How common are electrical problems in the 2012 Tesla Model S?

NHTSA lists 38 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Model S, which is 62% of the 61 total complaints filed for that model year.

At what mileage do these electrical failures usually happen?

The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on the 2012 Model S is 73,000 miles.

Is there a recall for electrical issues on the 2012 Tesla Model S?

Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls: campaign 24V051000 for an incorrect brake-related font size on the instrument panel, and campaign 23V838000 covering Autosteer software, both fixed via free over-the-air updates.

Did the electrical problems cause any crashes or fires?

No. NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries linked to the electrical system complaints for the 2012 Model S.

Is the 2012 Model S worse than other years for electrical complaints?

Yes, relative to other Model S years. Its 62% share of complaints tied to the electrical system is the highest of any year in the data, compared to 44% in 2013 and lower percentages in later years.

2012 Tesla Model S Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 38 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Tesla Model S, 62% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 73,000. No crashes, fires, or injuries were reported in this area, but two related recalls exist.

Electrical System complaints: 38; 62% of 61
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 73,000 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

The media control unit (MCU) and central touchscreen freeze or go completely black, killing access to climate, backup camera, and other controls.
Owners report the touchscreen or MCU needing a hard reboot that takes several minutes, sometimes happening more than once in the same drive.
Rear door handles stop working from either the outside or inside, leaving the door hard to open.
Some owners describe repeat MCU failures, including replacement units failing again after roughly a year.
A few owners report the car failing to start due to computer problems, leaving them stranded on multiple occasions.
Loss of the instrument cluster and speedometer has been reported alongside MCU shutdowns while driving.

When 2012 Tesla Model S electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 8, 2017, latest Jun 17, 2026.

38 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2017 to Jun 2026; peak Jun 2020 (12).

Electrical System recalls for the 2012 Tesla Model S

NHTSA 24V051000Jan 30, 2024Electrical System2,193,869 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
NHTSA 23V838000Dec 12, 2023Electrical System2,031,220 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system:adas:driver monitoring:software
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
Risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

Electrical System complaints by Model S model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201238 (62%)
2013203 (44%)
2014143 (39%)
2015281 (42%)
2016183 (28%)
2017131 (31%)
201839 (23%)
20196 (14%)
20207 (9%)
202128 (16%)
202221 (15%)
202314 (12%)
20247 (18%)
20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems in the 2012 Tesla Model S?: NHTSA lists 38 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Model S, which is 62% of the 61 total complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do these electrical failures usually happen?: The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on the 2012 Model S is 73,000 miles.
Is there a recall for electrical issues on the 2012 Tesla Model S?: Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls: campaign 24V051000 for an incorrect brake-related font size on the instrument panel, and campaign 23V838000 covering Autosteer software, both fixed via free over-the-air updates.
Did the electrical problems cause any crashes or fires?: No. NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries linked to the electrical system complaints for the 2012 Model S.
Is the 2012 Model S worse than other years for electrical complaints?: Yes, relative to other Model S years. Its 62% share of complaints tied to the electrical system is the highest of any year in the data, compared to 44% in 2013 and lower percentages in later years.