KnownCarProblems2012 Tesla Model S Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 61 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Tesla Model S, most often about the electrical (61% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is 11th of 15 Model S model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2012 Tesla Model S problems
Electrical
37 complaints · 61%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Tesla Model S. The contact stated the vehicle media control unit (mcu) failed to operate as designed, resulting in the loss of the use of touchscreen functions. The contact manually activated the mcu using the controls on the steering wheel. Tesla (1200 old skokie valley rd, highland park, il…
While driving my vehicle the mcu randomly shuts down I lose my instrument cluster speedometer and other functions until this rebooting takes place I have had it into Tesla four times each time they perform some computer update which does not work to solve my problem. They have asked me to take videos of this happening…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles.
The vehicle's main display, which shows the backup camera, freezes/locks when turning on the vehicle. The error message on the drivers display is that the large display is "unresponsive". Then, when restarting the display's operating system (by holding the two buttons down on the car's steering wheel), the system…
The touchscreen on my 2012 Tesla Model S becomes unresponsive each time I start the car. This dramatically limits the car's functionality and requires a several minute long reset process. The car is stationary as it happens when I first try to start it.
Suspension
9 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
You are investigating Tesla front suspension failures. You should also investigate Tesla rear suspension failures. Here is just one recent example.https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/38453571?rownumber=39 the suspension link has snapped like a pretzel causing the suspension to flop down like a bad case of brewer's…
The mcu - media control unit is slow to respond to inputs and slow to startup when entering the vehicle. The screen has locked up several times while driving which leaves the turn indicators unusable and the defroster deactivated until the mcu resets. The hazard indicators are inactive when the mcu turns off. The…
Visibility and wipers
6 complaints · 10%The contact owns a 2012 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21v035000 (back over prevention, visibility, exterior lighting). The contact stated that the center display screen failed to operate as needed. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was…
Transmission
5 complaints · 8%Car won't start, computer problems on multiple occasions, after multiple calls Tesla had no record of prior complaints and no remedy. Left stranded multiple times.
The contact owns a 2012 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal humming sound detected coming from the drive unit. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed that the drive unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
Lights
5 complaints · 8%The contact owns a 2012 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21v035000 (back over prevention, visibility, exterior lighting). The contact stated that the center display screen failed to operate as needed. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was…
Equipment
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: electrical.
The vehicle's main display, which shows the backup camera, freezes/locks when turning on the vehicle. The error message on the drivers display is that the large display is "unresponsive". Then, when restarting the display's operating system (by holding the two buttons down on the car's steering wheel), the system…
The contact owns a 2012 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the media control unit was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer Tesla service center (11163 santa monica blvd, los angeles, ca 90025, ([phone]) where it was diagnosed with needing the media control unit and motherboard to be replaced. The…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Tesla Model S recalls
Seat belts: warning light/devices
Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Electrical: instrument cluster/panel
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 systems" and 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Electrical: software
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 feature.
Lights: turn signal
Risk: 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.
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 began march 29, 2021. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-21-21-001.
Full defect summary
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 display functions.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-18-32-002.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: 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.
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. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-17-33-002.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 humidity and temperature cycling.
Seat belts: front
Risk: 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.
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. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-15-20-002.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Recall 23v838 remedy effectiveness
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) is opening a recall query to assess the remedy adequacy of recall 23v838. On december 12, 2023, tesla filed a defect information report (recall 23v838) applicable to all tesla models produced and equipped with any version of its autopilot system, which tesla described as an sae level 2 (l2) advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). Autopilot is the simultaneous engagement of teslaâs traffic-aware cruise control (tacc) and autosteer. In describing the safety defect, teslaâs defect information report (dir) explained that âthe prominence and scope of the systemâs controls may be insufficient to prevent driver misuse,â and tesla committed to th
Sudden unintended acceleration
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition requesting that odi reevaluate its decision to deny dp20-001 on the basis that intermittent high electrical current demands on the vehicles' 12vdc systems may have caused some or all of the incidents examined by odi in dp20-001. The petitioner bases this information on a review of open-source research and the dp20-001 denial. The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following odi number: 11528471.
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Autopilot system driver controls
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) upgraded pe21020 to ea22002 on june 8, 2022, to extend work and deepen the pe21020 crash analysis, to supplement that analysis with additional data, and to perform vehicle evaluations to understand how teslaâs autopilot system may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the driverâs supervision. To support this work, odi collected additional crash information and assessed vehicle control authority, driver engagement technologies, and related human factors considerations associated with partial automation via analysis of peer vehicle data and hands-on vehicle evaluation, assessments from NHTSA human
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Loss of rearview camera
Summary
On november 20, 2020, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened engineering analysis (ea) 20-003 to investigate incidents of media control unit (mcu) failures resulting in loss of rearview camera in model year (my) 2012-18 tesla model s and model year (my) 2016-2018 tesla model x vehicles equipped with the nvidia tegra 3 processor with an integrated 8gb emmc nand flash memory device. During its investigation, odi learned that the expected usage life rating for the 8gb emmc nand flash memory device is approximately 3,000 âp/eâ or program-erase cycles, after which the emmc nand flash memory device would become fully consumed and no longer be operational, leading to a failure of the
Loss of rearview camera
Summary
On june 22, 2020, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe20-010 to investigate incidents of media control unit (mcu) failures resulting in loss of rearview camera in model year (my) 2012-2015 tesla model s vehicles equipped with the nvidia tegra 3 processor with an integrated 8gb emmc nand flash memory device. Emmc nand flash devices have a finite lifespan based upon the number of program/erase (p/e) cycles. The subject mcu allegedly fails prematurely due to memory wear-out of the emmc nand flash. Tesla used the same mcu with the tegra 3 processor in approximately 159 thousand 2012-2018 model s and 2016-2018 model x vehicles built by tesla through early-20
Battery management software updates
Summary
In a letter dated september 17, 2019, mr. Edward chen petitioned the NHTSA to initiate a defect investigation of certain tesla model s and model x vehicles that received revised battery management software in one or more over-the-air (OTA) updates from tesla, beginning in may 2019. The petitioner bases his request on vehicle fires that took place worldwide and OTA software updates tesla made to the battery management system (bms) of certain tesla vehicles that resulted in loss of available vehicle mileage range and increased charging durations.on october 1, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened dp19-005 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. Information provided by tesla in r
Questions about the 2012 Tesla Model S
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Tesla Model S?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (37 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); other or unspecified (12 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles); suspension (9 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Tesla Model S have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 28, 2024 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Tesla Model S?
- It is 11th of 15 Model S model years by number of complaints, with 61 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.