Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinChecklist / 2012-TESLA-MODEL-S
Pre-purchase · Buyer's checklist
2012 Tesla Model S inspection checklist
The 2012 Tesla Model S has 1 critical safety recall and a documented pattern of issues across 3 component categories. Before you sign anything, walk through this list with the seller. Skip nothing — the items below come from 59 owner reports already on file with NHTSA.
1
Verify safety recalls before you drive off
Recall fixes are free regardless of warranty status. Ask the seller for proof — or have the dealer pull the VIN history.
Tesla Motors, Inc — fix: 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.
What to look for: Dim or flickering dash lights at idle, slow window operation, intermittent infotainment glitches, parasitic battery drain (dead battery after a few days parked). (34 owner complaints on this vehicle
· typical repair $850 · failures cluster ~90,887 mi)
On the test drive: Cycle through every electronic accessory during the drive — heated seats, defrosters, climate fan on max, cruise control. Glitches show up under load.
What to look for: Bouncing after bumps, knocking over potholes, sagging on one corner, harsh ride with all the dampening gone. (8 owner complaints on this vehicle
· typical repair $900 · failures cluster ~38,750 mi)
On the test drive: Drive over a series of bumps or a railroad crossing — clunks point to worn end links, ball joints, or strut mounts.
What to look for: Hesitation on takeoff, harsh or delayed shifts, vibration at highway speed, fluid leaks on the driveway under the engine bay or transmission pan. (4 owner complaints on this vehicle
· typical repair $2,500 · failures cluster ~71,000 mi)
On the test drive: Drive 15+ minutes including a freeway on-ramp at full throttle, a steep hill, and stop-and-go traffic. Listen for clunks on shifts, flares between gears, and shudders during light acceleration at 30–50 mph (torque converter symptom).
The seller's transparency on these tells you what kind of seller you're dealing with.
Inspection items derived from 59 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaigns filed
with NHTSA on the 2012 Tesla Model S. Category-specific guidance is written by ProblemsByVin contributors with ASE-certified mechanic
review. This checklist is meant to surface known patterns — it doesn't replace a paid pre-purchase inspection by a
qualified shop, which we recommend for any used vehicle priced over a few thousand dollars.