2013 Tesla Model S

Model S vehicles equipped with the original MCU1 (pre-March 2018) use an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory chip that has a finite number of program/erase cycles. When the eMMC wears out, the 17-inch touchscreen goes black or enters an endless reboot loop, disabling the backup camera, turn signal indicators, climate controls, and windshield defogging. While the 2020 Raven models use MCU2, many pre-2018 vehicles are still on the road with this issue.

Tesla issued NHTSA recall 21V-035 to replace the 8GB eMMC with an upgraded 64GB eMMC chip on all affected MCU1 vehicles, free of charge. For MCU2 vehicles (including 2020 models), screen failures are less common but can occur due to other hardware faults. Tesla Service will replace the MCU or display unit. An MCU1-to-MCU2 upgrade is also available as a paid option.

The Model S uses flush-mounted retractable door handles that auto-present when the key fob is detected. The handle mechanism relies on a small gear assembly and microswitch that are prone to failure, causing handles to not present, retract while being pulled, or become stuck in the extended position. Cold weather, moisture intrusion, and normal wear accelerate failure. This issue affects all Model S production years through 2020.

Replace the failed door handle assembly, which includes the gear, motor, and microswitch. Each handle is an individual unit. Tesla Service or a qualified independent shop can perform the replacement. Some owners have had success replacing just the internal gear with aftermarket metal gears rather than the entire assembly. A class action lawsuit was filed over this recurring defect.

The 2020 Raven Model S uses an adaptive air suspension system whose compressor, air springs, height sensors, and valve block can fail over time. Symptoms include the vehicle sitting unevenly or sagging on one corner, a suspension fault warning on the touchscreen, the compressor running continuously, or a harsh ride from a deflated air spring. Air spring leaks and compressor burnout are the most common failure modes.

Diagnose which component has failed: air spring leak, compressor failure, height sensor malfunction, or valve block issue. Air springs can be individually replaced. The compressor is located under the vehicle and is accessible for replacement. Tesla Service Center or a qualified independent shop can perform the repair. The air suspension is covered under the 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty.

The rear drive unit can develop a progressively louder whining, humming, or milling noise, especially under acceleration or regenerative braking. The noise is caused by bearing wear that introduces fine metal particles into the drive unit fluid, which then accelerate wear on the gears. While the noise itself does not immediately affect performance, it indicates internal degradation that will worsen over time.

Tesla will replace the rear drive unit under the 8-year/unlimited-mile Battery and Drive Unit limited warranty if diagnosed with excessive noise or bearing failure. If out of warranty, independent Tesla specialists can source refurbished drive units at lower cost. Document the noise with video and schedule a Tesla Service appointment for diagnostic confirmation.

Some 2020 Model S vehicles develop coolant leaks in the battery thermal management system, either from degraded coolant hoses, fittings, or the battery chiller unit itself. Symptoms include a low coolant warning on the touchscreen, reduced charging speed, thermal throttling during spirited driving, and in severe cases a visible puddle of orange-colored coolant under the vehicle.

Tesla Service will pressure-test the cooling system to identify the leak source. Common repairs include replacing coolant hoses, tightening or replacing fittings, or replacing the battery chiller assembly. Do not ignore low coolant warnings as overheating can permanently damage battery cells. The battery thermal management system is covered under the 8-year Battery and Drive Unit warranty.

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.

Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.

The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.

Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-32-002.

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 event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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 contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-20-001.

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 parking brake application or release.

If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-17-33-002.

Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Model S vehicles manufactured May 31, 2012, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver or front passenger seat belts that may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.

If the seat belt is not correctly attached to the pretensioner, it may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat belts, correcting their connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-15-20-002.

Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2013 Model S vehicles equipped for, and delivered with, certain NEMA 14-50 (240 volt) Universal Mobile Connector (UMC) adapters. During charging, the adapter, cord, or wall outlet could overheat.

An overheated adapter, cord, or wall outlet increases the risk of burn injury and/or fire.

Tesla will notify owners and provide an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Some owners have already received this update. This update allows the Model S on board charging system to detect any unexpected fluctuations in the input power or higher resistance connections to the vehicle. If detected, the onboard charging system will automatically reduce the charging current by 25%. Tesla owners can verify that they have received the updated software (version 5.8.4 or later) by viewing the vehicle's center information screen. Additionally, Tesla will mail owners a replacement NEMA 14-50 adapter that is equipped with an internal thermal fuse. The recall began on March 14, 2014. Owners may contact Tesla Service Center at 1-877-79-TESLA (1-877-798-3752).

Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2013 Model S electric vehicles manufactured May 10, 2013, through June 8, 2013. An improper method for aligning the left hand seat back striker to the bracket may have weakened the weld between the bracket and the frame of the vehicle.

In the event of a crash, the left hand seat back may not stay mounted, increasing the risk of injury to passengers.

Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will inspect the left hand second row strikers. Tesla will add additional mounting hardware to ensure a proper joint between the bracket and the frame, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2013. Owners may contact Tesla at 1-650-681-5000.