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2012 Tesla Model S
The 2012 Tesla Model S appears in 8 NHTSA recall campaigns (seat belts, electrical system and visibility) and in 7 consumer complaints filed with the agency.
The component named most often is suspension: 666.7 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 17.8 per 1,000 across all 2012 model-year vehicles and against 350.6 per 1,000 for the Tesla Model S line as a whole.
That is fewer than the average of 43.2 complaints per model year across the 14 Tesla Model S model years on this register; 3 complaints reported a crash and 1 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2016 (3); the most recent in the file is dated 3 May 2017.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 8 investigations naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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."
Consequence: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Tesla, Inc. (manufacturer campaign SB-24-00-008).
Defect, as filed: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Tesla, Inc. (manufacturer campaign SB-24-00-003).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Tesla, Inc. (manufacturer campaign SB-23-00-008).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Tesla, Inc. (manufacturer campaign SB-21-21-001); components: visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system; exterior lighting:turn signal; back over prevention:software.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Tesla, Inc. (manufacturer campaign SB-18-32-002).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Tesla Motors, Inc. (manufacturer campaign SB-17-33-002).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Tesla Motors, Inc..
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Tesla Motors, Inc. (manufacturer campaign SB-15-20-002).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2012 Tesla Model S (black) against all 2012 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2012 | Model S line | All 2012 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 666.7 | 350.6 | 17.8 |
| Steering | 111.1 | 125.3 | 96.7 |
| Electrical System | 111.1 | 67.8 | 134.9 |
| Unknown or Other | 111.1 | 104.6 | 60.4 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 6 | 666.7 | 350.6 | 17.8 |
| Steering | 1 | 111.1 | 125.3 | 96.7 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 111.1 | 67.8 | 134.9 |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 111.1 | 104.6 | 60.4 |
7 unique complaints, 9 component mentions; 6 injuries and 1 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ24009 | Recall query | Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness | electrical system:adas:driver monitoring:software | 25 Apr 2024 | open | — |
| DP23002 | Defect petition | Sudden Unintended Acceleration | vehicle speed control | 29 Jun 2023 | open | — |
| DP22005 | Defect petition | Pedestrian alert sounds | electrical system:propulsion system | 27 Jan 2023 | 7 Aug 2023 | 22V063000 |
| EA22002 | Engineering analysis | Autopilot System Driver Controls | electrical system | 8 Jun 2022 | 25 Apr 2024 | 23V085 |
| EA21002 | Engineering analysis | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture | air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module | 17 Sep 2021 | open | — |
| EA20003 | Engineering analysis | Loss of rearview camera | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 12 Nov 2020 | 2 May 2024 | 21V035 |
| PE20010 | Preliminary evaluation | Loss of rearview camera | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 22 Jun 2020 | 22 Nov 2020 | — |
| DP19005 | Defect petition | Battery Management Software Updates | electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm):software | 1 Oct 2019 | 28 Sep 2021 | — |
Other Tesla Model S model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 8 | 7 | 4,649,815 |
| 2013 | 11 | 122 | 4,693,530 |
| 2014 | 8 | 85 | 4,715,491 |
| 2015 | 8 | 125 | 4,715,491 |
| 2016 | 9 | 189 | 5,072,656 |
| 2017 | 8 | 66 | 4,953,749 |
| 2018 | 10 | 10 | 4,961,253 |
| 2019 | 9 | 1 | 4,826,302 |
| 2020 | 10 | 0 | 5,998,856 |
| 2021 | 22 | 0 | 10,162,158 |
| 2022 | 20 | 0 | 10,216,533 |
| 2023 | 13 | 0 | 7,119,562 |
| 2024 | 6 | 0 | 2,215,025 |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 239,869 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Tesla Model S model years · Tesla: 6 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2012 Tesla Model S have?
8 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 24V376000, was reported to NHTSA on 28 May 2024 and concerns seat belts:front:warning light/devices. Across all model years the Tesla Model S line has 37 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2012 Tesla Model S?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 8 actions naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2012 Tesla Model S complain about most?
Suspension: 6 of 9 component mentions (666.7 per 1,000). Next is steering with 1. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.