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Tesla Model S: Battery Warranty

Which term applies

Model S bought new from TeslaBattery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty
Before the effective date on the warranty's cover (2026/09/01)The applicable Battery and Drive Unit Warranty effective as of the date of purchase
Under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty effective 2026/09/018 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever comes first, with minimum 70% retention of Battery capacity over the warranty period

Coverage at a glance

For a Model S bought new from Tesla under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty effective 2026/09/01. A Model S bought before that date is under the Battery and Drive Unit Warranty in effect on its date of purchase.

ItemAnswer
Vehicles coveredModel S new vehicles sold by and delivered directly from Tesla
What is coveredRepair or replacement of any malfunctioning or defective Battery or Drive Unit
Term8 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever comes first
Capacity floorMinimum 70% retention of Battery capacity over the warranty period
Normal degradationLoss of Battery energy or power over time or due to Battery usage is not covered, except to the extent specified in the Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty
How capacity is measuredAt the sole discretion of Tesla; Tesla calls the vehicle's range estimates an imperfect measure of Battery capacity
Repair standardRepair, or replacement with a new, reconditioned or re-manufactured part at the sole discretion of Tesla; the replacement may not restore the vehicle to a "like new" condition; a replacement Battery's energy capacity is at least equal to the original Battery's before the failure, taking into consideration other factors including the vehicle's age and mileage
Capacity claimsThe replacement Battery is in a condition appropriate to the vehicle's age and mileage, sufficient to achieve or exceed the minimum Battery capacity for the remainder of the original Battery's warranty period
Battery fireDamage to the vehicle from a Battery fire is covered even if it is the result of driver error, except damage sustained before the fire and any damage if the fire occurred after the vehicle had already been totaled
Ownership Transfer"transferable at no cost to any person(s) who subsequently and lawfully assume(s) ownership of the vehicle after the first retail purchaser within the described limitations of this New Vehicle Limited Warranty"
Clock startsThe first day a new vehicle is delivered by Tesla to the first retail or corporate purchaser(s) or lessor(s)
Where it is servicedThe Warranty Region where the car was first sold by and delivered directly from Tesla; a United States or Canada Warranty Region may be serviced in either country; a later owner returns to that Warranty Region for service wherever they bought the car

ZEV warranties (minimum coverages set by regulation)

  • Tesla calls the ZEV Limited Warranties minimum coverages set by regulation, which the New Vehicle Limited Warranty may exceed; the expiration of a ZEV Limited Warranty does not diminish coverage under any other limited warranty in it, and Tesla is not obligated to provide duplicate remedies for the same issue.
CoverageTermApplies to
Battery ZEV Limited Warranty8 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km), whichever comes first: the Battery free from defects in material and workmanship that would cause the retention of Battery capacity to fall below 70%Model Year 2026 and later, with a Warranty Region of the United States and Canada
High-Priced Propulsion-Related Parts ZEV Limited Warranty7 years or 70,000 miles (110,000 km), whichever comes first; Tesla's Model S parts list includes the High Voltage Battery (HVB) assemblyModel Year 2026 and later, with a Warranty Region of the United States and Canada
  • EPA lists a 2026 Tesla Model S.

What is not covered

The Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty's own exclusions, in Tesla's order:

  • Damage resulting from intentional actions, including intentionally abusing or destroying the vehicle or ignoring active vehicle warnings or service notifications.
  • Damage resulting from a collision or accident, excluding Battery fires.
  • Damage resulting from the servicing or opening of the Battery or Drive Unit by non-Tesla or non-certified personnel.
  • Damaging the Battery, or intentionally attempting, by physical means, programming, or other methods, to extend (other than as specified in the owner manual and any documentation provided by Tesla) or reduce the life of the Battery.
  • Exposing the Battery to direct flame, excluding Battery fires.
  • Flooding the Battery.
  • Issues resulting from failing to follow the recommended battery maintenance and charging procedures in the owner documentation.
  • Noticeable changes to the performance of the Battery due to software updates.

The Battery and Drive Unit is also subject to the exclusions and limitations of the whole New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Tesla may void the whole New Vehicle Limited Warranty as to:

  • Vehicles that have had the VIN defaced or altered or the odometer or other related system disconnected, altered or rendered inoperative so that the VIN number or actual mileage cannot be fully confirmed.
  • Vehicles that do not have clean title or have been sold, designated, labeled or branded as dismantled, fire-damaged, flood-damaged, junk, rebuilt, salvage, reconstructed, irreparable or a total loss.
  • Vehicles that have been determined to be a total loss by an insurance company.

See it for yourself

Scope note

Everything above is from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty Tesla publishes today, effective 2026/09/01, which states its battery term for a Model S bought new from Tesla under it and assigns a Model S purchased before that date to the Battery and Drive Unit Warranty in effect on its date of purchase. The warranty delivered with a specific car is the authority for that car.