A 2021 Tesla Model S can be one of two cars: a late build of the old design, or the refreshed car Tesla revealed in January 2021 with a yoke, a horizontal screen, a heat pump and the tri-motor Plaid. Before you compare prices or range, work out which one you are looking at.
Pre-refresh or refreshed: check this first
The refresh changed far more than trim. Tesla moved infotainment to an AMD Ryzen computer, added a heat pump, ventilated front seats, tri-zone climate, wireless phone charging, an 8 in rear display and a 22-speaker system with active noise cancelling. The gear selector and turn-signal stalk went away; you choose drive direction on the screen.
Pre-refresh 2021 cars keep the portrait screen, stalks, round wheel and resistive cabin heat. They are close relatives of the 2020 Tesla Model S, and should be priced that way. Most of the facts below refer to the refreshed car, because that is what most 2021 listings are.
Both versions keep forward radar (Tesla dropped it from Model S builds in mid-February 2022) and ultrasonic parking sensors.
The recall picture: 24 campaigns, eight that need a visit
This is the heaviest recall year for the Model S on our pages. The number looks worse than the reality, because 16 of the 24 were fixed by over-the-air software. What matters for a used buyer is the handful that need a technician.
| Campaign | What it covers | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 21V00B000 | Frunk latch may be misaligned, hood could open while driving | Latch repositioned |
| 21V868000 | Driver air bag cushion may tear when it deploys | Air bag replaced |
| 22V104000 | Side curtain air bag inflators may be assembled wrong | Inflators replaced |
| 23V488000 | Front belts may not be attached to the pretensioner anchors | Inspect and reconnect |
| 24V967000 | Driver air bag could tear (2021 to 2025 S/X) | Air bag replaced |
| 22E092000 | Side mirrors with wrong convexity or missing etching | Mirror glass replaced |
| 25V172000 | Wrong horn pad on the air bag, horn may not sound | Part replaced |
| 23V743000 | Wrong air bag fitted after a yoke or wheel swap | Inspect and replace |
The last row matters on this year in particular, because some owners have had the yoke swapped for the round wheel Tesla later offered. If the car has had that done, ask for the paperwork. One software recall is also charging-related: 22V296000, where the infotainment CPU could overheat during fast charging and blank the rearview camera.
The full list, updated automatically from NHTSA:
- 22V037000January 27, 2022Electrical system, adas, autonomous/self driving, softwareSoftware update
FSD Beta 'rolling stop' could let the car roll through an all-way stop - 21V868000November 9, 2021Air bagsService visit
Driver air bag cushion may tear during deployment - 22V045000February 1, 2022Electrical system, softwareSoftware update
Seat belt chime may not sound at start-up when the driver is unbuckled - 21V00B000December 21, 2021Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchService visit
Misaligned front trunk (frunk) latch may stop the secondary latch engaging, so the hood could open while driving - 21V846000October 29, 2021Forward collision avoidance, sensing system, cameraSoftware update
Software communication error could cause false forward collision warnings or unexpected automatic emergency braking - 22V050000February 2, 2022Electrical system, softwareSoftware update
Heat pump valve software error could reduce windshield defrost performance
Show all 24 recalls
- 22V063000February 4, 2022Electrical system, softwareSoftware update
Boombox could obscure Pedestrian Warning System sounds (superseded by 22V235000) - 22V104000February 23, 2022Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorService visit
Side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly - 22V235000April 12, 2022Electrical system, softwareSoftware update
Boombox could obscure Pedestrian Warning System sounds; Boombox disabled in Drive, Neutral and Reverse - 22V296000May 3, 2022Back over prevention, display functionSoftware update
Infotainment CPU overheating during fast charging could stop the rearview camera image displaying - 22V702000September 19, 2022Visibility, power window devices and controlsSoftware update
Window automatic reversal may not react correctly to an obstruction - 22E092000November 1, 2022Visibility, rearview mirrors/devices, exteriorService visit
Equipment recall: side mirrors with incorrect convexity or missing distance-warning etching - 22V818000November 1, 2022Steering, electric power assist systemSoftware update
Electric power steering assist could be lost on rough roads or after a pothole impact - 23V085000February 15, 2023Steering, automated/adaptive steeringSoftware update
FSD Beta could act unsafely at intersections and respond poorly to speed limit changes - 23V488000July 14, 2023Seat belts, frontService visit
Front seat belts may not be properly attached to the pretensioner anchors and could detach - 23V743000November 3, 2023Steering, steering wheel/handle barService visit
Wrong driver air bag may have been fitted when a yoke or steering wheel was replaced - 23V838000December 12, 2023Electrical system, adas, autonomous/self driving, softwareSoftware update
Autosteer driver-engagement controls may not be enough to prevent misuse - 24V051000January 30, 2024Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelSoftware update
Brake, Park and ABS warning lights used too small a font - 24V153000February 27, 2024Forward collision avoidance, warnings, external/pedestrian alertSoftware update
A factory reset could mute the Pedestrian Warning System sound - 24V376000May 28, 2024Seat belts, front, warning light/devicesSoftware update
Seat belt warning light and chime might not activate for an unbelted driver - 24V554000July 24, 2024Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchSoftware update
Hood latch system may not detect an unlatched hood after it has been opened - 25V172000March 19, 2025Air bagsService visit
Air bag with the wrong horn pad may have been fitted, so the horn may not sound - 24V967000December 24, 2024Air bags, frontal, driver side, cushionService visit
Driver air bag could tear during deployment - 26V283000May 5, 2026Back over prevention, softwareSoftware update
Rearview camera image may be delayed after shifting into Reverse
Source: NHTSA recalls API. A recall only applies if your VIN is listed.
Owner complaints to NHTSA lean toward forward collision avoidance (phantom braking) and steering:
176 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Model S. Most frequent areas (approximate order): forward collision avoidance; unknown or other; steering; suspension; electrical system; service brakes. Source: NHTSA complaints database.
Long Range vs Plaid on paper and on the road
| Trim | EPA range | Efficiency | Home AC max | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Range (refresh) | 405 mi | 120 MPGe | 11.5 kW | $79,990 |
| Plaid (19 in wheels) | 387 mi | n/a | 11.5 kW | $119,990 |
| Plaid (21 in wheels) | 348 mi | 101 MPGe | 11.5 kW | $119,990 |
The Long Range launched at $79,990 and is rated 405 miles. The Plaid launched at $119,990 with three motors, about 1,020 hp and a Tesla-claimed 1.99 s to 60 mph with a one-foot rollout. Edmunds measured 2.3 s. Edmunds also reported brake fade on its test Plaid after repeated hard runs, plus misaligned doors and crooked trim on test cars. On a used Plaid, check pad and rotor condition and tire wear, which tell you how it was driven.
Range swings with wheel size. A Plaid on 21 in wheels is rated 348 miles; on 19 in wheels it was first reported at 387 when rated in June 2021. If you want the longest-legged 2021, it is the Long Range.
Crash rating: rollover only
| NHTSA test | Rating |
|---|---|
| Rollover | 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 5.7% |
NHTSA rated rollover resistance only. There are no overall, frontal or side scores for the 2021 Model S, so any site quoting a five-star overall result for this year is borrowing another car's numbers.
Home charging for a 48 A car
Both versions accept 48 A (11.5 kW) on AC. On a Wall Connector fed by a 60 A breaker, Tesla quotes about 41 miles of range per hour for the Model S. Empty to full on the roughly 95 kWh usable pack (an EV Database figure, US value unconfirmed) is about 9 hours with typical Level 2 losses.
| How you charge | Speed |
|---|---|
| Wall Connector at 48 A (11.5 kW, 60 A breaker) | up to 41 mi of range per hour |
| NEMA 14-50 outlet, Mobile Connector at 32 A | about 27 mi per hour |
| Regular 120 V outlet | 2 to 3 mi per hour |
| Empty to full, largest pack (about 95 kWh) | about 9 hours at 11.5 kW |
Rates scale Tesla's published Wall Connector table for this model; older cars and cold batteries charge slower. Times are estimates.
What that means in practice:
- 60 A circuit, 48 A setting: a 120-mile day is back in about 3 hours.
- 40 A circuit, 32 A setting: about 27 mi/hr, still enough for most overnight top-ups.
- NEMA 14-50 outlet: 32 A through the Mobile Connector, about 27 mi/hr. Tesla stopped putting the Mobile Connector in the box for orders from late April 2022, but 2021 cars should have shipped with one, so ask the seller for it. See whether a Tesla comes with a charger.
To decide on a circuit, read our guides to choosing the right breaker and Wall Connector installation prices. Tesla puts a Wall Connector install at $750 to $1,500 before the $585 unit (as of October 2026).
Which 2021 suits which buyer
- Daily driver in a cold state: refreshed Long Range. Heat pump, 405 miles, the cheapest way into the new interior.
- Performance buyer: Plaid, with a brake inspection and recall paperwork in hand.
- Wants stalks and a round wheel: a pre-refresh 2021, or a refreshed car that already had the round-wheel swap with recall 23V743000 checked.
- Wants the same car with fewer recalls: look at the 2022 Model S, noting that mid-February 2022 builds lost radar.
For the full run of years, see the best year for the Model S.
2021 Model S questions from buyers
How do I know if a 2021 Model S is the refreshed version?
Look inside. The refreshed car has a horizontal 17 in center screen, an 8 in rear screen, a yoke and no gear or turn-signal stalks. A pre-refresh car has the tall portrait screen and a round wheel with stalks. In the car, Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information shows an AMD Ryzen infotainment computer on refreshed cars.
How many recalls does the 2021 Model S have?
NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns for the 2021 Model S as of October 2026. Most were fixed by over-the-air software. Several need a service visit: driver air bag cushions (21V868000 and 24V967000), curtain air bag inflators (22V104000), front belt anchors (23V488000), side mirrors (22E092000) and a horn pad issue (25V172000). Check the VIN to see which apply.
What is the range of a 2021 Model S Plaid?
The Plaid on 21 in wheels is EPA-rated at 348 miles. On 19 in wheels it was first reported at 387 miles when rated in June 2021; the 2022 listing for the same setup is 396 miles. The dual-motor Long Range is rated 405 miles. Wheel size makes a bigger difference to real range than most buyers expect.
Is the 2021 Model S crash tested?
Only partly. NHTSA gives the 2021 Model S five stars for rollover resistance with a 5.7% rollover risk, but it has no overall, frontal or side rating for this year. That is a gap in testing, not a poor score. The car still meets federal safety standards, and its air bag recalls are the safety items to check.
Does the 2021 Model S have a heat pump?
Refreshed 2021 cars do; pre-refresh cars do not. The heat pump also has its own recall, 22V050000, where a valve software error could reduce windshield defrost. It was fixed over the air, so an updated car already has the fix. In cold climates the heat pump is one of the best reasons to pay more for a refreshed car.
What does it cost to charge a 2021 Model S Long Range at home?
At 120 MPGe the Long Range uses about 28 kWh per 100 miles. At the July 2026 US average of 18.31 cents/kWh, 1,000 miles costs about $51. Your own rate may be well above or below that, and time-of-use plans often make overnight charging cheaper still. Level 2 charging losses are already inside the EPA figure.
Sources
- NHTSA recalls API, 2021 Tesla Model S, api.nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA SafetyRatings, 2021 Model S (VehicleId 15898), api.nhtsa.gov
- InsideEVs: Refreshed Tesla Model S/X, everything we know, insideevs.com
- Edmunds: Tesla Model S Plaid test (0-60, brake fade), edmunds.com
- Tesla support: Onboard charger, tesla.com
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