2016 Tesla Model X
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 444 |
| 2017 | 267 |
| 2018 | 188 |
| 2019 | 99 |
| 2020 | 123 |
| 2021 | 39 |
| 2022 | 122 |
| 2023 | 191 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
33% of complaints: suspension — 148 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow 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, 20180301
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, 20171028
21% of complaints: electrical system — 92 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20250401
13% of complaints: steering — 57 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20180301
11% of complaints: structure — 48 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20160607
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, 20160405
8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 34 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20240816
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 16V192000 — check if this car was fixed
Automatic vehicle control systems
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.
Campaign 17V639000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V260000 — check if this car was fixed
Battery Management Software Updates
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
Loss of rearview camera
Loss of rearview camera
Fore Link Failure
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.
Campaign 20V710000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V062000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 21V035000 — check if this car was fixed
Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Campaign 22V037000 — check if this car was fixed
Autopilot System Driver Controls
Pedestrian alert sounds
Defect Petition Interlock Request
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.
Campaign 23V085000 — check if this car was fixed
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
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.
Campaign 23V838000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 24V051000 — check if this car was fixed
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
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.
Campaign 24V376000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 24V615000 — check if this car was fixed
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2016 Tesla Model X — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (148 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (92 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (57 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 16V192000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V639000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V260000 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V710000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V062000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V035000 (back over prevention, exterior lighting, visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V037000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V085000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V838000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V051000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V376000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V615000 (structure) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Tesla Model X have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.