general problems of the 2013 Tesla Model S

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.

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?.

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: https://teslamotorsclub. Com/tmc/threads/vehicle-stops-while-driving-prnd-turns-red. 236835/ https://teslamotorsclub. Com/tmc/threads/100-drive-unit-failure-rate. . Read more...

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. -michael d. Roberts.

2013 Tesla Model S. Consumer writes in regard to failer drive train system.

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.

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.

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.

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 action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updates.

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.

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.

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).

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?.