2013 Tesla Model S Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
85/100
#3 most-complained of 14 Model S years
The 2013 Tesla Model S ranks 3rd worst out of 14 model years, with a Complaint Index of 85 and 459 NHTSA complaints, 19 fires, and 11 recalls. Owners report Electrical System issues most often (44% of complaints), earning it an Avoid verdict versus other Model S years.
- Complaints
- 459
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 41 / 19
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 5
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 94
- 93 city / 96 hwy
Top 2013 Tesla Model S problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System203 (44%)
- Other126 (27%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires98 (21%)
- Engine43 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain35 (8%)
- Brakes29 (6%)
- Steering29 (6%)
- Fuel System24 (5%)
- Structure & Body23 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers22 (5%)
What owners report
- Charging cords and adapters reportedly overheated, melted, or caught fire while the car was plugged in at home.
- Owners describe sudden unintended forward surges at low speed, including one after releasing the brake pedal near a parking garage.
- Some report the front suspension ball joint separating from the steering knuckle with no prior collision damage, followed by fire.
- Owners describe reduced friction brake effectiveness in wet conditions, with several seconds of delay before brakes engaged after rain, snow, or car washes.
- A crash account describes a vehicle breaking apart with the battery catching fire after striking roadside poles.
2013 Tesla Model S recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V376000May 28, 2024Seat Belts125,233 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
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 comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
- NHTSA 24V153000Feb 27, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras6,557 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
- NHTSA 24V051000Jan 30, 2024Electrical System2,193,869 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
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 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."
Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
2013 Tesla Model S fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 93 MPG
- Highway
- 96 MPG
- Combined
- 94 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Model S years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Tesla Model S reliable?
- Compared to other Model S years, the 2013 ranks poorly, sitting 3rd worst out of 14 years with a Complaint Index of 85 and an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Tesla Model S?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 203 of 459 complaints (44%), including 14 reported fires.
- Does the 2013 Tesla Model S have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2013 Model S, covering seat belts, collision avoidance/cameras, electrical software, Autosteer, HVAC memory, steering rack bolts, and passenger airbag inflators. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2013 Model S compare to other years?
- The 2013 (Complaint Index 85) is worse than the 2012 (15, Best) and 2019 (8, Best) but slightly better than the 2016 (100, Avoid), which is the worst year overall.
- Are there fire risks with the 2013 Tesla Model S?
- NHTSA complaints report 19 fires for the 2013 Model S, with the Electrical System area alone tied to 14 of them.