Recall 13V249 affects 1,228 2013 Tesla Model S vehicles for a weakened left-hand second-row seat-back striker weld. Free repair at a Tesla Service Center.
Tesla is recalling 1,228 2013 Model S vehicles under recall 13V249 because the left hand seat back striker bracket was aligned in a way that weakened a weld to the vehicle frame. In a crash, the seat back can fail to stay mounted, which raises injury risk for passengers; the Tesla dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The left hand seat back striker on a 2013 Tesla Model S is part of the seat structure that helps hold the seat back in its locked position. It lines up with a bracket attached to the vehicle frame, so the seat back stays secured when the seat is in use. That bracket and its weld are part of what keeps the seat back from moving out of place.
On affected Model S vehicles, Tesla used an improper alignment method for the left hand seat back striker and bracket during assembly. That process weakened the weld between the bracket and the vehicle frame. A weakened weld does not support the seat back as designed, especially when the seat is under load.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is unlikely to see this weld or feel a clear symptom during normal driving, so the VIN check and dealer inspection decide whether this repair applies.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Tesla Model S | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,228 |
Not every 2013 Tesla Model S sedan is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the left hand seat back can come loose from its mounts, increasing injury risk for passengers. No warning sign is identified for owners before the risk appears in a crash, so confirm whether your 2013 Model S is included and schedule service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Tesla dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Tesla Model S is included in this recall.
- Contact Tesla at 1-650-681-5000 to confirm the free repair path for recall number 13V249.
- Schedule the left-hand second-row seat-back striker inspection and added mounting hardware that secures the striker bracket to the vehicle frame.
- Bring the recall notice if Tesla mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V249 when you call.
- Avoid using the left-hand second-row seating position until Tesla completes the inspection and hardware repair.
What happens at the repair
Tesla's remedy calls for a Tesla technician to inspect the left hand second row strikers, then add mounting hardware so the striker bracket is joined properly to the vehicle frame. The final dealer repair will be free once available. Tesla's notice also lists owner contact through Tesla customer support, but the repair work itself is handled through Tesla Service Centers. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| June 14, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 19, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V249?
Recall 13V249 covers 1,228 2013 Tesla Model S vehicles with a left-hand second-row seat back striker bracket weld that was weakened during alignment. In a crash, the seat back can fail to stay mounted, increasing injury risk to passengers.
What should I do if my 2013 Tesla Model S is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Model S is included in recall 13V249. If it is included, contact a Tesla Service Center for inspection of the left-hand second-row strikers and installation of added mounting hardware. Reference recall number 13V249 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Tesla's remedy says Tesla Service Centers will inspect the strikers and add mounting hardware free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is passenger injury in a crash. The weakened weld can let the left-hand seat back fail to stay mounted, which increases injury risk for passengers. The fix is an inspection and added mounting hardware at a Tesla Service Center.
What if I bought my 2013 Tesla Model S used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN, then contact a Tesla Service Center and reference recall number 13V249 if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V249000 |
|---|---|
| Tesla customer service | 1-650-681-5000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V249 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V249000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →