2012 Tesla Model S

61 complaints on file, page 1 of 4.

1. Filed Jun 17, 2026Failure Oct 11, 2024Montgomery, WVElectrical system, Power train, Unknown or other

   In October 2024, I brought my recently purchased used Model S to the Cincinnati Service Center for an antenna inspection, MCU upgrade, and general inspection to ensure the vehicle was safe and operating properly. During the inspection, I was informed that additional issues had been discovered. Wanting the vehicle to be reliable, I authorized the recommended repairs and ultimately paid more than $10,000 for the work performed. When I picked up the vehicle, a technician had to access it because the keys had been locked inside, and the battery had not been adequately charged. Shortly after leaving, I heard unusual noises and, within approximately five miles, discovered the protective underbody panel had not been properly secured and was hanging from the vehicle. Because I live in West Virginia, I was unable to complete the trip home and required a tow to a charging station. During the drive, the vehicle displayed coolant-related warnings. When I contacted the service center, I was advised to continue driving the vehicle if it remained operable and return it when convenient. Only seven days later, the vehicle completely shut down and became inoperable. When I returned it to Cincinnati, I was informed that the main battery required replacement at my expense despite previously being told multiple times that the battery was functioning properly. I have never received a clear explanation as to how the battery failed, why I am being held responsible, or whether the prior service contributed to the issue. Tesla instructed me to remove the vehicle from its property and return it to the seller. Although Tesla later offered $4,500 as a resolution, I declined because I do not believe I should be responsible for a battery failure that occurred immediately after extensive service work. I have photographs, invoices, service records, and additional documentation supporting my concerns.

   NHTSA complaint 11744727
2. Filed Dec 30, 2025Failure Nov 26, 2025La Habra Heights, CAAir bags

   In the evening of [XXX] of this year, the driver door airbag in my 2012 Tesla Model S self-deployed as I opened the car door to exit after parking in my garage. I brought the car to the Tesla dealer in Buena Park California, and they told me they could not fix it because the car’s warranty had already expired. I was not concerned about getting it fixed for free under warranty, but wanted Tesla to acknowledge that this was a serious safety hazard and what could be done to prevent this from happening again, seriously injuring me or someone else driving my car. My concern is that the dealership implied that the owner’s/driver’s safety is not Tesla’s responsibility after the warranty period ends. The dealership did not comment any further. A search on Reddit shows that airbag self-deployments during normal driving situations (non-accident) is not an isolated incident, but Tesla‘s airbag problems do not seem to have been well-publicized so that other Tesla owners or potential buyers can be made aware of this potential safety hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint 11707948
3. Filed Mar 17, 2023Failure Feb 11, 2021Tustin, CAEngine

   Motor is starting to make sounds and according to teslamotorsclub.com the motor will fail eventually. Many have to had to have the motor switched out multiple times. It is quite evident that there was a design flaw which Tesla corrected in later years.

   NHTSA complaint 11512319
4. Filed Mar 7, 2023Failure Jan 19, 2023Syracuse, INPower train

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11510630
5. Filed Nov 29, 2022Failure Nov 29, 2022San Jose, CAElectrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11495377
6. Filed Oct 8, 2022Failure Sep 12, 2022Brush Prairie, WAElectrical system

   I charge my Model S on a 30 amp circuit with the car location amperage set to 20 amps to avoid overheating the circuit. Around Sept 12 while plugged in to the 30 amp, the car pulled in 50 amps off the line causing a melting of the wires and a near fire based on the damages later found. The car is supposed to send charging error alerts or problems via the Tesla app. Instead it continued to try to pull power out of the burnt line for 11 days all the while further depleting the battery. I discovered my car a 0% battery range with a dead 12 volt as well just as it had depleted and discovered the burnt up wires. I charged the 12 volt and got the car to take a charge. The 20 amp charge setting upon starting the car had changed itself to 50 amps. I lowered the setting and began charging the car. I was then able to move my car to a faster 50 amp circuit because the 120 v 10 amp circuit was going to take 3-4 days to charge the car or longer. I plugged the car into the 50 amp circuit set at 40 amps and let the car charge. An update was then pushed to the car. After the update completed. I got a charging error message via the app. I went to the screen and checked my charger. My Gen 2 wall charger indicated an overvoltage error and my car screen showed it tried to pull 80 amps off my 50 amp circuit. I lowered the amps back down and reset my wall charger. It appears after updates or at random, the car is changing the charge amps and sometimes exceeding the amperage the outlets and wires can provide. If the in house breaker or circuit in the wall charger doesn't trip, the car will pull in more amps than the circuit can handle and may cause a fire. This is a dangerous potential problem that I luckily narrowly avoided. I contacted Tesla about this issue. The car is set for evaluation at my expense since it is out of warranty. I have burnt wires, almost lost my high voltage battery to zero'ing its charge, and could have lost my shop or life.

   NHTSA complaint 11488480
7. Filed Jun 12, 2022Failure Mar 8, 2022Van Wert, OHElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system

   Both the 12 volt system and High voltage battery system or a component communicating between the two failed. I received a warning message that my vehicle may not restart and within 30 seconds it completely shutdown while driving in the middle of the road. The vehicle was essentially dead weight at this point. None of its features worked, the ability to unlock it, the ability to use electronic doors and windows functions could not be performed. it could not even be jumped to start the computer enabling it to be towed or put in neutral to even remove the vehicle from the roadway. The manufacturer has confirmed an inner fault within the High Voltage battery pack. I have since purchased and replaced this entire battery pack as it was said to be unserviceable.

   NHTSA complaint 11468855
8. Filed Dec 16, 2021Failure Nov 18, 2021Toms River, NJElectrical system

   I appears that Tesla had capped my battery. I have lost significant range for no reason and they have no explanation.

   NHTSA complaint 11444023
9. Filed Dec 3, 2021Failure Dec 1, 2021Reston, VAElectrical system, Visibility/wiper

   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 $2000 upgrade to resolve an issue related to loss of viability and backup camera (cited under the recall) and to charge me $500 for an FM radio I already have that works fine.

   NHTSA complaint 11442524
10. Filed Nov 21, 2021Failure Nov 19, 2021Aptos, CAElectrical system, Unknown or other

    MCU failure after 12 months replacement that I paid for at time of replacement. Service center cannot schedule a service for 2 weeks.

    NHTSA complaint 11441219
11. Filed Oct 6, 2021Failure Oct 5, 2021Oakland, CAElectrical system, Exterior lighting

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11435793
12. Filed Sep 23, 2021Failure Sep 22, 202151,000 milesSanta Clarita, CABack over prevention, Exterior lighting, Visibility

    The contact owns a 2012 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the center display screen failed to operate as needed. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that he did not qualify for the recall despite having received a letter for the recall. The manufacturer had not been notified of the issue. The contact stated that recently the center display screen started to operate as needed. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

    NHTSA complaint 11434130
13. Filed Sep 23, 2021Failure Aug 18, 2021125,000 milesLos Angeles, CAPower train, Service brakes

    The contact owns a 2012 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle independently shifted to neutral. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred daily while driving whenever he depressed the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11434069
14. Filed Sep 8, 2021Failure Feb 21, 2019Strasburg, PAElectrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper

    This is related to NHTSA recall 21V-035. Tesla replaced the 8Gb memory card with a 64Gb memory card (so I'm told) but the main car display screen still does not function most of the time. This results in; -unavailability of the rearview camera display -defrost/defog control settings unavailable for purposes of ensuring visibility -and exterior turn signal lighting may increase the risk of a crash I've had this to Tesla twice now but it has not been fixed.

    NHTSA complaint 11432144
15. Filed Sep 1, 2021Failure Aug 21, 2021110,380 milesArlington, TXElectrical system

    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 driving at various speeds. One of the messages that appeared on the EMMC was for the "loss of power voltage to the system, take the vehicle to a nearest service center". Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed back to the service center where he was informed that his drive unit needed to be replaced again. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 110,380.

    NHTSA complaint 11431339
16. Filed Jul 23, 2021Failure Jul 22, 2021Williston, VTElectrical system, Exterior lighting

    I recently had my Tesla Model S serviced due to the touchscreen going blank (losing functionality of defrosting, temperature, sunroof, and a list of other issues). Driving with a fogged up window is dangerous. Thank you to the NHTSA for forcing Tesla to replace it free of charge. Unfortunately, it appears that Tesla is not replacing it with a new unit. Instead it is a refurbished unit. Just days after servicing I got in the car to drive and the following error comes up on the touchscreen: "Center display memory storage device is degraded. Without repair, center display may enter limited functionality mode and only display rear view camera. When in limited functionality mode, it may be required to press brake for 30 seconds or press key fob unlock to authorize drive. Please use the Tesla Mobile App to schedule service." I find this quite troublesome and felt it worthy to apprise the NHTSA that Tesla is clearly not abiding by its requests.

    NHTSA complaint 11426091
17. Filed Jun 28, 2021Failure Sep 1, 202059,000 milesCoral Springs, FLPower train

    The contact owns a 2012 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal humming sound detected coming from the drive unit. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed that the drive unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11422548
18. Filed May 24, 2021Failure Aug 28, 2020Monroe, MIElectrical system

    Tesla has rejected my claim for repayment for the emmc repair that I paid for that was performed by their Toledo, OH Service Center prior to the recall. I've tried contacting them as outlined in their recall correspondence but haven't received an explanation as to why I don't qualify. The repair was performed on 8/28/2020 on repair order#3000s0001353764.

    NHTSA complaint 11418413
19. Filed May 18, 2021Failure Dec 6, 2018Seattle, WAUnknown or other

    In December 2018 our 2012 Tesla Model S experienced a failure that was later identified as part of a recall. Tesla Service replaced the MCU at our expense - a bill that ran to more than $2400. When the recall was announced it was claimed that owners would be reimbursed for expenses related to the recall, but we have been unable to get Tesla to acknowledge the claim. Their automated site claims we have no covered repairs, and all attempts to contact Tesla support are rebuffed with form letters directing us to the same automated service.

    NHTSA complaint 11417617
20. Filed May 17, 2021Failure May 17, 2021SAN Jose, CAElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system

    eMMU seem to have caused "Console display not available error"

    NHTSA complaint 11417527