2020 Tesla Model S
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2020 Tesla Model S.
What to watch for on the 2020 Tesla Model S
MCU1 eMMC Flash Failure (pre-2018)
Cars built before roughly March 2018 use MCU1, whose flash memory wears out and eventually causes a black screen with loss of climate, charging and camera controls. Tesla extended warranty coverage. The permanent fix is an MCU2 upgrade.
Battery Degradation and Capacity Limits
Expect 8 to 15 percent capacity loss by this age. Some 85 kWh era packs were also software-limited following thermal management updates, which became the subject of a class action. Check rated range at high charge against the original figure.
6 more known problems on the 2020 Model S
Your guide shows all of them and which apply to the exact car, and what to ask the seller.
2020 Tesla Model S price ranges
Cars built from around March 2018 with MCU2 command a premium over otherwise identical earlier examples, and deserve it: MCU1 failure is a near-certain future bill. A 100D is the range sweet spot of this generation. Some earlier facelift cars still carry transferable free Supercharging, which is worth checking in the car's charging menu.
Recalls on the 2020 Tesla Model S
Electrical system: software
Tesla, Inc.
Latches/locks/linkages: latch
Tesla, Inc.
Forward collision avoidance: camera
Tesla, Inc.
8 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 80 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2020 Tesla Model S at a glance
- Trims
- Model S Long Range PlusModel S Performance
- Engine
- Dual Electric Motors
- Transmission
- Automatic 1-spd
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Fuel
- Electric
- Body style
- Sedan
Tesla Model S (2016-2020) Buyer's Guide
Facelift Cars and the MCU Question
The April 2016 facelift replaced the black nose cone with a body-coloured front and brought a series of running improvements that make these cars a materially safer used purchase than the pre-facelift versions. Drive unit reliability improved substantially, the interior was updated, and from around March 2018 Tesla fitted the much faster MCU2 media control unit, which eliminates the flash memory failure that plagues earlier cars.
Trims across the run: the D naming continued through 2018 with 60D, 75D, 90D, 100D and the performance P90D and P100D. From 2019 Tesla renamed the range to Standard Range, Long Range, Long Range Plus and Performance. A 100D is the long-range sweet spot of the era, and the P100D with Ludicrous mode remains genuinely quick by any standard.
What to look for: Establish whether the car has MCU1 or MCU2, because it is the single biggest cost divide in this generation. Ask about drive unit history even though failures are less frequent here. Confirm which Autopilot hardware is fitted if driver assistance matters, since capability differs between HW2, HW2.5 and HW3. Work all four door handles and cycle the air suspension through every height.
Ownership reality: These are large, heavy, fast luxury cars and they consume tires, brakes and suspension parts accordingly. Body repair is expensive and slow. Against that, a facelift Model S offers performance and range that still compare well with far newer cars, at a fraction of their price.
About the 2nd Gen
The April 2016 facelift replaced the Model S nose cone with a body-coloured front and introduced a run of improvements that make these 2016-2020 cars a materially safer used purchase than their predecessors. Drive unit reliability improved substantially, the interior was updated, and from around March 2018 Tesla fitted the faster MCU2 media control unit, eliminating the flash memory failure that eventually disables the touchscreen on earlier vehicles. The D trim naming continued through 2018 with 60D, 75D, 90D, 100D and the performance P90D and P100D, before Tesla renamed the range to Standard Range, Long Range, Long Range Plus and Performance for 2019.
As a used buy, a facelift Model S offers performance and range that still compare well with far newer cars at a fraction of their price, with the 100D standing out as the range sweet spot and the P100D remaining genuinely quick by any modern standard. The build date around March 2018 is the most important thing to establish, because MCU1 failure is a near-certain future bill and an MCU2 car has removed it. The remaining risks are battery degradation of roughly 8 to 15 percent by this age, air suspension failure, and the door handles that continue to fail through this generation. Some earlier facelift cars still carry transferable free Supercharging, which is worth checking in the vehicle's charging menu rather than trusting a listing.
Other Tesla Model S years
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Frequently asked questions
How do I tell whether a car has MCU1 or MCU2?
Build date is the rough guide, with MCU2 arriving around March 2018, but the reliable check is the interface itself: MCU2 is visibly faster, has a different graphics style, and supports features MCU1 cannot run. Ask the seller to open the media player and browser and watch how it responds.
Is a facelift Model S a safer buy than a pre-facelift?
Meaningfully, yes. Drive unit reliability improved substantially, later cars have MCU2, and the whole package is several years younger. The remaining big-ticket risks are the battery, air suspension, and door handles.
Which trim is the sweet spot?
The 100D. It offers the longest range of the era without the performance premium, and the larger pack tends to show proportionally less degradation. A 75D is cheaper but noticeably shorter-legged, especially in cold weather.
Does free Supercharging transfer on these cars?
On some, particularly earlier facelift examples. Tesla changed the terms repeatedly through this period, so it varies car by car. Verify it in the vehicle's own charging menu rather than trusting the listing.
What should I check on a test drive?
Listen for drive unit whine under steady load on a quiet road. Work all four door handles several times. Cycle every air suspension height and check the car sits level after standing. Confirm MCU version and Autopilot hardware. Note rated range at a high state of charge.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.