2016 Tesla Model S Steering Problems
NHTSA logged 86 steering-related complaints for the 2016 Tesla Model S, 13% of all complaints filed for that year, tied to 14 crashes, 2 fires, and 10 injuries. Median mileage at failure was 5,000 miles. A 2018 recall addressed corroding steering gear mounting bolts on 2012-2016 Model S vehicles.
- Steering complaints
- 86
- 13% of 646
- Crashes reported
- 14
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 10
- Median mileage
- 5,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical steering symptoms owners report
- Owners describe the front suspension ball joint pulling out of the steering knuckle, causing the wheel to separate during a crash.
- Some drivers report the steering wheel going stiff or locking while Autopilot's auto-steering was engaged, delaying their ability to steer manually.
- Several complaints describe Autopilot engaging or failing to disengage on its own, leading to the vehicle striking a barrier or another object.
- One driver reported the car swerving suddenly at highway speed while hands were off the wheel during Autopilot use.
- A complaint describes Autopilot following lane lines instead of detecting road construction cones, resulting in a documented incident.
When 2016 Tesla Model S steering complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 5, 2016, latest Jul 22, 2026.
Steering recalls for the 2016 Tesla Model S
- NHTSA 23V085000Feb 15, 2023Steering362,758 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Steering:automated/adaptive steering
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
Risk: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 22V037000Jan 27, 2022Steering53,822 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Steering:automated/adaptive steering
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
Risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
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. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
- NHTSA 18V204000Mar 29, 2018Steering70,421 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. 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.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
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. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-32-002.
Steering complaints by Model S model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many steering complaints does the 2016 Tesla Model S have?
- NHTSA lists 86 steering-related complaints for the 2016 Tesla Model S, which is 13% of the 646 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a steering recall for the 2016 Tesla Model S?
- Yes. Recall 18V204000, reported in 2018, covers 2012-2016 Model S vehicles with Bosch steering racks where aluminum bolts attaching the power steering gear assist motor could corrode and fracture. Tesla also issued software-related recalls 22V037000 and 23V085000 tied to Full Self-Driving Beta steering behavior.
- At what mileage do 2016 Model S steering problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this steering issue is 5,000 miles.
- Are 2016 Model S steering problems linked to crashes?
- NHTSA data shows 14 crashes, 2 fires, and 10 injuries associated with the 86 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Model S.
- How does the 2016 Model S compare to other years for steering complaints?
- The 2016 model year's steering complaints made up 13% of its total complaints, higher than 2015 (8%), 2017 (11%), and 2018 (9%), though lower than 2023 (18%).