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The 2013 Tesla Model S has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 459 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2013 Tesla Model S has 459 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 168 complaints, typically surfacing around 87,390 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Model S | 59 | 8 |
| 2013 Model S (this page) | 459 | 11 |
| 2014 Model S | 365 | 9 |
| 2015 Model S | 0 | 9 |
| 2016 Model S | 0 | 10 |
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Tesla Model S 5 HB RWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged critical on this model , showing up around 87,390 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 11 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
The screen abruptly shuts down and that is a safety hazard. Tesla has refused to fix this issue.
The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive and electrical power. A warning message stating that the vehicle was about to shut off was illuminated. The contact swerved to the right, attempting to…
Here is a Tesla in the junkyard. Https://m.iaai.com/vehicledetenc.aspx?auctionid=0&itemid=23837634&rowid=31&pagesource=vehicleresults the back rh wheel assembly has torn off and exited through the rear of the car tearing off the back bumper. The car has then had a major…
Allegedly: a Tesla owner awoke to the smell of burning electrical. She called 911. A fire fighter was injured responding to the garage fire. Fire investigators suspect that the origin of the fire was the wall socket or the Tesla universal mobile connector from the Tesla charging…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. RQ24009 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. DP23002 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.4 out of 10 based on 459 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Tesla Model S has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Tesla Model S is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 2 fatality reports and 12 fire-related complaints on the electrical system; Steering: 29 complaints, classified critical, failures cluster 20,000–100,000 mi; Reliability score 4.4/10 — below the segment average; 11 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 168 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 87,390 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 4.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 459 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 87,390 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 168 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 87,390 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 87,390 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 459 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.