2016 Tesla Model X Structure Problems
Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the 2016 Tesla Model X, 13% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 8,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “falcon wing” (14% of reports).
- 57structure complaints
- 8,000median miles at failure
- 14mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 63%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.
- Falcon wing: mentioned in 8 of 57 complaints (14%)
- Center spine: mentioned in 5 of 57 complaints (9%)
- Flew off: mentioned in 5 of 57 complaints (9%)
- Suddenly accelerated: mentioned in 5 of 57 complaints (9%)
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 30 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 57 complaints, 14 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 an injury.
Tesla Model X structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Model X | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2024 Model X | 3 | 11% | — |
| 2023 Model X | 12 | 6% | 30,000 |
| 2022 Model X | 8 | 6% | — |
| 2021 Model X | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2020 Model X | 11 | 9% | 3,600 |
| 2019 Model X | 14 | 14% | 7,750 |
| 2018 Model X | 22 | 11% | 7,650 |
| 2017 Model X | 12 | 4% | 30,000 |
| 2016 Model X | 57 | 13% | 8,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Structure:body
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model X vehicles. The front and center roof cosmetic trim pieces may be adhered to the vehicle without primer. As a result, one or both pieces of trim may separate from the vehicle.
Risk: Trim that separates from the vehicle during use can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla service will test the roof trim adhesion and reattach the trim pieces as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-12-008. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 20V-710 will need to have the new inspection and remedy completed.
Structure:body
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model X vehicles. The front and spine cosmetic roof trim may have been adhered to the vehicle without first using primer. As a result, one or both pieces of trim may separate from the vehicle while moving.
Risk: Trim that separates from the vehicle during use can cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will test the roof trim adhesion, and, as necessary, apply primer, free of charge. The recall began January 15, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-20-12-005. This recall has been superseded by Recall 24V615 (SB-24-12-008).
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My 2016 Tesla Model X is subject to NHTSA Recall 24V615000 for detaching roof appliques. The component was previously inspected by Tesla under this campaign. August 30, 2026 the center spine applique completely detached and flew off the vehicle at highway speeds, creating an immediate road hazard…
Problem: Driver door fails to open The door actuator and latch will intermittently fail and the door will refuse to open. In the event of an accident the driver can fail to exit the vehicle possibly leading to death. An independent party/dealer has not produced the problem. No representative has…
The following is copied from: NHTSA ID Number: 11487520 Incident Date [XXX] Consumer Location SAN JOSE, CA On nine separate documented occasions, the passenger front wheel molding trim piece, in which one of the proximity sensors is mounted, completely detached, causing the proximity sensor to…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2016 Tesla Model Xs have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 57 owner complaints about structure for the 2016 Tesla Model X (13% of the 450 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 X structure?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list structure. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do structure problems start?
The median reported mileage is 8,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about structure problems on the 2016 Tesla Model X?
The most frequent phrase is “falcon wing”, in 8 of 57 complaints, followed by “center spine” (5).
Other 2016 Tesla Model X problems
- Suspension problems (151)
- Electrical System problems (93)
- Steering problems (58)
See all 2016 Tesla Model X problems or structure problems across all Model X years.