2013 Tesla Model S consumer reviews

I bought my 2013 Model S from its 2nd owner at 98k miles after lots of research reaffirming that maintenance cost was low and reliability was high. I actually loved my car, drove smoothly and quietly, but then I didn’t even reached 120k miles on it when the high voltage battery completely died on me. I parked one day at work with 80% charge and got out from work to find the battery completely drained to the point of not even starting or being able to put into neutral to push it to a charging stall. I left the car plugged in using 3 extension cords for the entire weekend (still at my job’s parking lot) and it didn’t take any charge at all and never turned back on again. I towed it to the nearest Tesla service center and after over a week they told me the battery had completely died and it needed full replacement to the tune of $23k (the car’s average value in the best condition possible and long range trim is ~$26k). I asked about warranty coverage and they told me I was out (over 100k miles and just at the 8 year mark). I asked hypothetically if I had the money for the repair what their warranty would be and they said 50k miles on the battery only. The message is: DON’T BUY USED TESLAS but if you do make sure you’re still within the warranty period. GET RID OF THE CAR BEFORE THE FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRES, after that all bets are off, it may very well become a bottomless money pit. DON’T EVER BUY A TESLA WITH NEW BATTERY thinking that it’s like buying a new car - it isn’t, you’re only covered for 50k miles on a fresh battery - completely wasteful and senseless. It’s a great, fun, and classy car while the warranty lasts (service is great and at no cost for warranty covered items, no questions asked). But once out of warranty you’re all on your own. They wouldn’t even buy it back from me for parts - terrible customer service (when things went south) that leaves much to be desired from such reputable brand.

After only 43,000 miles my Tesla Model S battery began to fail. A full charge dropped from about 235 miles to a mere 100 miles. The Sunnyvale Service Tesla experts informed me that the battery would completely fail very soon or a few months down the road and I could be stranded. They wanted to charge me $22,000 for a new battery, which they would install in a few months or so. I was furious and hugely disappointed. Counting tax, registration etc., I paid $98,000 for this new Model S Tesla. That the car essentially quit after 43,000 miles and 8 years 4 months leads me to regret every buying it. I begged a Sunnyvale Tesla Service manager to charge less or nothing at all for a new battery since the warranty was up about 5 months prior and my Tesla had only 43,000 miles. The Tesla manger refused. I told him that I thought, given the money I paid, that Tesla would consider finding a good solution for the sake of customer satisfaction. The employee responded to my request (paraphrase): You are just out of luck and Tesla policy is not going to help you. The Sunnyvale Tesla service manager said that he knew of other Tesla’s with failed batteries so mine was not an unexpected event. I will NEVER buy another Tesla. Those cars are expensive, yet their batteries may fail within or just after 8 years. Previously I purchased non-Tesla cars that lasted 110,000 to 150,000 miles. Not my Tesla – only 43,000 miles. A friend also purchased a Tesla. His battery failed after only 67,000 miles. The environmental impact of Tesla cars includes all the effort to mine lithium plus other unattractive environmental effects to produce the massive battery. Now my battery may end up in the landfill. Sunnyvale Tesla said they have no rebuilt batteries. So the environmental impact is not so simple. Plug-in hybrid car batteries have a longer warranty. Their batteries are not as massive as Tesla’s battery. So I am beginning to suspect that the environmental effect of buying Tesla’s and other electric cars may not be the best for the environment. Perhaps plug-in hybrids are a wiser choice.

Buying a Tesla is a lot like buying your first smart phone. Once you do it you will never consider another flip phone or combustion engine again.

The Model S is a technical masterpiece. Even in 2020 this 7yo car is just leagues above anything on the road around it. Immediate power (more than enough to get you into trouble), very comfortable, reasonable handling for a land yacht that weights 5000lbs. I just can't get over it.

The Tesla Model S is for sure an eye catcher. It definitely drives as good as it looks. Will probably drives Tesla’s for the rest of my life.

Tesla's make other cars seem out dated. Instant acceleration, never buy gas again, never get oil change again! it updates when Tesla sends updates. Great car

The car is in excellent condition. I am the original owner. I am the only driver of this car. The panorama roof makes the car even roomier. Whenever there is a remote software or firmware update, this car adopts the updates smooth as silk, no hitches. I have kept the car in standard condition with no modifications to original specs. It breaks my heart to sell this car. It is my favorite thing, certainly more reliable than any of the 3 husbands I have had.

You get the speed with all the comfort in this Model S. What more can you ask for! The interface is so easy to use as well!

Best car I've ever owned! Its an amazing feeling to have the smoothest ride and know youre the fastest car at the light. Love this car!

This car is a pleasure to drive and own. Looks like it just came out of the show room. Like all Tesla's it comes out of the gate head strong.