2013 TESLA MODEL S Complaints

The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle started losing motive power. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact called the roadside assistance and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The local dealer inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a rear drive unit malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,523.

Car had a pending software update 7/21/2021, which I deferred in order to drive for the day. 45 minutes later, while taking a sharp curving exit ramp, the power assist steering cut off, and I almost left the roadway headed for the ditch. Steering manually is extremely heavy, and it took all my strength to keep it on the road. I updated the software and rebooted after returning home. The steering assist "heals" itself for about 30 seconds after you start up from a full shut down, but then the error message pops up again, and the steering assist goes out. There is a safety recall involving steering bolt corrosion.

A loud whining noise from the rear drive unit of my Tesla. The car is a 2013 and has 98,000 miles. The rear drive unit was previously replaced in 2015 at 45,000 miles, and has now been replaced again in 2021. The latest replacement was at cost to me of over $5000. I believe this price may prevent many owners from having this component replaced until it fails completely, leading to unsafe conditions. The car is no longer under warranty. The Tesla dealer accompanied me on a test drive to observe the whining noise, and recommended replacing the drive unit without delay to avoid the possibility of it letting me down and leaving me at the side of the road. I would hate to be in a car on the highway when a drive unit fails. It would be a danger to me, and other road users. These drive units should last more than 50,000 miles, and I believe the units now being installed have better longevity, but the units still installed in cars should be recalled and replaced with the ungraded units.

In June, began hearing noise from the front suspension area while turning at speeds from 0-45 mph. I created a service appointment and I was initially told the front control arms and shock needed to be replaced due to wear and tear and would not be covered under warranty. Was informed the shock was leaking and it was required to be replaced in conjunction with the control arms repair. Was told “I won’t say its safe to drive, because at some point it can fail ”by the service advisor on 7/6/21 on a recorded line (recording available but not able to be uploaded here). To me, this indicates a safety concern; however, I was told it is a wear item that commonly needs to be replaced on older cars due to mileage/age of car and is not checked on the annual service unless there is noise or problem. However, suspension items are not listed anywhere on the website, manual, or 2013 esa, or original warranty as being wear items needing replacement/checks after a set mileage or vehicle age. Having an annual service that does not check a wear item that appears to have turned into a safety item – makes no sense. Additionally, the front suspension was checked on 2021.2.11 @ 82,562 miles as evident by the uploaded service invoice. At the time, there was a difference of 6,146 miles and less than 5 months since the suspension check. I pointed the above concerns out and how I knew there was a pending NHTSA investigation into control arm failures, and it was then determined that the control arms could be replaced under warranty and the in conjunction and required spring would be customer pay per the ESA contract.

Hi, Tesla has a recall from the NHTSA regarding the MCU chip that powers the main center console screen. It can fail over time. My vehicle is under the recall, and they did the MCU chip recall but it did not help the screen. It is still failing. Without the screen working, the vehicle controls are not usable since 95% of the functions are through the screen. I contacted Tesla and they have ignored me and declined to fix the vehicle, even though the purpose of the recall was to fix the center screen.

The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) unit became inoperable causing the vehicle to stall. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the VCM unit needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then stated 18 months later, he received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V035000 (Back over prevention, Visibility, Exterior lighting). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

The Tesla's main central LCD screen, in which many major car functions operate, leaks liquid (what Tesla refers to as glue or adhesive), which causes the level to decrease behind the screen and which, Tesla, says, will lead to the screen becoming in operable. Safety features like back up cameras, unlocking doors, window de-fog and de-frost, charging limits, and others, are operated through this screen. As you can see from the pics attached, the level has decreased and is leaking out near the passenger side front seat. Yes, NHTSA can come inspect if they'd like. I showed the dealer this problem, they said they were aware of it, that it happens to other Teslas, and will result in the screen becoming inoperable. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to or during this issue.

While driving , and all at a sudden i heard a boom knock coming from the back near the rear drive unit area, brought it to Tesla service center. They diagnosed it as a cracked subframe which let the drive unit attachment loose from one it's anchor point. The cost of repair is $3,447.95. Upon further review, i've seen numerous reports about the same incidents specially for Tesla Model S between 2013 and 2014. In numerous incidents, Tesla has replaced the subframe at will while out of warranty. Requested the same but it was denied. This happened all at a sudden and without any warning. Upon further review, I've noticed that Tesla have upgraded the subframe part number from REAR SUBFRAME ASSY(6007012-00-E) to REAR SUBFRAME ASSY(6007012-00-L). Reference is Tesla online part catalog search by model / year Possibly to address that issue.

Tesla has had a mandatory recall for the MCU and the screen. I went to get my car repaired, and they only fixed the MCU. They said my screen was not under the recall, but the whole point of the recall was to fix it. Now, with the screen not working, I am unable to control 95% of the functions of the car, including safety features like seeing the rear camera. They wish to charge me 800$ to replace the screen, which is not right when the original recall was the fix the screen issue.

Hello, I recently read this complaint #11394551. I experienced this same issue. It was shocking and scary - during wet weather, my brakes would not work for upwards of 3 seconds and the braking distance was worsening each month. My car literally was sliding through stop signs as though it was on ice - but it was not nor was there snow on the ground. Tesla service was able to fix this concern on my car by doing two things per Tesla: 1. New brakes/rotors all around 2. Installing a shield to which prevented water from constantly hit the brake components (I was told this constant water application is what caused the components to fail) I was fortunate and did not have an accident or injury. It saddens me to read compliant #11394551. I assumed Tesla would be fixing this concern on all cars as it clearly was a safety issue; however, it appears a recall or fix was not done on all cars. See attached invoice for the repair.