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2012 Tesla

Model S

Auto (A1)

Tesla Model S: best and worst years
2012 Tesla Model S
2012 photoGranadaCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic (A1)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

Efficiency

Smog score
10/10
Range per hour (240V)
22 mi/hr
Charger level
Level 3 (DC fast charging)NHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 10/13/2026
Real-world MPG
87.3 mpg, reported by 1 driverabout 1.7 mpg below the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
Yes

Dimensions & capacity

GVWR class
Class 1 (6,000 lb or less)NHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 10/13/2026

Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

Recalls
8
Owner complaints
61 See on NHTSA
Reported injuries
6
Theft rate
0.0 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM42%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER13%
  • SUSPENSION10%
  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING6%
  • POWER TRAIN6%
  • VISIBILITY/WIPER6%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 89 total.

Tesla Model S: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • RQ24009Openopened Apr 25, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:DRIVER MONITORING:SOFTWARE

    Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness

  • DP23002Openopened Jun 29, 2023VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

    Sudden Unintended Acceleration

  • DP22005opened Jan 27, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

    Pedestrian alert sounds

  • EA22002opened Jun 8, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    Autopilot System Driver Controls

  • EA21002Openopened Sep 17, 2021AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  • EA20003opened Nov 12, 2020VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

    Loss of rearview camera

  • PE20010opened Jun 22, 2020ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

    Loss of rearview camera

  • DP19005opened Oct 1, 2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY THERMAL:MANAGEMENT:SOFTWARE

    Battery Management Software Updates

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

75 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Jun 3, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSB-25-16-003

    On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the battery powered Pyrotechnic High Voltage (HV) Battery Disconnect will reach the end of its battery lifespan in the near future, which will trigger alerts and may limit the vehicle’s performance.

  • Sep 30, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHERfsd-12-5-4-1_s3xy.pdf

    Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSA’s submission format requirements, it is the best available representat

  • Sep 30, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHERfsd-12-5-4_s3xy.pdf

    Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSA’s submission format requirements, it is the best available representat

  • Sep 30, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHERfsd-12-5-3_s3xy.pdf

    Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSA’s submission format requirements, it is the best available representat

  • Sep 30, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHER2024.38_s3xy.pdf

    Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSA’s submission format requirements, it is the best available representat

  • Sep 30, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHER2024.26.9_s3xy.pdf

    Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSA’s submission format requirements, it is the best available representat

  • Aug 31, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHER2024.32.3_082024.pdf

    Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSA’s submission format requirements, it is the best available representat

  • Aug 31, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHER2024.32_0824.pdf

    Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owner’s manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSA’s submission format requirements, it is the best available representat

  • and 67 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
4 yr / 50k mi
Powertrain
8 yr / 100k mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / 50k mi
EV battery
8 yr / 100k mi

Source: www.tesla.com as of 2026-06

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.