Software problems of the 2013 Tesla Model S

The car is not getting its software updates because of a bad mcu. The dealer is quoting $1200 to replace.

2013 Tesla s p85 mcu will not boot up after over the air software update between October 2 t o October 9th while I was on a vacation. Ota software version 2020. 24. 6. 11.

After Tesla sent a software update over the air to my car on 09/22/2020, the media control unit (mcu) of my car got stuck in a constant boot-up loop. The software was 100% downloaded but could not be installed possibly due to the failure of a highly stressed emmc memory. As a result, the mcu kept rebooting by itself every 2 minutes or so, which caused back-up camera, climate control etc. Unaccessible and passenger airbag disabled. Tesla suggested a hard reboot but the problem won't go away. I report this mcu problem as it could be caused by the manufacturer's design defect regarding over-logging on the cheap embedded multi-media-card memorye (emmc). I believe that Tesla should do recalls to remove the sword of damocles for all Model S produced before March, 2018.

I have a 2013 Tesla Model S and both of my screen ore peeling from the inside and glue is leaking (see pics). This happened after a software update not sure if its a coincident but my car would control the temp inside the car not sure this is occurring anymore. Anyway its absurd that screen glue starts melting inside of a car with glue residue leaking. I have no idea where the glue is going to the main screen which could drip down to the pedals. From the central screen glue is drippign as can be seen in the picture.

Over the last 6 months, my 2013 Tesla Model S began experiencing long boot times, frequent spontaneously rebooting, loss of mobile connection and problems with the navigation system. Last Saturday the car began to reboot constantly and was incapacitated on the road, requiring a flat bed truck ($250). Tesla service tells me the only way to make the car functional again is to pay over $1300 on a new mcu. As a software developer, this feels something Tesla caused through overuse of their memory storage system and/or a program bug associated with saved navigation locations.

Same issue as other open complaints with emmc device failing causing black screen, no rear view camera, no ability to charge the car, turn signals inoperable, etc. . Based on the known software bug in this system it is reasonable to conclude that all models with this version of mcu/emmc software will eventually fail. See current NHTSA action number : pe20010.

Vehicle was stationary for a few days in my garage. When I turned it on, the touchscreen was black and Tesla has told me that the mcu units needs to be replaced. During my call with the technician, he explained that the new software that were sent caused some of the units to go bad. I think it's outrageous that they want me to pay $1,500 to fix something that was caused by an internal update.

The middle console suddenly blacked out and would not reboot. This restricted drive functions including reverse camera, navigation, air conditioning on a hot summer day, no entertainment in the vehicle. The blackout occurred as I was at a stop sign in a residential neighborhood. I gravely feared the car would simply turn off in traffic as it felt like it was stalling / driving differently. I immediately took my car to a super charger to see if that would help. I was told by a remote Tesla operator that the disruption was due to software attempting to update - which, was not prompted as it typically does. Completely blindsided by this malfunction, the next day the car would not unlock in the typical fashion by key detection. It also wouldn't connect to the app to unlock. I again called Tesla and they attempted a remote unlock which was unsuccessful. They suggested having the car towed to Tesla for a few. Fortunately, I was able to unlock the car by double clicking the key fob - why didn't the Tesla agent make that suggestion rather than suggesting an expensive tow?? I ended up paying to replace the mcu.

The center touchscreen on my car failed, and was told by Tesla technician it was due to the memory being full. From further investigation it appears that memory became full due to software updates pushed by Tesla and log files saved on hard drive by Tesla software. When touchscreen failed I lost hvac, stereo, rear view camera, navigation and potentially turn signals (when turn signal stalk was hit the dash did not indicate turn signal was on, but when hazard button was pressed the dash showed the turn signal was on). The touchscreen failed while the car was parked and I was not in it. I got into car one morning and the touchscreen no longer worked. This same touchscreen also had another issue where the adhesive on the screen had melted and leaked under touchscreen. This melted adhesive caused what looked like a bubble around ~70% of the screen. Tesla replaced the touchscreen with a remanufactured unit (this must occur at a high enough rate that reman units are available) which cost $1900 to replace. A new touchscreen would have cost me $2400. When I pushed the Tesla service facility to cover this failure under warranty they would hear nothing of it, even though both failures were known issues. My car had ~74k miles at the time of failure.

Nhtsa action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updates Tesla took action to downgrade horsepower and range along with all other aspects of performance through a total voltage cap after claiming to be releasing a fire-safety update, but officially no safety update was released ever. After installing a software update 2019. 16. X I lost range and the ability to charge the battery at higher rates. Before the update, I was charging at 100% to 255 miles on my 85kw battery pack. The original miles were 265 miles when the car was new. Of course normal degradation is expected. I currently only get 239 miles on a full charge as appose to 255 miles.

In the past year, my car has lost a significant amount of range, and has experienced slower charging speeds. After calling this to the attention of a Tesla service center, I was told that there was nothing wrong with my battery and that the reports of a software update that lowered range were rumors. I experienced a 6% decrease in range in a few months. My car was 6 years old and only and 9% battery degredation over that period. In the past 6 months it has lost an additional 6% range now totaling 15%, and that additional range reduction seems to be linked to a software update from Tesla. If there is a problem with the battery that may cause a fire, and that is the reason that Tesla did indeed roll out a software update to increase safety, Tesla should replace the batteries instead of reducing the rage . The most safe thing to do is replace the batteries. I love my car, and I am a big fan of Tesla. Tesla is very proud of safety in their cars, so they should do the right thing and replace these batteries.

Nhtsa action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updates. Via software updates, Tesla, suddenly, inexplicably, reduced maximum voltage of the main battery. The action resulted in instant loss of distance mileage of the car of 12 percent, from 237 miles to 208 miles. Horsepower and general performance of the car was also reduced. Tesla has implied that this action was taken, for selected Tesla cars, out of an abundance of caution as a fire-safety update, but officially no safety recalls related to this unexplained action have been announced. No one associated with Tesla has offered any further detailed explanation for this sudden action, which, in addition to reducing performance and distance mileage of the car, has also reduced, overnight, its intrinsic asset value. The results described here happened overnight, while the car was at rest---parked inside a garage.

Nhtsa action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updates I am an early model Tesla owner. I stopped accepting ota updates to my car because I did not like the new features being rolled out. I have found a new story online on Tesla that they released an ota update out of an abundance of caution after fires in early Tesla models but they do not go into any specifics. After reading forums for other owners I see that there is something going on with our cars that Tesla refuses to communicate with us. Are we safe or not without the update? also ota updates are not mandatory so if they did do a software update for safety there are probably many others like myself that do not have the latest software update and are no longer safe. I am afraid that my vehicle might catch fire but Tesla won't answer these questions and need your help. Thanks.

Nhtsa action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updates after most recent firmware update (exact date unknown -- sometime late this summer)-- supercharging speed appears to have been limited. It now takes 2-3x the amount of time to charge when traveling. I tested multiple superchargers for my trip which occurred on during the weekend of 9/2. I am fully aware of conditions that can slow the speed (stall sharing, high soc, low/high battery temp, etc). None of these conditions were present -- yet my charge speed was limited during all charging sessions and across multiple locations/dates/times during this trip. I've brought this concern up on 2 separate occasions: 1. 9/5/19 - was told "tested on supercharger and verified vehicle charging at expected rate, no further action required" 2. 10/3/19 - verbally - spoke to mobile service technician while performing service at my house. He did not confirm or deny my charge rate was limited. I am concerned that my battery charge rate is limited due to a fire risk, as the software update was released after cars caught on fire this year.

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.

On or about June 24, 2019, my parked car's software was forcibly updated without my prior knowledge, without any prior notification and without my authorization. This forced software update reduced the nominal capacity of my battery from 74 kwh to 68 kwh. On June 23, 2019, my 100% state of charge (soc) would charge each cell in my battery pack to 4. 2 volts, resulting in a rated range of 257 miles. Upon entering my parked car on June 24, I discovered that Tesla "capped" the battery such that each cell would only charge to approximately 4. 09 volts, resulting in a rated range of 226 miles at a 100% soc, or a rated range loss of 30-31 miles. Four Tesla cars that were parked recently caught fire. After the fourth fire, Tesla issued an over the air (ota) software update preventing the full charging (e. G. , to 4. 2 volts for each cell) of the battery pack, limited the amount of current that can be "pulled" from the battery pack at any one time, resulting in a loss of acceleration. Tesla stated the update was "out of an abundance of caution" after the occurrence of several non-crash fires. Tesla unilaterally took this action of issuing a "fire-safety update" without informing the car owners of the reason for the update, why said update should be installed and the effect on the car once the update was installed. In my case, the update was forced on my parked car via an ota update on June 23 (or 24) without prior notification to me nor requesting my approval nor informing me of the consequences of installing the update (reduced range, power, etc. ), Tesla said that they were releasing a fire-safety update, but officially no safety update was released. . Read more...

On or about June 24, 2019, my parked car's software was forcibly updated without my prior knowledge, without any prior notification and without my authorization. This forced software update reduced the nominal capacity of my battery by 16. 02%. On June 23, 2019, my 100% state of charge (soc) would charge each cell in my battery pack to 4. 2 volts, resulting in a rated range of 256 miles. Upon entering my parked car on June 24, I discovered that Tesla "capped" the battery such that each cell would only charge to approximately 4. 09 volts, resulting in a rated range of 215 miles at a 100% soc, or a rated range loss of 41 miles. They also slowed the charging rate by over 50%. Four Tesla cars that were parked recently caught fire. After the fourth fire, Tesla issued an over the air (ota) software update preventing the full charging (e. G. , to 4. 2 volts for each cell) of the battery pack, limited the amount of current that can be "pulled" from the battery pack at any one time, resulting in a loss of acceleration. Tesla stated the update was "out of an abundance of caution" after the occurrence of several non-crash fires. Tesla unilaterally took this action of issuing a "fire-safety update" without informing the car owners of the reason for the update, why said update should be installed and the effect on the car once the update was installed. In my case, the update was forced on my parked car via an ota update on June 23 (or 24) without prior notification to me nor requesting my approval nor informing me of the consequences of installing the update (reduced range, power, etc. ), Tesla said that they were releasing a fire-safety update, but officially no safety update was released. . Read more...

Our Tesla Model S 2013 was purchased in August of 2013, 7years ago. The car was able to cover over 200 miles with a full charge. Starting June 2019, the brakes started to shake during braking and the traveled miles decreased drastically after sudden loss of range with 2019. 16. X software update that throttles batteries. Under the same conditions traveling the same route by the same person. Now, the full charge of car lasts approximately 100 miles traveled. Total super charged battery miles do not go beyond 150 miles even after waiting more than 2 hrs. Using 220 ampfor 7 hrs, the full battery charge goes up to 160 miles but even then the odometer travel covered is less the 110 miles under similar conditions of the original 200 miles traveled. We have paid for unlimited use of supercharger but we are told by Tesla not to use supercharger because it is bad for the battery. That is true. We get a little better results by using our own 40 amp, 220 volt charger but the car battery lasts less than 60% of the originalbattery under identical driving conditions with supercharger it covers less than 50%. We have taken the car to Tesla service center in rocklin but the technicians have said: "we ran test and battery is normal". We need help under stand what "normal" means. This car is not normal good for commuting to work now. 1) charging at much lower amps and avoiding superchargers. This took away the $2,500 purchase option and freedom of being able to travel without range anxiety. 2) replacement of the $2,500 mcu by Tesla technicians did nothing but more money into Tesla pockets. 3) begging to purchase a new battery, even though under warranty of 8 year extended from 125k to 150k mile warranty for prior to 2015 Tesla Model S vehicles is unable to be done. Very similar to the apple iphone battery throttle lawsuit.

In June 2019 I noticed the control screen of my 2013 Tesla Model S going blank randomly while the car was in motion and then re-activating after minutes, hours or until the car sat before being driven again. This continues and I am unable to access the screen to select the backup camera as the screen freezes and does not allow use of any features. Periodically the side view mirrors will not extend while driving until we have driven for 5 to 30 minutes. I have reported the screen blanking issue and mirrors to Tesla service in syosset NY and they told me that it is related to my Model S being an older model with an older computer that has to 'catch up' to what is being selected on the screen. The software it is running is really intended for newer models that have a faster computer. I was told that since the car was not under warranty, Tesla would have to charge me to diagnose this problem and would probably reach the conclusion that Tesla service told me. I recently read about Tesla's warranty adjustment program: touchscreen component ' 8gb embedded multimediacard (emmc) in media control unit (mcu). It appears that what is described in this warranty adjustment is identical to the symptoms with my Tesla as I am unable to access the safety features, rear camera and side view mirrors. My car has 113,500 miles and the program only covers cars with less than 100,000 miles. I feel that I was misled by Tesla service as I reported this problem prior to the car going over 100,000 miles and was advised that this was not an issue covered under warranty. It seems that Tesla is avoiding a known problem with older Model S cars such as mine. I believe Tesla should replace the mcu unit of my Model S for no charge as they knew this problem existed and misled me to think that the issues with my backup camera and mirrors was not related to any issues with the Model S.

Nhtsa action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updates starting with a software update in may 2019, Tesla capped the max voltage the high voltage battery would charge to. They claim they did this "out of an abundance of caution" after several non-crash fires happened to these models. Tesla took action to downgrade horsepower and range along with all other aspects of performance through a total voltage cap after claiming to be releasing a fire-safety update, but officially no safety update was released. This change happened while the car was parked in my garage and stationary.

Starting with a software update in may 2019, Tesla capped the max voltage the high voltage battery would charge to. They claim they did this "out of an abundance of caution" after several non-crash fires happened to these models. Tesla took action to downgrade horsepower and range along with all other aspects of performance through a total voltage cap after claiming to be releasing a fire-safety update, but officially no safety update was released. This change happened while the car was parked in my garage and stationary. Further, Tesla has capped the rate of charge at their superchargers resulting in much longer charging times for this vehicle than has been observed before this update. Thank you.

This is in regards to NHTSA action number: dp19005 - investigation subject : battery management software updates Tesla pushed a software update to our cars in April/may of this year that substantially reduces range and power using a voltage cap that also removed about $30,000 worth of paid upgrades to range and horsepower (electric cars need volts for both range and power, so Tesla's reduction took substantial value out of the cars affected). Tesla claims they downgraded our cars "out of an abundance of caution" after a series of cars caught fire while parked (non-collision, non-physically damaged vehicles, that caught fire for apparently for no reason - some after being unused for several days). Tesla initially claimed the update was removing features we paid for "out of an abundance of caution" but now Tesla will not tell us whether or not the issue is safety related. This is a critical omission, because there was never any NHTSA recall notice posted, or service bulletin, or otherwise safety related official information. Thousands of Tesla owners are choosing to skip the update, because it can instantly reduce the value of our cars by half and make them unusable if people bought the range upgrades out of necessity. Distances that were able to be driven before the update are impossible afterward. Purchases were calculated on this and the range upgrades were made for the additional range the software update removes. Please go forward with this investigation. I would like to know: 1) is there a safety issue? 2) does the update address a warranty problem? 3) is my hardware faulty? will it be repaired? why was it reduced? 4) are people that don't connect their car to wireless internet at risk from not being updated?.

I purchased a certified pre-owned Tesla Model S p85+ with 100,000 miles or 2 years cpo (whichever comes first) and manufacturing warranty unlimited miles or 8 years motor and battery warranty. (this was the note when I placed order -- used cars which receive the remaining battery and drive warranty and a two year, 100,000 miles maximum odometer pre-owned limited warranty) until today I was never given my warranty documents by Tesla, still waiting. . . The car continues to slow charge and lost 50 miles within a year of the purchase however degradation on both issues was done within 4 months of the purchase by manipulating the software without my knowledge/consent. My car charged super fast before at the supercharger (before - from 10 miles to 250 within 50 minutes or from 11 miles to 180 within 25 minutes )until Tesla made changes to the car software, - but now it takes me 4+ hours to get from 11 miles to 205. The car won't even charge higher than 205 anymore and when I purchased the car Tesla advertised 265 miles epa. I am told Tesla service center will not give me the diagnostics report on my car, I will have to request it from "ncds" or get a lawyer. . . Last I checked I paid for the car and I hold the right to know what diagnostics are they running on my car. This is from 1/27/2020 12:30 - 16:43, changing at the I-45 NW freeway SC supercharger. -started charging at 11 miles -finished at 205 miles (not 100%, stopped before) epa 265 - currently 54,299 miles. -under warranty (cpo & manufacturing) can't stay at the supercharging with a year old and a 3 years old toddler (crying, screaming, tantrums, the list goes on. . On a city to city trip and not including nationwide road trips ) to get at least 200 miles 4 hours. We can't even take road trips in Tesla anymore, have to borrow a vehicle from parents or a family member to keep the cost down (humiliating).

The mcu on these cars are a known issue for all Tesla's with mcu version 1. The mcu is an integral part of operation, driving all necessary changes on the car such adjusting driving lights, adjusting traction control settings, accessing the safety & security features (required for safely jacking the car, etc) as well as placing the car in tow mode to safety tow the car. The mcu is also the main driving computer for the secondary display which shows driving speed. Following an issue with my mcu, the car was not able to be properly driven and was not able to access the Tesla network to receive software updates, the navigation and maps did not work and the radio was disabled. The climate control was also non-functional due to the failure.

Center console (mcu) failed after updating software. Black screen. Unable to use, cannot charge. Cannot control anything. This seems extremely dangerous , as all the vehicle controls are through the center console. Had to get it towed to Tesla service. Tesla said it was infamous emmc failure and had to replace the mcu out of pocket, totaling $2,738. 67. They replaced it with the same exact version, basically saying its a known issue and that this will fail again eventually. This also encourages people * to update their software anymore, as any writes to that emmc module is just one step closer to failure again.