2012 Tesla Model S electrical system problems
Owners reported electrical system problems in 37 complaints for the 2012 Tesla Model S, 42% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 37 42% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 78,000 miles 22 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When electrical system problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 22 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 78,000 miles, and 23% were reported before 60,000 miles.
None of the electrical system complaints mention a crash, fire, injury or death.
What owners wrote
The right rear door handle became non-functional when attempting to open the car from outside the car. After service by the manufacturer (tesla), the door handle became exteriorly functional, although to a decreased amount compared to optimal performance, but was left in a state of inoperability from the interior of the car. Pulling on the door handle from the inside would not open the door. In the event of a crash from the left side, the passenger in the right rear seat would be trapped without recourse.
The mcu - media control unit is slow to respond to inputs and slow to startup when entering the vehicle. The screen has locked up several times while driving which leaves the turn indicators unusable and the defroster deactivated until the mcu resets. The hazard indicators are inactive when the mcu turns off. The front suspension links wear out prematurely due to a poor design and the weight of the vehicle.