2012 Tesla Model S
US · Sedan · Large Cars
The 2012 Tesla Model S is listed in the US market as a sedan with electric power. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.
- Engine
- Tri-motor all-wheel drive with carbon-sleeved rotors
- Power
- 1,019 hp (760 kW)
- Torque
- 1,047 lb-ft (1,420 Nm)
- Transmission
- Single-speed
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Fuel
- Electric
- Economy
- 265 mi (426 km) range
- Seating
- 5 seats
Key Performance & Dimensions
Engine
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Tri-motor all-wheel drive with carbon-sleeved rotors | |
| Power | 1,019 hp (760 kW) | |
| Torque | 1,047 lb-ft (1,420 Nm) | |
| Fuel type | Electric | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Performance
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 2.1 s | |
| Top speed | 200 mph (322 km/h) |
Transmission and drivetrain
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Single-speed | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
| Gears | 1 | |
| Drivetrain | RWD | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Dimensions
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 196.0 in (4,979 mm) | |
| Width | 77.3 in (1,964 mm) | |
| Height | 56.9 in (1,445 mm) | |
| Wheelbase | 116.5 in (2,960 mm) |
Weight
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,766 lb (2,162 kg) |
Fuel economy and range
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Electric range | 265 mi (426 km) | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
| Battery capacity | 100.0 kWh |
Capacity
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | |
| Doors | 5 |
Our sources do not publish these for this vehicle: Displacement, Cylinders, Aspiration, Towing capacity, Payload, Ground clearance, Gross vehicle weight rating, Combined, City, Highway, Fuel tank, Cargo volume. We leave them out instead of estimating.
Trims and configurations
1 configuration listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked November 6, 2026.
24V376000: 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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
Reported May 28, 2024. View on NHTSA
24V051000: 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 with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105,…
Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
Reported January 30, 2024. View on NHTSA
23V838000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING: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 controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2…
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is…
Reported December 12, 2023. View on NHTSA
21V035000: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
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 no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure…
Remedy: Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one…
Reported January 29, 2021. View on NHTSA
18V204000: 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.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at…
Reported March 29, 2018. View on NHTSA
17V260000: 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.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's…
Reported April 19, 2017. View on NHTSA
17V023000: 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, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term…
Remedy: 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.
Reported January 10, 2017. View on NHTSA
15V780000: 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.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat belts, correcting their connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015. Owners may contact Tesla customer…
Reported November 23, 2015. View on NHTSA
Data sources
- EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved November 7, 2026 · US Government public data
- NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 14, 2026 · US Government public data
Source checked: November 7, 2026
Data verified: November 7, 2026
Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.
Related vehicles
- 2013 Tesla Model S
Sedan, Electric
Tri-motor all-wheel drive with carbon-sleeved rotors · 1,019 hp (760 kW) · RWD
139 mi (224 km) to 265 mi (426 km) range
Explore similar vehicles
Frequently asked questions
What engine does the 2012 Tesla Model S have?
Tri-motor all-wheel drive with carbon-sleeved rotors. Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.
How much horsepower does the 2012 Tesla Model S have?
1,019 hp (760 kW), as listed by our sources.
What is the electric range of the 2012 Tesla Model S?
265 mi (426 km) of electric range, as listed by our sources.
Is the 2012 Tesla Model S front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?
Drivetrain: RWD.
How many seats does the 2012 Tesla Model S have?
5 seats.
How long is the 2012 Tesla Model S?
196.0 in (4,979 mm).
Are there recalls for the 2012 Tesla Model S?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked November 6, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.