or follow-up. I have also learned that there are other CyberTruck owners who are in similar situations and communication from Tesla has been minimal at best. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The driver door striker latch came loose and was close to completely disconnecting from the vehicle body. This led to a body panel gap and the possibility of the door opening while in motion. Elon Musk on twitter is saying that a number of vehicles from the factory were delivered to customers for this issue and it is a major safety risk that should be addressed officially. See links below: [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Showing 3 of 3 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Tesla SEMI
These pages show model-year patterns across 4 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Tesla SEMI, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Tesla SEMI has 3 complaints on record across 4 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Tesla SEMI has 0 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 0 of the Tesla SEMI's 3 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Excellent) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Tesla SEMI vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Tesla SEMI vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Tesla SEMI has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Tesla SEMI by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Tesla SEMI.
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Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Tesla SEMI reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla SEMI reliable?
Excellent. The Tesla SEMI has 3 NHTSA owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STRUCTURE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Tesla SEMI years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2024 (3 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Tesla SEMI problems?
Top reported issues: STRUCTURE (2 complaints); STEERING (1 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints).
Does the Tesla SEMI have recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are currently on record for the Tesla SEMI. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.