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2012 Tesla Model S problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Tesla Model S has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 8safety recalls
- 59owner complaints
- 4crash reports
- 1fire report
- 6injuries reported
59 complaints, against an average of 227 for the other 14 Tesla Model S model years.
Every Tesla Model S model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Tesla Model S?
The components named most often in the 59 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Tesla Model S owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 59 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does the infotainment screen freeze, reboot or go black in my 2012 Tesla Model S?9 owners · 15.3%
- Why does the backup camera not work on my 2012 Tesla Model S?5 owners · 8.5%
- Why does my 2012 Tesla Model S overheat?3 owners · 5.1%
- What causes clunking or suspension noise in the 2012 Tesla Model S?3 owners · 5.1%
Has the 2012 Tesla Model S been recalled?
8 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Seat Belts: Front: Warning Light/DevicesOver-the-air fix 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."
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.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/PanelOver-the-air fix 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."
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.
Electrical System: Adas: Autonomous/Self Driving: SoftwareOver-the-air fix 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.
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.
Back Over Prevention: Software 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.
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.
Steering: Electric Power Assist System 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.
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.
Parking Brake 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.
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.
Air Bags: Frontal: Passenger Side: Inflator Module 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.
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.
Seat Belts: Front 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.
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.
Is the 2012 Tesla Model S recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAWhen the emmc reaches accumulated lifetime wear the customer may experience a blank centre display
Risk: When the eMMC reaches accumulated lifetime wear the customer may experience a blank centre display.
Fix: Ensure current software is installed and upgrade the VCM daughterboard to a 64GB Micron eMMC.
UK DVSALoss of power steering assistance
Risk: Potential failure of steering gear motor bolts when exposed to long term high corrosive environment. This can lead to loss of power assistance to the steering which would result in additional effort from the driver to steer the vehicle.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the aluminium bolts with stainless steel bolts. Where necessary the steering rack will be replaced.
EU Safety GateDefects in the gas generator of the passenger airbag lead to uncontrolled unfolding when the airbag is triggered.The excessively high internal pressure can damage the airbag casing, metal particles can come loose, causing injuries to the vehicle occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2012 Tesla Model S owners report?
12 of the 59 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The drive unit has water damage from normal driving. The car never went through deep water or was flooded, but the tech at the service center is saying the units are sealed but still can get water in them and corrode. How can a vital sealed part of the vehicle be damaged by normal driving and claim water damage? The car operated just fine the day before. Please advise.
I tried to start the car and got the “Center Display unavailable” message. Reset the computer doesn’t help. I have to wait for more than 5 minutes for the system to be on.
I charge my Model S on a 30 amp circuit with the car location amperage set to 20 amps to avoid overheating the circuit. Around Sept 12 while plugged in to the 30 amp, the car pulled in 50 amps off the line causing a melting of the wires and a near fire based on the damages later found. The car is supposed to send charging error alerts or problems via the Tesla app. Instead it continued to try to pull power out of the burnt line for 11 days all the while further depleting the battery. I discovered my car a 0% battery range with a dead 12 volt as well just as it had depleted and discovered the…
Both the 12 volt system and High voltage battery system or a component communicating between the two failed. I received a warning message that my vehicle may not restart and within 30 seconds it completely shutdown while driving in the middle of the road. The vehicle was essentially dead weight at this point. None of its features worked, the ability to unlock it, the ability to use electronic doors and windows functions could not be performed. it could not even be jumped to start the computer enabling it to be towed or put in neutral to even remove the vehicle from the roadway. The…
The vehicle was not experiencing display or review view camera display issues but was out of caution serviced nuder Manufacturer Recall Number SB2121001 (NHTSA Recall Number 21V035) for no charge. The vehicle is not under warranty. There was no charge for the initial "repair". When the vehicle was returned, the rear view camera did not function (black screen and/or serious flicker when video was partially displayed). Also bubbles were introduced into the front display panel. On questioning the repair, I was strongly encouraged by technician and then by manager to get an updated "infotainment…
As the car drains the battery pretty quickly, I have turned on energy saving mode. In this mode the car enters a deeper sleep, consuming less power. Sometimes in this mode when starting the vehicle, the turn signals will not work (this appears to happen when the car sits for a while and the miles left on the battery is under 120 or so). After a quick stop (2 minutes out of the car), the turn signals will start working, and the driver display will show the blinking turn signal when they work, but it will not display when they do not work. Another issue is that after entering the car and…
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 informed that he did not qualify for the recall despite having received a letter for the recall. The manufacturer had not been notified of the issue. The contact stated that recently the center display screen started to operate as needed. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000…
This is related to NHTSA recall 21V-035. Tesla replaced the 8Gb memory card with a 64Gb memory card (so I'm told) but the main car display screen still does not function most of the time. This results in; -unavailability of the rearview camera display -defrost/defog control settings unavailable for purposes of ensuring visibility -and exterior turn signal lighting may increase the risk of a crash I've had this to Tesla twice now but it has not been fixed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STICKY SUBSTANCE COMING OUT OF THE CENTER DISPLAY WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON OR OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER TESLA (135 US-22, SPRINGFIELD, NJ 07081, (973)921-0925) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE CENTER DISPLAY TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V035000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION, VISIBILITY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE…
ON NOVEMBER 23RD 2020 I TOOK MY MODEL S ([XXX]) TO TESLA SERVICE CENTER LANCASTER, PA FOR THE TESLA WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED ON NOVEMBER 9TH AND RELATED TO MALFUNCTIONING TOUCHSCREEN DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING EMMC. THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE SERVICE VISIT; 1) TESLA LANCASTER, PA SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME MY VEHICLE IS NOT IN THE WARRANTY PARAMETERS (THE TESLA WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM STATED 8YEARS/100K MILES. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 100K MILES AND INITIAL DELIVERY WAS NOVEMBER 24TH 2012 - SO TESLA LANCASTER, PA WAS WRONG ABOUT THIS AS SERVICE DATE WAS NOVEMBER 23RD, 2020) 2)…
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 DROOP. PHOTO IS ATTACHED WITH THIS SUBMISSION. DESPITE TESLA ISSUING TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT THIS AND HAVING FITTED A SLIGHTLY IMPROVED LINK TO LATER MODELS THESE LETHAL WEAK LINKS ARE STILL FITTED ON THOUSANDS OF CARS AROUND THE WORLD AND POSE A DANGER TO TESLA OCCUPANTS…
HERE IS A TERDSLA IN THE JUNKYARD HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/38424109?ROWNUMBER=4 FRONT SUSPENSION HAS COLLOLOPSED. TIRE HAS RUBBED AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE FENDER AND WORN A HOLE THROUGH IT. LUCKILY FOR THE OWNER HE WAS NOT DRIVING NEAR A CLIFF AT THE TIME OR HE WOULD HAVE BEEN BRANDED A SUICIDE LIKE THE OTHER CASES WERE. PLEASE GET THESE CONTRAPTIONS RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. THANKS KEEF
2012 Tesla Model S: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Tesla Model S reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Tesla Model S; the most common categories were electrical system (36, 61%), suspension (9, 15.3%), exterior lighting (5, 8.5%). There are 8 safety recalls. 4 complaints mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 6 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Tesla Model S?
Across 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (61% of complaints), suspension (15.3% of complaints), exterior lighting (8.5% of complaints), visibility/wiper (8.5% of complaints), power train (6.8% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2012 Tesla Model S; the most recent (campaign 24V376000, 2024-05-28) concerns Seat Belts: Front: Warning Light/Devices. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does the infotainment screen freeze, reboot or go black in my 2012 Tesla Model S?
9 of the 59 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Tesla Model S (15.3%) describe the infotainment or touch screen freezing, rebooting or going black. One owner wrote: "The infotainment system is freezing which doesn't allow you to use any features of the car except basic driving functions. this has been attributed to a chip failure in the mcu." (NHTSA complaint 11339621, July 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the backup camera not work on my 2012 Tesla Model S?
5 of the 59 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Tesla Model S (8.5%) describe the rearview or backup camera failing or showing a blank screen. One owner wrote: "The mcu on my 2012 tesla model s failed in june of 2019, when my car was out of warranty. the center screen went and stayed blank." (NHTSA complaint 11331913, July 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2012 Tesla Model S overheat?
3 of the 59 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Tesla Model S (5.1%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. One owner wrote: "I was driving on the freeway over the hill the vehicle shut down on me and it was 43% on the battery and it keeps showing the yellow on the dash saying that battery is overheating" (NHTSA complaint 11408600, April 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
What causes clunking or suspension noise in the 2012 Tesla Model S?
3 of the 59 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Tesla Model S (5.1%) describe suspension clunks, worn parts or air suspension failures. One owner wrote: "Another tesla in the junkyard. https://www.iaai.com/vehicle?itemid=24890595&rownumber=53&loadrecent=true suspension has collapsed, wheels jammed up in the wells. this does not look like collision damage." (NHTSA complaint 10983204, May 2017). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Model S
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only.