Tesla / Model S / 2013

2013 Tesla Model S problems

Owners have filed 677 complaints about the 2013 Tesla Model S with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 28.8% of them — the clear leader, ahead of suspension at 13.4%. A further 18.0% were filed without a specific system named.

Complaints677

Crashes61

Fires27

Injuries45

Deaths10

What owners report breaking

Electrical system 28.8% · 195

Unknown or other 18.0% · 122

Suspension 13.4% · 91

Power train 5.2% · 35

Steering 4.3% · 29

Vehicle speed control 3.7% · 25

Fuel/propulsion system 3.5% · 24

Service brakes 3.1% · 21

Severity

Of those complaints, 61 describe a crash, 27 describe a fire, 45 report an injury and 10 report a death.

Reading the numbers

Across the 10 model years of the Tesla Model S in this data, 2013 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2015 draws the most.

Filings have fallen off, 46 in the last three years against 180 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 74,897 miles.

In owners' own words

Media control unit failed while in the custody of the dealer after a drive unit failure. The unit began malfunctioning a few days before. The direction indicators and radio were working intermittently with the audio blanking off at 12 second intervals. This coincided with a drive unit failure. The car had to be taken to Tesla by a flat bed. We were charged nearly $3000 for the repair. Service invoice attached. Electrical system · reported at 105,579 miles

My ecu has died. The main control screen does not work at all, does not come on and functionality is unusable. I have rebooted the system several times which does not work. Happens during initial start up and while driving. I have now taken my car into the service center to have it replaced. My understanding is that it is a chronic problem but, of course, I am out of warranty and have been quoted $1500 to replace. Electrical system · reported at 64,500 miles

Mcu failure consistent with other early model Tesla Model S. The main computer screen is dark/blank and most functions are not operable, such as navigation, lighting controls, directionals, audio and hands-free phone, sunroof, climate control, suspension controls, ... The failure occurs almost without warning. This is the 2nd failure and this event occurred while the vehicle was driving at highway speed Electrical system · reported at 85,000 miles

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Other Tesla Model S years

2014 546 complaints · 24.2% electrical system 2015 1,057 complaints · 25.3% electrical system 2016 1,027 complaints · 20.4% suspension 2017 673 complaints · 16.9% electrical system 2018 288 complaints · 24.0% forward collision avoidance 2020 123 complaints · 25.2% forward collision avoidance

Compare all 10 model years →