NHTSA (USA)Low Risk
At a glance
This page covers 15 recalls, 60 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Tesla Model S.
89 MPGe combined
Large Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Electrical system complaints dominate what 2012 Model S owners report, accounting for nearly half of all filed complaints. The most common themes involve the drive unit and charging system. Owners describe drive unit failures linked to internal water intrusion despite normal driving conditions, no flooding or water exposure, with corrosion cited as the resulting damage. Charging-related complaints describe the car drawing significantly more current than its set limit, in some cases causing wiring to melt. Owners also report the center touchscreen becoming unresponsive or unavailable at startup, requiring several minutes before the system recovers. Suspension complaints are the second-most-reported category, though the narratives don't cluster around a single specific symptom as clearly as the electrical issues do. A smaller number of owners describe airbag-related events, including at least one report of a door airbag deploying unexpectedly during a routine exit from the vehicle.
60
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Tesla Model S has 15 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Two recalls address the Autosteer driver-assistance feature: the system may not warn the driver firmly enough when attention lapses or when Autosteer disengages, raising the risk of a crash if the driver is not ready to take over. On the steering side, bolts that hold the power steering assist motor in place can corrode and fracture, allowing the motor to shift and the belt to slip, leaving the driver with heavy steering effort, particularly at low speeds. Front seatbelts on certain vehicles may not be properly connected to the pretensioner anchor plate, which means the belt may not hold an occupant securely in a crash. The media control unit's internal memory can fill up over time and cause the center display to go dark, taking the rearview camera, defrost controls, and turn signal indicators with it. Separately, charging adapters purchased as accessories may develop higher-than-normal electrical resistance. A parking brake gear may fracture during use, leaving the vehicle immobile. Several lower-severity recalls cover instrument panel warnings: brake, parking brake, and ABS indicators may display as text instead of required symbols, use an undersized font, or the seatbelt chime may fail to sound when the driver is unbelted. One recall notes the speedometer may not show kilometers per hour alongside miles per hour as required.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The seat belt warning light and chime may not activate when the driver is unbelted, failing to alert the driver to fasten their seat belt.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a software update over the air to fix the warning system so it activates properly for unbelted drivers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software update caused brake system warning indicators to display as text instead of symbols, preventing you from seeing proper visual alerts for brake problems or applied parking brake.
What the fix does
Tesla released an over-the-air software update that restores correct warning symbol display. No action needed if your vehicle has software 2024.3.25, 2024.14.5, or later.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System warning lights on the instrument panel display in an incorrect font size, which does not meet federal brake system safety standards.
What the fix does
Tesla is releasing a free over-the-air software update to correct the warning light font size display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Autosteer may not warn the driver strongly enough or monitor attention closely enough to prevent misuse of the feature.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a software update that improves driver monitoring and alerts when using Autosteer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Autosteer controls may not be prominent or clear enough to prevent drivers from misusing this advanced driver-assistance feature when it's engaged.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to improve how Autosteer controls are displayed and managed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The center display's memory storage device wears out over time and eventually loses data integrity, causing some display functions to stop working.
What the fix does
Tesla will replace the display control board with one containing an upgraded memory device that lasts longer, at no cost to owners.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The media control unit's internal storage can gradually fill up over time. When full, the center display may shut off while driving, disabling the rearview camera display, defrost/defog controls, and exterior turn signals.
What the fix does
Keep your vehicle software current. Tesla will email you when parts are available to schedule service and upgrade the MCU's internal memory.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When you switch the distance display from kilometers to miles, the speedometer shows only mph instead of showing both mph and km/h as required by Canadian regulations.
What the fix does
Tesla updated the speedometer software to display both mph and km/h when distance is set to miles. This fix was sent to all vehicles via firmware update 2020.36.11.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Mounting bolts that attach the power steering assist motor can corrode and fracture, allowing the motor to shift and the belt to slip, which reduces power steering assist.
What the fix does
Tesla will replace the corroded bolts with coated steel bolts, apply corrosion-preventative sealer around the gear housing, and install a new steering gear if bolts are broken.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Aluminum bolts holding the power steering motor to the steering gear can corrode and break, reducing or eliminating power steering assist.
What the fix does
Replace the steering gear mounting bolts and apply corrosion-preventative sealer to protect against future corrosion.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The internal gear in the electric parking brake calipers may be defectively manufactured and could break when you apply or release the parking brake.
What the fix does
Tesla will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger airbag at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain electrical adapters for the universal mobile charging connector may have higher than normal electrical resistance from a manufacturing defect, causing the adapter to overheat and potentially create a fire risk.
What the fix does
Redesigned adapters will be sent to affected owners by Canada Post or commercial carrier once available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver or front passenger seat belt may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner, affecting its function during a crash.
What the fix does
Service centers will inspect both seat belts and correct the connection to the pretensioner if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seatbelt anchor plate may not be properly bolted to the pretensioner anchor during assembly. In a crash, the seatbelt may not restrain occupants effectively, increasing injury risk.
What the fix does
Tesla Service Technicians will inspect the seatbelt anchor assembly and repair as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
