Shifterati

Tesla Model S · Original (2012–2016)

2013 Tesla Model S

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

  • Drive unit failure All years

    What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the drive unit has been replaced. Listen for noise from the motor while driving.

    Edmunds' early long-term car needed its drive unit replaced twice in about 17 months. Owners on Tesla Motors Club say motor replacements were common on early cars, and that most have had one by now.

    Sources 1,2

  • Door handles that do not extend All years

    What to check: Walk up to the car with the key and watch every handle come out. Ask whether the handles have been replaced.

    The handles were the top complaint in a 2014 Consumer Reports owner survey of 2012 to 2014 cars. Replacement handles helped, but owners say the problem was never fully solved.

    Sources 3,2,4

  • Touchscreen memory wear All years

    What to check: Confirm with Tesla that recall 21V035000 was done: the touchscreen's memory board replaced with a larger one.

    The touchscreen's 8 GB memory chip wears out. When it does, the screen goes blank and the rear camera, defrost settings and turn signals can stop working.

    Sources 5,2

  • Worn or replaced battery All years

    What to check: Get a battery health report showing how much capacity is left.

    Recurrent found battery replacements more common on 2013 to 2018 cars than later ones. InsideEVs counts capacity in the 90s per cent as excellent and in the 70s as near the point of repair; Tesla's warranty repairs a pack at 70 per cent.

    Sources 6,7

  • Worn suspension All years One source so far

    What to check: Look for a car sitting low at one corner, which on air suspension can be a leak.

    The car's weight wears suspension parts, and air suspension can leak.

    Sources 7

  • Air conditioning All years One source so far

    What to check: Make sure the air conditioning blows cold.

    It also helps keep the battery cool.

    Sources 7

  • Worn brake discs All years One source so far

    What to check: Brake firmly and feel for judder through the pedal.

    A buying guide calls worn discs a common problem.

    Sources 8

Recalls

  • 13V249000 2013

    The left rear seatback striker can be out of line, weakening its weld.9

  • 14V006000 2013

    The 14-50 charging adapter can overheat.9

  • 15V780000 2012–2015

    The front seat belts may not be fixed properly to the lap pretensioner.10,11

  • 18V031000 2013

    The front passenger airbag inflator can burst when it goes off.9

  • 18V204000 2012–2016

    Aluminium bolts on the power steering can corrode and break, reducing or ending the steering assist.10,12

  • 21V035000 2012–2018

    The touchscreen's memory chip wears out, losing the rear camera, defrost settings and turn signals. The memory board is replaced.10,13,5

  • 23V838000 2012–2023

    Autosteer's checks may not do enough to stop a driver misusing it. Fixed over the air.10,14

  • 24V051000 2012–2023

    The brake, parking brake and ABS warning lights are shown in letters too small. Fixed over the air.10,14

  • 24V153000 2013–2021

    A factory reset can silence the sound that warns pedestrians of the car. Fixed over the air.9,13

  • 24V376000 2012–2024

    The seat belt warning may not come on for an unbelted driver. Fixed over the air.10,15

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

Sources

  1. Charged EVs on early reliability
  2. Tesla Motors Club thread
  3. Green Car Reports on door handles
  4. Jalopnik on used reliability
  5. NHTSA recall report 21V035
  6. Kelley Blue Book on battery replacements
  7. InsideEVs used buyer's guide
  8. DrivingElectric used guide (UK)
  9. NHTSA recalls (2013 Model S)
  10. NHTSA recalls (2012 Model S)
  11. NHTSA recalls (2015 Model S)
  12. NHTSA recalls (2016 Model S)
  13. NHTSA recalls (2018 Model S)
  14. NHTSA recalls (2023 Model S)
  15. NHTSA recalls (2024 Model S)