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#BS-2013-TESMOD-49262013 Tesla Model SProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 679 owners and 11 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 679 complaints, 61 crashes, 27 fires, and 11 recalls. Complaint rate is 3.8x the class average. This is the worst model year for this vehicle.
Top reported problems
door handle latch stopped working
2 complaints • Severity 6/10
front and driver window defrost
1 complaints • Severity 4/10
door handles hot
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
windshield wiper doesnt work properly
1 complaints • Severity 8/10
usb charging port does not work
1 complaints • Severity 8/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
190 owners reported electrical issues — failures commonly reported around 75K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 90–120K miles (95 reports) • Median: 75K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Electrical (190 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2013 Tesla Model S: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 28% of all reports filed for the 2013 Tesla Model S, with 190 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 75,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 75K-mile mark.
Suspension Issues
Suspension complaints account for 14% of all reports filed for the 2013 Tesla Model S, with 92 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to suspension-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 2013 Tesla Model S, with 33 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 4% of all reports filed for the 2013 Tesla Model S, with 29 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2013 Tesla Model S. Recent trend: increasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (11 recalls)
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ACCESSORY
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.
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.
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.
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.
+ 6 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2013 Tesla Model S NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (12)
3 investigations still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.
Battery Management Software Updates
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Pedestrian alert sounds
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Defect Petition Interlock Request
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
+ 7 more in the full report
This is the worst model year for the Tesla Model S according to owner complaint data. The biggest problem area is electrical.
2013 Tesla Model S vs. Class Average (Large Cars)
This vehicle
679
Class avg
181
3.8x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical large cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 679 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 11 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Tesla Model S Model Years
View all Tesla Model S years →2013 Tesla Model S: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2013 Tesla Model S Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 679 owner reports. Know before you buy.