IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2017 Tesla Model S

The 2017 Model S was the last year before the major MCU2 upgrade and the exterior "facelift" with new front bumper. These cars still use the older MCU1 which is prone to eMMC failure, but they benefit from the most mature version of the original platform with improved build quality.

What changed for 2017

  • •Final year before MCU2 upgrade
  • •Most mature version of original platform
  • •Improved build quality over 2014–2016 models
  • •Still uses MCU1 — recall (21V035) applies

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !MCU1 eMMC failure — check if upgraded to MCU2
  • !Retractable door handle failures
  • !Yellow screen border on touchscreen
  • !Air suspension leaks at higher mileages
5
Known Issues
0
Serious
3
Moderate
2
Minor

All Known Issues

MCU1 eMMC Memory Failure (Recall 21V035)

ModerateElectrics & Electronics

The main touchscreen unit (MCU1) uses an 8GB eMMC chip that has a finite lifespan, eventually leading to system instability or total failure. Tesla issued a voluntary recall (21V035) to upgrade the chip to 64GB.

Est. Repair Cost: £0–£1,800
Warning Signs:

Screen freezing or rebooting, Longer boot-up times, Total screen blackout, Loss of climate controls

What to Inspect:
  • Check if upgraded to MCU2 (faster, Netflix/YouTube present)
  • Check for lag in navigation
  • Verify backup camera loads quickly
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Suspension Control Arm Creaking

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

The front and rear suspension control arms (wishbones) can develop a loud creaking or squeaking noise, particularly when turning or going over bumps, caused by water ingress into the ball joints.

Est. Repair Cost: £300–£700
Warning Signs:

Squeaking noise when turning, Knocking over speed bumps, Unsettled handling

What to Inspect:
  • Listen for creaks while steering at low speed
  • Inspect ball joint boots for splits
  • Test drive on rough surfaces
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Air Suspension Leaks

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

The air suspension struts or compressor can fail, causing the car to sag or display suspension fault messages.

Est. Repair Cost: £500–£1,500
Warning Signs:

Car sits low on one corner, Hissing sound from wheel arch, Suspension height error messages, Compressor running constantly

What to Inspect:
  • Check ride height after car has sat overnight
  • Cycle through all height settings
  • Listen for air leaks
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Retractable Door Handles

MinorBodywork & Rust

The flush-fitting motorized handles frequently fail to present or unlatch due to broken internal micro-switches or "paddle" gears.

Est. Repair Cost: £250–£450 (per handle)
Warning Signs:

Handle won't pop out, Handle pops out but door won't open, Intermittent operation

What to Inspect:
  • Test every handle multiple times
  • Listen for motor whirring without movement
  • Check for loose handle feel
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Yellow Screen Border

MinorInterior & Trim

A yellow tint can develop around the edges of the main touchscreen (MCU1 and early MCU2) due to an adhesive failure in the display stack.

Est. Repair Cost: £0–£1,200
Warning Signs:

Noticeable yellow band around screen edges, Discoloration on white backgrounds

What to Inspect:
  • Open a white page (like the web browser) to check for yellowing
  • Verify if the UV light treatment has been performed by Tesla
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 2017 Tesla Model S

  • ✓Check if the MCU has been upgraded to MCU2 — this is the single most important upgrade
  • ✓If still on MCU1, verify the recall work has been performed
  • ✓Test all door handles and check for suspension creaks
2015–20162018
Check a 2017 Tesla Model S by Registration