2016 Tesla Model S Steering Problems
Owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2016 Tesla Model S, 13% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 5,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “https www youtube” (31% of reports).
- 87steering complaints
- 5,000median miles at failure
- 14mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 60%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Https www youtube: mentioned in 27 of 87 complaints (31%)
- Com watch: mentioned in 27 of 87 complaints (31%)
- Complaint autopilot: mentioned in 20 of 87 complaints (23%)
- Tmc threads: mentioned in 13 of 87 complaints (15%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 64 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 87 complaints, 14 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 an injury.
Tesla Model S steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Model S | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2024 Model S | 4 | 11% | — |
| 2023 Model S | 20 | 18% | — |
| 2022 Model S | 21 | 15% | — |
| 2021 Model S | 29 | 16% | — |
| 2020 Model S | 10 | 13% | 2,500 |
| 2019 Model S | 4 | 9% | 2,763 |
| 2018 Model S | 15 | 9% | 19,950 |
| 2017 Model S | 47 | 11% | 10,000 |
| 2016 Model S | 87 | 13% | 5,000 |
| 2015 Model S | 51 | 8% | 10,000 |
| 2014 Model S | 27 | 7% | 50,000 |
| 2013 Model S | 29 | 6% | 76,000 |
| 2012 Model S | 1 | 2% | 67,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
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.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Rear left control arm failed while driving causing loss of steering and suspension
While driving my vehicle straight approaching an intersection, I lost complete steering capability and feedback from the steering wheel. The lower intermediate shaft on the steering column complete separated from the splines on the rack and pinion. If I wasn't already preparing to stop at the stop…
While driving my vehicle straight approaching an intersection, I lost complete steering capability and feedback from the steering wheel. The lower intermediate shaft on the steering column complete separated from the splines on the rack and pinion. If I wasn't already preparing to stop at the stop…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2016 Tesla Model Ss have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 87 owner complaints about steering for the 2016 Tesla Model S (13% of the 648 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Tesla Model S steering?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 5,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2016 Tesla Model S?
The most frequent phrase is “https www youtube”, in 27 of 87 complaints, followed by “com watch” (27).
Other 2016 Tesla Model S problems
See all 2016 Tesla Model S problems or steering problems across all Model S years.