MYRModel Year Report

2012 Tesla Model S

▲ Better than typical
2012 Tesla Model S
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:38:22.740Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
61
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

61% of complaints

Complaints per year

2012: 61 complaints 2012 61 2013: 461 complaints 2014: 367 complaints 2014 2015: 669 complaints 2016: 649 complaints 2016 2017: 428 complaints 2018: 170 complaints 2018 2019: 44 complaints 2020: 80 complaints 2020 2021: 179 complaints 2022: 140 complaints 2022 2023: 114 complaints 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 6 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2012: 61 complaints 2012 61 2013: 461 complaints 2013 2014: 367 complaints 2014 2015: 669 complaints 2015 2016: 649 complaints 2016 2017: 428 complaints 2017 2018: 170 complaints 2018 2019: 44 complaints 2019 2020: 80 complaints 2020 2021: 179 complaints 2021 2022: 140 complaints 2022 2023: 114 complaints 2023 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 6 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2012: 61 complaints 2012 61 2013: 461 complaints 2013 2014: 367 complaints 2014 2015: 669 complaints 2015 2016: 649 complaints 2016 2017: 428 complaints 2017 2018: 170 complaints 2018 2019: 44 complaints 2019 2020: 80 complaints 2020 2021: 179 complaints 2021 2022: 140 complaints 2022 2023: 114 complaints 2023 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 6 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints 2026

2012: 61 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
201261
2013461
2014367
2015669
2016649
2017428
2018170
201944
202080
2021179
2022140
2023114
202438
20256
20268

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

61% · 37 reports
Show complaint excerpts

In October 2024, I brought my recently purchased used Model S to the Cincinnati Service Center for an antenna inspection, MCU upgrade, and general inspection to ensure the vehicle was safe and operating properly.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-06-17

Also filed under Power train

This complaint may refer to the reference number provided below: NHTSA action number: DP19005 - investigation subject: battery management software updates to whom it might concern, back to May 2019, Tesla pushed a software update, firmware...

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-12-27

Suspension

15% · 9 reports
CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Here is another Tesla in the junkyard. Https://m.iaai.com/vehicledetailimages.aspx?imageurl=2&itemid=23306666 the photographs show that the front steering knuckle has snapped in half and the wheel is hanging sideways out of the wheel well.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-10-18

This is the stolen car which crashed in hollywood. Photographs at the scene show 3/4 of a wheel and the tire lying on the ground. Here is the listing at the salvage auction site.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-11-08

I am filing these complaints in the public interest. I am not a Tesla owner and I have no investment in Tesla nor do I hold any shares in the stock-market. This car is in the wrecking yard.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-10-23

Visibility/wiper

8% · 5 reports

Power train

8% · 5 reports

Exterior lighting

8% · 5 reports

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2015-12-14Seat belts15V780000 Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Model S vehicles manufactured May 31, 2012, to November 12, 2015.

    Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat belts, correcting their connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2017-09-12Air bags17V023000 Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2012 Model S vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

    Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2018-03-06Parking brake17V260000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles.

    Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2019-05-07Steering18V204000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks.

    Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2019-10-01Defect petitionClosed 2021-09-28 Battery Management Software Updates
  6. I
    2020-06-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2020-11-22 Loss of rearview camera
  7. I
    2020-11-12Engineering analysisClosed 2024-05-02 Loss of rearview camera
  8. R
    2021-03-29Back over prevention, exterior lighting, visibility21V035000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device.

    Remedy: Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  10. I
    2022-06-08Engineering analysisClosed 2024-04-25 Autopilot System Driver Controls
  11. I
    2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
  12. I
    2023-06-29Defect petitionOpen Sudden Unintended Acceleration
  13. R
    2023-12-12Electrical system23V838000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy.

    Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2024-02-21Electrical system24V051000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles.

    Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. I
    2024-04-25Recall queryOpen Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
  16. R
    2024-07-26Seat belts24V376000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended.

    Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Tesla Model S — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 37 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility/wiper: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V780000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 17V023000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V260000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 18V204000 · Steering
  • Recall 21V035000 · Back over prevention, exterior lighting, visibility
  • Recall 23V838000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 24V051000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 24V376000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Tesla Model S reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Tesla Model S is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Tesla Model S?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 61% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Tesla Model S have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.