TESLA: 2013-2014 MODEL S: INFORMATION REGARDING REPLACING REAR DRIVE UNIT PRODUCED WITH INADEQUATE GREASE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A "CLUNK" SOUND WHEN USING THE ACCELERATOR WHILE DRIVING.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Tesla Model S cruise control problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
11crashes
1injury
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Tesla Model S we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 16.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners filing 2013 Model S complaints center on two distinct problems. The first is sudden unintended acceleration during low-speed or parking maneuvers—vehicle surges forward at full power despite brake application, often causing collisions. Multiple incidents occur at 2-10 mph while parking, turning into driveways, or entering garages. Tesla's investigation sometimes shows conflicting telemetry (one owner reports Tesla's own data indicated 100% pedal activation yet the vehicle claimed a maximum-protection safeguard prevents acceleration beyond 92%). Tesla has blamed operator error in some cases and refused further communication in others.
The second major complaint involves the aging MCU1 computer. Touchscreens go black for minutes to hours even while driving, startup time stretches to 90 seconds or more, and adhesive leaks from the display assembly. Owners cite this as a safety issue because loss of gauges and climate controls during motion creates distraction and loss of vehicle control. Tesla sells a $1500-2000 MCU2 upgrade rather than issuing a recall. Additional concerns include highway-speed anomalies (brake-sensor false activation disabling power at 60+ mph, unexplained cruise-control engagement at 100 mph requiring maximum brake force), and one battery failure causing abrupt power loss from 70 mph to 20 mph on a freeway.
Same Tesla Model S cruise control reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden unintended acceleration while parking or low-speed maneuvering
Vehicle accelerates rapidly to full power without driver input or despite brake pedal depression during parking, driveway entry, or low-speed turns. Incidents occur at speeds from stationary to 10 mph, often resulting in collisions with structures, vehicles, or property.
When: During parking maneuvers, driveway turns, garage entry; low-speed or stationary; several incidents around 2013-2015 timeframe
Symptoms owners cite: Car surges forward at full acceleration without accelerator input; Brakes fail to stop the vehicle or respond with delay; Sudden forward acceleration during brake application; Vehicle accelerates after brake release in low-speed situations; Pedal response delay followed by sudden full acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla investigated some incidents via event data recorder; company denied malfunction in several cases. No repairs provided in narratives; vehicles towed or deemed total loss. One narrative mentions freezer impact, another total loss declaration after wall collision.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla blamed operator error in multiple cases despite conflicting telemetry data. Refused further communication about some incidents. Engineering team involvement mentioned in at least one case without resolution.
Brake pedal switch malfunction triggering false brake light and limp mode
Brake pedal switch activates false brake signals at highway speeds when only accelerator is pressed, triggering 'both pedals pressed' alert that reduces power or shuts down engine. Creates hazardous driving conditions at speed.
When: At highway speeds (60+ mph)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights illuminate without brake application at 60+ mph; Engine power reduced or shut off at highway speed due to false dual-pedal detection; False 'both pedals pressed' warning while only accelerating; Abrupt engine shutdown during uphill driving after brake-light incident
Codes mentioned: Both pedals pressed alert
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reported needing to reverse-press (pull back) brake pedal at highway speed to clear alert. No repair outcome documented in narrative.
Cruise control stuck or unintended activation at highway speed
Vehicle maintains highway speed (100 mph) without cruise control activated. Owner reports cruise control felt stuck even though it was never turned on. Multiple warning lights illuminate including traction and anti-skid. Brakes require extreme force to slow vehicle.
When: May 2021 and again approximately two weeks later; both times at 100+ mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle maintains 100 mph speed when accelerator released; All warning lights illuminate simultaneously; Traction control disabled; Anti-skid system disabled; Brakes unresponsive until maximum force applied
Codes mentioned: Traction control off warning, Anti-skid off warning
Repairs/costs cited: Braking required extreme pressure to eventually slow vehicle. No repair completed; narrative states service center refused to discuss issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla Road Side Assistance observed same warnings. Mechanic at Jacksonville Service Center referred issue to engineering team on 6/10/21 with no follow-up communication provided to owner. Service center refused further discussion.
MCU1 hardware performance degradation: screen blackout, slow startup, display failures
Touchscreen display goes black intermittently for extended periods. Vehicle startup time extends to 30-90 seconds or up to 3 minutes. LCD display shows bubbles, lines, or discoloration in heat. Sticky adhesive leaks from display assembly. Hardware cannot run current software; Tesla sells MCU2 upgrade for $1500-2000.
When: Throughout 5+ year ownership for 2013 Model S; MCU1 used in 2012-early 2018 vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer display goes black intermittently; Screen remains black for 2-30 minutes, including while driving; Vehicle takes 30-90 seconds or up to 3 minutes to power up; LCD bubbles and lines appear when heated; Sticky adhesive leaks from passenger-side dash area; Loss of gauges while driving; Climate control becomes inaccessible; Music playback unreliable
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla offers MCU2 hardware upgrade at $1500-2000. No factory recall offered. Owners report this cost should not be required to maintain basic safety features.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla technician cited outdated MCU1 hardware as root cause and sells MCU2 upgrade ($1500-2000) as solution. No recall issued despite complaints spanning multiple model years.
Battery failure with abrupt power loss at highway speed
Vehicle abruptly slows from highway speed (70 mph) to 20 mph without driver input. Battery fails completely; vehicle becomes undrivable. Warning displayed before complete shutdown.
When: While driving freeway at 70 mph with 39 miles of remaining range
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt deceleration from 70 mph to 20 mph without input; Vehicle refuses to accelerate above 20 mph despite pedal input; Warning displayed on screen before shutdown; Vehicle turns off and cannot be restarted; Range display remains at 39 miles despite failure
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostics confirmed battery required replacement. Vehicle traded in; no repair performed by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla service stated battery died. No detailed explanation provided.
MCU failure causing blank screen during operation
Media control unit fails, displaying blank screen during driving. Incident occurred in parking lot and contributed to crash.
When: While vehicle in parking lot
Symptoms owners cite: Blank screen on MCU; Loss of vehicle controls display
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2013 Tesla Model S?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2013 Tesla Model S?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 9,021 and 58,000 miles, with the median around 30,100. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,021; a quarter make it past 58,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Tesla/Model S.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.