2016 Tesla Model S Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Model S years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 10 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 648 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model S. That ranks 2nd out of 15 Model S model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is suspension (210 complaints, 32%), typically at around 10,000 miles. Complaints mention 92 crashes, 12 fires, 64 injuries. There are 10 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 18 defect investigations involving it.
- 648owner complaints
- 10safety recalls
- 18NHTSA investigations
- 92complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2016 Tesla Model S problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension problems | 210 | 32% | 10,000 | “https www” (28%) | $2,100 |
| Unknown or Other | 150 | 23% | 37,667 | — | — |
| Electrical System problems | 149 | 23% | 50,574 | “turn signals” (11%) | $3,200 |
| Steering problems | 87 | 13% | 5,000 | “https www youtube” (31%) | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 81 | 13% | 5,000 | “https www youtube” (21%) | — |
| Service Brakes problems | 53 | 8% | 7,757 | “complaint autopilot” (11%) | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 49 | 8% | 49,500 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 39 | 6% | 71,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 30 | 5% | 26,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 26 | 4% | 42,000 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 21 | 3% | 41,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 18 | 3% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 15 | 2% | 5,900 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 15 | 2% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 15 | 2% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 14 | 2% | 21,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 13 | 2% | 38,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 11 | 2% | 52,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 1% | 131,700 | — | — |
| Engine | 5 | 1% | 37,900 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 0% | 38,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 0% | 15,961 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0% | 40,647 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 0% | 79,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2016 Tesla Model S recalls (10)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Seat belts:front:warning light/devices
Problem: 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."
Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Problem: 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, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:adas:driver monitoring:software
Problem: 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 advanced driver-assistance feature.
Risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 SB-23-00-008.
Steering:automated/adaptive steering
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
Risk: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
Steering:automated/adaptive steering
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
Risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System."
Risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-11-003.
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system; exterior lighting:turn signal; back over prevention:software
Problem: 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 in some of the center display functions.
Risk: The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2014-2016 Model S vehicles 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 passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-19-20-001.
Steering:electric power assist system
Problem: 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.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-32-002.
Parking brake
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 number for this recall is SB-17-33-002.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions (EA26002) — opened Mar 18, 2026, still open.
- Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged (PE25012) — opened Oct 7, 2025, still open.
- Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements (AQ25002) — opened Aug 20, 2025, still open.
- Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness (RQ24009) — opened Apr 25, 2024, still open.
- Sudden Unintended Acceleration (DP23002) — opened Jun 29, 2023, still open.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
- Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts. (PE24033) — opened Jan 6, 2025, closed Apr 3, 2026.
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions (PE24031) — opened Oct 17, 2024, closed Mar 18, 2026.
- Defect Petition Interlock Request (DP23001) — opened Apr 7, 2023, closed Mar 18, 2026.
- Pedestrian alert sounds (DP22005) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V063000.
- Autopilot System Driver Controls (EA22002) — opened Jun 8, 2022, closed Apr 25, 2024, led to recall 23V085.
- Autopilot & First Responder Scenes (PE21020) — opened Aug 13, 2021, closed Jun 8, 2022.
- Fore Link Failure (PE20020) — opened Nov 22, 2020, closed Aug 12, 2024.
- Loss of rearview camera (EA20003) — opened Nov 12, 2020, closed May 2, 2024, led to recall 21V035.
- Loss of rearview camera (PE20010) — opened Jun 22, 2020, closed Nov 22, 2020.
- Sudden Unintended Acceleration (DP20001) — opened Jan 13, 2020, closed Jan 8, 2021.
- Battery Management Software Updates (DP19005) — opened Oct 1, 2019, closed Sep 28, 2021.
- Automatic vehicle control systems (PE16007) — opened Jun 28, 2016, closed Jan 19, 2017.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Rear left control arm failed while driving causing loss of steering and suspension
I am requesting help with a very common issue on Tesla Model S and X vehicles that they refuse to extend warranty to repair. The rear drive motor on all performance models made from 2012-2020 have a very common issue of a faulty internal factory seal that should prevent liquid coolant from entering…
The doors are not opening/closing properly. I have had intermittent issues that are now more constant. When the doors unlock they do not unlatch when I pull the exterior handle. Yesterday on 9/13/26 my front drivers side door was not closing. Each time I closed it the latch released and it would…
I had a new windshield installed by a official Tesla Service Center that has a large distorted area in the center of the windshield. I complained about the large distortion and I was told that all the of stocked parts for my car are affected by the issue and they don't have any estimates or…
UPDATE to Complaint XXX. Reference VIN [XXX] Tesla Model S 2016. Incident XXX [XXX] XXX Report XXX. Tractor [XXX] Unit XXX + Trailer XXX. 11 sec forward camera video proves Tesla BEHIND trailer at Time 0, 30ft gap. Tesla travels 88ft (30ft gap + 53ft trailer + 5ft to diesel tank/step) in 3-4 sec to…
Other Tesla Model S years
← 2015 Model S · 2017 Model S →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Model S | 7 | 0 |
| 2025 Model S | 6 | 2 |
| 2024 Model S | 38 | 6 |
| 2023 Model S | 114 | 13 |
| 2022 Model S | 139 | 20 |
| 2021 Model S | 179 | 23 |
| 2020 Model S | 80 | 11 |
| 2019 Model S | 44 | 10 |
| 2018 Model S | 169 | 11 |
| 2017 Model S | 428 | 9 |
| 2016 | 648 | 10 |
| 2015 Model S | 668 | 9 |
| 2014 Model S | 366 | 9 |
| 2013 Model S | 460 | 11 |
| 2012 Model S | 61 | 8 |
See all Tesla Model S problems by year, every Tesla model, or the Tesla VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Tesla Model S?
Owners most often report suspension, unknown or other, electrical system problems. The top one, suspension, accounts for 210 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Tesla Model S?
Yes, 10 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2016 Tesla Model S a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Model S model years, the 2016 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.