Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Tesla Model S problems

Owners filed 59 complaints about the 2012 Tesla Model S with NHTSA between Oct 2015 and Mar 2023. The most-cited component is electrical system (36).

Complaints
59
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system36
  2. Suspension9
  3. Exterior lighting5
  4. Visibility/wiper5
  5. Power train4
  6. Equipment3
  7. Fuel/propulsion system2
  8. Back over prevention2
  9. Structure2
  10. Engine1
  11. Visibility1
  12. Service brakes1
  13. Lane departure1
  14. Vehicle speed control1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20152
20163
20172
20180
20192
202026
202119
20223
20232

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

36 reports2 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2022Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperODI 11495377

Suspension

9 reports3 crashes1 fire
“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 AND OTHER ROAD USERS. FOR MANY MORE EXAMPLES PLEASE VISIT THE WHOMPY WHEELS ALBUM HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/38453571?ROWNUMBER=39 THANK YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY AND BAN THESE CONTRAPTIONS FROM THE ROADS OF THE WORLD. YOUR FRIEND KEEF”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 23, 2020SuspensionODI 11384728

Exterior lighting

5 reports
“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 "turning it on", by pressing the break, sometimes the driver display (which shows speed and current drive mode, PRND indicator) will be blank, not showing any information, despite the ability to operate the car, etc.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2021Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11435793

Visibility/wiper

5 reports
“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 with an upgraded MCU" (which is unclear but perhaps a superset of the VCM and display components that are under recall), for a cost of $2000 and $500 for it to include FM radio (that I already have and always worked fine). The manager offered a deal for $1000 + $500 to include FM radio. An appointment was set up and the estimate for approval was $1500 for "infotainment upgrade" and $500 for "Radio upgrade", and $120 taxes for a total of $2120.00 I will cancel the upgrade and inquire again if the recall work is able to return the vehicle in working order without it needing a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2021Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11442524

Power train

4 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 7, 2023Power trainODI 11510630

Equipment

3 reports
“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. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2021Back over prevention, EquipmentODI 11397709
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.