Electric · 2012–now
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
All about the Tesla Model SAll about the Electric drive unit engine
The Electric drive unit engine was fitted to the Tesla Model S (2012–now). In the EU that is 100.0 % of all new cars of this generation.
Versions: 107 hp, 215 hp, 525 hp, 94 hp, 122 hp, 685 hp, 230 hp, 262 hp, 572 hp.
✓ The faults of this engine were checked against sources (10/2026). Each item has at least two independent sources or an official recall or parts-maker technical note.
Signs: Milling or grinding noise when accelerating or lifting off, clunks, vibration through the body
Fix: Check the service history for a replaced drive unit; noise is often fixed with shims or a loose cable, a failed unit is replaced or rebuilt
Signs: BMS_u029 or similar battery alert, charging limited or stopped, range drops sharply
Fix: Before buying, read the battery state and alerts; repair of modules or the battery controller at a specialist, or a replacement pack
Signs: Screen slow, blank or rebooting; loss of rear camera, defrost controls and indicator sounds
Fix: Check by VIN that the memory board (eMMC) recall was done, or that the MCU was upgraded
Signs: Car will not start, or loses drive power while driving, with a drive system alert
Fix: Make sure the car has current software; Tesla replaces an inverter that logs the fault
Signs: 'Heating and air conditioning limited' alert, no heat and poor demisting, mostly well below freezing
Fix: Install current software (recall 22V050 fixed an expansion valve logic fault); if it persists, sensors, expansion valves or the refrigerant manifold are replaced
Signs: Uneven pad wear, rusty discs, failed brake test at inspection; regen means the brakes are rarely used
Fix: Clean and lubricate the calipers once a year and brake hard now and then
Signs: Clunk or creak over bumps, play found at inspection
Fix: Replace the worn arms or ball joints, then align the wheels
Signs: Range about 10-15 % below new after ~300,000 km
Fix: Normal ageing; check the battery health before buying. Warranty 8 years, 160,000-240,000 km depending on model, against falling below 70 %
Typical routine maintenance cost for 100,000 km: €2,050–4,300. Sum of the services and wear parts in the plan above (about 15,000 km a year, independent workshop), without faults.
Intervals and typical prices for the Tesla Model S with the Electric drive unit engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre rotationWheels | every 10,000 km | €20–45 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Drive unit oil checkTransmission | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Brake pads (regen-assisted)Brakes | usually at 80,000–160,000 km | €60–150 |
| Tyres (set of 4, EV-rated)Wheels | usually at 30,000–50,000 km | €450–900 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 22.2 % | 2013–2025 | — | — |
| Electric79 kW (107 hp) | 12.2 % | 2016–2019 | — | — |
| Electric158 kW (215 hp) | 11.6 % | 2015–2019 | — | — |
| Electric386 kW (525 hp) | 9.2 % | 2015–2019 | — | — |
| Electric69 kW (94 hp) | 4.6 % | 2013–2019 | — | — |
| Electric90 kW (122 hp) | 4.4 % | 2015–2023 | — | — |
| Electric504 kW (685 hp) | 3.5 % | 2022–2025 | — | — |
| Electric169 kW (230 hp) | 2.5 % | 2015–2020 | — | — |
| Electric193 kW (262 hp) | 2.4 % | 2015–2022 | — | — |
| Electric421 kW (572 hp) | 2.3 % | 2019–2021 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (8). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
Main sources for the faults of this engine:
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles. How we check the data →
Updated 29/10/2026