NHTSA (USA)Low Risk
At a glance
This page covers 14 recalls, 455 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2013 Tesla Model S.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2013 Tesla Model S draws complaints heavily from the electrical system, which accounts for the largest share of reports. Owners frequently describe the instrument cluster going blank or freezing while driving, leaving them without speedometer readouts. Headlights shutting off unexpectedly while in motion is another recurring theme, with warning lights flagging both units simultaneously. Charging system failures come up regularly as well, with owners reporting that the vehicle stops accepting a charge, sometimes linked to moisture and corrosion around the charging port hardware. Door handles are a persistent complaint, with owners describing handles that fail to extend or retract and doors that can't be opened from the outside. Suspension complaints rank second by volume, though the representative reports skew toward electrical issues. A smaller but consistent thread involves battery drain after the vehicle sits without charging through cold weather.
455
Total Complaints
41
Crash-Related
19
Fire-Related
13
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Tesla Model S has 14 recalls, the most serious being a passenger frontal airbag that can explode with excessive force and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
A separate but related airbag concern involves long-term exposure to heat and humidity degrading the airbag propellant, which can also cause the airbag to deploy harder than intended. On the charging side, the NEMA 14-50 mobile connector adapter can overheat during use, raising the risk of burns or fire at the outlet or cord.
Several recalls affect restraints and seating: front seatbelts on some vehicles may not be properly connected to the pretensioner and could fail to hold an occupant in a crash, and the left rear seat back latch may separate from the vehicle structure in a collision. On the steering side, corrosion can fracture the bolts holding the power steering assist motor, causing a sudden increase in steering effort, particularly at low speeds. The center display's memory chip can wear out over time, disabling the rearview camera, climate controls, and turn signals. The Autosteer driver assistance system can allow a driver who is not actively monitoring the road to remain in a dangerous situation without adequate warning. Lower-severity issues include a muted pedestrian warning sound after a factory reset, a seatbelt reminder chime that may not activate, and instrument panel warning lights displayed in an undersized font.
At a glance
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The seat belt warning light and chime may not activate when the driver is unbelted, failing to alert the driver to fasten their seat belt.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a software update over the air to fix the warning system so it activates properly for unbelted drivers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A factory reset can silence the Pedestrian Warning System sounds, which alert pedestrians to the vehicle's presence. The vehicle then fails to meet federal sound requirements for electric vehicles.
What the fix does
Tesla releases a free software update (2023.44.30.14) over-the-air to restore the Pedestrian Warning System sounds.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System warning lights on the instrument panel display in an incorrect font size, which does not meet federal brake system safety standards.
What the fix does
Tesla is releasing a free over-the-air software update to correct the warning light font size display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Autosteer controls may not be prominent or clear enough to prevent drivers from misusing this advanced driver-assistance feature when it's engaged.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to improve how Autosteer controls are displayed and managed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The center display's memory storage device wears out over time and eventually loses data integrity, causing some display functions to stop working.
What the fix does
Tesla will replace the display control board with one containing an upgraded memory device that lasts longer, at no cost to owners.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Aluminum bolts holding the power steering motor to the steering gear can corrode and break, reducing or eliminating power steering assist.
What the fix does
Replace the steering gear mounting bolts and apply corrosion-preventative sealer to protect against future corrosion.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Heat and humidity can degrade the propellant inside the passenger front airbag over time, causing it to deploy with excessive force in a crash. This may send fragments toward occupants and damage the airbag, reducing its effectiveness.
What the fix does
The passenger front airbag inflator will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain passenger front air bag inflators may explode during deployment in a crash. The inflator propellant can degrade over time from exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger front air bag modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The internal gear in the electric parking brake calipers may be defectively manufactured and could break when you apply or release the parking brake.
What the fix does
Tesla will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver or front passenger seat belt may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner, affecting its function during a crash.
What the fix does
Service centers will inspect both seat belts and correct the connection to the pretensioner if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The NEMA 14-50 electrical adapter supplied with the mobile charging connector may overheat or melt due to higher than normal electrical resistance, potentially causing an electrical short and fire risk.
What the fix does
Software has been updated to reduce charging current when high resistance is detected. A redesigned adapter with an internal thermal fuse will be sent by mail.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The NEMA 14-50 adapter, charging cord, or wall outlet can overheat during charging due to power fluctuations or loose connections.
What the fix does
Software update detects power irregularities and reduces charging current by 25%. Replacement adapter with thermal fuse will be mailed to owners.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left rear seat back striker may have been misaligned during manufacturing, weakening the weld between the bracket and vehicle frame.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect the left rear striker and add mounting hardware to secure the bracket properly to the frame.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left rear seat back latch striker support may be improperly fastened to the vehicle structure and could separate during a crash, risking injury to rear seat occupants.
What the fix does
Tesla Service Centers will inspect the left striker support and add additional fasteners to secure it properly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
