What 459 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Tesla Model S 75d

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). The vehicle was towed to another local dealer, Tesla Service Arlington-Glebe Rd (2710 S Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22206). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The battery was at 19 percent. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 11720889

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?

NHTSA ODI 11670366

Without warning, vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating while driving on freeway. Driver had to manouver to avoid a potentially fatal situation. Manufacturer's service center noted this malfunction was due to a failed Drive Unit (electric motor.) Only during incident was there any warning to driver - dashboard indicated "PRND" in red. No prior symptoms at any point were noted by driver in advance. This specific Drive Unit was a replacement unit that lasted only around 40,000 miles (stated by vendor records - installed at approx. 131,000 miles three years ago.) Drive Units on these vehicles can fail at similar mileage due to a known manufacturing defect. This vehicle and early model S vehicles are impacted. This defect is due to a flawed design of a rubber seal that causes coolant fluid to leak into the Drive Unit and results in sudden catastrophic failure. Manufacturer has been aware of failing Drive Units for years. Manufacturer does not notify drivers about this potentially deadly design flaw. Drivers are unaware about this issue so vehicles can be checked for proactive maintenance. Also, vehicle does not show any advance indication of sudden lack of acceleration. This major safety issue has been noted by other drivers in online forums: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] / [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11604175

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

NHTSA ODI 11583224

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. Like the motor failure, this comes as a substantial financial burden, and again, it has happened just after the warranty period has ended. I find these consecutive, high-cost component failures within a short timeframe to be unacceptable and have led me to question the overall reliability of Tesla vehicles. As a responsible and safety-conscious consumer, I believe it is vital to report these issues to the NHTSA to ensure the safety and protection of all Tesla owners and the general public. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigates these repeated component failures in Tesla vehicles, particularly the motor and battery, and assesses whether there may be any systemic issues that warrant further action or recalls. It is crucial for the NHTSA to uphold and enforce safety standards in the automotive industry to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. I have attached relevant documents and receipts as evidence of the mentioned repairs for your reference. - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11548100

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.

NHTSA ODI 11511655

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.

NHTSA ODI 11472124

2013 TESLA MODEL S. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO FAILURE DRIVE TRAIN SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVE FAILED TWICE AND WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE 2ND FAILURE WS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR COST.

NHTSA ODI 11471818

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.

NHTSA ODI 11459298

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MEDIA CONTROL UNIT FAILED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACHIEVE THE ESTIMATED 210 MILES PER CHARGE INSTEAD ONLY ACHIEVING 120 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TESLA (4361 GRANITE DRIVE, ROCKLIN, CA 95677, 916-652-7740), WHERE THE MEDIA CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN REPLACING THE BATTERY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. INVALID VIN. *LN*DT*AS

NHTSA ODI 11339071

THE EMMC IS FAILING AND CAUSING THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS TO ACT ODD. I'VE REPORTED IT FOR THE FAILING MAIN SCREEN AND IT TURNING OFF FOR OVER 36 HOURS BUT YESTERDAY THE SPEEDOMETER SCREEN WENT BLANK AND WOULDN'T COME ON FOR A AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE CAR WOULDN'T START AT FIRST, AND WHEN IT DID, THERE WAS NO SPEEDOMETER (!), NO ODOMETER, NO BATTERY LEVEL READ OUT, NO GEAR INDICATOR, NO HEADLIGHTS, NOR ANY OTHER FUNCTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT FAILED. IT FLASHED ON FOR A SECOND, WHICH ALLOWED LIGHTS TO COME ON AND GO IN DRIVE, BUT IT IMMEDIATELY TURNED BACK OFF LEAVING THE CAR WITHOUT ANY SPEEDOMETER OR OTHER ITEMS LISTED ABOVE. THIS WAS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD.

NHTSA ODI 11338747

2013 MODEL S 40. MCU FAILED DUE TO MEMORY CARD FAILURE IN DECEMBER 2018. CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE. HAD TO BE TOWED. CAR LOWERED WINDOWS BY ITSELF AND COULD NOT BE CLOSED. DRAINED BATTERY. CAR COULD NOT BE OPENED. CHARGED $2100 TO REPLACE MCU OUT OF WARRANTY. MCU ALSO FAILED ON MY 2015 MODEL S 70D [XXX] IN 2019. REPLACED EMMC CHIP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331542

RE: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP19005 - INVESTIGATION SUBJECT : BATTERY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE UPDATES

NHTSA ODI 11288358

I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF RANGE WITH 2019.16 SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT TESLA RELEASE. I NO LONGER HAVE THE RANGE OR CHARGING SPEED BEFORE THE UPDATE. THIS WAS A PURPOSEFUL ACTION FROM TESLA DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR THE BATTERIES CATCHING FIRE. TESLA TOOK ACTION TO DOWNGRADE HORSEPOWER AND RANGE ALONG WITH ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF PERFORMANCE THROUGH A TOTAL VOLTAGE CAP. THIS IN EFFECT HAS DEVALUED THE RESELL VALUE OF MY CAR BY REMOVING FUNCTIONS, RANGE AND CHARGING SPEED. THIS CHANGE HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI 11267406

ON 9/5/19 MY MCU (MEDIA CONTROL UNIT) (THE MAIN COMPUTER IN MY CAR) DIED. AS A RESULT, I WAS UNABLE TO: 1. MANUALLY POWER OFF THE VEHICLE AND PLACE IN TOW MODE 2. TURN ON PARKING LIGHTS, TURN ON/OFF HEADLIGHTS 3. TRIGGER ON/OFF CHILD PROTECTION LOCKS ADDITIONALLY, 1. ALL HEATING, COOLING, DEFROST, AND DEFOGGING WAS DISABLED I'VE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MODEL S/X CARS ON MULTIPLE FORUMS INCLUDING HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/ & HTTPS://FORUMS.TESLA.COM. I BELIEVE THE REASON IS SHOWN HERE HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=O-7B1WAOJ9Q. START AT 8:40. THIS IS QUITE WORRISOME, AS IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS FAILURE WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN A FEW YEARS. IT WAS A HOT DAY AND NOT ONLY WAS IT UNBEARABLY INSIDE MY CAR, HOWEVER, MORE IMPORTANTLY, MANY OF THE KEY SAFETY FUNCTIONS (SEE ABOVE) WERE ALSO DISABLED DUE TO THIS FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11257209

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. WE DID, BUT ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINED COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. HAD TO PUSH OUT OF THE 5 STORY GARAGE AND TOW IT TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP. FILED POLICE REPORT. REPORTED TO LOCAL TESLA SERVICE CENTER IMMEDIATELY. A FEW DAYS LATER, WE HEARD BACK FROM THE TESLA REP THAT SAID THAT REPORT SHOWED NO MALFUNCTION. ACCORDING TO TESLA ACCELERATOR WENT FROM 0% TO 88% SUDDENLY, IMPLYING "DRIVER ERROR." YET THEY ALSO SAID THE BRAKE WAS TAPPED AND THEN RELEASED PRIOR TO IMPACT. THIS DOES NOT JIVE, WHY WE A PERSON ACCELERATE, TAP THE BRAKE THEN RELEASE? SKID MARKS FROM REAR TIRES LEFT ON GARAGE FLOOR. TESLA WON'T RELEASE DATA. WE DO NOT WANT TO ACCEPT THIS REPORT AND THIS IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE CRASH. TODAY THE AUTO BODY SHOP INFORMED US THAT THEY WERE CURIOUS WHY THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE. AFTER BEING RESET, THEY DISCOVERED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS BROKEN. EXPERIENCE DURING THE CRASH, COMBINED WITH VERY UNUSUAL CAR BEHAVIOR, AND A BROKEN ACCELERATOR REFUTE TESLA'S CLAIM OF OPERATOR ERROR.

NHTSA ODI 11180431

I WAS DRIVING MY TESLA MODEL S EARLY IN THE MORNING IN A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN WAS SLOWLY APPROACHING TO FOUR-WAY STOP SIGN INTERSECTION BY GRADUALLY STEP ON THE BRAKE. AT THE VERY BEGINNING, I CAN FEEL THE CAR DECELERATED, SUDDENLY THERE WAS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION THAT I FELT. THERE WAS A JERKING FORWARD OF THE CAR, SO I WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE A FULL STOP AT THE STOP SIGN. THEN THE SPEED DROPS DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY, ALMOST TO ZERO. I PRESSED THE FLASHING LIGHT BECAUSE THERE WAS A LINE OF CARS BEHIND ME AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS IN ALMOST ZERO SPEED, SO I TRIED TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATION PEDAL A LITTLE. THE CAR DIDN'T ACCELERATE, INSTEAD, IT TURNED INTO A STOP SITUATION. I REALIZED I LOST DRIVING POWER OF THIS CAR. I PRESSED THE "P" BUTTON, THEN ALL FOUR MODE LETTERS "P", "N", "R", "D" TURNED RED, BLICKING. THE CAR STOPPED CLOSE TO THE CURB BUT PARTIALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND CALLED TESLA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THEY CHECKED SOME LOG AND RESPONDED WITH TOWING SERVICE TO SEND THE CAR TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THE OVERALL SITUATION COULD HAVE TURNED VERY SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE IF EVER THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, OR THERE WAS HUMAN BEING WALKING ACROSS THE STREET WHILE I WAS NOT ABLE TO FULLY STOP THE CAR, NEITHER CONTROL IT. I AM WAITING FOR OFFICIAL SERVICE REPORT BUT THE CAR IS CONFIRMED NOT IN DRIVABLE CONDITION. AND I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT NOW AND EVEN NOT COMFORTABLE TO DRIVE IT AFTER WHAT JUST HAPPENED THIS MORNING. THE ENTIRE DRIVE UNIT WAS MAINTAINED AND CHANGED TO A NEW ONE IN 2015, SO ITS LIFE ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS IN THIS CAR. PLUS, I JUST HAD THE CAR SERVICE AT THE TESLA SERVICE CENTER MONTH AGO. IT IS WORRISOME THEY CAN'T EVEN PREVENT SUCH ISSUE AND DETECT IT IN AN EARLY STAGE, PERHAPS A DESIGN ISSUE TO ADDRESS?

NHTSA ODI 11156706

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. WE RECEIVED A CALL YESTERDAY FROM TOSHA AT TESLA, RELAYING THAT THEY DETERMINED THAT T WAS DRIVER ERROR AND LOG REPORTS SHOW THAT AS THE CAR WAS PULLING INTO THE SPOT, IT WAS ON A 3 ON A SCALE OF 100 AND THEN IT ACCELERATED 87% AND THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. DOES NOT MAKE LOGICAL SENSE THAT THE CAR COULD ACCELERATE 87% IN A MATTER OF 2 FEET! I AM 150% SURE I DID NOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR. I AM 47, NOT A 90 YR OLD WOMAN WHO MAY HAVE PEDAL CONFUSION. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED WITH ANY OF OUR OTHER NON-TESLA CARS NOR IN MY 40+ YEARS OF DRIVING CARS OR MOTORCYCLES. THEIR RESPONSE IS SUSPECT AND WE ARE QUITE FRANKLY FEARFUL TO DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY. THIS STIP MALL HAS LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT WALK BY, ESP ELDERLY AND THE FACT THAT NO ONE OR THE PILLAR WAS HIT IS A BLESSING. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WILL BE ASKING TESLA FOR A WRITTEN REPORT OF THEIR FINDINGS BUT NOT CONFIDENT IT WILL BE PROVIDED. WE PLAN TO SEEK COUNSEL AS WELL ESP SINCE THIS IS CONSIDERED AN "AT FAULT ACCIDENT".

NHTSA ODI 10839579

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.

NHTSA ODI 10725634

NEEDED TO REPLACE DRIVE MOTOR, 85KW BATTERY IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS AND CURRENTLY HAVE FAULTY ONBOARD CHARGER AND NOT ABLE TO CHARGE. THESE FREQUENT CHARGING PROBLEMS HAVE REALLY ANNOYED ME. TESLA SERVICE HAS BEEN REALLY NICE AND RESPONSIVE, HOWEVER, I DECIDED TO REPORT THESE BECAUSE THE ISSUES ARE BEYOND WHAT'S EXPECTED FROM A NEW CAR, LET ALONE A TESLA. THIS IS LESS THAN RELIABLE FOR A 1+ YR OLD CAR. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE EXTENSION OF TESLA DRIVE TRAIN AND BATTERY WARRANTY (UNLIMITED MILES) THESE WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10649480

I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY MODEL S ON MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A FAST DRIVE AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. IT WAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE SMELL MADE ME DIZZY ALONG WITH MY FAMILY MEMBERS TO A POINT WHERE WE HAD TO STOP AND GET OUT OF THE CAR FOR AIR AND WALK IT OFF. WHY HASN'T THE GOVERNMENT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE TESLA MODEL S. I CALLED TESLA, I WAS TOLD, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT, THE SMELL WILL EVENTUALLY GO AWAY. THIS IS B.S. I PAID OVER $100,000 FOR A CAR THAT I CANNOT DRIVE FOR 2 TO 3 WEEKS BECAUSE OF A BURNING SMELL THAT MAKES EVERYONE IN MY CAR DIZZY AND ALL TESLA DOES IS SAY, OPEN YOUR WINDOWS? GO CHECK THE TESLA FORUM, EVERYONE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SMELL BUT TESLA WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. HTTP://WWW-ORIGIN.TESLAMOTORS.COM/DE_AT/FORUM/FORUMS/BURN-SMELL-NEW-TESLA-S-WHEN-HEAT I WILL NOT GIVE MY REAL CONTACT INFORMATION BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF TESLA AND THE CEO COMING AFTER ME FOR REPORTING THE COMPANY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND UNHEALTHY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10523183