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NHTSA model-year recall report

2012 Tesla Model S Recalls

8 campaigns in our verified NHTSA snapshot, with source consequences, remedies, and VIN-specific next steps.

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8

NHTSA campaigns

8

Affected systems

0

Urgent advisories

May 28, 2024

Latest campaign date

At a glance

What the record says

This model year's count is below the Tesla Model S average of 14.4 campaigns per listed year. That is context only—not proof that this year is safer or less safe.

The most frequent affected category is Parking Brake, appearing in 1 campaign.

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  3. 3

    Repair

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Source campaign records

All 2012 Tesla Model S recall campaigns

Shown newest first. NHTSA summary, consequence, and remedy text is preserved without truncation.

NHTSA campaign 24V376000

Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light / Devices

Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Reported May 28, 2024

What is recalled

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Safety consequence

A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 24V051000

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel

Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Reported Jan 30, 2024

What is recalled

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."

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 23V838000

Electrical System › Adas › Autonomous / Self Driving › Software

Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Reported Dec 12, 2023

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 21V035000

Back Over Prevention › Software

Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Reported Jan 29, 2021

What is recalled

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.

Safety consequence

The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 18V204000

Steering › Electric Power Assist System

Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Reported Mar 29, 2018

What is recalled

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.

Safety consequence

Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-32-002.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 17V260000

Parking Brake

Manufacturer: Tesla Motors, Inc.

Reported Apr 19, 2017

What is recalled

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.

Safety consequence

If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-17-33-002.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 17V023000

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module

Manufacturer: Tesla Motors, Inc.

Reported Jan 10, 2017

What is recalled

Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2012 Model S vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 15V780000

Seat Belts › Front

Manufacturer: Tesla Motors, Inc.

Reported Nov 23, 2015

What is recalled

Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Model S vehicles manufactured May 31, 2012, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver or front passenger seat belts that may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.

Safety consequence

If the seat belt is not correctly attached to the pretensioner, it may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat belts, correcting their connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-15-20-002.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

Other Tesla Model S model years

Compare campaign histories within the same model. Counts are descriptive, not a safety grade.

202220 campaigns202124 campaigns20149 campaigns201311 campaigns20128 campaigns
View all model years

2012 Tesla Model S recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Tesla Model S have?

This verified dataset contains 8 NHTSA campaigns associated with the 2012 Tesla Model S. A campaign can apply to some, not all, vehicles of the same model year.

Does this confirm an open recall for my 2012 Tesla Model S?

No. This page is a model-year campaign history. Use NHTSA's official lookup or an authorized dealer to confirm whether a campaign applies to your exact VIN and whether the repair remains open.

Are vehicle recall repairs free?

When a safety recall campaign applies to your VIN, the manufacturer remedy is generally provided at no charge through an authorized dealer. Confirm eligibility and scheduling with the manufacturer or dealer.

Source: NHTSA. Dataset includes campaigns through Jul 30, 2026. Last processed Aug 8, 2026. Methodology