2012 Tesla Model S vs 2013 Tesla Model S
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Tesla Model S | 2013 Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 61 | 459 |
| Recall campaigns | 8 | 11 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 87 | 102 |
| Investigations | 8 | 8 |
| Crash reports | 4 | 41 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 19 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 89 | — |
| Median reported mileage | 68,481 mi | 70,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Tesla Model S | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 37 | 195 |
| Suspension | 9 | 91 |
| Power Train | 5 | 35 |
| Steering | 1 | 29 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 24 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 25 |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 18 |
| Engine | 1 | 21 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 0 | 24 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 15 |
| Overheating | 0 | 8 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 6 |
2012 Tesla Model S
2013 Tesla Model S
Compare all Tesla Model S vs Tesla Model S years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.