2012 Tesla Model S problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2012 Tesla Model S include 1 fatality report, 4 crashes and 1 fires across 59 filings.

59
Complaints
8
Recalls
4
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
6
Injuries
107.5
Severity index

Severity index 107.5 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 107.5p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 13 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 90% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 36 complaints (61.0%)36 61%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 11 complaints (18.6%)11 19%SuspensionSuspension: 9 complaints (15.3%)9 15%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 5 complaints (8.5%)5 8%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 5 complaints (8.5%)5 8%Power TrainPower Train: 4 complaints (6.8%)4 7%EquipmentEquipment: 3 complaints (5.1%)3 5%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 2 complaints (3.4%)2 3%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3661.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1118.6%
SUSPENSION915.3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING58.5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER58.5%
POWER TRAIN46.8%
EQUIPMENT35.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM23.4%

Complaints filed per year

013262015: 22016: 32017: 22019: 22020: 262021: 192022: 32023: 2151617192026212223
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20152
20163
20172
20192
202026
202119
20223
20232
Filings in 2021 to 2023 were close to 2017 to 2020 (24 against 30).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
17V26000019/04/2017PARKING BRAKETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.
17V02300010/01/2017AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULETesla 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. In the event of a crash necessitating de
18V20400029/03/2018STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEMTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering a
15V78000023/11/2015SEAT BELTS:FRONTTesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Model S vehicles manufactured May 31, 2012, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver or front passenger seat belts that may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.
21V03500029/01/2021BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARETesla, 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. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches life
23V83800012/12/2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARETesla, 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. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the
24V05100030/01/2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANELTesla, 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. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As
24V37600028/05/2024SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICESTesla, 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comp

Other Tesla Model S model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 5 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.