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2012 Tesla Model S Reliability & Recall Report

Based on 8 NHTSA recalls and 59 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.

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This is one of the better years for the Tesla Model S

The 2012 model year shows below-average complaints compared to other years of this model — a good sign for reliability.

D
46/100

Buyer Beware — 2012 Tesla Model S

The 2012 Tesla Model S shows a notably poor reliability profile for this model year. Consider an alternative year or have a thorough pre-purchase inspection done by an independent mechanic.

8
NHTSA Recalls
8 recalls on record
59
Owner Complaints
Filed with NHTSA
4
Crashes + Injuries
1 fire report

Own or buying a 2012 Tesla Model S?

Check your specific VIN for open recalls, market value, full specs, and a free AI buyer summary.

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NHTSA Recalls — 2012 Tesla Model S (8)

All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized Tesla dealer at no charge to the owner.

🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #17V260000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #17V023000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #18V204000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #15V780000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #21V035000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #23V838000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #24V051000
🔧 Unknown Component
NHTSA #24V376000
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Most Common Problems — 2012 Tesla Model S

Based on 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Bars show relative complaint frequency.

Electrical System
34
Suspension
8
Power Train
4
Unknown Or Other
4
Equipment
2
Structure
2
Engine
1
Exterior Lighting
1
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Tesla Model S — Complaints by Year

Spike in a year = known problem year. The 2012 model year is highlighted.

2010 0 complaints 2011 0 complaints 2012 59 complaints 2013 456 complaints 2014 363 complaints 2015 0 complaints 2016 0 complaints

⚠ Years to avoid: 2013, 2014 — These model years show significantly elevated complaint activity.

✅ Best model years: 2010, 2011, 2012 — Lowest complaint rates for this model.

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Frequently Asked Questions — 2012 Tesla Model S

Is the 2012 Tesla Model S reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2012 Tesla Model S has 8 recalls and 59 owner complaints. This model year shows elevated issues — consider alternatives or a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2012 Tesla Model S have?
The 2012 Tesla Model S has 8 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Tesla Model S?
The most commonly reported problems for the 2012 Tesla Model S are: Electrical System, Suspension, Power Train, Unknown Or Other. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.
Is the 2012 Tesla Model S safe to buy?
The 2012 Tesla Model S has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 8 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.
What year Tesla Model S should I buy?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the best years for the Tesla Model S are: 2010, 2011, 2012. These show the lowest complaint rates. Years to avoid: 2013, 2014.
Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update. For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit NHTSA.gov/recalls.