KnownCarProblems2013 Tesla Model S Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 461 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Tesla Model S, most often about the electrical (42% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Model S model year since 2000 and has 11 recalls.
Most common 2013 Tesla Model S problems
Electrical
195 complaints · 42%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: propulsion system, 12v/24v/48v battery, software.
I experienced a sudden loss of range with 2019.16 software update that Tesla release. I no longer have the range or charging speed before the update. This was a purposeful action from Tesla due to the potential for the batteries catching fire. Tesla took action to downgrade horsepower and range along with all other…
The electronic touchscreen that allows access to most of the cars functions stopped working. The car would not work to basic standards once this happened. Car was in motion at the time on city streets.
Other or unspecified
122 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles.
Computer display malfunctioning has to be turned off and on. This is dangerous while driving. I have video of screen but cannot upload that type of file.
2013 Model S 40. Mcu failed due to memory card failure in december 2018. Car would not drive. Had to be towed. Car lowered windows by itself and could not be closed. Drained battery. Car could not be opened. Charged $2100 to replace mcu out of warranty. Mcu also failed on my 2015 Model S 70d [] in 2019. Replaced emmc…
Suspension
92 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles.
At 45k miles my suspension failed. It required a new control arm and suspension alignment. Tesla said "drove vehicle and confirmed noise from front of vehicle. Upon inspection found left front upper control arm joint to have excessive freeplay." the individual at Tesla said it was no big deal. I was driving the car…
Here is another Tesla with a collapsed front suspension. Http://www.copart.com/US/en/lot/21054696?searchid=632075351 the car has not been involved in a collision, the front suspension has simply fallen apart. The front wheel is sliced nearly in half by a broken suspension component. This type of failure can be seen in…
Transmission
35 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline.
Re: NHTSA action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updates I am an early model Tesla owner. I stopped accepting OTA updates to my car because I did not like the new features being rolled out. I have found a new story online on Tesla that they released an OTA update out of an…
When trying to start my Tesla, I noticed the large touch screen was unresponsive, and I couldn't enter my pin code to unblock changing my car gears, my car got stuck on the parking gear on my driveway. When speaking with Tesla roadside assistance, I was instructed to perform a reset procedure, after which the large…
Steering
29 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles.
I made an appointment with Tesla through the app and they assigned me at a place in berkeley to get the bolts in the steering rack housing replaced (a recall) along with another recall. After dropping off the car they said service was complete. I also have been having an issue with the mcu and they said they ran a…
The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The power steering assist system disabled message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to Tesla inc (9850 west broad st, glen allen, va 23060) to be diagnosed.…
Speed control
25 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
The contact owned a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while stationary with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle independently accelerated rapidly without warning and crashed into a wall. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained by the contact. The vehicle was…
The driver of our car was parking our Tesla Model S p85+ and slowly moving into the parking spot nearing the final distance in to the spot, when the car suddenly lurched forward, hitting and knocking down a light pole. The driver did not cause this acceleration to occur and was quite surprised to have this happen.…
Brakes
25 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles.
Complete brake failure. Error messages came up on my screen. I was driving inside of my companies parking lot at 5mph. When I tried to drive the car to the dealer to get checked out the car stopped it self. It required Tesla to send an update to my car to have it be able to get to the dealer. This happened with 42k…
This is a telsla Model S in the junkyard that is just one of many which have run into the back of another vehicle. Https://www.iaai.com/vehicle?itemid=22544553&rownumber=3&loadrecent=true there appears to be a disproportionate number of teslas appearing in salvage yards with heavy front end damage. It seems probable…
Fuel system
24 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles.
The battery for the 2013 Model S 60kwh 2013 is not charging anywhere near the capacity. Charging the battery takes hours to get to near 65% of what use to be full charge and is now considered a 100% charge. This is under warranty and needs to be replaced asap. This has severe impact to daily commute and ability to…
Re: NHTSA action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updated the battery for the 2013 Model S 60kwh 2013 is not charging anywhere near the capacity. Charging the battery takes hours to get to near 65% of what use to be full charge and is now considered a 100% charge. This is under…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Tesla Model S recalls
Seat belts: warning light/devices
Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed july 26, 2024. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-24-00-008.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 model s, 2015-2024 model x, 2017-2023 model 3, and 2020-2023 model y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Driver assistance: external/pedestrian alert
Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the pws sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed april 27, 2024. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-24-00-006.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 model s, 2020-2021 model x, 2018-2022 model 3, and 2020-2022 model y vehicles. A factory reset muted the pedestrian warning system (pws) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 141, "minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles."
Electrical: instrument cluster/panel
Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-24-00-003.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 model s, 2016-2024 model x, 2017-2023 model 3, 2019-2024 model y, and 2024 cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the brake, park, and antilock brake system (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems" and 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Electrical: software
Risk: In certain circumstances when autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed february 10, 2024. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-23-00-008.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 model s, 2016-2023 model x, 2017-2023 model 3, and 2020-2023 model y vehicles equipped with all versions of autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the sae level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
Visibility and wipers: defroster/defogger/hvac system
Risk: The emmc controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the emmc is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the vcm daughterboard with one containing an enhanced emmc controller, free of charge. The recall began march 29, 2021. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-21-21-001.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 tesla model s and 2016-2018 model x vehicles with a center display equipped with a nvidia tegra 3 processor and an 8gb emmc nand flash memory device. When the 8gb emmc nand flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the emmc controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and tesla service centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began may 7, 2019. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-18-32-002.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 tesla model s vehicles equipped with bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and tesla service centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in march 2018. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-18-20-001.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling all 2013 model s vehicles equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began march 6, 2018. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-17-33-002.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2016 model s and model x vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.
Seat belts: front
Risk: If the seat belt is not correctly attached to the pretensioner, it may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat belts, correcting their connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on december 14, 2015. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-15-20-002.
Full defect summary
Tesla motors, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 model s vehicles manufactured may 31, 2012, to november 12, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver or front passenger seat belts that may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.
Electrical: accessory
Risk: An overheated adapter, cord, or wall outlet increases the risk of burn injury and/or fire.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners and provide an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Some owners have already received this update. This update allows the model s on board charging system to detect any unexpected fluctuations in the input power or higher resistance connections to the vehicle. If detected, the onboard charging system will automatically reduce the charging current by 25%. Tesla owners can verify that they have received the updated software (version 5.8.4 or later) by viewing the vehicle's center information screen. Additionally, tesla will mail owners a replacement nema 14-50 adapter tha
Full defect summary
Tesla motors, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain model year 2013 model s vehicles equipped for, and delivered with, certain nema 14-50 (240 volt) universal mobile connector (umc) adapters. During charging, the adapter, cord, or wall outlet could overheat.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, the left hand seat back may not stay mounted, increasing the risk of injury to passengers.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and tesla service centers will inspect the left hand second row strikers. Tesla will add additional mounting hardware to ensure a proper joint between the bracket and the frame, free of charge. The recall began on june 24, 2013. Owners may contact tesla at 1-650-681-5000.
Full defect summary
Tesla motors, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain model year 2013 model s electric vehicles manufactured may 10, 2013, through june 8, 2013. An improper method for aligning the left hand seat back striker to the bracket may have weakened the weld between the bracket and the frame of the vehicle.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Recall 23v838 remedy effectiveness
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) is opening a recall query to assess the remedy adequacy of recall 23v838. On december 12, 2023, tesla filed a defect information report (recall 23v838) applicable to all tesla models produced and equipped with any version of its autopilot system, which tesla described as an sae level 2 (l2) advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). Autopilot is the simultaneous engagement of teslaâs traffic-aware cruise control (tacc) and autosteer. In describing the safety defect, teslaâs defect information report (dir) explained that âthe prominence and scope of the systemâs controls may be insufficient to prevent driver misuse,â and tesla committed to th
Sudden unintended acceleration
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition requesting that odi reevaluate its decision to deny dp20-001 on the basis that intermittent high electrical current demands on the vehicles' 12vdc systems may have caused some or all of the incidents examined by odi in dp20-001. The petitioner bases this information on a review of open-source research and the dp20-001 denial. The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following odi number: 11528471.
Defect petition interlock request
Summary
On march 21, 2023, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition requesting a ârecall of all tesla carsâ produced from 2013 to the date on which the petition was filed due to what petitioner considers to be the increased likelihood of pedal misapplication. Attached to the petition is a paper authored by petitioner. According to petitioner, the differences in the operator controls between the subject tesla vehicles and internal combustion engine powered vehicles promote driver pedal misapplication, leading to sudden unintended acceleration (sua) incidents. To fix this alleged defect, petitioner argues that the subject vehicles should be equipped with measures that require:
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Autopilot system driver controls
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) upgraded pe21020 to ea22002 on june 8, 2022, to extend work and deepen the pe21020 crash analysis, to supplement that analysis with additional data, and to perform vehicle evaluations to understand how teslaâs autopilot system may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the driverâs supervision. To support this work, odi collected additional crash information and assessed vehicle control authority, driver engagement technologies, and related human factors considerations associated with partial automation via analysis of peer vehicle data and hands-on vehicle evaluation, assessments from NHTSA human
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Fore link failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation based on forty-three complaints alleging failure of the left or right front suspension fore links in tesla model year (my) 2015 through 2017 model s and my 2016 through 2017 model x vehicles. The investigation has identified 426 instances of failure on part number 1041570-00-a or 1041575-00-a fore links.none of the instances resulted in any loss of vehicle control. One minor crash with no injuries is associated with the 426 instances fore link failures.a majority of the failures occurred between one to fifteen MPH while parking in driveways or parking lots.in the eight instances where the vehicle was traveling more
Loss of rearview camera
Summary
On november 20, 2020, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened engineering analysis (ea) 20-003 to investigate incidents of media control unit (mcu) failures resulting in loss of rearview camera in model year (my) 2012-18 tesla model s and model year (my) 2016-2018 tesla model x vehicles equipped with the nvidia tegra 3 processor with an integrated 8gb emmc nand flash memory device. During its investigation, odi learned that the expected usage life rating for the 8gb emmc nand flash memory device is approximately 3,000 âp/eâ or program-erase cycles, after which the emmc nand flash memory device would become fully consumed and no longer be operational, leading to a failure of the
Loss of rearview camera
Summary
On june 22, 2020, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe20-010 to investigate incidents of media control unit (mcu) failures resulting in loss of rearview camera in model year (my) 2012-2015 tesla model s vehicles equipped with the nvidia tegra 3 processor with an integrated 8gb emmc nand flash memory device. Emmc nand flash devices have a finite lifespan based upon the number of program/erase (p/e) cycles. The subject mcu allegedly fails prematurely due to memory wear-out of the emmc nand flash. Tesla used the same mcu with the tegra 3 processor in approximately 159 thousand 2012-2018 model s and 2016-2018 model x vehicles built by tesla through early-20
Sudden unintended acceleration
Summary
On december 19, 2019, NHTSA received a petition from mr. Brian sparks requesting that the agency recall all [tesla] model s, model x, and model 3 vehicles produced from 2013 to the present due to sudden unintended acceleration (sua). In his petition and follow-up submissions, the petitioner identified a total of 232 non-duplicative complaints to NHTSA, including 203 reporting crashes. On january 13, 2020, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened defect petition dp20-001 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. Odi's evaluation included reviews of all complaints and supporting information referenced by the petitioner, as well as 14 additional complaints to NHTSA related to sua crash
Questions about the 2013 Tesla Model S
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Tesla Model S?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (195 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); other or unspecified (122 complaints, typically around 82,500 miles); suspension (92 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Tesla Model S have?
- 11 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 28, 2024 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Tesla Model S?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Model S model year since 2000, with 461 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.