2013 Tesla Model S Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 461 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Tesla Model S, 2% of the 461 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The media control unit (mcu) in my 2013 Tesla Model S stopped working when I rebooted the car while stationary (commonly needed to restore lost functionality), apparently due to a failure of the embedded multi-media card (emmc) memory. …”
NHTSA complaint #11363170, filed 2020-10, 69,000 miles“My Tesla has had multiple issues related to the airbag system. The first issue was that a seatbelt sensor tied into the airbag system failed due to a pinched wire in the seatbelt mechanism, causing the srs/airbag warning light to stay on. To fix this, Tesla replaced the seatbelt latching mechanism and charged me for the replacement. Shortly after, the warning light came back on. This time, a seat sensor tied into the system failed. Tesla has told me that to fix this, the driver's seat must be replaced, and that I must pay for it, a $2500 bill. …”
NHTSA complaint #11030061, filed 2017-09, 110,000 miles“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 involving visibility, occupant protection, and driver awareness while operating the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11744090, filed 2026-06“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 involving visibility, occupant protection, and driver awareness while operating the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11744091, filed 2026-06“A stolen Tesla crashed in west hollywood, killing the driver. Photos seem to suggest that the driver side air bag may not have deployed. Allegedly light poles split the car in half. The light poles seem to be the breakaway type. Suggesting there may be a structural weakness that allowed the Tesla to break in half, fracturing the battery, catching pieces of battery on fire, and exploding battery cells, sending flaming shrapnel through the neighborhood.”
NHTSA complaint #10609716, filed 2014-07Related recalls
- 18V031000Jan 9, 2018Tesla, 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…Covers: Tesla Model S 2013
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 4 | 3% |
| 2021 | 5 | 3% |
| 2020 | 2 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% |
| 2018 | 4 | 2% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 14 | 2% |
| 2015 | 22 | 3% |
| 2014 | 13 | 4% |
| 2013 | 8 | 2% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2013 Tesla Model S
195 complaintsOther or unknown
122 complaintsSuspension
92 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsSteering
29 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Tesla Model S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology