Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model S, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension211
- Unknown or other150
- Electrical system149
- Steering87
- Vehicle speed control81
- Service brakes53
- Exterior lighting49
- Forward collision avoidance39
- Structure30
- Visibility/wiper26
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 64 injuries and 8 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 13 2016 Model S vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2016 Tesla Model S failed the safety check 2.22% of the time — 13% more often than the average 2016 passenger car (1.97%). Median odometer at inspection: 70,295 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2016
8,695 new Tesla Model S cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2016; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (2,444), the Netherlands (1,612), Germany (1,476).
- Average mass
- 2,192 kg
- Average power
- 189 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Electric 100%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
In the Netherlands
980 first registered in 2016 are on Dutch roads; 14% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €112,300.
Most common APK defects
- Band onvoldoende profiel485
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm368
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld301
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde299
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm225
- Fusee(kogel) te veel speling192
- Band beschadigd171
- Mistlicht voor onjuist afgesteld166
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
2,171 cars built in 2016 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 65 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 2,338 of these cars first registered in 2016 took their annual MOT test. 81% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2016 the figure was 79%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 10.5% | 6.2% |
| Suspension | 4.0% | 4.9% |
| Visibility | 2.5% | 3.5% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.4% | 6.1% |
| Brakes | 2.3% | 4.3% |
| Steering | 1.2% | 0.8% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
458 of these cars first registered in 2016 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 213,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
80 2016 cars are on the New Zealand register; 70% arrived as used imports, 29% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
9 Transport Canada recalls for the 2016 Tesla Model S.
| 2024283 21 May 2024 | Lights And Instruments Issue: A previous over-the-air (OTA) software update could cause the vehicle not to display the correct visual warning indicators when there are problems with… |
| 2023657 12 Dec 2023 | Accessories Issue: On vehicles equipped with the Autosteer advanced driver-assistance feature, when using the feature, the vehicle may not provide strong enough warnings … |
| 2023063 14 Feb 2023 | Accessories Issue: In certain traffic situations, when the FSD Beta advanced driver assistance feature is engaged, the vehicle may perform maneuvers that break certain tr… |
| 2021783 21 Dec 2021 | Structure Issue: On certain vehicles, the front trunk (frunk) hood latch may not be positioned properly. As a result, the secondary latch may not hold the hood closed. … |
| 2021038 29 Jan 2021 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, the internal memory for the media control unit (MCU) could run out of storage capacity over time. If this happens, the center disp… |
| 2020497 20 Oct 2020 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, when switching the distance display setting from kilometers to miles, the speedometer displays the vehicle speed in miles per hour… |
| 2019004 7 Jan 2019 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the pr… |
| 2018149 29 Mar 2018 | Steering On certain vehicles, the bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture. This could allow the power steerin… |
| 2017218 20 Apr 2017 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the Brembo electric parking brake calipers could contain an improperly manufactured internal gear that could break under load. If the gear … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Tesla told its dealers about the 2016 Tesla Model S: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11008831 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008830 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008829 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008827 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008824 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008807 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008806 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008805 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008803 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008800 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008783 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008782 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008781 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008779 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11008776 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006914 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006913 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006912 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11006910 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005742 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005741 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005740 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005739 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11005737 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
| 11003088 | Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owners manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on its touchscreen. This file contains all available owners manual content for the vehicle converted to PDF format, and given the distribution method and NHTSAs submission format requirements, it is the best available representative copy of owners manual content. However, a customer who accesses the owners manual via their vehicle |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
Defect Petition Interlock Request
Pedestrian alert sounds
Autopilot System Driver Controls
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
Fore Link Failure
Loss of rearview camera
Loss of rearview camera
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
Battery Management Software Updates
Automatic vehicle control systems
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation