2012 Tesla Model S
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 61 |
| 2013 | 459 |
| 2014 | 364 |
| 2015 | 665 |
| 2016 | 639 |
| 2017 | 420 |
| 2018 | 168 |
| 2019 | 43 |
| 2020 | 80 |
| 2021 | 175 |
| 2022 | 135 |
| 2023 | 108 |
| 2024 | 38 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
61% of complaints: electrical system — 37 distinct reports on file.
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, 20260617
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, 20191227
15% of complaints: suspension — 9 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow 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, 20161018
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, 20151108
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, 20151023
8% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 5 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.
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, 20260617
8% of complaints: exterior lighting — 5 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 15V780000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V023000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V260000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18V204000 — check if this car was fixed
Battery Management Software Updates
Loss of rearview camera
Loss of rearview camera
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.
Campaign 21V035000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Autopilot System Driver Controls
Pedestrian alert sounds
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
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.
Campaign 23V838000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 24V051000 — check if this car was fixed
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
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.
Campaign 24V376000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Tesla Model S — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (37 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility/wiper issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 15V780000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V023000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V260000 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V204000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V035000 (back over prevention, exterior lighting, visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V838000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V051000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V376000 (seat belts) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.