2015 Tesla Model S 12V Battery Replacement

A 2015 Tesla Model S 12-volt battery replacement can cost anywhere from $100 to $300 for parts and labor.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Jessa Claeys
If you need to replace the 12-volt battery in your 2015 Tesla Model S, the carmaker will replace it for between $100 to $300, including parts and labor. If your Model S is still under warranty, the 12-volt battery replacement should be covered.
Tesla has set the gold standard for electric vehicles (EVs) ever since the first Tesla Roadster rolled off the line in 2008. With cutting-edge designs, space-age technology, and an insatiable thirst for innovation, it seemed like everything about these electric vehicles was novel—except the parts that weren’t
One of those not-so-new components is the 12-volt lead acid battery, which powers some of the Model S’s ancillary components, such as the lights, windows, media unit, power liftgate, wiper blades, etc. Unlike the massive battery packs that power your
Tesla’s
drive, the 12-volt batteries have become notorious for dying an early death in the Model S, including in 2015 models. 
While 12-volt batteries are expected to last three to four years, many owners report that theirs died within one to two. In this case, the battery should still be under warranty. But if yours is not, read on to find out how much a 2015 Tesla Model S 12-volt battery replacement might cost.
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How much does it cost to replace a 2015 Tesla Model S 12V battery?

Tesla’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty covers the original 12-volt lead acid battery for 8 years or 50,000 miles, or whichever comes first. If your 2015 Tesla Model S is no longer under warranty, Tesla will charge you between $100 to $300 to replace the 12-volt battery, including parts and labor.
In 2021 Tesla phased out the 12-volt lead acid batteries for new 12-volt lithium-ion batteries, which have better capacity and are said to last the length of your Model S’s life. At the moment, it is unclear if Tesla will voluntarily replace a dead lead acid battery with a lithium-ion one. So if your 12-volt needs replacing, ask your Tesla dealer to confirm whether the new battery will be a legacy lead acid one or a new lithium-ion version.
If your car isn’t under warranty but Tesla will only offer a lead acid 12-volt battery replacement, you can look for a third-party option to get a new 12-volt lithium-ion battery instead. At least one company,
OMMHU
, sells new, 12-volt lithium-ion batteries optimized for Tesla vehicles for $439 that can be shipped to you. The company claims the batteries will fit any Tesla Model S, and offers installation videos and guides online. Of course, do your due diligence before installing an aftermarket battery in your Model S.

Can you put a new battery in an old Tesla Model S?

Yes, you can. Tesla will install a new 12-volt battery in your 2015 Model S. If your warranty is still valid, the battery replacement should be covered. If not, you can pay for Tesla to swap out your original battery for a new 12-volt lead acid one or a 12-volt lithium-ion battery.
As mentioned, you could try your luck with a third-party battery producer (such as OMMHU) if Tesla won’t cover the cost of swapping in a new 12-volt lithium-ion battery.

Tesla Model S 12-volt battery capacity and lifespan

So, how does the new generation of lithium-ion batteries compare to the old lead acid 12-volt batteries? Check out the table below:
Model years
Battery capacity
Estimated lifespan 
2012 to 2021
Lead acid: 33 Ampere hours
3 to 4 years
2022 to present
Lithium-ion: 6.9 Ampere hours
Lifespan of vehicle
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Tesla expects its new 12-volt lithium-ion battery to last the lifetime of the vehicle but falls short of guaranteeing it. However, unlike many other manufacturers, the new lithium-ion batteries should be covered under warranty. If in doubt, contact your Tesla dealer to confirm.

How long does a 2015 Tesla Model S 12V battery last?

The original 12-volt lead acid battery in a 2015 Tesla Model S was expected to last between three to four years, but many Tesla owners have reported the battery dying out after just one to two. If your original 12-volt lead acid battery was replaced, the expected lifespan of the new lead acid battery is unfortunately the same.
To correct the problem—which afflicted other models too, not just the Model S—Tesla has gone all-in with its new 12-volt lithium-ion battery. The carmaker claims it should last the lifetime of the vehicle: roughly 300,000 to 500,000 miles or between 21 to 35 years. 
The new batteries have a higher capacity, weigh less, and are better optimized to operate in a Tesla. Since these batteries are so new, time will tell whether they are as good as Tesla claims.
That said, a battery is a battery, and the user is responsible for its care. Here are some maintenance tips to heed in order to keep your batteries in top shape:
  • Avoid high temperatures: Park your Tesla in a cool, indoor spot or under shade if possible, as severe heat can wear down a battery’s capacity.
  • Use supercharging for long trips only: Only using supercharging to power your Tesla can lead to faster battery degradation, especially if using a non-Tesla DC fast charging point.
  • Charge up to 90%: Tesla recommends charging your Model S up to 90% for daily use; only charge to 100% for long trips.
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