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Electrical systemPart report

2013 Tesla Model S Electrical system Problems

Complaints
195about this part
Share
42%of 461 total for the year
Median mileage
90,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 195 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Tesla Model S, 42% of the 461 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 14 a fire, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The main screen that controls everything has a massive issue. It controls all the functions in the car, like the rear back up camera, ability to control AC, etc. The screen is peeling from the inside, and many people have reported this on the Tesla forums. Tesla wants to charge me at least $2500 to fix the problem, and I know this is affecting many cars.”

NHTSA complaint #11355701, filed 2020-09, 41,000 miles

“Failure of emmc inside mcu (media control unit). Most of the car's controls are only accessible using the touch screen and without heat, turn-signals and ability to charge, the vehicle is barely driveable.since I was out of town and it was winter, I had to go to a local Tesla service center. Although emmc is replaceable, I was charged for a rebuilt mcu (~$1200).”

NHTSA complaint #11364216, filed 2020-10, 143,500 miles

“Screen occasionally goes black either when stationary or driving. At the moment I can 'reset' the car and get the instruments back, but research tells me that this will only get worse. This is a known problem (a memory chip fails through wear over time). When it does fail it is a safety issue as rear lights can fail and all indicators (including speed) disappear.”

NHTSA complaint #11340107, filed 2020-07, 69,000 miles

“Vehicle was stationary for a few days in my garage. When I turned it on, the touchscreen was black and Tesla has told me that the mcu units needs to be replaced. During my call with the technician, he explained that the new software that were sent caused some of the units to go bad. I think it's outrageous that they want me to pay $1,500 to fix something that was caused by an internal update.”

NHTSA complaint #11342114, filed 2020-07, 121,000 miles

“On or about june 24, 2019, my parked car's software was forcibly updated without my prior knowledge, without any prior notification and without my authorization. This forced software update reduced the nominal capacity of my battery by 16.02%. On june 23, 2019, my 100% state of charge (soc) would charge each cell in my battery pack to 4.2 volts, resulting in a rated range of 256 miles. …”

NHTSA complaint #11266874, filed 2019-10, 120,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024718%
202398%
20221712%
20212514%
202079%
2019511%
20183521%
201711427%
201614923%
201526640%
201413336%
201319542%
20123761%

Other parts of the 2013 Tesla Model S

Other 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 complaintsAir bags
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Tesla Model S

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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