The Tesla Roadster spans 2008–2012 with 2 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2011, 2008, 2012 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2009, 2010, 2012. It delivers up to 89 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Tesla Roadster is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2008 to 2012 across multiple generations.
How to read a Tesla Roadster VIN — every digit explained
Every Tesla Roadster carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Tesla and the country it was built in (real Tesla codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Roadster.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA5YJ · 7G2 · 7SA · SFZ
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Roadster, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Tesla Roadster have?
The Tesla Roadster has 2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2008–2012. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2008 Tesla Roadster recalls 1
Wheels:hub
What's wrong. TESLA MOTORS, INC. IS RECALLING 345 MY 2008 TESLA ROADSTER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 2008 AND APRIL 22, 2009. THE REAR HUB FLANGE BOLTS ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE UNDER-TORQUED AND MAY BECOME LOOSE. A LOOSE HUB COULD LEAD TO DEGRADATION IN VEHICLE HANDLING, AND A RUBBING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.
Risk. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED PROMPTLY, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix. TESLA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TESLA TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-888-3752.
Best and worst years for the Tesla Roadster
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 5 tracked years, the worst years are 2011, 2008, 2012 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2009, 2010, 2012.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Roadster | Vehicle Speed Control | Avoid | |
| 2009 Roadster | — | Best | |
| 2010 Roadster | — | Best | |
| 2011 Roadster | Suspension | Avoid | |
| 2012 Roadster | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Tesla Roadster problems?
The most-reported Tesla Roadster problems are Suspension (1 reports), Vehicle Speed Control (1 reports) and Traction Control System (1 reports) — out of 2 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Tesla Roadster specifications & dimensions
The 2012 Tesla Roadster. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Tesla Roadster window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Tesla Roadster cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Roadster holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 94 cu ft of passenger volume and 26 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Tesla Roadster tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Tesla Roadster get?
The Tesla Roadster returns up to 89 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $850/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2012 Tesla Roadster gets 89 MPGe and costs about $850/yr to fuel — that's about $6,750 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Roadster | 88 | 90 | $850 | — | 10/10 | Electric |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Roadster stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Roadster's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Tesla Roadster have? Power & range
The Tesla Roadster is offered with 1 powertrain — Electric. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Electric motor | Single-speed | RWD | Electricity |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Tesla Roadster cost to own?
A Tesla Roadster holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Check what a used Roadster is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Roadster loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $4,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Roadster ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Tesla Roadster safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Roadster yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Tesla Roadster last?
A well-maintained Tesla Roadster typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Tesla Roadster’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Roadster’s VIN free →All Tesla Roadster model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Tesla Roadster — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Roadster | 0 | — | |
| 2011 Roadster | 1 recall | — | |
| 2010 Roadster | 0 | — | |
| 2009 Roadster | 0 | — | |
| 2008 Roadster | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Roadster?
By owner-complaint volume, 2011, 2008, 2012 drew the most reports. 2009, 2010, 2012 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Roadster have?
2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2008–2012. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Tesla recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Roadster get?
Up to 89 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Roadster last?
A well-maintained Roadster typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Roadster reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Roadster is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Tesla Roadster warranty?
New Tesla models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 8 years / 100,000–150,000 miles (battery & drive unit) powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Tesla dealer.
Where is the Tesla Roadster made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Roadster's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Tesla may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Roadster have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.