Worst 2016 Tesla Model S Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Electrical Faults
Steering Defects
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Tesla Model S.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 206 | 35 | 8 | 24,227 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 140 | 7 | 5 | 48,939 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 83 | 14 | 2 | 12,994 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 75 | 33 | 1 | 17,598 mi | |
| Brakes | 53 | 18 | 1 | 18,414 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 49 | 1 | — | 50,012 mi | |
| Body Structure | 27 | 6 | — | 46,110 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 25 | — | — | 49,065 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 23 | 2 | — | 72,667 mi | |
| Backup Camera | 15 | — | — | 36,545 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 15 | 2 | — | 84,000 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 15 | 3 | — | 32,274 mi | |
| Airbags | 14 | 4 | — | 19,400 mi | |
| Fuel System | 14 | 7 | 4 | 23,593 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 14 | 2 | — | 21,685 mi | |
| Visibility | 13 | — | — | 32,556 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 11 | 4 | — | 51,184 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 7 | 1 | — | 78,333 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 7 | — | — | 18,000 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 6 | 1 | — | 71,000 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Warning | 6 | — | — | 68,000 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | — | — | 37,900 mi | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Forward-Collision Avoidance Issues | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — |
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Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Tesla Model S. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2016 Tesla Model S
10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,203,097 vehicles.
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."
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."
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other Tesla Model S Years
2016 Tesla Model S — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2016 Tesla Model S reliable?
What are common problems with the 2016 Tesla Model S?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Tesla Model S?
How safe is the 2016 Tesla Model S?
Does the 2016 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2016 Tesla Model S?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Tesla Model S reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2016 Tesla Model S
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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