How many electrical system complaints does the 2016 Tesla Model S have?

NHTSA lists 183 electrical system complaints for the 2016 Model S, which is 28% of the 646 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall related to the 2016 Model S electrical system?

Yes. NHTSA lists recall campaign 24V051000 for an incorrect instrument panel font size and campaign 23V838000 tied to Autosteer, both addressed by Tesla with a free over-the-air software update.

At what mileage do electrical problems tend to show up?

NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 50,893.5 miles for electrical system complaints on the 2016 Model S.

Are the electrical issues linked to fires or crashes?

NHTSA complaint data for the 2016 Model S electrical system area records 9 crashes, 5 fires, and 7 injuries.

How does 2016 compare to other Model S years for electrical complaints?

The 28% share of complaints for 2016 is lower than 2012 (62%), 2013 (44%), 2014 (39%), and 2015 (42%), but higher than most years from 2018 onward.

2016 Tesla Model S Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 183 electrical system complaints for the 2016 Tesla Model S, 28% of all complaints for the year. The median mileage at failure was 50,893.5 miles, and the area is linked to 9 crashes, 5 fires, and 7 injuries.

Electrical System complaints: 183; 28% of 646
Crashes reported: 9
Fires reported: 5
Injuries reported: 7
Median mileage: 50,894 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking, with the car surging forward or backward and crashing into walls or structures despite the driver pressing the brake.
Some vehicles reportedly caught fire, including cases where cars were found burned out after being towed to salvage yards, and one incident tied to an aftermarket-style NEMA 14-50 charging adapter that overheated and melted.
Owners report the 12-volt battery failing to sync, causing the vehicle to fail to start and trigger a low-battery warning light.
Several complaints describe the autopilot or auto-summon system malfunctioning, in one case leading to a crash, and in another causing all exterior lights to shut off and become unresponsive to normal controls until the car was reset.

When 2016 Tesla Model S electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 10, 2016, latest Aug 15, 2026.

183 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q3 (44).

Electrical System recalls for the 2016 Tesla Model S

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.

Electrical System complaints by Model S model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201238 (62%)
2013203 (44%)
2014143 (39%)
2015281 (42%)
2016183 (28%)
2017131 (31%)
201839 (23%)
20196 (14%)
20207 (9%)
202128 (16%)
202221 (15%)
202314 (12%)
20247 (18%)
20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2016 Tesla Model S have?: NHTSA lists 183 electrical system complaints for the 2016 Model S, which is 28% of the 646 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall related to the 2016 Model S electrical system?: Yes. NHTSA lists recall campaign 24V051000 for an incorrect instrument panel font size and campaign 23V838000 tied to Autosteer, both addressed by Tesla with a free over-the-air software update.
At what mileage do electrical problems tend to show up?: NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 50,893.5 miles for electrical system complaints on the 2016 Model S.
Are the electrical issues linked to fires or crashes?: NHTSA complaint data for the 2016 Model S electrical system area records 9 crashes, 5 fires, and 7 injuries.
How does 2016 compare to other Model S years for electrical complaints?: The 28% share of complaints for 2016 is lower than 2012 (62%), 2013 (44%), 2014 (39%), and 2015 (42%), but higher than most years from 2018 onward.