MYRModel Year Report

2016 Tesla Model X

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Tesla Model X
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
449
Recalls
12

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
18

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

2016: 449 complaints 2016 449 2017: 268 complaints 2018: 193 complaints 2018 2019: 101 complaints 2020: 128 complaints 2020 2021: 41 complaints 2022: 127 complaints 2022 2023: 193 complaints 2024: 26 complaints 2024 2025: 15 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2016: 449 complaints 2016 449 2017: 268 complaints 2017 2018: 193 complaints 2018 2019: 101 complaints 2019 2020: 128 complaints 2020 2021: 41 complaints 2021 2022: 127 complaints 2022 2023: 193 complaints 2023 2024: 26 complaints 2024 2025: 15 complaints 2025 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2016: 449 complaints 2016 449 2017: 268 complaints 2017 2018: 193 complaints 2018 2019: 101 complaints 2019 2020: 128 complaints 2020 2021: 41 complaints 2021 2022: 127 complaints 2022 2023: 193 complaints 2023 2024: 26 complaints 2024 2025: 15 complaints 2025 2026: 6 complaints 2026

2016: 449 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20150
2016449
2017268
2018193
2019101
2020128
202141
2022127
2023193
202426
202515
20266

Known problem areas

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

Suspension

34% · 151 reports

Most commonly citing upper arm and control arm.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Here is a Tesla Model X in the junkyard: https://www.copart.com/lot/25589048 the front rh wheel is jammed back in the wheel arch and yet there is no collision damage forward of the wheel. Even the headlight glass is intact.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-01

Also filed under Steering

Here is another Tesla in the junkyard: https://www.copart.com/lot/38498547 it has bio-hazard stickers indicating that occupants were injured. The front top ball joint has separated from its socket. Both lower ball joint stems have snapped.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-28

Electrical system

21% · 93 reports

Most commonly citing autonomous/self driving.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 15 MPH from a traffic light, the vehicle was T-boned by another vehicle attempting to run the red light.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-04-01

Steering

13% · 58 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving the vehical when something went wrong. The vehicle showed a warning stating "ABS disabled".

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-19

Also filed under Vehicle speed control and service brakes

Structure

13% · 57 reports

Most commonly citing body and interior.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Our 5 day old Tesla x while entering a parking stall suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated at high speed on its own climbing over grass and and crashed into a building. The airbags deployed and my wife's arms have burn marks as a consequence.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-06-07

Also filed under Air bags

This is a complaint made in the interest of public safety. The VIN is a random number and not the actual vehicle involved. There are many reports of problems with the front doors and falcon doors failing to open or close correctly.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-04-05

My 2016 Tesla Model X is subject to NHTSA Recall 24V615000 for detaching roof appliques. The component was previously inspected by Tesla under this campaign.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-07

Vehicle speed control

8% · 35 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While parking, the accelerator pedal increased in speed without being pressed and the car had a sudden unexpected acceleration and crashed into a column in a parking lot.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-08-16

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 18 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 449 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2016-04-20Seats16V192000 Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2016 Model X vehicles manufactured September 29, 2015, to March 30, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the third row seat back may move forward under load such as in a frontal collision.

    Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will replace all affected third row seats, free of charge. The recall began on April 20, 2016. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-844-248-3752 or by email at ServiceHelpNA@teslamotors.com.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2016-06-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2017-01-19 Automatic vehicle control systems
  4. R
    2017-11-10Seats17V639000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Model X vehicles. The left-side, second row, reclining seat backs may not fully latch due to having incorrectly adjusted recliner mechanism cables.

    Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla service technicians will correct the cable adjustment for the left-side, fold-flat, second row, seat recliner mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2017.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. 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 →

  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
    2021-01-15Structure20V710000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model X vehicles. The front and spine cosmetic roof trim may have been adhered to the vehicle without first using primer.

    Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will test the roof trim adhesion, and, as necessary, apply primer, free of charge. The recall began January 15, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2021-02-15Steering20V062000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Model X vehicles. 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.

    Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts with coated steel bolts, and add a corrosion-preventative sealer to the steering gear motor housing and motor connection bolts.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. 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 →

  14. I
    2021-08-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2022-06-08 Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
  15. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  16. 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 →

  17. I
    2022-06-08Engineering analysisClosed 2024-04-25 Autopilot System Driver Controls
  18. I
    2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
  19. I
    2023-04-07Defect petitionClosed 2026-03-18 Defect Petition Interlock Request
  20. 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 →

  21. I
    2023-06-29Defect petitionOpen Sudden Unintended Acceleration
  22. 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 →

  23. 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 →

  24. I
    2024-04-25Recall queryOpen Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
  25. 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 →

  26. R
    2024-10-14Structure24V615000 Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model X vehicles. The front and center roof cosmetic trim pieces may be adhered to the vehicle without primer. As a result, one or both pieces of trim may separate from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Tesla service will test the roof trim adhesion and reattach the trim pieces as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

    Check if this car was fixed →

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

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Tesla Model X — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 151 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 93 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 58 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 16V192000 · Seats
  • Recall 17V639000 · Seats
  • Recall 17V260000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 20V710000 · Structure
  • Recall 20V062000 · Steering
  • Recall 21V035000 · Back over prevention, exterior lighting, visibility
  • Recall 22V037000 · Electrical system, steering
  • Recall 23V085000 · Steering
  • Recall 23V838000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 24V051000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 24V376000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 24V615000 · Structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Tesla Model X reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Tesla Model X is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Tesla Model X?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Tesla Model X have?
12 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.