2016 Tesla Model S Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 14 Model S years
The 2016 Tesla Model S ranks worst of 14 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100 and rank 1 out of 14 years for reported problems. NHTSA lists 646 complaints, 92 crashes, 12 fires, and 10 recalls for this year, led by Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues.
- Complaints
- 646
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 92 / 12
- Injuries / deaths
- 64 / 8
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 98
- 95 city / 101 hwy
Top 2016 Tesla Model S problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires215 (33%)
- Electrical System183 (28%)
- Other150 (23%)
- Engine86 (13%)
- Steering86 (13%)
- Brakes60 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras59 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers39 (6%)
- Structure & Body37 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners describe the rear wheel skewing over in the wheel well with no matching crash damage to the rear of the car, suggesting a suspension component failed before impact.
- Reports describe the front upper ball joint separating from the steering knuckle, with the wheel peeling off the rim.
- Several complaints describe fires starting after a suspension or wheel failure preceded a crash.
- Owners report a front trunk latch and suspension linkage pattern that repeats across multiple wrecked vehicles pictured in junkyards.
- Some reports describe a complete wheel and suspension assembly separating from the car just before a crash into a fixed structure.
2016 Tesla Model S recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V376000May 28, 2024Seat Belts125,233 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Seat belts:front:warning light/devices
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."
Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 24V051000Jan 30, 2024Electrical System2,193,869 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
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."
Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 23V838000Dec 12, 2023Electrical System2,031,220 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system:adas:driver monitoring:software
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.
Risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
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.
2016 Tesla Model S fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 95 MPG
- Highway
- 101 MPG
- Combined
- 98 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $750
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Model S years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Tesla Model S reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Model S is the worst-ranked year of the 14 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 100 and rank 1 of 14. It carries an 'Avoid' verdict relative to other Model S years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Tesla Model S?
- NHTSA data shows Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints lead with 215 reports (33% share), followed by Electrical System issues at 183 complaints (28%).
- Does the 2016 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2016 Model S, covering areas including Seat Belts, Electrical System, Steering, Structure & Body, HVAC, and Airbags. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Model S compare to other years?
- The 2016 Model S has the highest Complaint Index (100) of all 14 tracked years, worse than 2015 (92), 2013 (85), and 2014 (77). Years like 2012, 2019, and 2025 score far lower and carry 'Best' verdicts.