Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Tesla Model S owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the parking brake seized while leaving a charging station, and the vehicle screeched into oncoming traffic and stalled. The parking brake warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle had not been charged prior to a snowstorm, and the battery became fully drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the main battery and 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced before the diagnostic test. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle failed to shift into drive or move. The jack mode was disengaged. While driving, the rear wheels were screeching. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB: SB-21-33-002). …
Explained to Tesla service center immediately upon purchasing vehicle while it was still under warranty that the vehicle range was unacceptable using TESLA's warranty guideline for requirements for a battery replacement while under warranty. TELSA refused to changed the battery even though I took the vehicle to TESLA several times while the Battery was still under warranty. A month after the warranty expired the motor died, it had been showing signs wear but TESLA failed to property inform me of the issue and charged me over $6000 for the repair due to my lack of knowledge on what the symptoms are for a failing motor. Shortly after the warning for "Charging - Maximum battery charge level reduced" has come on and TESLA is trying to charge me about $21,000 for a replacement battery.
I was just getting off the freeway, into a business area, and all of a sudden car stopped without any warning, with a quick "power reduced flash on the screen, unable to move at all. I was in the middle of busy area, blocking the street and cars parked on each side. The rear wheel drive locked, even in neutral position, and also tow mode. 4 people tried to push the car into a safe area without success. Had to wait for a tow truck to take the car to tesla facility. Was told there was an internal failure of the inverter and the unit its self, which would coast over 6k. Very scary and a stressful situation I suffered and it needs to be addressed of the danger.
The Tesla Large Drive Motor, has a known design flaw that Tesla will not repair... it has a coolant leak the affects and kills the motor... they have down a redesign for the performance motor called a coolant delete but not for the LDU... and they will charge over $6500 to replace the motor. I'm on my 6th LDU (motor) and now out warranty. There are thousands of cases of this failure .. it should be absorbed recall and free replacement ... they know it's a problem, please force a design change oand recall
Vehicle stops unexpectedly when driving. Put other drivers and myself at risk when vehicle suddenly stopped. The vehicle stopped on June 15 at approximately 6:57 pm EST. The vehicle stopped unexpectedly 4 times. After a period of time I was able to drive the vehicle a short distance. I was finally able to get the vehicle almost home. A few days later I was able to get the vehicle to the Tesla dealership for service. The vehicle has not been repaired yet.
Complete engine failure. Car became disabled and unable to move. Upon investigation, this was drive unit failure due to coolant leaking past the seal. A common issue of Tesla Model S and X with the large drive unit. I believe that this is a design flaw and should be a class action type situation. Can you help?
I am writing to express my serious concerns regarding two critical component failures in my 2013 Tesla Model S within the past 12 months, both of which occurred shortly after the manufacturer's warranty had expired. These issues have not only been financially burdensome but also raise questions about the reliability and longevity of Tesla vehicles. Motor Replacement: In Sept 2022, I was compelled to replace the motor in my Tesla Model S at a cost of $6,304.89. This occurred despite my vehicle maintaining a clean record and having only around 70k miles on it at the time. The timing of this failure, immediately after the expiration of the manufacturer's warranty, is concerning and suggests a potential design or manufacturing flaw. Battery Replacement: Most recently, I have been informed that the battery in my Tesla Model S requires replacement at an estimated cost of $15,545.97. …
I previously filed a complaint to NHTSA on 9/24/2013 with NHTSA id no. 10545230. I noticed similar issue was reported by 3 or 4 other Tesla owners: (1) 9/26/2013 NHTSA id no. 10545488, (2) 9/29/2014 NHTSA no. 10639849, (3) 9/29/2014 NHTSA no. 10639935, and (4) 6/8/2015 NHTSA id no. 10723925. There was another similar case in camarillo ca as reported by ventura county star on 3/29/2013 but apparently was not reported to NHTSA. There were so many similar incidences happened with only a limited number of 2013 and 2014 Tesla Model s on the road, something is not right with the Model s. Tesla cannot keep blaming the drivers being at fault.
Slowly pulling into a parking spot at a strip mall, I released my foot off of the gas, lightly tapped brake and the car "unintentionally accelerated" into a palm tree in front of a brick pillar at a strip mall. I backed out to assess the damage. Husband was witness in driver's seat. This is the 2nd time this happened to me, (last year at a grocery store parking lot) altho the first time no damage was done and no reports were filed. Poor decision in hindsight! Since no person was injured, the police dept would not take a report. Insurance was called as well as Tesla. Tesla took 6 days to pull logs and assured us it was being taken seriously and escalated to management. …
It was a 2hr45min drive into work on an icy blizzardy morning, driving my 2013 Model s RWD p85 with 90,000mi. Have owned this car for 4 yrs. Made it to work safely and the last 6 feet in the parking garage, going about 3 MPH pulling at a right angle into a parking stall. Had brake pedal depressed, shifted my foot to tap on the accelerator to inch forward and next thing you know, car is accelerating full throttle into a cement wall. Crashed head on and airbag didn't even deploy. Sat for a moment to catch my breath and try to process what happened. Sent "bug report" on to Tesla central from the car. The dashboard had prnd lit up in red and the vehicle would not go into drive or reverse. Accelerator pedal was completely limp. Zero resistance. Thankfully, no other car was around me. Called Tesla service and they told us to reboot the car. …
Engine complaints in other Model S years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2013 Tesla Model S?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2013 Tesla Model S, 5% of the model year's 461 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Tesla Model S engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2013 Tesla Model S, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Tesla Model S engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.