2013 Tesla Model S: problems, recalls and fuel economy

Recalls

NHTSA shows 11 recalls for this model year^[2]. Several cover many Tesla models and years, and they are listed here because they appear in our data for this car. Newest first:

• Remedy pending
  Seat belt warning (24V376). The warning light and chime may not work when the driver is unbelted^[9]. That can raise injury risk in a crash^[9]. Tesla says it will send an over-the-air software update, Tesla says it will release an over-the-air software update, so the remedy is still pending^[9]..
• Pedestrian warning sound (24V153). A factory reset muted the sounds that warn people nearby^[10]. Pedestrians may not hear the car coming^[10]. Tesla released a software update, free of charge^[10].
• Brake warning lights (24V051). The Brake, Park and ABS warning lights show in a font that is too small^[11]. That can make them hard to read^[11]. Tesla began releasing a free software update^[11].
• Remedy pending
  Autosteer controls (23V838). The controls for Autosteer may not do enough to prevent driver misuse^[12]. That raises crash risk^[12]. Tesla says it will release a free software update, so the remedy is not yet available^[12].
• Center display memory (21V035). The display's flash memory can wear out, which can cause loss of the rearview camera display, defrost settings and turn signals^[13]. Owners should run firmware 2020.48.48.12 or newer, and Tesla will replace a circuit board, free of charge^[13].
• Steering bolts (18V204). Bolts on the power steering motor may corrode and break^[14]. That can reduce or remove power steering assist^[14]. Service centers replace the bolts and add a sealer, free of charge^[14]. The fact lists this recall for 2012 to 2016 cars with Bosch steering racks^[14].
• Passenger air bag (18V031). Certain passenger air bag inflators may explode in a crash. The recall covers all 2013 Model S cars equipped with them^[15]. Metal fragments could cause serious injury or death^[15]. Service centers replace the passenger air bag modules, free of charge, and the recall was expected to begin in March 2018^[15].
• Parking brake (17V260). The fact lists this recall for certain 2016 Model S and Model X cars^[16]. A gear in the parking brake caliper may break, and the car could roll^[16]. Calipers are replaced, free of charge^[16].
• Front seat belts (15V780). Belts may be wrongly attached to the pretensioner^[17]. They might not restrain an occupant properly in a crash^[17]. Service centers inspect and correct the connection, free of charge^[17].
• Charging adapter (14V006). Certain adapters delivered with some 2013 cars could overheat during charging, which raises the risk of burns and fire^[18]. The fix is a software update that cuts charging current by 25% if a problem is detected, plus a mailed replacement adapter with a thermal fuse^[18].
• Seat back (13V249). Cars built from May 10, 2013 through June 8, 2013 may have a weak weld on the left seat back bracket^[19]. In a crash the seat back may not stay mounted^[19]. Tesla inspects the strikers and adds hardware, free of charge^[19].

Some of these recalls only cover certain build dates or equipment^[18][19], so confirm that each one applies to the exact car.