The Lemon Index
20122014Complaints only. Tesla doesn't report U.S. sales by model, and no estimate covers this model year on its own, so there's no per-car score. Owners filed 68 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
68 owner complaints, first 3 years 89–95 MPGe combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Lexus ES 262013 BMW 5 Series 302013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 24
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2013 Tesla Model S
- Infotainment screen / radio59 complaintsmostly at 64,000–110,000 miles (103,000–178,000 km)
- Backup camera49 complaintsmostly at 67,000–115,000 miles (108,000–185,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm26 complaintsmostly at 40,000–80,000 miles (64,000–129,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 461 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Tesla Model S (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 42,000 miles (8,000–68,000 km) (the middle half of the 47 complaints, of all 68 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 24V376000 (seat belts), 24V153000 (automatic emergency braking) and 24V051000 (electrical) done? It has 11 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Tesla's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 68 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 42K miles (8K to 68K km) on the car (47 of all 68 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Left rear suspension integral link completely broke and the attached piece lodged in the inside of the tire rim causing major damage to the tire rim.
2013 Tesla Model S owner · NHTSA complaint 10714213
More owner reports
My front wheel hub assembly came loose from the upper control arm causing a lose of steering.
NHTSA complaint 10862066
Recalls 11
- Seat belts · recall issued 2024
In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended.
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued 2024
A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
- Electrical · recall issued 2024
An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.
Show all 11 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2023
In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2021
When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center dis…
- Steering · recall issued 2018
The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling…
- Parking brake · recall issued 2017
The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with driver or front passenger seat belts that may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.
- Equipment · recall issued 2014
During charging, the adapter, cord, or wall outlet could overheat.
- Seats · recall issued 2013
An improper method for aligning the left hand seat back striker to the bracket may have weakened the weld between the bracket and the frame of the vehicle.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model S 5 HB RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $800–$850 (USD) a year in electricity (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year).
Every Tesla Model S year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Tesla Model S reliable?
We can't score it: Tesla doesn't report U.S. sales by model, and no estimate covers this model year on its own, so there is no per-car rate. Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2013 Tesla Model S problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (40%), electrical (29%) and steering (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Tesla Model S have?
11 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2013 Tesla Model S safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Tesla Model S problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 42,000 miles (8,000–68,000 km) (the middle half of the 47 complaints, of all 68 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2013 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2013 Tesla Model S have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 Tesla Model S cost in fuel a year?
About $800 to $850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Tesla Model S year is better than the 2013?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2022 drew the fewest (about 3 times the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works