2012 Tesla Model S problems
The 2012 Tesla Model S was sold with an engine that we have documented: the Tesla Model S / Model X. The Tesla Model S / Model X has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as corrosion of the power steering motor bolts on the Model S.
.jpg){kind=link}
2012 Tesla Model S score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 8 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Electric motor7.55 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension6.71 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes8.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering7.41 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights6.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.3 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment8.61 fault
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior0.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 6.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
Tesla Model S / Model X engine in the 2012 Tesla Model S
Names: Model S 60 · Model S 70D · Model S 75D · Model S 85 · Model S 90D · Model S 100D · Model S P100D · Model S Gran Autonomía · Model S Performance · Model S Plaid
- With caution
First generation: Model S 60, 70, 85, P85 and D variants (2012-2016)
302–691 hp
These are the oldest cars, with the 8-year warranty about to run out or already expired, and fiches-auto.fr cites faulty battery cooling hoses up to 2016.[1][3]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- Critical severityFrequency: RareTraction batteryHigh-voltage battery or battery management (BMS) faultNormal degradation is low: Tesla publishes an average loss of 12% at 320,000 km. Real battery faults are rare, with a few BMS cases and replacements before 250,000 km cited by fiches-auto.fr.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareCoolingLeaks from battery cooling hoses (Model S 2012-2016)fiches-auto.fr notes that some Model S cars built from 2012 to 2016 have faulty battery cooling hoses that can drip and overheat the cells. It is a single source, with no figures and no confirmed European campaign.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectric motor and reduction gearVibrations from worn front driveshaftsOn dual-motor versions, the front driveshafts can wear and cause vibrations under hard acceleration. Auto Bild cites it on the Model X and fiches-auto.fr records several cases; the motor and reduction gear assembly does not usually fail.
- High severityFrequency: RareElectric motor and reduction gearElectric motor or drive unit faultThe motor and reduction gear units of the Model S and X are considered robust: Auto Bild hardly records any faults. fiches-auto.fr says some owners have replaced the motor or battery before 250,000 km, though without frequency figures.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareChargingOn-board charger fault (AC charging)The AC on-board charger can fail and stop charging from a domestic socket or AC charging post, sometimes with DC rapid charging still working. fiches-auto.fr documents this mainly on older Model S cars with a dual charger.
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 Tesla Model S
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalSteeringCorrosion of the power steering motor bolts on the Model SIn March 2018 Tesla recalled around 123,000 Model S cars built before April 2016 because the power steering motor bolts could corrode, especially in areas with road salt, and increase the effort needed to turn the steering wheel.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentCentral touchscreen (MCU unit) failure on the Model SAccording to the fiches-auto.fr entry, the Model S central screen has failed in 3 of 21 testimonies, in one case before 2,000 km. The entry also mentions a campaign over the Nvidia Tegra 3 chips in cars built before 2018.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionPremature wear of the front suspension and bushes on the Model SThe fiches-auto.fr entry records 3 suspension mentions in 21 testimonies: premature wear of front parts, collapsed air suspension and faulty bushes, with one case that required replacing the whole wishbone at 40,000 km.
Buying a 2012 Tesla Model S?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Tesla Model S reliable?
The 2012 Tesla Model S was sold with an engine that we have documented: the Tesla Model S / Model X. The Tesla Model S / Model X has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as corrosion of the power steering motor bolts on the Model S.
What is the best year for the Tesla Model S?
According to our score, the best are 2026, 2025, 2024 and 2 other years with the same score (8.3/10). The year with the worst score is 2012 (7.1/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Tesla Model S have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: high-voltage battery or battery management (BMS) fault (Tesla Model S / Model X, critical severity), leaks from battery cooling hoses (Model S 2012-2016) (Tesla Model S / Model X, critical severity), electric motor or drive unit fault (Tesla Model S / Model X, high severity), corrosion of the power steering motor bolts on the Model S (steering, high severity) and vibrations from worn front driveshafts (Tesla Model S / Model X, medium severity).
Own a 2012 Tesla Model S? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiabilité Tesla Model S (2012-2021): tous les problèmesfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
- Tesla Model SWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
- Tesla ändert Batteriegarantie: Kilometer statt Laufzeitauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published 6 February 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German