VehicleVerdict

2013 Tesla Model S transmission problems

The 2013 Tesla Model S has 35 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 5% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

35

Transmission complaints

5%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Model S transmission complaints by model year35 complaints2012: 5 complaints2013: 35 complaints2014: 27 complaints2015: 29 complaints2016: 17 complaints2017: 9 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 6 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 3 complaints2023: 3 complaints2025: 2 complaints
Model S transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

ON 4/15 2016 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A ONE LANE ROAD AND THE "POWER PLANT" FAILED (PER THE TESLA SERVICE INVOICE) AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER. THE CARE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE CENTER IN ROCKLIN CALIFORNIA. THERE TEST RESULTS STATES "CONFIRMED REAR DRIVE UNIT WILL NEED REPLACEMENT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 15, 2016

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2013 Tesla Model S have?

NHTSA has 35 complaints about the 2013 Tesla Model S transmission — 5% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.