CarModelProblems.com

2016 Tesla Model S Problems & Recalls

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.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Suspension209 · 32.7%not available
Electrical System145 · 22.7%RecalledRecall 22V037000 · Recall 23V838000 · Recall 24V051000
Steering84 · 13.1%RecalledRecall 18V204000 · Recall 23V085000
Vehicle Speed Control79 · 12.4%not available
Service Brakes53 · 8.3%not available
Exterior Lighting49 · 7.7%not available

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.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION209 · 32.7%
Unspecified / other150 · 23.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM145 · 22.7%
STEERING84 · 13.1%
SERVICE BRAKES53 · 8.3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING49 · 7.7%
STRUCTURE:BODY27 · 4.2%
VISIBILITY/WIPER25 · 3.9%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL23 · 3.6%

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.

Recalls — 10 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V002000 · 2019 · reported 01/07/2019

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

Steering:electric Power Assist System

NHTSA campaign 18V204000 · 2018 · reported 03/29/2018

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

Parking Brake

NHTSA campaign 17V260000 · 2017 · reported 04/19/2017

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

Electrical System:adas:autonomous/self Driving:software

NHTSA campaign 22V037000 · 2022 · reported 01/27/2022

Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES

Back Over Prevention:software

NHTSA campaign 21V035000 · 2021 · reported 01/29/2021

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

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

NHTSA campaign 21V00B000 · 2021 · reported 12/21/2021

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

Steering:automated/adaptive Steering

NHTSA campaign 23V085000 · 2023 · reported 02/15/2023

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

Electrical System:adas:autonomous/self Driving:software

NHTSA campaign 23V838000 · 2023 · reported 12/12/2023

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

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

NHTSA campaign 24V051000 · 2024 · reported 01/30/2024

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

Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices

NHTSA campaign 24V376000 · 2024 · reported 05/28/2024

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 it Park 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

13720161122017542018412019239202015920211072022572023512024272025352026

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.