2012 Tesla Model S: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Tesla Model S: 8 recalls, 61 owner complaints and up to 89 mpg combined.
Recalls
8 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #15V780000 · 2015 · 59,415 vehicles
What's wrong: Tesla 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.
Why it matters: If the seat belt is not correctly attached to the pretensioner, it May not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V023000 · 2017 · 2,997 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bags, these inflators May rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute…
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2017.
Parking brake Vehicle recall #17V260000 · 2017 · 31,709 vehicles
What's wrong: Tesla, 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.
Why it matters: If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake May not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #18V204000 · 2018 · 70,421 vehicles
What's wrong: Tesla, 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 assist.
Why it matters: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which May increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass), Exterior lights Vehicle recall #21V035000 · 2021 · 134,951 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. When the 8gb emmc nand flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the emmc controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center…
Why it matters: The emmc controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the vcm daughterboard with one containing an enhanced emmc controller, free of charge. The recall…
Electrical Vehicle recall #23V838000 · 2023 · 2,031,220 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. In certain circumstances when autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls May not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the sae level 2 advanced driver-assistance…
Why it matters: In certain circumstances when autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there May be an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (ota) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024.
Electrical Vehicle recall #24V051000 · 2024 · 2,193,869 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the brake, park, and antilock brake system (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "hydraulic and electric brake…
Why it matters: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (ota) software update, free of charge.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #24V376000 · 2024 · 125,233 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (ota) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (37): the most common themes are electrical failure (10), door / lock issues (7).
- Other / unknown (12): the most common themes are electrical failure (3).
- Suspension (9): the most common themes are steering problems (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (5): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
The 2012 Tesla Model S has 61 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 15 Model S model years for complaints (well below the 227 average). Complaints peaked in 2020 (26 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 68,481 miles. Neighboring years: 2013 (460 complaints, 11 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (260 kW AC Induction) | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 88e | 90e | 89e | Electricity |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Tesla Model S.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2012 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Tesla Model S. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Tesla Model S problems?
Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (37), other / unknown (12), suspension (9).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Tesla Model S get?
EPA ratings run up to 89 mpg combined, across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Tesla Model S repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.