2013 Tesla Model S: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
459 NHTSA owner complaints · 11 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The early Model S (2012–2015) carries complaints about the drive unit, the retractable door handles, the touchscreen's eMMC memory chip wearing out — the subject of a 2021 recall — and the suspension. Later years shift toward Autopilot and touchscreen complaints. Read the full note on the model page. 2013 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 459 complaints on record, verdict CAUTION.
Read the guide
Used Tesla Model S and Model 3: what the record says and what it cannot, including 2013 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 459 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 35.31
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
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…
Vehicle lights turned off while driving home with my family. Pulling over and turning off and on the car reset the problem. When lights turned off I received a warning light identifying a faulty right headlight and faulty left headlight. No accident and vehicle is currently outside manufacture warranty.
Recalls: 11 campaigns (8 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 18V031000 | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2013 Model S vehicles equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. |
| 23V838000 | Electrical System:Adas:Autonomous/Self Driving:Software | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. |
| 14V006000 | Equipment:Electrical | Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2013 Model S vehicles equipped for, and delivered with, certain NEMA 14-50 (240 volt) Universal Mobile Connector (UMC) adapters. |
| 13V249000 | Seats | Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2013 Model S electric vehicles manufactured May 10, 2013, through June 8, 2013. |
| 17V260000 | Parking Brake | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. |
| 15V780000 | Seat Belts:Front | Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Model S vehicles manufactured May 31, 2012, to November 12, 2015. |
| 24V153000 | Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. |
| 24V376000 | Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 94 MPGe · estimated annual energy cost $800 · EPA range 139 mi
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Electrical System195 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other122 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Suspension91 complaints · typical job: Struts, springs and control-arm bushings, one axle (4.0 h labour + parts)$780–$1,580
- Power Train35 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Steering29 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Vehicle Speed Control25 complaints · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$520–$1,150
Other Tesla Model S years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Tesla Model S?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Electrical System (195 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2013 Tesla Model S a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 58/100, computed from 459 NHTSA complaints and 11 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2013 Tesla Model S's most common problem?
195 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2013 Tesla Model S sit in the Electrical System group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $540–$1,310 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2013 Tesla Model S cost to run per year?
About $3,820 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $19,102 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2013 Tesla Model S have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for the 2013 Tesla Model S, 8 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 09/01/2018. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
What will a 2013 Tesla Model S really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 459 complaints, 11 recalls on record
- 459 NHTSA complaints on record (35.3/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (30.4/yr)
- 11 recall campaigns, 8 touching safety-critical systems