Reliable Auto DB

2013 Tesla Model S reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA has 11 recalls on file, including Warning light, Pedestrian alert, and Instrument cluster. NHTSA's complaint API returns no filings for the 2013 Model S, including years that have recalls on file, so a complaint count isn't shown. Recalls are tracked separately.

2014 Tesla Model S
Photo by Ank Kumar, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Tesla Model S. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (11)

Recall seat belts, front, warning light 2024-05-28 · NHTSA campaign 24V376000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall forward collision avoidance, warnings, pedestrian alert 2024-02-27 · NHTSA campaign 24V153000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall electrical system, instrument cluster 2024-01-30 · NHTSA campaign 24V051000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall electrical system, driver assistance, self-driving, software 2023-12-12 · NHTSA campaign 23V838000
Summary 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 prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
Remedy Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
Recall back-over prevention, software 2021-01-29 · NHTSA campaign 21V035000
Summary 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 lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.
Remedy Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.
Recall Electric power steering 2018-03-29 · NHTSA campaign 18V204000
Summary 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 assist.
Remedy Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-32-002.
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2018-01-09 · NHTSA campaign 18V031000
Summary 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.
Remedy Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-20-001.
Recall Parking brake 2017-04-19 · NHTSA campaign 17V260000
Summary 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.
Remedy Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-17-33-002.
Recall seat belts, front 2015-11-23 · NHTSA campaign 15V780000
Summary 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.
Remedy Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat belts, correcting their connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-15-20-002.
Recall equipment, electrical 2014-01-13 · NHTSA campaign 14V006000
Summary 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.
Remedy Tesla will notify owners and provide an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Some owners have already received this update. This update allows the Model S on board charging system to detect any unexpected fluctuations in the input power or higher resistance connections to the vehicle. If detected, the onboard charging system will automatically reduce the charging current by 25%. Tesla owners can verify that they have received the updated software (version 5.8.4 or later) by viewing the vehicle's center information screen. Additionally, Tesla will mail owners a replacement NEMA 14-50 adapter that is equipped with an internal thermal fuse. The recall began on March 14, 2014. Owners may contact Tesla Service Center at 1-877-79-TESLA (1-877-798-3752).
Recall Seats 2013-06-14 · NHTSA campaign 13V249000
Summary 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.
Remedy Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will inspect the left hand second row strikers. Tesla will add additional mounting hardware to ensure a proper joint between the bracket and the frame, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2013. Owners may contact Tesla at 1-650-681-5000.

NHTSA's complaint API returns no filings for the 2013 Model S, including years that have recalls on file, so a complaint count isn't shown. Recalls are tracked separately.

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Tesla Model S 5 HB RWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Model S (40 kW-hr battery pack) — Automatic (1-speed) Rear-wheel drive 93 96 94 MPG / 139 mi range $800
Model S (60 kW-hr battery pack) — Automatic (1-speed) Rear-wheel drive 94 97 95 MPG / 208 mi range $800
Model S (85 kW-hr battery pack) — Automatic (1-speed) Rear-wheel drive 88 90 89 MPG / 265 mi range $850

Specs and fitment

Pre-refresh, 2012–2020
Body styles Sedan
Tire size P245/45R19 (19"); P245/35R21 (21") front / P245/45R19 (19"); P265/35R21 (21", some Performance AWD use P245/35R21 rear) rear

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA recall 21V-035 covers certain 2012-2018 Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles whose center display uses an NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with an 8GB eMMC NAND flash device: when that flash reaches lifetime wear, some center-display functions can fail, including the rearview camera display, defrost/defog controls, and exterior turn-signal lighting. Tesla's remedy is to replace the VCM daughterboard with one that has an enhanced eMMC controller. Recall 22V-818 covers certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles whose electronic power-assist steering may lose assist on rough roads or after a pothole; Tesla released an over-the-air software update to recalibrate the EPAS system. Recall 23V-838 covers Model S vehicles (among other Tesla models) equipped with Autosteer versions leading up to the remedy software: NHTSA states that, when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 feature, and Tesla's remedy is an over-the-air software update.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Tesla Model S reliable?

NHTSA has 11 recalls on file, including Warning light, Pedestrian alert, and Instrument cluster. NHTSA's complaint API returns no filings for the 2013 Model S, including years that have recalls on file, so a complaint count isn't shown. Recalls are tracked separately.

Has the 2013 Tesla Model S been recalled?

The 2013 Tesla Model S has 11 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

What mpg does a 2013 Tesla Model S get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Tesla Model S is 92.7 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2018 Tesla Model S?

Pre-refresh (2012-2020), before the 2021 Palladium interior and Plaid redesign.

Can a US-market Tesla Model S tow a trailer?

Tesla's US owner's manual for 2012-2020 Model S warns not to use the car for towing and states it does not support a trailer hitch; there is no published US factory towing rating.