CarModelProblems.com

2013 Tesla Model S Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 3.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
459Complaints
11Recalls
41Crashes
19Fires
24Injured
5Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (41.4% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Electrical System complaints here are 3.8× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

An open NHTSA investigation (DP23002, opened Jun 2023) covers Vehicle Speed Control, but no recall has been issued for it yet.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System190 · 41.4%RecalledRecall 23V838000 · Recall 24V051000
Suspension91 · 19.8%Investigation closedPE20020
Power Train33 · 7.2%Investigation closedDP20001
Steering29 · 6.3%RecalledRecall 18V204000
Vehicle Speed Control25 · 5.4%Under investigationDP23002
Fuel/propulsion System24 · 5.2%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM190 · 41.4%
Unspecified / other122 · 26.6%
SUSPENSION91 · 19.8%
POWER TRAIN33 · 7.2%
STEERING29 · 6.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL25 · 5.4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM24 · 5.2%
ENGINE21 · 4.6%
SERVICE BRAKES21 · 4.6%
VISIBILITY/WIPER18 · 3.9%

Percentages are the share of the 459 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 11 campaigns

Parking Brake

NHTSA campaign 17V260000 · 2017 · reported 04/19/2017

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 18V031000 · 2018 · reported 01/09/2018

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:electric Power Assist System

NHTSA campaign 18V204000 · 2018 · reported 03/29/2018

Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front

NHTSA campaign 15V780000 · 2015 · reported 11/23/2015

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:electrical

NHTSA campaign 14V006000 · 2014 · reported 01/13/2014

An overheated adapter, cord, or wall outlet increases the risk of burn injury and/or fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES

Seats

NHTSA campaign 13V249000 · 2013 · reported 06/14/2013

In the event of a crash, the left hand seat back may not stay mounted, increasing the risk of injury to passengers. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Back Over Prevention:software

NHTSA campaign 21V035000 · 2021 · reported 01/29/2021

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:adas:autonomous/self Driving:software

NHTSA campaign 23V838000 · 2023 · reported 12/12/2023

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

NHTSA campaign 24V051000 · 2024 · reported 01/30/2024

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES

Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings:external/pedestrian Alert

NHTSA campaign 24V153000 · 2024 · reported 02/27/2024

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES

Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices

NHTSA campaign 24V376000 · 2024 · reported 05/28/2024

A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“RE: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP19005 - INVESTIGATION SUBJECT : BATTERY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE UPDATES AFTER MOST RECENT FIRMWARE UPDATE (EXACT DATE UNKNOWN -- SOMETIME LATE THIS…”NHTSA complaint 11271662 — filed 10/28/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“RE: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP19005 - INVESTIGATION SUBJECT : BATTERY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE UPDATES I AM AN EARLY MODEL TESLA OWNER. I STOPPED ACCEPTING OTA UPDATES…”NHTSA complaint 11267584 — filed 10/10/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11267406 — filed 10/09/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

142013291020154338201719532019245802021693120231016202520

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Tesla Model S?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 190 of 459 NHTSA complaints (41.4%), followed by unspecified/other issues (122), suspension (91), power train (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2013 Tesla Model S have?

459 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 41 involved a crash, 19 involved a fire, and 24 reported injuries. 5 deaths were reported.

Does the 2013 Tesla Model S have any recalls?

Yes — 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 17V260000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2013 Tesla Model S's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. NHTSA has an open investigation (DP23002) into vehicle speed control that has not led to a recall. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.