2013 Tesla Model S Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 459 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Tesla Model S overview page.
What owners report
“RE: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP19005 - INVESTIGATION SUBJECT : BATTERY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE UPDATES”NHTSA complaint 11288358 — filed 12/11/2019
“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
“I HAVE A 2013 TESLA MODEL S85. THREE DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING ON I 70 BETWEEN COLUMBUS, OHIO AND INDIANAPOLIS, IN, THE CAR LOST POWER…”NHTSA complaint 11253930 — filed 09/07/2019
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2013 Tesla Model S have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2013 Tesla Model S: 33 of 459 complaints on file (7.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2013 Tesla Model S have in total?
459 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 41 involved a crash, 19 involved a fire, 24 reported injuries, and 5 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
