2013 Tesla Model S problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2013 Tesla Model S include 5 fatality reports, 41 crashes and 19 fires across 459 filings.

459
Complaints
11
Recalls
41
Crash reports
19
Fire reports
24
Injuries
130.8
Severity index

Severity index 130.8 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 130.8p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 6 of 145 by severity index among 2013 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 96% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2013 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 195 complaints (42.5%)195 42%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 122 complaints (26.6%)122 27%SuspensionSuspension: 91 complaints (19.8%)91 20%Power TrainPower Train: 35 complaints (7.6%)35 8%SteeringSteering: 29 complaints (6.3%)29 6%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 25 complaints (5.4%)25 5%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 24 complaints (5.2%)24 5%EngineEngine: 21 complaints (4.6%)21 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19542.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12226.6%
SUSPENSION9119.8%
POWER TRAIN357.6%
STEERING296.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL255.4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM245.2%
ENGINE214.6%

Complaints filed per year

0801602013: 122014: 162015: 72016: 332017: 322018: 162019: 312020: 1582021: 562022: 482023: 232024: 72025: 112026: 9 (partial year)1314151617181920158212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201312
201416
20157
201633
201732
201816
201931
2020158
202156
202248
202323
20247
202511
2026 (year to date)9
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.2x those in 2020 to 2022 (41 against 262).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
17V26000019/04/2017PARKING BRAKETesla, 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.
18V03100009/01/2018AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULETesla, 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 fr
18V20400029/03/2018STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEMTesla, 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 a
15V78000023/11/2015SEAT BELTS:FRONTTesla 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.
14V00600013/01/2014EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICALTesla 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.
13V24900014/06/2013SEATSTesla 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
21V03500029/01/2021BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARETesla, 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 life
23V83800012/12/2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARETesla, 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
24V05100030/01/2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANELTesla, 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
24V15300027/02/2024FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERTTesla, 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 Moto
24V37600028/05/2024SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICESTesla, 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 comp

Other Tesla Model S model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 5 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.