Photo: Norbert Aepli, Switzerland (User:Noebu) / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2012 Tesla Model S: common problems and reliability
One of the best Model S years.
The best Tesla Model S year. All Model S years
59 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 8 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Model S?The 2012 Tesla Model S has 59 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and suspension.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Tesla Model S vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Model S years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Model S?
Across the 15 Model S model years we track, complaint volume runs from 59 (2012) to 7,852 (2016). With 59 complaints, the 2012 Model S sits below the model's median of 160.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Model S
parking brake
Campaign 17V260000Tesla, 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.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 17V023000Tesla 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 humidity and temperature cycling.
steering:electric power assist system
Campaign 18V204000Tesla, 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.
seat belts:front
Campaign 15V780000Tesla 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.
Show 4 more recalls
back over prevention:software
Campaign 21V035000Tesla, 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 display functions.
electrical system:adas:autonomous/self driving:software
Campaign 23V838000Tesla, 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 feature.
electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Campaign 24V051000Tesla, 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 Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
seat belts:front:warning light/devices
Campaign 24V376000Tesla, 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."
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and varies significantly by vehicle generation.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Model S. See the full Model S owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Model S listings typically run $19,899–$42,587.
Other Model S model years
Compare every Model S year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Model S against its rivals
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