MYRModel Year Report

2016 Tesla Model S

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Tesla Model S
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
647
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
18

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

2012: 61 complaints 2012 2013: 460 complaints 2014: 365 complaints 2014 2015: 668 complaints 2016: 647 complaints 2016 647 2017: 425 complaints 2018: 169 complaints 2018 2019: 44 complaints 2020: 80 complaints 2020 2021: 179 complaints 2022: 139 complaints 2022 2023: 113 complaints 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 6 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2012: 61 complaints 2012 2013: 460 complaints 2013 2014: 365 complaints 2014 2015: 668 complaints 2015 2016: 647 complaints 2016 647 2017: 425 complaints 2017 2018: 169 complaints 2018 2019: 44 complaints 2019 2020: 80 complaints 2020 2021: 179 complaints 2021 2022: 139 complaints 2022 2023: 113 complaints 2023 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 6 complaints 2025 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2012: 61 complaints 2012 2013: 460 complaints 2013 2014: 365 complaints 2014 2015: 668 complaints 2015 2016: 647 complaints 2016 647 2017: 425 complaints 2017 2018: 169 complaints 2018 2019: 44 complaints 2019 2020: 80 complaints 2020 2021: 179 complaints 2021 2022: 139 complaints 2022 2023: 113 complaints 2023 2024: 38 complaints 2024 2025: 6 complaints 2025 2026: 6 complaints 2026

2016: 647 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
201261
2013460
2014365
2015668
2016647
2017425
2018169
201944
202080
2021179
2022139
2023113
202438
20256
20266

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

32% · 209 reports
CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Here is a Model S in the junkyard: https://www.iaai.com/vehicle?itemid=26536335&rownumber=1&loadrecent=true it has been in a major crash, it has bio-hazard stickers and judging by the damage it is almost certain that someone has been killed in...

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-08

Electrical system

23% · 150 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and autonomous/self driving.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Sudden unintended acceleration appeared to cause the Tesla while parking the car on the street in front of home accelerate go out of control and crash into the home totaling the car and damaging the house.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-01

Dear NHTSA, I am writing to file a complaint regarding a SUA incident that occurred on October 20, 2023, involving my 2016 Tesla Model S. On the day of the incident, I pulled into my garage and began to park my car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-13

Also filed under Forward collision avoidance

Steering

13% · 86 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Here is a report of a crash that occurred in germany. Http://teslaclubsweden.se/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=5024 the owner is uncertain of the exact sequence of events and is not sure if he was on autopilot or not.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-07-17

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Vehicle speed control

13% · 81 reports
CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

UPDATE to Complaint XXX. Reference VIN [XXX] Tesla Model S 2016. Incident XXX [XXX] XXX Report XXX. Tractor [XXX] Unit XXX + Trailer XXX. 11 sec forward camera video proves Tesla BEHIND trailer at Time 0, 30ft gap.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-19

Also filed under Forward collision avoidance

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. While parking, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated and crashed into a fence and a neighbor's air conditioning unit. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-01

Unintended acceleration occurred on 2 separate occasions with 2 different drivers within 2 weeks. Model S 70D incident 1: my wife was at a stop sign.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-05-10

Service brakes

8% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 18 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 647 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2016-06-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2017-01-19 Automatic vehicle control systems
  3. R
    2018-03-06Parking brake17V260000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles.

    Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2019-05-07Steering18V204000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks.

    Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2019-05-29Air bags19V002000 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.

    Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2019-10-01Defect petitionClosed 2021-09-28 Battery Management Software Updates
  7. I
    2020-01-13Defect petitionClosed 2021-01-08 Sudden Unintended Acceleration
  8. I
    2020-06-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2020-11-22 Loss of rearview camera
  9. I
    2020-11-12Engineering analysisClosed 2024-05-02 Loss of rearview camera
  10. I
    2020-11-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2024-08-12 Fore Link Failure
  11. R
    2021-03-29Back over prevention, exterior lighting, visibility21V035000 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.

    Remedy: Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2021-08-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2022-06-08 Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
  13. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  14. R
    2022-01-27Electrical system, steering22V037000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles.

    Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2022-02-18Latches/locks/linkages21V00B000 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.

    Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. I
    2022-06-08Engineering analysisClosed 2024-04-25 Autopilot System Driver Controls
  17. I
    2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
  18. I
    2023-04-07Defect petitionClosed 2026-03-18 Defect Petition Interlock Request
  19. R
    2023-04-15Steering23V085000 Tesla, Inc.

    Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023.  Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.  Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  20. I
    2023-06-29Defect petitionOpen Sudden Unintended Acceleration
  21. R
    2023-12-12Electrical system23V838000 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.

    Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  22. R
    2024-02-21Electrical system24V051000 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.

    Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  23. I
    2024-04-25Recall queryOpen Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
  24. R
    2024-07-26Seat belts24V376000 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.

    Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  25. I
    2024-10-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2026-03-18 FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
  26. I
    2025-01-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2026-04-03 Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
  27. I
    2025-08-20Audit queryOpen Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
  28. I
    2025-10-07Preliminary evaluationOpen Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
  29. I
    2026-03-18Engineering analysisOpen FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Tesla Model S — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 209 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 150 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 86 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 17V260000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 18V204000 · Steering
  • Recall 19V002000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V035000 · Back over prevention, exterior lighting, visibility
  • Recall 22V037000 · Electrical system, steering
  • Recall 21V00B000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 23V085000 · Steering
  • Recall 23V838000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 24V051000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 24V376000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Tesla Model S reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Tesla Model S is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Tesla Model S?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Tesla Model S have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.