2013 Tesla Model S: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jun 24, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · IL

The vehicle has suffered a catastrophic, intermittent low-voltage network crash caused by a failing Body Control Module (BCM), resulting in multiple dangerous safety-critical failure modes. On a previous occasion, the vehicle woke up with severe network faults and automatically forced itself into Neutral. When the driver stepped out to get the child and shut the door, the system crashed entirely and the exterior electronic door handles failed to present, trapping an infant child inside the running vehicle. Most recently, while driving in a rainstorm, the vehicle suffered a complete failure of the windshield wipers, a total loss of the high-beam headlights, a total loss of the horn, and a total loss of electronic communication to the electronic parking brake system. Most critically, the vehicle experienced an uncommanded propulsion hazard where it hard-locked itself in the 'Drive' gear and absolutely refused to shift into 'Park' or 'Neutral,' forcing the driver to physically maintain heavy hydraulic brake pressure to keep the vehicle from creeping forward. Because the horn failed and the parking brake was disabled, the driver was trapped in the driver's seat holding the brakes and was forced to call 911 for emergency first responders to come and physically block the wheels so the driver and infant could safely exit. Tesla Service has diagnosed the issue as a failed central Body Control Module (Part #1010906-00-D), but the cascading network failure modes present an extreme, life-threatening hazard regarding vehicle control and child entrapment.

Filed Mar 29, 2026 · Lights · CA

Vehicle lights turned off while driving home with my family. Pulling over and turning off and on the car reset the problem. When lights turned off I received a warning light identifying a faulty right headlight and faulty left headlight. No accident and vehicle is currently outside manufacture warranty.

Filed Jan 13, 2021 · 47 miles · MO

I don't recommend driving beyond the distance you can travel to and get back, I've seen a car that lost ability to charge to max, and actually limited to about 30% after mcu went black drive after a 30 second timeout no aeb (advanced emergency braking) no controlling suspension height no manual control of headlight lights no blinker sounds steering mode defaults to some setting (e.g. If I have it set to sport, during reboot of mcu is changes to standard or comfort, not sure but I can feel the steering wheel take less effort to turn than my normal sport mode) no HVAC (heat, cool, vent) no defrosters no seat heaters no steering wheel heaters no radio/streaming no app connectivity to control the car no ability to see the car charge status from app trip a/b profiles user settings homelink bluetooth pairings no rear view camera metric areas may have speed shown in MPH and not kph so be careful do to a few strange reported charging issues, be careful driving beyond the ability to get home without charging, (range) since I have seen a car that continued to get less max available range in capacity I have almost been in several accidents due to no defrost. I feel very unsafe when driving.

Filed Nov 16, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 60,000 miles · CA

The main/center screen blacks out on my tesla, which is where all the car controls and back-up camera is viewed. Even when it doesn't completely black out, the back up camera doesn't function as it just stays frozen a lot of the time. Outside of the backup camera issues, all other functions, like turning on or off headlights is also impacted. At other times it seems like it impacts charging the car, which can leave me dead if I cannot charge. Other functions have also been impacted like turning air conditioning and navigation, however not necessarily safety issues. These issues have happened while sitting in my garage trying to leave, charging my car at a tesla charging station, driving down the freeway or streets. I estimate they have been happening since about 60k miles and have progressively gotten worse.

Filed Sep 27, 2020 · Lights, Visibility · 55,841 miles · CA

Mcu main computer failed, prevented me from using defrost couldn't see while driving almost caused an accident as my entire front window view got block. The mcu allows you to use the screen which lets you turn on defrost. Very dangerous situation. This also controls your headlights.

Filed Sep 7, 2020 · Electrical · 109,000 miles · AZ

Central touchscreen failed multiple times during road trip. Failures happened while charging and stationary, and while driving. Lose access to vehicle safety and other controls (headlights, HVAC, navigation, sunroof, etc.). Reported to tesla prior to warranty expiration and was told it is "normal" behavior. Now that my warranty has expired, tesla has diagnosed failure of memory chip and is charging me out of warranty to replace computer daughterboard.

Filed Sep 2, 2020 · Electrical · 161,087 miles · CA

The main touch screen failed with likely emmc failure resulting in no navigation, no backup camera, no turn signals or sound, no air or defrosters and no way to control headlights or other safety features. Failure occurred at highway speeds.

Filed Jul 12, 2020 · Lights, Steering · 126,000 miles · NJ

Mcu (center screen) failed in my 2013 model s. I returned to the car after it was parked all day in an outdoor parking lot at work and it would not turn on. Rebooting, other troubleshooting did not remedy. As a result of mcu failure, turn signals did not work (exterior turn signals and audible indication of turn signals), air suspension could not be adjusted, climate control could not be adjusted, headlights could not be manually controlled, steering settings could not be adjusted, charge level could not be adjusted, media/entertainment could not be used, backup camera could not be viewed in addition to other functionality for the car. Leading up to the complete failure of the unit, the mcu would occasionally reboot itself during driving causing loss of turn signals and change in steering dynamics.

Filed Jul 11, 2020 · Acceleration, Electrical · 124,187 miles · MD

The emmc is failing and causing the computer systems to act odd. I've reported it for the failing main screen and it turning off for over 36 hours but yesterday the speedometer screen went blank and wouldn't come on for a an extended period of time. The car wouldn't start at first, and when it did, there was no speedometer (!), no odometer, no battery level read out, no gear indicator, no headlights, nor any other function of the instrument panel. The vehicle was stationary when it failed. It flashed on for a second, which allowed lights to come on and go in drive, but it immediately turned back off leaving the car without any speedometer or other items listed above. This was in a neighborhood.

Filed Jul 3, 2020 · Electrical, Visibility · 125,000 miles · OK

Touchscreen went out. According to their system this is still a 'driveable' car and needs to be brought to them. The blinkers and headlights are controlled through this as are many other features.

Filed Jun 26, 2020 · Electrical · MA

You have a current investigation regarding the touchscreen. I would like to add my complaint to your file. Because of the touchscreen failure, I have had the car towed 3 times. "touchscreen unresponsive". Without the touchscreen, you can do very little with the car. On or about 2015 I had complained to the service dept. That I thought I had a cracked screen. The cost of repair was not under warranty..ok, I thought I could live with a cosmetic problem but it was not cosmetic. Over the past 2 weeks, when I place my hand in the small storage area below the screen, I found a very sticky liquid on my hand. It was fluid leaking from the screen which I was told not to touch because that liquid is considered a carcinogen. I am unable to use this car for fear I will be stuck far away from home and require another tow. I visited the service department in dedham, ma and they were unsure which screen matches my vehicle. The estimated cost for the screen and the mcu would be approx. $2600 incl labor. No one was available to offer me a definitive cost. I was told the warranty for the replacement would be 1 year. Perhaps within 2 years I will again have to spend another 2600 for liquid leaking from the screen. Please hold tesla accountable. I'm hoping that if the recall is successful, I will be reimbursed for the money spent. There should have been a recall for the headlights. Taking any turns at night was a danger. They new it was a problem because later models didn't have this problem. Because the touchscreen is not functioning, the picture I am able to provide may not be of much help. The pictures are from the left and right of the screen. Screen not working may have to require the 4th tow. This car is dangerous.

Filed Jun 24, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 85,000 miles · IL

Tesla main computer is designed to fail and disable the ability to turn on the headlights, turn signals, rear view camera, and so on. The main computer logs everything happening in the car excessively (they do this so press reviews can be refuted, it has happened many times) but that logging causes the chip to fail. The solution is to turn off logging but they refuse, so these computers fail predictably on schedule. All teslas are affected.