Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 Tesla Model S, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system195
- Unknown or other122
- Suspension92
- Power train35
- Steering29
- Vehicle speed control25
- Fuel/propulsion system24
- Service brakes22
- Engine21
- Structure19
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 24 injuries and 5 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 4 2013 Model S vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 2 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2013 Tesla Model S failed the safety check 1.16% of the time — 51% less often than the average 2013 passenger car (2.38%). Median odometer at inspection: 93,139 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2013
1,646 new Tesla Model S cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2013; the largest markets were the Netherlands (1,193), Germany (199), Belgium (148).
- Average mass
- 2,150 kg
- Average power
- 66 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Electric 100%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
In the Netherlands
665 first registered in 2013 are on Dutch roads; 14% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €105,200.
Most common APK defects
- Band onvoldoende profiel361
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm306
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde236
- Fusee(kogel) te veel speling205
- Waarschuwingsinrichting controlesysteem bandenspanning geeft182
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm169
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld158
- Band beschadigd95
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1 cars built in 2013 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
76 of these cars first registered in 2013 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 268,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; 1 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Tesla Model S 5 HB RWD | ★★★★★ | 5.7 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Recalls in Canada
10 Transport Canada recalls for the 2013 Tesla Model S.
| 2024283 21 May 2024 | Lights And Instruments Issue: A previous over-the-air (OTA) software update could cause the vehicle not to display the correct visual warning indicators when there are problems with… |
| 2023657 12 Dec 2023 | Accessories Issue: On vehicles equipped with the Autosteer advanced driver-assistance feature, when using the feature, the vehicle may not provide strong enough warnings … |
| 2021038 29 Jan 2021 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, the internal memory for the media control unit (MCU) could run out of storage capacity over time. If this happens, the center disp… |
| 2020497 20 Oct 2020 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, when switching the distance display setting from kilometers to miles, the speedometer displays the vehicle speed in miles per hour… |
| 2018149 29 Mar 2018 | Steering On certain vehicles, the bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture. This could allow the power steerin… |
| 2018017 9 Jan 2018 | Airbag On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propella… |
| 2016614 8 Dec 2016 | Electrical *** This notice is provided for information purposes only as the subject equipment is not regulated under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act *** The NEMA 14-30, NE… |
| 2015553 19 Nov 2015 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the driver and front passenger seatbelt anchor plate may not have been properly bolted to the pretensioner anchor plate during assembly. In… |
| 2014009 21 Jan 2014 | Electrical *** This notice is provided for information purposes only as the subject equipment is not regulated under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act *** The NEMA 14-50 ele… |
| 2013208 13 Jun 2013 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, due to imprecise adjustment during assembly, the support for the left-side rear seat back latch striker may be improperly fastened to the v… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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."
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."
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Tesla told its dealers about the 2013 Tesla Model S: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11008831 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008830 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008829 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008827 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008824 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008807 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008806 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008805 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008803 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008800 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008783 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008782 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008781 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008779 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008776 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006914 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006913 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006912 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006910 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005742 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005741 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005740 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005739 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005737 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11003088 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
Defect Petition Interlock Request
Pedestrian alert sounds
Autopilot System Driver Controls
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Fore Link Failure
Loss of rearview camera
Loss of rearview camera
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
Battery Management Software Updates
Fire - Propulsion Battery - Road Debris
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation