Tesla, known for its electric cars and controversial CEO, is a leader in the clean energy movement. Though electric vehicles have been around for some time, they weren’t seriously considered by the public as a feasible option until Tesla hopped onto the scene. Since its founding in 2003, the company has been consistently pushing the envelope and testing the limits of EVs—but with regular recalls rolling out, some worry that the automakers are pushing themselves too far. In the midst of yet another recall, the public is left wondering: What is wrong with Tesla cars?
Recalls
The latest 2025 recall involves the steering wheel of some 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Tesla recalled over 375,000 vehicles, claiming faulty electronic power-assisted steering that may increase the risk of crashes. Earlier this year, nearly 283,000 models were recalled for faulty backup cameras.
These recalls are just one of many causing concern over the safety of Tesla vehicles. In 2024, the automaker recalled over 5 million cars in 15 separate recalls. The problems ranged from bad windshield wipers to electronic features that fail in life or death situations. Take the Tesla Model Y, for example: the same year, four people were trapped inside the burning vehicle due to the electronic door mechanisms failing.
In 2023, the company recalled a shocking 2 million cars that feature its Autopilot active driving assistance system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigated the system after several crashes were believed to have been caused by Autopilot. They concluded that Autopilot’s feature Autosteer gives drivers too much leeway, allowing them to forgo safe driving practices. These failures end up putting a dent in the public’s trust, especially regarding so-called ‘advancements’ in vehicles and the driving experience overall.
While other automakers, like Ford, recall far more vehicles than Tesla, the automaker’s inability to learn from the mistakes of other brands is concerning.
Design Flaws
Recalls aside, Tesla vehicles have major design flaws and are frequently criticized for their poor build quality. Gaps, leaks, shuttering—Tesla cars before 2024 appear cheaply made and not up to par with similar EV automakers. A combination of mass production and supply chain issues has been blamed for the questionable construction.
Many customers in cold climates have complained of the flush door handle design, which makes it nearly impossible to manually open the vehicle when snow or ice covers the handle and sensor. Sure, owners can open the doors from the app and spend more time defrosting the vehicle, but some believe that the average door handle is far more practical.
The wildly controversial Cybertruck has its fair share of problems. Specifically, its angular design is not only aesthetically displeasing but dangerous. Consumers have noticed that the doors and front trunk lack an important safety feature—pinch sensors—that can detect things like fingers and hands to avoid shutting onto them and potentially severing them.
While making advancements in vehicles is important, it seems that Tesla is forgoing essential components to maintain its innovative sci-fi appearance. Are Tesla’s unique features really a vision of the future if it ignores knowledge gained from the past?
