2020 Model S — Known Failures, Repairs & Fixes
Raven, pre-refresh OK
Rangeup to 402 mi
APHW3
MCUMCU2
DoorsRetractable
- 1 Window regulator / door
- 2 Air suspension
- 3 Touchscreen / MCU
- 4 Rear drive unit
What changed
- 'Raven' powertrain — better efficiency and range; refreshed front (no fake grille).
- MCU2 standard (eMMC issue resolved vs MCU1).
- Adaptive air suspension.
Known issues
- Retractable door-handle wear (pre-2021 design).
- Air-suspension strut leaks and control-arm wear over time.
- Rear drive-unit wear at high mileage.
- MCU2 gets sluggish with age.
Recalls
- Verify open campaigns by VIN (seat-belt chime, etc.).
Repairs & fixes
- Door handle stuck in/out Repair the presenter mechanism / broken microswitch wiring; ~$1k per handle out-of-warranty. Service
- Air suspension sagging / strut leak Replace the leaking air strut (~$2k OEM; Arnott aftermarket cheaper). Service
- Sluggish MCU2 Reboot with both scroll wheels; keep software current. DIY
- 12V battery failure Replace the 12V battery. DIY
Verdict
A 2019–2020 'Raven' Long Range is a great used buy if you want a big Tesla — just budget for handle/suspension wear.
References & further reading
- TMC: Model S door-handle failures ↗
- Recharged: Model S common problems & fixes ↗
- Model S recalls (cars.com) ↗
- NHTSA recall lookup — enter your VIN ↗