Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 S.
The 2013 Tesla Model S is an all-electric luxury passenger car that marked Tesla's second model year of production for its flagship sedan. Owner-reported reliability data documents 459 total complaints filed for this model year, with the electrical system representing the predominant area of concern across 11 separate recall campaigns. This reliability profile positions the 2013 model year among the more problem-prone iterations in the Model S production history, a context that merits consideration when evaluating used vehicle examples from this production period.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 195.7 in |
| Overall width | 77.2 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.5 in |
| Curb weight | 4751 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 65.4 / 66.9 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 47/53 |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2013 Tesla S lead in one area — the electrical system, 100 of 459 reports (22%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 11 recall campaigns target the electrical system, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 41 of the reports describe a crash and 19 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the electrical system pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 459 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during… Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2018. Owners may…
Tesla, 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 used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the… Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2018. Owners may…
Showing 5 of 102 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB-25-16-003 | 2025-06-03 | Electrical System | On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the battery powered Pyrotechnic High Voltage… |
| 2024.26.9_s3xy.pdf | 2024-09-30 | Unknown Or Other | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s… |
| 2024.38_s3xy.pdf | 2024-09-30 | Unknown Or Other | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s… |
| fsd-12-5-3_s3xy.pdf | 2024-09-30 | Unknown Or Other | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s… |
| fsd-12-5-4_s3xy.pdf | 2024-09-30 | Unknown Or Other | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s… |
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NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.