2013 Tesla Model S: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 459 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 11 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
459
Complaints
11
Recalls
41
Crash reports
19
Fire reports
24
Injuries
146.0
Severity index
Severity index 146.0 - High. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 145 2013 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2013 Tesla Model S ranks 14 of 145 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 90% of its model-year peers. See the full 2013 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 195 | 42.5% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 122 | 26.6% |
| SUSPENSION | 91 | 19.8% |
| POWER TRAIN | 35 | 7.6% |
| STEERING | 29 | 6.3% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 25 | 5.4% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 24 | 5.2% |
| ENGINE | 21 | 4.6% |
The single most-reported system is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, cited in 195 of 459 complaints (42.5%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 33 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 158 |
| 2021 | 56 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 9 |
Complaint volume is declining, consistent with a defect that was addressed by recall or that affected early builds.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17V260000 | 19/04/2017 | 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. |
| 18V031000 | 09/01/2018 | 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 fr |
| 18V204000 | 29/03/2018 | 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 a |
| 15V780000 | 23/11/2015 | 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. |
| 14V006000 | 13/01/2014 | 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. |
| 13V249000 | 14/06/2013 | 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 |
| 21V035000 | 29/01/2021 | 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 life |
| 23V838000 | 12/12/2023 | 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 |
| 24V051000 | 30/01/2024 | 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 |
| 24V153000 | 27/02/2024 | 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 Moto |
| 24V376000 | 28/05/2024 | 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 comp |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.