Home · 2013 Tesla Model S Bev · Complaints

What 459 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Tesla Model S Bev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (459)Crash / fire / injury (57)Electrical system (195)Suspension (91)Transmission & drivetrain (35)Steering (29)Speed control (25)Fuel system (24)Visibility & wipers (22)Brakes (21)Engine (21)Body & structure (19)

Newest first · 459 complaints · page 15 of 19

Apr 29, 2018Suspension

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/29160998/PHOTOS IT HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND IT IS HIGHLY PROBABLE THAT THE OCCUPANTS HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE LH BACK WHEEL HAS GONE EXTREMELY WHOMPY . THE SUSPENSION IS QUITE OBVIOUSLY BROKEN TO CAUSE THE WHEEL TO BE SKEWED OVER AT SUCH AN ANGLE. IT IS A PROVEN FACT THAT THE TESLA WHEELS ARE QUITE FRAGILE. IT CAN BE SEEN IN THE OFFICIAL CRASH TEST VIDEOS THAT THE ALLOY WHEELS BREAK APART WHICH IS SUPPOSEDLY BECAUSE THEY SHOULD BREAK APART RATHER THAN BREACHING THE PASSENGER SAFETY CELL. SINCE THESE WHEELS ARE FRAGILE IT IS MOST UNLIKELY THAT THE SUSPENSION BROKE BECAUSE OF A HARD IMPACT TO THE WHEEL IN THE CRASH EVENT. IT IS FAR MORE LIKELY THAT THE SUSPENSION BREAKAGE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT RATHER THAN JUST THE RESULT OF THE CRASH IMPACT. I BELIEVE THAT TESLA IS BEING GIVEN FAR TOO MUCH BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT AND THAT THESE ALL TO FREQUENT CRASHES ARE OFTEN BEING CAUSED BY MECHANICAL FAILURE OF ABSURDLY FRAGILE ALLOY SUSPENSION PARTS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN. DATE OF CRASH IS AN APPROXIMATION.

NHTSA ODI 11090844

Apr 9, 2018Steering

MY STEERING FAILED AT 27000 MILES AND 5 YEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE WEEK BEFORE TESLA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE SERVICE CENTER SAYS THAT THE RECALL COVERS REPLACING THE BOLTS THAT FAIL AND NOT THE BROKEN STEERING RACK THAT OCCURS BECAUSE OF THE FAILED BOLTS, SO THEY THINK THAT I SHOULD PAY ~$3000 TO REPAIR A KNOWN DEFECT AND OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI 11084066

Mar 31, 2018Suspension

HERE IS YET ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/28761918/PHOTOS THE BACK WHEEL IS WHOMPY. HOW MANY MORE EXAMPLES DO YOU NEED BEFORE YOU AGREE WITH ME THAT THESE CARS ARE TOO DANGEROUS TO BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN ON THE ROADS? PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. THANK YOU. ENDANGERED CITIZEN.

NHTSA ODI 11082320

Mar 30, 2018Speed controlBrakesCrash

SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION TESLA. I DROVE MY TESLA FROM WORK, DRIVING OVER 35MILES DURING RUSH HOUR OF THE BAY AREA. WHEN I ENTERED MY SUBDIVISION, I WAS DRIVING AT 10 MPH, PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY MADE 90 DEGREES TURN AT 5 MPH, APPLIED THE BRAKES. INSTEAD OF STOPPING, CAR SPED UP AT EXTREMELY HIGH ACCELERATION. IT DROVE THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR, HIT MASERATI PARKED IN THE GARAGE, AND A MOTORCYCLE PARKED NEXT TO IT. THE MASERATI TRUNK WAS PUSHED IN APPROX 3 FEET, IT SLID SIDEWAYS, HIT THE PILLAR, SMASHING DRIVER DOOR AND WINDOW, SLID TO THE FRONT AND HIT THE MOTORBIKE PARKED NEXT TO IT. IT COMPLETELY SMASHED THE REAR TRUCK, FRONT AND SIDE OF THE MASERATI. IT SMASHED THE FRONT END OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THERE WERE FLUIDS FRONT TESLA, MASERATI, AND BIKE ALL OVER THE GARAGE. THE BATTERY IN MASERATI EXPLODED LEAKING ACID ALL OVER THE GARAGE. WE THOUGHT THE FUEL TANK IN MASERATI BROKE. WE HAD TO CALL 911, DOZENS OF PERSONNEL SHOWED UP INCLUDING SEVERAL FIRE TRUCKS, POLICE CARS, AMBULANCE, HAZMAT AMONG OTHERS. THEY SPEND OVER THREE HOURS CONTROLLING THE SITUATION. THEY HAD TO CUT THE GARAGE DOOR TO PULL OUT THE MASERATI AND TESLA. IT WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE FACILITY NEARBY. MASERATI WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. I WAS COMPLETELY SHAKEN AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP AT ALL FOR LAST THREE DAYS. WHAT IF MY KIDS HAD BEEN PLAYING IN THE DRIVEWAY OR IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THIS IS NOT A RANDOM INSTANCE. THERE ARE DOZENS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS WHEREIN, WHEN A DRIVER MAKES A SHARP TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY OR GARAGE AND APPLIES THE BRAKE, RATHER THAN SLOWING DOWN CAR JUST DECIDES TO SPEED UP LIKE A BULLET AND GOES THROUGH THE WALLS OR WHATEVER COMES ITS WAY. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING FOR FORESEEABLE FUTURE, I AM NOT GOING TO PUT MY STEP IN ANOTHER TESLA FOR MY SAFETY AND SAFETY OF OTHERS. STAY AWAY FROM THIS UNPROVEN TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR/OTHERS

NHTSA ODI 11082114

Mar 28, 2018Suspension

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/48517337 THE BACK WHEEL HAS FALLEN OFF FOR NO GOOD REASON. TESLA USES CAST ALUMINUM FOR THE SUSPENSION PARTS. THESE PARTS HAVE VERY LITTLE MARGIN OF SAFETY EVEN WHEN BRAND NEW. AFTER A FEW YEARS AND WITH THE EFFECTS OF FATIGUE AND CORROSION THESE PARTS BECOME EVEN MORE FRAGILE. OWNERS ARE UNDER THE MISTAKEN BELIEF THAT THESE CARS ARE VERY SAFE AND REQUIRE VERY LITTLE MAINTENANCE. AS THE FLEET OF TESLAS AGES THE RISK OF FAILURE BECOMES EVEN GREATER THAN IT IS ALREADY. MANY COUNTRIES IN WHICH THE TESLA IS SOLD DO NOT REQUIRE SAFETY INSPECTIONS FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS. SOME COUNTRIES REQUIRE NO ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTIONS AT ALL. THIS IS A TICKING TIME BOMB. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE MORE LIVES ARE LOST. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN.

NHTSA ODI 11081748

Mar 26, 2018Speed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11081382

Mar 16, 2018Suspension

TESLA.... JUNKYARD... HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/27986168 THE USUAL - SUSPENSION FELL TO BITS, WHEEL FELL OFF. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IF YOU CAN SPARE THE TIME. THANK YOU. ANNOYING CITIZEN.

NHTSA ODI 11079846

Feb 18, 2018

TORKLIFT CENTRAL SELLS AN "ECOHITCH" FOR THE TESLA MODEL S. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY FAILED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE ALUMINUM BODY--AND THEIR HITCH IS MADE OF STEEL. GALVANIC CORROSION IS POWERFUL AND DESTROYS THE STRENGTH OF THE BODY. THE POST BELOW SHOWS THE DAMAGE DONE BY AN ECOHITCH IN UNDER 3 YEARS: HTTPS://FORUMS.TESLARATI.COM/THREADS/TESLA-MODEL-S-HITCH-BY-TORKLIFT-3-YEAR-UPDATE-EATEN-ALIVE.5227/#POST-11321 TORKLIFT CENTRAL'S LATER REPLY, DATED DEC 19, 2017, IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, CLAIM THAT OTHER TESLAS HAVE CORROSION PROBLEMS, AND THAT THIS IS, BASICALLY, NOT A BIG DEAL. WORSE, THEY ALSO WROTE THIS: "THIS WEEK WE WILL HAVE A SIMPLE KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSULATION PADS - SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU HAVE INSTALLED ON YOUR TESLA MODEL S. WE ARE GOING TO INCLUDE THIS KIT IN ALL TESLA KITS MOVING FORWARD, AS WELL AS CONTACT CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED." NOTE THE KEY WORDS, "MOVING FORWARD" AND "RECENTLY." THIS IS A GROSS VIOLATION OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO INITIATE A FULL RECALL OF EVERY UNIT THEY HAVE SHIPPED, IN ADDITION TO ENSURING AN INSPECTION OF EVERY TESLA BODY TO WHICH THEIR ECOHITCH WAS ATTACHED. I REQUEST THAT YOUR ODI IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE FIRM AND ADVISE THEM OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER FMVSS (AND OTHER REGULATIONS/LAWS) TO BOTH RECALL THE PRODUCT, AND SECURE THE INSPECTIONS ASAP. TESLA AND COLLISION REPAIR ASSOCIATIONS SHOULD ALSO BE INFORMED AS THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE IN A POSITION TO BOTH REGULARLY SEE AND INSPECT AFFECTED CARS IN A FAR MORE EXPEDIENT MANNER THAN THE MANUFACTURER OF THE ECOHITCH. IN CLOSING, SOMEONE WAS RECOMMENDING A SIMILAR HITCH FOR A MODEL X. MY INPUT IS TOO LENGTHY TO POST HERE, BUT SINCE MANY TESLAS HAVE A 3RD ROW SEATING FOR CHILDREN, THIS IS A LIFE CRITICAL RECALL. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/TOW-PACKAGE-PSYCH.108885/ THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11073451

Jan 26, 2018Speed controlCrash

DRIVER STOPPED CAR WHILE PULLING INTO GARAGE WITH REAR WHEELS ON DRIVEWAY SLOPING DOWN AND AWAY FROM GARAGE AND FRONT WHEELS JUST INSIDE GARAGE. VEHICLE CREEP MODE IN OFF POSITION. CAR AT REST. BRAKE RELEASED, AND VEHICLE BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARD DUE TO GRAVITY. ACCELERATOR APPLIED, AND NO INITIAL RESPONSE, CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE BACKWARD ROLL SPEED, SO PEDAL DEPRESSED FURTHER (TESLA VEHICLE LOGS SHOW 25-50% PEDAL TRAVEL AT THIS POINT), AT WHICH TIME DRIVE UNIT QUICKLY ENGAGED AT 25-50% OF FULL ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A SUDDEN UNINTENTIONAL FORWARD ACCELERATION. DRIVER CAUGHT BY SURPRISE AND ATTEMPTED BRAKING. UNFORTUNATELY, VEHICLE IMPACTED FREEZER UNIT IN GARAGE DESTROYING THE FREEZER AND CAUSING SIGNIFICANT VEHICLE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. THIS SET OF OPERATING PARAMETERS WAS REPRODUCIBLE AND RELIABLY RESULTED IN A SHORT, BUT NOTABLE, DELAY IN PEDAL RESPONSE WHEN ROLLING BACKWARD, RESULTING IN FURTHER PEDAL DEPRESSION, THEN FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN ACCELERATION FORWARD, WHICH WAS SHORT, BUT, WITH THE POTENTIAL TO BE SIGNIFICANT WHEN COLLISION HAZARDS EXIST NEARBY. THE VEHICLE OPERATING MANUAL CONTAINS NO WARNING REGARDING THIS SITUATION. TESLA WAS MADE AWARE AND WOULD ONLY COMMENT THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MALFUNCTION. WHILE THAT MAY BE THE CASE, THE VEHICLE DESIGN SETS UP DRIVERS FOR ACCIDENTS THAT MIGHT RESULT IN INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE WHEN DRIVERS ARE NOT WARNED OF THE VEHICLE'S RESPONSE IN THIS UNIQUE OPERATING CIRCUMSTANCE. AT THE VERY LEAST, IT SEEMS, TESLA SHOULD INCLUDE A WARNING TO DRIVERS ABOUT THIS SITUATION SO THAT DRIVERS MIGHT BE READY FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS IN SUCH INSTANCES, OR DRIVERS MIGHT SIMPLY SELECT CREEP MODE ON IN SUCH SITUATIONS, WHICH WOULD PREVENT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI 11065308

Dec 12, 2017Suspension

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=26868872&ROWNUMBER=18&LOADRECENT=TRUE THE FRONT AND BACK WHEELS ON THE LH SIDE HAVE SIMPLY FALLEN OFF AND THE SUSPENSION PARTS HAVE SNAPPED. THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED ON ALL SIDES OF THE CAR PROBABLY DUE TO AN AIR LEAK IN THE SUSPENSION LINES OR A GLITCH IN THE SOFTWARE. THE RATE AT WHICH WHEELS ARE FALLING OF TESLAS IS SIMPLY RIDICULOUS. PLEASE DEMAND A RECALL. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN.

NHTSA ODI 11054240

Oct 22, 2017Suspension

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/31421117/PHOTOS ONCE AGAIN THE BACK WHEEL AND SUSPENSION HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN OFF. NO AIR-BAGS DEPLOYED. NO SIGN OF COLLISION DAMAGE. SUSPENSION HAS SIMPLY SNAPPED OFF FOR NO GOOD REASON. THERE IS A CLEAR TREND OF DEFECT IN THE TESLA SUSPENSIONS. IF THIS CAR WAS BEING PRODUCED IN THE SAME VOLUMES AS MAINSTREAM CAR-MAKERS THEN YOU WOULD BE SEEING THOUSANDS OF CARS WITH WHEELS FALLEN OFF. IT IS SCANDALOUS THAT THIS DANGER IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. PLEASE ACT NOW TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC. DATE OF INCIDENT IS AN APPROXIMATION.

NHTSA ODI 11035513

Oct 16, 2017

KNOWN DEFECT IN A TESLA 2013 MODEL S ARE SLIDING OUT DOOR HANDLES. THEY SIMPLY FAIL TO SLIDE OUT DUE TO POOR MICROCHIP WIRE HARNESS INSTALL. I BELIEVE THIS IS ASSOCIATED IN OLDER TESLA MODEL S MODELS. IT'S SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND PULL SOMEONE OUT. TESLA SHOULD REACH OUT TO ALL CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE OLDER MODELS AND REPLACE THE HARNESS ON ALL DOOR HANDLES.I OBSERVED THE ISSUE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. AFTER CONDUCTING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON LINE I DISCOVERED EVERY PERSON HAD THEIR DOOR HANDLES GO BAD, ALL OF THEM SOONER OR LATER. PLEASE HELP MOTIVATE TESLA TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11033908

Oct 8, 2017Suspension

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=26175292&ROWNUMBER=59&LOADRECENT=TRUE THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS TOTALLY COLLAPSED AND THE WHEELS ARE JAMMED UP IN THE WHEEL ARCHES. THE WHEELS ARE NOT POINTING STRAIGHT BUT ARE SKEWED IN TOWARDS EACH OTHER. NO AIR-BAGS HAVE DEPLOYED. THERE IS NO IMPACT DAMAGE TO THE BODYWORK. THIS LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER CASE OF SPONTANEOUS COLLAPSING SUSPENSION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. VERY CONCERNED CITIZEN ETC. ETC.

NHTSA ODI 11032218

Oct 8, 2017SuspensionCrash

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/42232387/PHOTOS IT HAS BEEN IN A ROLLOVER. THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED ON ALL FOUR WHEELS AND BOTH BACK WHEELS HAVE GONE WHOMPY. THERE IS A STRONG LIKELIHOOD THAT THE WHOMPY WHEELS CAUSED THE CRASH RATHER THAN BEING MERELY THE RESULT OF IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE REASON THAT TESLA SUSPENSIONS COLLAPSE SO OFTEN. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN ETC.

NHTSA ODI 11032251

Oct 4, 2017Suspension

I MADE A LEFT TURN ON KELLOGG DRIVE.I RAN OVER SOME SAFETY DOTS ON THE FLOOR. THE SAFETY DOTS WAS ABNORMAL LARGE IN SIZE. BOTH MY FRONT AND REAR WHEEL RAN OVER MANY LARGE SAFETY DOTS. THE COMPLETE TESLA BRAKE FUNCTION FAILED AND I HAVE NO BRAKE. BY THE TIME MY CAR STOPS I WAS LITERALLY SITTING ON TOP OF SAFETY DOTS. ONCE I COME OUT OF THE CAR I SAW THAT MY LEFT REAR TIRE AND RIMS LOOK LIKE IS FALLING OUT OF PLACE. THE POLICE CAMPUS CAME AND SAID IT LOOKS LIKE YOUR AXEL WAS BROKEN. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTER APPEARANCE OF MY TESLA ONLY A UPPER SUSPENSION WHICH WAS DAMAGE. I BELIEVE THE PARTS WAS AN INTEGRITY ISSUE AND TESLA DENIES IT.

NHTSA ODI 11031733

Sep 26, 2017Airbags

MY TESLA HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES RELATED TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS THAT A SEATBELT SENSOR TIED INTO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO A PINCHED WIRE IN THE SEATBELT MECHANISM, CAUSING THE SRS/AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO STAY ON. TO FIX THIS, TESLA REPLACED THE SEATBELT LATCHING MECHANISM AND CHARGED ME FOR THE REPLACEMENT. SHORTLY AFTER, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME BACK ON. THIS TIME, A SEAT SENSOR TIED INTO THE SYSTEM FAILED. TESLA HAS TOLD ME THAT TO FIX THIS, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MUST BE REPLACED, AND THAT I MUST PAY FOR IT, A $2500 BILL. I WAS FURTHER INFORMED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 4 TO 6 WEEKS TO ORDER THE SEAT, DURING WHICH TIME THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD REMAIN NON-OPERATIONAL. AT THE MOMENT I AM REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE SEAT, SO I'M DRIVING AROUND WITH A DISABLED AIRBAG SYSTEM. I FEEL THAT TESLA SHOULD BE FIXING SUCH DEFECTS FREE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA ODI 11030061

Sep 22, 2017

THE MODEL S, ESPECIALLY THE EARLY ONES (2012/2013) ARE PRONE TO DEVELOPING A PROBLEM WHERE ONE OF THE DOORS WILL OPEN AUTOMATICALLY. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY MOISTURE/WATER, SINCE MULTIPLE OF THE REPORTS ASSOCIATE IT W/ WATER. HERE IS JUST ONE OF THE FORUM THREADS WHERE YOU CAN SEE MULTIPLE OWNERS COMPLAING ABOUT THE PROBLEM: HTTPS://FORUMS.TESLA.COM/FORUM/FORUMS/DOOR-OPENS-ITSELF

NHTSA ODI 11025122

Sep 4, 2017Suspension

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/35967857/PHOTOS THE CAR IS COMPLETELY UNDAMAGED APART FROM THE LH REAR WHEEL WHICH IS SKEWED OVER AT A CRAZY ANGLE. NO AIR-BAGS HAVE DEPLOYED. THERE IS NO IMPACT DAMAGE. THE TIRE AND WHEEL ARE UNDAMAGED. THIS CAN NOT BE THE RESULT OF A COLLISION. IT IS SIMPLY A CASE OF WHOMPY WHEELS DUE TO WEAK AND UNSAFE SUSPENSION. PLEASE RECALL THESE CARS BEFORE MORE LIVES ARE LOST. CONCERNED CITIZEN ETC.

NHTSA ODI 11021365

Aug 17, 2017Suspension

HERE IS A FRESH REPORT OF A TESLA SUSPENSION FAILURE: HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/TESLA-UPPER-CONTROL-ARM-CRACKED.96329/#POST-2257474 SNIP:IT ALL TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY WHEN MY WIFE WERE DRIVING TO VISIT ONE OF HER COLLEAGUE. WHILE TURNING INTO A LEFT TURN AT A RELATIVELY LOW SPEED SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG. SHE DID NOT THINK OF MUCH BUT IMMEDIATELY SHE NOTICE THAT HER BRAKE WERE COMPLETELY GONE AND THE DASH HAD MALFUNCTION WARNING ALL OVER THE PLACE. SHE HAD TO STRUGGLE TO PULL THE CAR TO SAFETY BUT WAS HITTING MANY OF THE SAFETY BUMP ON THE GROUND. WITHIN MINUTES THE CAMPUS POLICE PULL UP AND ASK HER WHAT HAPPEN. SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR NOTICE THE OUR 2013 MODEL S P85 WAS SITTING ON THE GROUND WITH ONE OF THE WHEEL COMPLETELY BEND. IT LOOKS LIKE AS IF THE AXLE HAD GAVE AWAY. *** TO ME IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS NOT AN WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS AN MANUFACTURER PART DEFECT. AND AFTER READING ON MANY FORM IT SEEM THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS A BIG PROBLEM ON THE EARLY PRODUCTION TESLA MODEL S. I HAVE BEEN IN MERCEDES FOR YEARS AND MY PREVIOUS S CLASS WERE AT 125,000 MILES. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. CURRENTLY THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR. LUCKILY ENOUGH MY WIFE WAS DRIVING LOCALLY NOT ON THE FREEWAY. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT IT WILL BE IF SHE WERE TRAVEL AT A HIGH SPEED. *** IF NHTSA CONTINUES TO IGNORE THESE FAILURES THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES. PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT A TESLA OWNER. I AM CONTINUING TO FILE THESE REPORTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE BY READING THE THREAD THAT OWNERS COME UNDER PRESSURE FROM TESLA SUPPORTERS TO KEEP THESE FAILURES A SECRET. THE PRO-TESLA FORUMS FREQUENTLY CENSOR, DELETE, OR BURY SUCH COMPLAINTS. I HAVE USED A DUMMY US ADDRESS TO COMPLY WITH WEBSITE REQUIREMENTS. MY GENUINE CONTACT DETAILS HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED TO NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI 11015882

Jul 31, 2017SuspensionFuel system

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=25626248&ROWNUMBER=65&LOADRECENT=TRUE&ISNEXT=TRUE IT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY BURNED OUT. THE AIRBAGS HAVE NOT BEEN DEPLOYED. THE FRONT LH WHEEL IS PUSHED BACK IN THE WHEEL WELL AND THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE BY MAKING THE COOLANT LEAK OUT. IF THE BATTERY PACK IS HOT FROM RECENT CHARGING OR FROM HARD DRIVING IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY TO CATCH FIRE IF COOLANT IS LOST. TESLAS SEEM TO CATCH FIRE MORE OFTEN THAN ANY OTHER ELECTRIC VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI 11011599

Jul 30, 2017Suspension

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.SALVAGERESELLER.COM/CARS-FOR-SALE/30827127-2013-TESLA-MODEL-S-JACKSONVILLE-FL IT HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH. THERE IS NO COLLISION DAMAGE AND THE AIR-BAGS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED. THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR CAUSING THE WHEELS TO JAM UP IN THE WHEEL WELLS. THIS SAME FAILURE IS OCCURRING REPEATEDLY. IT SEEMS THAT THE DESIGN IS LACKING A BUMP STOP AND THAT A SIMPLE AIR LEAK IN THE SUSPENSION CAN RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI 11011546

Jul 18, 2017Latches & locks

CPSC: I OWN A TESLA MODEL S MADE IN NOVEMBER 2013. ALL 4 DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN OR MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER THE FIRST ONE WENT OUT, I TOOK IT TO TESLA AND THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD COST $1,200.00 AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL OTHER TESLA OWNERS OWNERS AND DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IT'S MORE UNCOMMON THAT THEY DON'T BREAK THAN THAT THEY DO. THE ACTUAL COST TO REPAIR THEM WOULD BE MUCH LOWER, BUT THEY DON'T OFFER THAT. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR ON MY CAR IN FACT SPONTANEOUSLY OPENS ITSELF. THIS USUALLY OCCURS WHEN PRESSING THE BUTTON THAT ENGAGES THE PARK BREAK. IT SEEMS CLEAR TO ME THAT THE PRODUCT IS DEFECTIVE. *BF UPDATED 07/19/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 11009848

Jul 9, 2017Suspension

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.SALVAGERESELLER.COM/CARS-FOR-SALE/MAKE/TESLA/PAGE/25 IT HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH, NO AIRBAGS ARE DEPLOYED AND THERE IS NO IMPACT DAMAGE. THE FRONT LH SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT HAS SIMPLY POPPED APART CAUSING THE WHEEL THE SKEW OVER AND GO TOTALLY WHOMPY. THIS SAME FAILURE HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY IN THESE TESLAS. THE BALL JOINTS SEEM TO BE UNDERSIZED FOR A CAR OF THIS WEIGHT AND PERFORMANCE. PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PREVENT INNOCENT LIVES BEING LOST. CONCERNED CITIZEN. (DATE OF INCIDENT IS AN APPROXIMATION)

NHTSA ODI 11003903

Jun 11, 2017Suspension

HERE IS A TESLA FORUM DISCUSSION REGARDING BROKEN SUSPENSIONS IN THE MODEL S: HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/MODEL-S-AXLE-ISSUES.92069/PAGE-2#POST-2142321 PROMPTED BY THIS DISCUSSION THE OWNER OF A 2013 MODEL S HAS INSPECTED HIS OWN SUSPENSION AND HAS POSTED A PHOTOGRAPH WHICH IS ATTACHED. THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM BOLT HAS SNAPPED OFF. THE RIM OF THE WHEEL HAS BEEN GOUGED. THE SUSPENSION ARM IS RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE AND FRAGMENTS OF RUBBER ARE SPREAD ALL OVER THE SUSPENSION. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY HIGHLY DANGEROUS. JUST ONE SUCH EVENT SHOULD BE JUSTIFICATION FOR AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. YOU HAVE DOZENS OF SIMILAR FAILURES ON RECORD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI 10994336

May 7, 2017Electrical systemFire

IN 2014 A TESLA CAUGHT FIRE IN A TORONTO GARAGE. THIS CASE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO THE ISSUE OF FIRES IN TESLAS. TESLA HAS CLAIMED THAT THE BATTERY OF THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE FIRE AND THAT THE FIRE WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY FAULTY HOUSE WIRING. HTTP://WWW.AUTOFOCUS.CA/NEWS-EVENTS/NEWS/TESLA-INVESTIGATES-CAUSE-OF-TORONTO-GARAGE-FIRE SNIP: 'IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, WE DON'T YET KNOW THE PRECISE CAUSE, BUT HAVE DEFINITIVELY DETERMINED THAT IT DID NOT ORIGINATE IN THE BATTERY, THE CHARGING SYSTEM, THE ADAPTER OR THE ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE, AS THESE COMPONENTS WERE UNTOUCHED BY THE FIRE,' SAID A TESLA SPOKESPERSON. A VIDEO HAS NOW SHOWED UP IN WHICH THE PURCHASER OF THAT CAR SHOWS THE STATE OF THE INTERIOR. THERE IS NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER THAT THE BATTERY DID IGNITE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=SRMQBRB_LMM IT APPEARS T HAT TESLA HAS BEEN TELLING LIES AND DELIBERATELY COVERING UP THE ISSUE OF FIRES. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MORE FIRES SINCE THAT THAT ONE. I HAVE COMPILED A SUMMARY OF SOME SUSPICIOUS TESLA FIRES: HTTP://TESLABEARS.CLUB/T/GREAT-BALLS-OF-FIRE WHILST THAT COLLECTION DOES CONTAIN SOME HUMOROUS POSTS I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I AM ENTIRELY SERIOUS ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I REQUEST THAT YOU REOPEN THE FIRE INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA ODI 10983879

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Tesla Model S Bev verdict →