2013 Tesla Model S Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 4%of 461 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the body and structure of the 2013 Tesla Model S, 4% of the 461 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car went over a pothole on 101 s just short of woodside rd. Exit. I heard a loud thud and my car went out of control and veered into the lanes next to me as I tried to control it. After several attempts to stop it, it finally came to a stop. The rear, right tire burst and the wheel impacted badly. Rear suspension broken and the 'quarter and rocker panel' broken.”
NHTSA complaint #10945288, filed 2017-01, 23,000 miles“Driver's front side door handle failed to present and required repair. Repaired with latest generation handles. This is not the first time a handle has had issues on my car (it is the 3rd time a handle has been replaced). This is concerning as it is difficult to get into the vehicle. I was without a working handle for about 2 weeks before I could get it fixed. If an accident were to occur during this time - and someone was trying to open the door and unable to due to this defect - this could easily cause a delay in extraction and potentially a loss of life.”
NHTSA complaint #11413453, filed 2021-04, 84,000 miles“The doors open by themselves!! This can happen at a variety of times, but the most concerning to me is when I open the drivers door, right rear passenger door opens by itself. If I don't notice, I will be driving down the road w/ that door open, multiple times it has been literally swinging open as I go around a corner!!! My children ride in my car in the back and I am concerned that they will fall out of the car!! Note, this issue has affected many many many of the Tesla Model S owners, which you can see by referencing the different forums. …”
NHTSA complaint #11181936, filed 2019-02, 50,000 miles“On november 1, 2019, I was slowly braking and start turning right into my driveway on the 2013 Tesla Model S. I felt a surge of the vehicle and 1 second later, the vehicle landed on top of the staircase of my house entrance and driveway. I did not press on the accelerator at all when I slowly turning into the driveway.the vehicle sped on its own for only a split second. I called Tesla roadside assistance. The representative contacted me and direct me to a repair shop and he told me that he would have the vehicle's information to be sent to the engineers to find out what happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #11302076, filed 2020-01, 7 miles“11 days ago, the doors and windows stopped working on my Tesla Model S. The car was parked, and when I clicked on the open button to cause the door handles to extend, I discovered that the driver-side handle no longer opened. In fact, 3 of the 4 doors no longer opened. In addition, after crawling in through the passenger side door, I discovered that the windows no longer opened either. In addition to being a nuisance, this is a serious safety issue for several reasons. First, if the car is in an accident, emergency first responders will not be able to open the door. …”
NHTSA complaint #11253727, filed 2019-09, 21,000 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…
- 10110743Mar 29, 2017Three metal plates are installed on the front subframe to deflect road debris and protect the underbody from possible damage.
- 10110744Mar 27, 2017It is possible to accidentally break off the aeroshield support tab from the HV Battery. If the tab breaks, the mid aeroshield is not fully supported, reducing the aerodynamic…
- 10110755Oct 4, 2016Instructions for installing the carbon fiber spoiler.
- 10057516Jan 8, 2015Tesla motors: 2012-2014 s models; bulletin instructions and repair guidelines for draft entering cabin from a-pillar.
- 10056286May 23, 2014Tesla: information and instructions regarding replacement of rear doors, on some vehicles, that may be compatible but fail to have same mounting points for electrical harness…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 8 | 6% |
| 2021 | 9 | 5% |
| 2020 | 5 | 6% |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% |
| 2018 | 10 | 6% |
| 2017 | 14 | 3% |
| 2016 | 30 | 5% |
| 2015 | 30 | 4% |
| 2014 | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 | 19 | 4% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
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 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