2013 Tesla Model S Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 3%of 461 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2013 Tesla Model S, 3% of the 461 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Mcu main computer failed, prevented me from using defrost couldn't see while driving almost caused an accident as my entire front window view got block. The mcu allows you to use the screen which lets you turn on defrost. Very dangerous situation. This also controls your headlights.”
NHTSA complaint #11361430, filed 2020-09, 55,841 miles“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“Mcu (center screen) failed in my 2013 Model S. I returned to the car after it was parked all day in an outdoor parking lot at work and it would not turn on. Rebooting, other troubleshooting did not remedy. …”
NHTSA complaint #11338854, filed 2020-07, 126,000 miles“The center media touchscreen (mcu) in my vehicle stopped functioning and several functions ceased working. Initially I received a touchscreen unresponsive message while driving so when I stopped at a stoplight I attempted to reboot the mcu using the steering wheel controls. The screen started the reboot process but everything that was on including HVAC and radio turned off for the remainder of my drive and were inoperable until after the screen was replaced. The touchscreen never turned back on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11330553, filed 2020-06, 98,200 miles“Was supercharging about 7 hours away from home, my screen turned off and would not reboot.. The dreaded mcu failure every Tesla owner fears, and every service center pretends does not exist. My car would not power off, as we were at the beach my A/C was on full blast. My car was now driveable with no key, and the doors would not lock whatsoever. Anyone with or without a key could just walk up touch the handle and get into my car. I had to stay close to superchargers as my A/C drained the battery heavily. …”
NHTSA complaint #11363100, filed 2020-10, 90,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10153419Jan 3, 2019On certain Model S vehicles, the liftgate has plugs that do not allow water to drain, causing condensation to build up inside the tail light assembly. Tail light functionality is…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 6 | 4% |
| 2021 | 6 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% |
| 2018 | 8 | 5% |
| 2017 | 28 | 7% |
| 2016 | 49 | 8% |
| 2015 | 46 | 7% |
| 2014 | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 | 15 | 3% |
| 2012 | 5 | 8% |
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 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 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