2012 Tesla MODEL S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
61 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
68,481 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 41 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 61 complaints (60.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 16.4% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 9.8% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 6.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 37 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Suspension | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment:Video (Touch)Screen/Monitor/Unit | 2 |
Electrical System: 37; Unknown Or Other: 12; Suspension: 9; Exterior Lighting: 5; Power Train: 5; Visibility/Wiper: 5; Back Over Prevention: 2; Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment:Video (Touch)Screen/Monitor/Unit: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 26; 2021: 19; 2022: 3; 2023: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10785486 · 2015-10-23 (October 23, 2015)
I AM FILING THESE COMPLAINTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. I AM NOT A TESLA OWNER AND I HAVE NO INVESTMENT IN TESLA NOR DO I HOLD ANY SHARES IN THE STOCK-MARKET. THIS CAR IS IN THE WRECKING YARD. THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS FAILED AND THE WHEEL IS PUSHED BACK AGAINST THE HIGH VOLTAGE CONTROLLER. HTTP://WWW.SALVAGERESELLER.COM/VEHICLES/DETAILS/32315405-2012-TESLA-MODEL-S-CA-SAN-DIEGO THERE IS NO OTHER DAMAGE THAT COULD ACCOUNT FOR THE SUSPENSION FAILURE. THERE WAS A CRASH BACK IN 2013 WHICH WAS BLAMED ON THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CAR. HTTP:…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10785486 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11291614 · 2019-12-27 (December 27, 2019)
THIS COMPLAINT MAY REFER TO THE REFERENCE NUMBER PROVIDED BELOW: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP19005 - INVESTIGATION SUBJECT: BATTERY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE UPDATES TO WHOM IT MIGHT CONCERN, BACK TO MAY 2019, TESLA PUSHED A SOFTWARE UPDATE, FIRMWARE NUMBER 2019.16.2, TO MY CAR VIA OVER-THE-AIR(OTA) METHOD. RIGHT AFTER INSTALLING IT IN MY CAR, I NOTICED THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN THE CAR'S RANGE. SOFTWARE VERSION 2019.16.2 WAS RELEASED AFTER SEVERAL NON-CRUSH FIRES HAPPENED WORLDWIDE ON THE BATTERY PACK WITH THE SAME SIZE AND SPEC AS MINE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11291614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10885723 · 2016-07-18 (July 18, 2016)
NOTICED THIS PROBLEM AFTER I WAS BACKING UP AND TURNING MY WHEELS AND WOULD HEAR A LOUD METAL ON METAL "CLUNK" OR "GRINDING" SOUND. IT WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT-LEFT SUSPENSION AND WOULD OCCUR CAUSING MY WHEEL AND STEERING TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS SKIPPING. I NOTICED AND MY STEERING FELT "LOOSE" OVER BUMPS AND WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT. AGAIN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND THIS WAS FELT THE MOST WHEN TURNING FULL MOTION AND/OR BACKING UP AND TURNING. WHEN LOOKING AT ONE OF THE CONTROL-ARM JOINTS AFTER I NOTICED A VERY LOUD CLUNK AND COMPARING IT …
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10885723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10917208 · 2016-10-18 (October 18, 2016)
HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILIMAGES.ASPX?IMAGEURL=2&ITEMID=23306666 THE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW THAT THE FRONT STEERING KNUCKLE HAS SNAPPED IN HALF AND THE WHEEL IS HANGING SIDEWAYS OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH. THE AIR-BAGS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED AND THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE BODYWORK. THESE STEERING KNUCKLES ARE A MADE FROM LOW PRESSURE DIE CAST ALUMINIUM WHICH IS CLEARLY NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE PURPOSE. THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES WHERE THE KNUCKLE HAS SIMPLY SNAPPED C…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10917208 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11300279 · 2020-01-19 (January 19, 2020)
CAUSE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED JUST BEFORE ENTERING INTO A HEAD IN PARKING SPACE WHEN WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY CAUSING IT TO JUMP THE CURB AND TAKE DOWN A RETAINING WALL. IT CONTINUED THROUGH THE WALL UNTIL IT WAS STOPPED BY A TREE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. VEHICLE SETTINGS AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT WERE AS FOLLOWS: THERE IS NO AUTOPILOT ON THIS MODEL S AND CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR WAS SET WITH CREEP MODE OFF. HVAC WAS ON.
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11300279 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11338928 · 2020-07-12 (July 12, 2020)
THE TOUCH SCREEN ON THE TESLA IS BLACK AND WILL NOT TURN ON. IT'S AS IF THE COMPUTER IS DEAD. IT WAS WORKING I PARKED AT UPS DELIVERY GOT OUT, DROPPED OFF A PACKAGE GOT BACK I. THE CAR LIKE NORMAL WITH THE KEY FOB, SAT DOWN PRESSED THE BRAKE AND NOTICED NOTHING MOVED, IN OTHER WORDED THE SEAT, AND THE TOUCH SCREEN STAYED OFF. NOTHING CAME BACK AFTER THAT...
Owner-reported narrative. 114,938 miles reported. Look up ODI 11338928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431339 · 2021-09-01 (September 1, 2021)
The contact owns a 2012 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding noise without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a service center where they replaced the drive unit under warranty. Recently, the contact had taken the vehicle to a service center for the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting). The day after the recall repair was performed, several unknown warning lights appeared on the EMMC while drivi…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,380 miles reported. Look up ODI 11431339 at NHTSA ↗