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2013 Tesla Model S problems & recalls

NHTSA has issued 11 recalls covering the 2013 Tesla Model S and owners have filed 459 complaints. The most-reported area is electrical system (195 complaints). 19 complaints describe a fire and 41 complaints describe a crash.

Recalls
11
Complaints
459
Crash reports
41
Fire reports
19
Injuries
24

Recalls (11)

May 28, 2024#24V376000Over-the-air fix

Seat belts › Front › Warning light/devices

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."

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.

Feb 27, 2024#24V153000Over-the-air fix

Forward collision avoidance › Warnings › External/pedestrian alert

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."

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.

Jan 30, 2024#24V051000Over-the-air fix

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

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."

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.

Dec 12, 2023#23V838000Over-the-air fix

Electrical system › Adas › Autonomous/self driving › Software

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.

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.

Jan 29, 2021#21V035000

Back over prevention › Software

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.

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.

Mar 29, 2018#18V204000

Steering › Electric power assist system

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.

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.

Jan 9, 2018#18V031000

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

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.

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.

Apr 19, 2017#17V260000

Parking brake

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.

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.

Nov 23, 2015#15V780000

Seat belts › Front

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.

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.

Jan 13, 2014#14V006000Over-the-air fix

Equipment › Electrical

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.

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 that is equipped with an internal thermal fuse. The recall began on March 14, 2014. Owners may contact Tesla Service Center at 1-877-79-TESLA (1-877-798-3752).

Jun 14, 2013#13V249000

Seats

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.

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.

Owner complaints (459)

What owners reported to NHTSA, by component. One complaint can name several components.

  • Electrical system195
  • Unknown or other122
  • Suspension91
  • Power train35
  • Steering29
  • Vehicle speed control25
  • Fuel/propulsion system24
  • Engine21
  • Service brakes21
  • Structure19
  • Visibility/wiper18
  • Exterior lighting15

Complaints over time

Feb 2013: 1 complaintMar 2013: 0 complaintsApr 2013: 0 complaintsMay 2013: 0 complaintsJun 2013: 0 complaintsJul 2013: 1 complaintAug 2013: 1 complaintSep 2013: 2 complaintsOct 2013: 2 complaintsNov 2013: 0 complaintsDec 2013: 5 complaintsJan 2014: 3 complaintsFeb 2014: 2 complaintsMar 2014: 2 complaintsApr 2014: 0 complaintsMay 2014: 0 complaintsJun 2014: 0 complaintsJul 2014: 5 complaintsAug 2014: 2 complaintsSep 2014: 1 complaintOct 2014: 1 complaintNov 2014: 0 complaintsDec 2014: 0 complaintsJan 2015: 1 complaintFeb 2015: 0 complaintsMar 2015: 0 complaintsApr 2015: 0 complaintsMay 2015: 1 complaintJun 2015: 2 complaintsJul 2015: 0 complaintsAug 2015: 3 complaintsSep 2015: 0 complaintsOct 2015: 0 complaintsNov 2015: 0 complaintsDec 2015: 0 complaintsJan 2016: 0 complaintsFeb 2016: 0 complaintsMar 2016: 1 complaintApr 2016: 3 complaintsMay 2016: 5 complaintsJun 2016: 7 complaintsJul 2016: 1 complaintAug 2016: 6 complaintsSep 2016: 1 complaintOct 2016: 0 complaintsNov 2016: 5 complaintsDec 2016: 4 complaintsJan 2017: 3 complaintsFeb 2017: 6 complaintsMar 2017: 4 complaintsApr 2017: 3 complaintsMay 2017: 1 complaintJun 2017: 1 complaintJul 2017: 4 complaintsAug 2017: 1 complaintSep 2017: 3 complaintsOct 2017: 5 complaintsNov 2017: 0 complaintsDec 2017: 1 complaintJan 2018: 1 complaintFeb 2018: 1 complaintMar 2018: 5 complaintsApr 2018: 2 complaintsMay 2018: 3 complaintsJun 2018: 0 complaintsJul 2018: 0 complaintsAug 2018: 0 complaintsSep 2018: 0 complaintsOct 2018: 1 complaintNov 2018: 0 complaintsDec 2018: 3 complaintsJan 2019: 2 complaintsFeb 2019: 3 complaintsMar 2019: 0 complaintsApr 2019: 0 complaintsMay 2019: 3 complaintsJun 2019: 1 complaintJul 2019: 1 complaintAug 2019: 1 complaintSep 2019: 3 complaintsOct 2019: 10 complaintsNov 2019: 1 complaintDec 2019: 6 complaintsJan 2020: 6 complaintsFeb 2020: 7 complaintsMar 2020: 0 complaintsApr 2020: 0 complaintsMay 2020: 0 complaintsJun 2020: 44 complaintsJul 2020: 32 complaintsAug 2020: 23 complaintsSep 2020: 13 complaintsOct 2020: 9 complaintsNov 2020: 16 complaintsDec 2020: 8 complaintsJan 2021: 11 complaintsFeb 2021: 7 complaintsMar 2021: 5 complaintsApr 2021: 3 complaintsMay 2021: 3 complaintsJun 2021: 3 complaintsJul 2021: 5 complaintsAug 2021: 5 complaintsSep 2021: 4 complaintsOct 2021: 2 complaintsNov 2021: 1 complaintDec 2021: 7 complaintsJan 2022: 4 complaintsFeb 2022: 3 complaintsMar 2022: 5 complaintsApr 2022: 3 complaintsMay 2022: 4 complaintsJun 2022: 9 complaintsJul 2022: 6 complaintsAug 2022: 2 complaintsSep 2022: 7 complaintsOct 2022: 0 complaintsNov 2022: 2 complaintsDec 2022: 3 complaintsJan 2023: 2 complaintsFeb 2023: 2 complaintsMar 2023: 1 complaintApr 2023: 0 complaintsMay 2023: 2 complaintsJun 2023: 3 complaintsJul 2023: 5 complaintsAug 2023: 3 complaintsSep 2023: 2 complaintsOct 2023: 3 complaintsNov 2023: 0 complaintsDec 2023: 0 complaintsJan 2024: 1 complaintFeb 2024: 0 complaintsMar 2024: 0 complaintsApr 2024: 1 complaintMay 2024: 0 complaintsJun 2024: 1 complaintJul 2024: 1 complaintAug 2024: 0 complaintsSep 2024: 0 complaintsOct 2024: 1 complaintNov 2024: 1 complaintDec 2024: 1 complaintJan 2025: 2 complaintsFeb 2025: 0 complaintsMar 2025: 0 complaintsApr 2025: 0 complaintsMay 2025: 0 complaintsJun 2025: 2 complaintsJul 2025: 2 complaintsAug 2025: 0 complaintsSep 2025: 1 complaintOct 2025: 2 complaintsNov 2025: 1 complaintDec 2025: 1 complaintJan 2026: 2 complaintsFeb 2026: 2 complaintsMar 2026: 1 complaintApr 2026: 0 complaintsMay 2026: 0 complaintsJun 2026: 4 complaints2014201620182020202220242026
Complaints filed per month. Peak: 44 in Jun 2020. Hover a bar for its count.
Complaints filed per month
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Recent owner reports

Jun 24, 2026Steering, Power train, Electrical system

The vehicle has suffered a catastrophic, intermittent low-voltage network crash caused by a failing Body Control Module (BCM), resulting in multiple dangerous safety-critical failure modes. On a previous occasion, the vehicle woke up with severe network faults and automatically forced itself into Neutral. When the driver stepped out to get the child and shut the door, the system crashed entirely and the exterior electronic door handles failed to present, trapping an infant child inside the running vehicle. Most recently, while driving in a rainstorm, the vehicle suffered a complete failure of…

Jun 15, 2026Air bags, Seat belts, Unknown or other

This issue appears to be related to a known MCU failure affecting early Tesla Model S vehicles. The touchscreen exhibits screen melting/discoloration and eventually goes blank or becomes inoperative. When this occurs, critical functions including occupant detection indicators, seatbelt warnings, and windshield defrost controls may become unavailable. The loss of these functions creates potential safety risks involving visibility, occupant protection, and driver awareness while operating the vehicle."

Jun 15, 2026Air bags, Seat belts, Unknown or other

This issue appears to be related to a known MCU failure affecting early Tesla Model S vehicles. The touchscreen exhibits screen melting/discoloration and eventually goes blank or becomes inoperative. When this occurs, critical functions including occupant detection indicators, seatbelt warnings, and windshield defrost controls may become unavailable. The loss of these functions creates potential safety risks involving visibility, occupant protection, and driver awareness while operating the vehicle."

Jun 3, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system

While driving my 2013 Tesla Model S at normal road speed, the vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion without any warning. I had to coast and maneuver across traffic to avoid being hit before the car came to a stop. After shifting into Park, the vehicle displayed DI_w072 and DI_f072 gate‑drive faults, which indicate inverter/drive‑unit failure and match a pattern reported by other early‑model‑year Tesla owners. This sudden loss of motive power created a serious safety hazard, including risk of rear‑end collision and exposure to oncoming traffic while disabled. • No alerts appeared before the fail…

Mar 29, 2026Exterior lighting

Vehicle lights turned off while driving home with my family. Pulling over and turning off and on the car reset the problem. When lights turned off I received a warning light identifying a faulty right headlight and faulty left headlight. No accident and vehicle is currently outside manufacture warranty.

Feb 27, 2026Parking brake, Electrical system, Engine

The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the parking brake seized while leaving a charging station, and the vehicle screeched into oncoming traffic and stalled. The parking brake warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle had not been charged prior to a snowstorm, and the battery became fully drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the main battery and 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced before the diagnostic test. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurr…

Feb 17, 2026Unknown or other

I have a 2013 Tesla Model-S, I have so far spent thousands on this car for door handle related problems over its lifetime. And Tesla still keeps charging for any door repairs. As of now, the driver side door doesn't open from outside and this is a serious safety hazard in case of an accident

Jan 23, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control

On [XXX], at approximately [XXX], I was driving my 2013 Tesla Model S (VIN: [XXX] ) on [XXX] in Barrow County, Georgia when the instrument cluster/speedometer display went completely blank while driving. This is an intermittent issue that occurs without warning - the display turns off and sometimes freezes. Because the speedometer was not displaying, I had no way to know my actual speed. I was pulled over by Barrow County Sheriff’s Office and cited for speeding. I explained the instrument cluster malfunction to the officer at the scene and showed him the blank display. I took my vehicle to Tes…

Tesla Model S news

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall and complaint records, updated Oct 1, 2026. Complaints are owner reports and are not verified by NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.