2013 Tesla Model S: recalls and problems
11 recalls and 459 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system.
Most common problems
What owners report
The vehicle has suffered a catastrophic, intermittent low-voltage network crash caused by a failing body control module (bcm), resulting in multiple dangerous safety-critical failure modes. on a previous occasion, the vehicle woke up with severe network faults and automatically forced itself into neutral. when the driver stepped out to get the child and shut the door, the system crashed entirely and the exterior elec
This issue appears to be related to a known mcu failure affecting early tesla model s vehicles. the touchscreen exhibits screen melting/discoloration and eventually goes blank or becomes inoperative. when this occurs, critical functions including occupant detection indicators, seatbelt warnings, and windshield defrost controls may become unavailable. the loss of these functions creates potential safety risks involvin
This issue appears to be related to a known mcu failure affecting early tesla model s vehicles. the touchscreen exhibits screen melting/discoloration and eventually goes blank or becomes inoperative. when this occurs, critical functions including occupant detection indicators, seatbelt warnings, and windshield defrost controls may become unavailable. the loss of these functions creates potential safety risks involvin
While driving my 2013 tesla model s at normal road speed, the vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion without any warning. i had to coast and maneuver across traffic to avoid being hit before the car came to a stop. after shifting into park, the vehicle displayed di_w072 and di_f072 gate‑drive faults, which indicate inverter/drive‑unit failure and match a pattern reported by other early‑model‑year tesla owners. this sud
Crash-test ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Tesla Model S 5 HB RWD |
Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering Model S. Last refreshed 2026-09-29.