Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension — runs 5.3× the fleet median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
639Complaints
10Recalls
91Crashes
12Fires
64Injured
8Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Suspension (32.7% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Suspension complaints here are 5.3× the median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 639 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=25357151&ROWNUMBER=7&LOADRECENT=TRUE IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN IN A COLLISION, NO AIR-BAGS HAVE DEPLOYED. THE FRONT RH…”NHTSA complaint 11001843 — filed 06/28/2017 · SUSPENSION
“HERE IS ANOTHER MODEL S IN THE SALVAGE YARD. HTTPS://WWW.SALVAGERESELLER.COM/CARS-FOR-SALE/24729347-2016-TESLA-MODEL-S-COURTICE-ON THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED ON ALL 4 WHEELS. THE FRONT RH WHEEL IS JAMMED BACK…”NHTSA complaint 10981354 — filed 04/28/2017 · SUSPENSION
“HERE IS ANOTHER CASE OF A TESLA WITH A BROKEN SUSPENSION. THIS INFORMATION IS TAKEN FROM A TESLA OWNERS FORUM: HTTPS://WWW.REDDIT.COM/R/TESLAMOTORS/COMMENTS/63DTWS/TESLA_MODEL_X_SUSPENSION_QUALITY_ISSUE_PASSENGER/?SORT=NEW TIMOTHYM96 2 POINTS 1…”NHTSA complaint 10971047 — filed 04/07/2017 · SUSPENSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Tesla Model S?
Suspension issues are the most-reported category, cited in 209 of 639 NHTSA complaints (32.7%), followed by unspecified/other issues (150), electrical system (145), steering (84). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2016 Tesla Model S have?
639 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 91 involved a crash, 12 involved a fire, and 64 reported injuries. 8 deaths were reported.
Does the 2016 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V002000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2016 Tesla Model S's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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