2012 Tesla Model S Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 8%of 61 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 Tesla Model S, 8% of the 61 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This is related to NHTSA recall 21V-035. Tesla replaced the 8Gb memory card with a 64Gb memory card (so I'm told) but the main car display screen still does not function most of the time. This results in; -unavailability of the rearview camera display -defrost/defog control settings unavailable for purposes of ensuring visibility -and exterior turn signal lighting may increase the risk of a crash I've had this to Tesla twice now but it has not been fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #11432144, filed 2021-09“I tried to start the car and got the “Center Display unavailable” message. Reset the computer doesn’t help. I have to wait for more than 5 minutes for the system to be on.”
NHTSA complaint #11495377, filed 2022-11“I recently had my Tesla Model S serviced due to the touchscreen going blank (losing functionality of defrosting, temperature, sunroof, and a list of other issues). Driving with a fogged up window is dangerous. Thank you to the NHTSA for forcing Tesla to replace it free of charge. Unfortunately, it appears that Tesla is not replacing it with a new unit. Instead it is a refurbished unit. Just days after servicing I got in the car to drive and the following error comes up on the touchscreen: Center display memory storage device is degraded. …”
NHTSA complaint #11426091, filed 2021-07“The contact owns a 2012 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the center display screen failed to operate as needed. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that he did not qualify for the recall despite having received a letter for the recall. The manufacturer had not been notified of the issue. The contact stated that recently the center display screen started to operate as needed. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #11434130, filed 2021-09, 51,000 miles“As the car drains the battery pretty quickly, I have turned on energy saving mode. In this mode the car enters a deeper sleep, consuming less power. Sometimes in this mode when starting the vehicle, the turn signals will not work (this appears to happen when the car sits for a while and the miles left on the battery is under 120 or so). After a quick stop (2 minutes out of the car), the turn signals will start working, and the driver display will show the blinking turn signal when they work, but it will not display when they do not work. …”
NHTSA complaint #11435793, filed 2021-10Related service bulletins
- 10153419Jan 3, 2019On certain Model S vehicles, the liftgate has plugs that do not allow water to drain, causing condensation to build up inside the tail light assembly. Tail light functionality is…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 6 | 4% |
| 2021 | 6 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% |
| 2018 | 8 | 5% |
| 2017 | 28 | 7% |
| 2016 | 49 | 8% |
| 2015 | 46 | 7% |
| 2014 | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 | 15 | 3% |
| 2012 | 5 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2012 Tesla Model S
37 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Tesla Model S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology