Vehicle

Tesla Model S · 2012

8 recalls affect this vehicle. Sorted by severity, then date.

1–8 of 8

Severity pendingNHTSA·21V035000·2021-01-29
Tesla Recalls Model S and X for Display Memory Wear
Tesla is recalling 2012-2018 Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles because center display memory wear can cause loss of rearview camera and turn signals.
Product
TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X
Category
Vehicle
Distribution
Distributed nationwide
Severity pendingNHTSA·18V204000·2018-03-29
Tesla Recalls Model S Vehicles Due to Steering Bolt Corrosion Risk
Tesla is recalling 2012-2016 Model S vehicles because aluminum steering bolts may corrode and fracture, potentially causing a loss of power steering assist.
Product
TESLA — TESLA MODEL S
Category
Vehicle
Distribution
Distributed nationwide
Severity pendingNHTSA·17V260000·2017-04-19
Tesla Recalls Model S and X for Parking Brake Gear Defect
Tesla is recalling 2016 Model S and 2016-2017 Model X vehicles because a parking brake gear may fracture, potentially causing the vehicle to roll or become immobile.
Product
TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X
Category
Vehicle
Distribution
Distributed nationwide
Severity pendingNHTSA·17V023000·2017-01-10
Tesla Recalls 2012 Model S Vehicles for Front Passenger Air Bag Defect
Tesla is recalling 2012 Model S vehicles because the front passenger air bag inflator may rupture in a crash, potentially causing serious injury or death.
Product
TESLA — TESLA MODEL S
Category
Vehicle
Distribution
Distributed nationwide
Severity pendingNHTSA·24V376000·2024-05-28
Tesla seat belt warning light and chime may not activate
Tesla is recalling certain 2012-2024 vehicles because the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate for an unbelted driver, failing FMVSS 208. A free over-the-air update fixes it.
Product
TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X, MODEL 3, MODEL Y
Category
Vehicle
Distribution
Distributed nationwide
Severity pendingNHTSA·23V838000·2023-12-12
Tesla Model Y Autosteer Recall: Software Update for Control Prominence
Tesla is recalling 2.03 million 2012-2023 Model S/X/3/Y vehicles with Autosteer due to insufficient control prominence that may allow driver misuse and crash risk. A free OTA software update will be provided.
Product
TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X, MODEL 3, MODEL Y
Category
Vehicle
Distribution
Distributed nationwide
Severity pendingNHTSA·15V780000·2015-11-23
Tesla Recalls Model S Vehicles Due to Seat Belt Connection Defect
Tesla is recalling 2012-2015 Model S vehicles because front seat belts may be improperly connected to the pretensioner, increasing injury risk in a crash.
Product
TESLA — TESLA MODEL S
Category
Vehicle
Distribution
Distributed nationwide
Severity pendingNHTSA·24V051000·2024-01-30
Tesla brake warning light font size fails federal display standard
Tesla is recalling certain 2012-2024 vehicles because the Brake, Park and ABS warning lights display at an incorrect font size, failing FMVSS 105 and 135. A free over-the-air update fixes it.
Product
TESLA — TESLA MODEL S, MODEL X, MODEL 3, MODEL Y
Category
Vehicle
Distribution
Distributed nationwide

Wider context for this vehicle

Beyond the official recalls above. These are third-party figures derived from NHTSA complaint data — useful signal, but not part of our verified recall record.

Federal investigations — 6 open

PE26006 Preliminary Evaluation · open · suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
EA26002 Engineering Analysis · open · electrical system:adas
PE25012 Preliminary Evaluation · open · electrical system:adas
AQ25002 Audit Query · open · electrical system:adas
PE24033 Preliminary Evaluation · electrical system:adas:autonomous/self driving
PE24031 Preliminary Evaluation · electrical system:adas

Complaint clusters with no matching recall

2014 · suspension — 82 complaints, median 20,000 mi
Includes 1 alleging a death and 1 alleging a fire. Unverified owner allegations from complaint filings — not confirmed by any agency.
2013 · suspension — 79 complaints, median 45,000 mi
Includes 5 alleging a fire. Unverified owner allegations from complaint filings — not confirmed by any agency.
2013 · powertrain — 31 complaints, median 110,400 mi
2014 · powertrain — 24 complaints

Technical service bulletins

398 manufacturer service bulletins across 15 model years. A TSB is repair guidance to dealers, not a safety recall.

Third-party reliability score

2025: 4.8/5
2024: 4.4/5
2023: 3.7/5
2022: 3.0/5 · 136 complaints
2021: 1.4/5 · 176 complaints · most complained-of: steering

This is ProblemsByVin’s own published heuristic (1 worst – 5 best), not an official rating and unrelated to our severity scale.

Data on this panel comes from ProblemsByVin, derived from US NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, and licensed CC BY 4.0. It is not published by a federal agency and is not part of our verified recall record.

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