Certified Pre-Owned: 2012 Tesla Model S
None for sale by us right now: rent one for a week first, or ask us to find one. Rated 23.6 kWh/100 km combined (EPA). 8 NHTSA recall campaigns.
- For sale by us
- 0
- Combined
- 23.6 kWh/100 km
- Recalls
- 8
For sale
We do not have a 2012 Tesla Model S for sale right now. We are a rental company: rent one for a week to try it, or tell us what you want and we look for one for you.
2012 Tesla Model S specs
| Engine | Electric motor |
|---|---|
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 1-speed automatic |
| Fuel | Electric |
| Combined | 23.6 kWh/100 km |
| Electric range | 426 km |
| CO₂ | 0 g/km |
| Cost to drive 100 km | $3.54 |
2012 Tesla Model S: every figure
| MPG city (US) | 88 MPGe |
|---|---|
| MPG highway (US) | 90 MPGe |
| MPG combined (US) | 89 MPGe |
| Charge at 240 V | 12 hours |
| Luggage volume (litres converted from EPA's cubic feet) | 736 L (26 cu ft) |
| Fuel cost a year (EPA) (EPA: 15,000 miles at its fuel prices) | US$850 |
| Fuel cost for 20,000 km (at 15 cents a kWh) | $708 |
Sources: fuel use, MPG, CO2, electric range, battery, charge time, luggage volume and the annual fuel cost are the US EPA's (fueleconomy.gov). Imperial MPG, litres, inches and pounds are converted from those figures. Figures no free source publishes for this car (power, torque, acceleration, top speed, fuel tank, towing) are left out.
What to check when buying the 2012 Tesla Model S
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year. Ask the seller for proof each one was fixed; a dealer can check it by the VIN.
- Owners filed 61 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system (37), unknown or other (12) and suspension (9). Have those parts checked before you buy.
| Campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V376000 | 2024-05-28 | seat belts:front:warning light/devices | 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... |
| 24V051000 | 2024-01-30 | electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 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... |
| 23V838000 | 2023-12-12 | electrical system:adas:driver monitoring:software | 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... |
| 21V035000 | 2021-01-29 | visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system | 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... |
| 18V204000 | 2018-03-29 | steering:electric power assist system | 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. |
| 17V260000 | 2017-04-19 | parking brake | 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. |
| 17V023000 | 2017-01-10 | air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module | 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,... |
| 15V780000 | 2015-11-23 | seat belts:front | 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. |
Source: NHTSA (US) recall campaigns and owner complaints for this model year.
Thinking of buying the 2012 Tesla Model S?
We rent cars and sell one only now and then. There is no 2012 Tesla Model S for sale by us right now. This page helps you judge the 2012 Tesla Model S before you buy one anywhere.
Recalls and complaints
NHTSA has 61 owner complaints on file, mostly about electrical system, unknown or other and suspension. A pre-purchase inspection at a shop you choose is money well spent. Ask for the service records and check open recalls by the VIN. In Ontario, a used car needs a Safety Standards Certificate to be registered.
Engine and fuel
The electric motor is what moves it, with rear-wheel drive. It is fully electric: no gas at all, and you return it with the charge it had at pickup. Rear-wheel drive gives balanced handling; in winter, the tires make the biggest difference.
It uses 23.6 kWh per 100 km, so 300 km takes about 71 kWh of charge. A full charge is rated for 426 km; plan for less in the cold. At our price setting, it costs about $3.54 to drive 100 km. EPA puts its fuel cost at US$850 a year for 15,000 miles at US prices.
How big it is
Its car body is low and settled, with a separate trunk. For luggage, 736 litres means bulky luggage, a stroller or sports gear.
Who the Model S suits
It suits anyone who needs a car for a few days, a week or a month without buying one. It suits a family trip where everyone and everything fits in one car.
Try before you buy
A week with the Model S answers more than any brochure. Renting first costs a fraction of the price of buying the wrong car. Rent it, live with it for a week, and decide with real experience.
What it costs to run
Charging at home usually costs less than public fast charging. Get an insurance quote for this exact model before you buy; rates differ a lot between models. The EPA estimates US$850 a year in fuel for 15,000 miles at US prices.
Picking a year and a trim
A newer year is not always better; check what changed before paying more for it. Write down the VIN of any car you consider; it unlocks the recall and service history. If you are unsure between two options, rent one of them for a week first.
Your move
Send a request to rent the model first, or ask us what we can do.
Rent it for a week before you buy
A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel. Rent a 2012 Tesla Model S from us first.
Find me this car
Tell us your budget and when you want to buy; we look for a 2012 Tesla Model S for you and reply within one business day.
Buying the 2012 Tesla Model S
Does CarmaCars sell the 2012 Tesla Model S?
Not right now. CarmaCars rents cars; it sells one only now and then. Tell us what you want and we look for one, or rent one for a week first.
Can I rent a 2012 Tesla Model S before I buy one?
Yes. Request it for a week (or longer, up to 365 days) and drive it as your own; nothing is charged until we confirm and you approve.
Does the 2012 Tesla Model S have recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for it, in the table on this page. Ask for proof each was fixed.
What does the 2012 Tesla Model S cost in fuel a year?
EPA puts it at US$850 a year for 15,000 miles at its fuel prices; at our price setting, 20,000 km cost about $708.00.
Where do the figures come from?
Fuel use and fuel cost from the US EPA (fueleconomy.gov), dimensions and weight from NHTSA vPIC Canadian specifications, recalls and complaints from NHTSA. We leave out any figure no free source publishes.