2013 TESLA MODEL S Complaints

View complaints related to 2013 TESLA MODEL S. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 450 complaints submitted for the 2013 TESLA MODEL S. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2013 TESLA MODEL S
    - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

    the uncured conductive adhessive between the display and the glass. The supplier did not use a proper UV light technique (they used expired bulbs" to cure the adhesive into a solid form and over time, the liquid is now coming out of the bottom of the screen and making a mess.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2013 TESLA MODEL S
    - Vestavia Hills, AL

    Screen in front of the driver froze. Speedometer did not change, odometer did not change, map and directions did not change, gearshift indicator did not change, clock was frozen.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2013 TESLA MODEL S
    - San Diego, CA

    Explained to Tesla service center immediately upon purchasing vehicle while it was still under warranty that the vehicle range was unacceptable using TESLA's warranty guideline for requirements for a battery replacement while under warranty. TELSA refused to changed the battery even though I took the vehicle to TESLA several times while the Battery was still under warranty. A month after the warranty expired the motor died, it had been showing signs wear but TESLA failed to property inform me of the issue and charged me over $6000 for the repair due to my lack of knowledge on what the symptoms are for a failing motor. Shortly after the warning for "Charging - Maximum battery charge level reduced" has come on and TESLA is trying to charge me about $21,000 for a replacement battery.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2013 TESLA MODEL S
    - Wayne, PA

    My Tesla 2013 model S has the exact same problems as ones in your recall notice NHTSA Campaign # 21V035 yet My VIN # does not show up in your list of recalled cars. I took my car into Tesla dealer on Dec 14 2022 and they fixed it and charged me $103.35 for the repair. I asked how long a warranty I would have and they replied "to the end of parking lot". I have had car in to Tesla twice since then as problem has gotten worse and each time they fiddled with it and it came back working for a short time each time I went in. On Feb 14, 2023 I went in again as I could drive the car but screen dark. Made an appointment to have it fixed and was told cost will be $2385.00 including a new radio as old one won't work with new screen. This is robbery as problem is the same as with the recalled vehicles. This is a safety issue and I thought manufactures were responsible for safety defects. In addition Tesla refuses to give me back the old parts unless I pay them $750.00. I asked what they did with old parts and they would not tell me. Again this is wrong.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2013 TESLA MODEL S
    - Los Angeles, CA

    The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the center display screen malfunctioned, causing the rearview camera to intermittently fail. Additionally, the failure caused a delay while switching gears to drive(D) and to park(P). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined through the Tesla App that the VCM daughterboard needed to be replaced with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 95,500.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2013 TESLA MODEL S
    - Sherman Oaks, CA

    I am complaining about Tesla’s dishonest and underhanded repair center and battery. In October 2021, I was told I was receiving a new battery. When I picked up my car, I noticed it was not getting the maximum charge. Through investigation, we found a refurbished battery was given. Less than 3 months later, the refurbished battery failed. Michael Hilgado (Tesla manager) explained it was a faulty battery and that I would receive a replacement at no charge and with a new warranty because the one they placed in October was faulty. The battery was replaced. Please find below the timeline of all additional repairs and breakdowns. The Tesla App locks you out and changes prices, times, etc. without owners having access to information for verification. When paying for services, there is no review or education regarding the vehicle, warranty, etc. December 2022, ten months after the refurbished battery was replaced, the battery failed again and Tesla wants to charge another $15,000 for repairs. Please find below the timelines:

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2013 TESLA MODEL S
    - ISSAQUAH, WA

    At random the Steering assist reduce, traction control disabled, stability, control, disable, regenerative breaking reduced. Wipers are affected during these error messages. The car is trying to get me killed!! On different days, all those errors are gone and the car drives normal. Suspect this is a software defect and can be very dangerous. Seems like something got reset after the car is turned off. All software are up to date on the car and on the phone app. Once no more errors from the car, it would drive normal until it randomly disable traction control, stability control and wipers becomes very slow, get stuck at times.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2013 TESLA MODEL S
    - Bristol, CT

    The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated he heard an abnormal noise and the parking brake failed to release. The contact stated that the parking brake fault warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he reset the parking brake system but continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle off the highway. The contact continued to reset the parking brake until the parking brake disengaged and he was able to drive to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the parking brake, the rotor, and the brakes to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V260000 (Parking Brake) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,300.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2013 TESLA MODEL S
    - Bellevue, WA

    1. 2nd row seat behind driver malfunction for years. (Mean can not insert) 2. On Dec. 5th, 2022, Drive off the Tesla model S off highway to local road and car just die. Tow to Tesla service station in Bellevue, WA. I was told drive unit was water damaged a day later. This drive unit was put in on June, 2018 to replace original drive unit, which broken in June, 2018 at 76k miles. 4.5 years later, and under 45k miles driving splashed water from road cause damage of drive unit. Unbelievable. If car died on the 520 bridge before I got off it really can be a serious car crash. This is really a safety issues.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2013 TESLA MODEL S
    - Sleepy Hollow, NY

    I bought a used, but well cared for, gently used and properly maintained, 2013 Model S P85 from an individual in CT on Oct 8, 2022 with 77937 miles on it. I had the car about a month and a half of normal use when it ran well with zero issues, which included driving all the way from NY to VT over Thanksgiving at highway speeds with no issue. When back in my own town and making just a few turns to get to work on local roads on 11/28/22, I found myself losing control of the steering column and going off the road at a very low speed. The only indication that something was wrong was the traction light that came on just before I couldn't steer anymore and luckily found my way off to a soft shoulder. The front right tire was tilted in significantly and the car required a tow, and then a whole series of expensive and extensive repairs effectively replacing all components of a failed suspension system, starting with a broken control arm on that front left side. The incident left me shaken. Even when I get my car back, assuming I can find a way to pay for this (currently $4K+), I am now not very confidant in the new but insufficient suspension parts, learning that so many other cases exist and there's a class action being filed against Tesla for insufficient strength of these parts to sustain the torque of the Teslas. This car wasn't subjected to any accident or abnormal use, it was only driven as intended. The damages however were extreme and sudden. I've included the current invoice from the dealer on the repairs, which grew daily as they investigated further, photos of the car tire and it being towed, and messages between myself and the Tesla service center. Thank you for your consideration.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE