YearToAvoid

2016 Tesla Model S Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 37 Structure & Body complaints for the 2016 Tesla Model S, 6% of all complaints for that year, tied to 6 crashes and 2 injuries at a median 38,000 miles. A related recall covers a misaligned front trunk latch on 2014-2021 Model S vehicles.

Structure & Body complaints
37
6% of 646
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
38,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Door handles fail to extend, retract, or open properly, with owners reporting repeated replacements over time.
  • Doors have opened unexpectedly on their own, including while the vehicle was in motion.
  • Chrome door handles get excessively hot in sunlight, making them difficult to touch or grip.
  • Vehicles have unexpectedly accelerated or moved during low-speed parking maneuvers, resulting in crashes and property damage.
  • Owners describe unintended acceleration or loss of control while parking, sometimes tied to autopilot engagement.
  • The front trunk latch may misalign, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging, per the related recall.

When 2016 Tesla Model S body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 10, 2016, latest Sep 14, 2026.

2016 Tesla Model S structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month2Jun 2016Nov 2018Feb 2020May 2021Jul 2022Nov 2023Jan 2025
37 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2016 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2020 (2).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2016 Tesla Model S

  1. NHTSA 21V00B000Dec 21, 2021Structure & Body130,441 vehicles

    Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

    Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System."

    Risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-11-003.

Structure & Body complaints by Model S model year

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

  1. 20122 (3%)
  2. 201323 (5%)
  3. 201430 (8%)
  4. 201537 (6%)
  5. 201637 (6%)
  6. 201720 (5%)
  7. 201816 (10%)
  8. 20194 (9%)
  9. 20208 (10%)
  10. 202113 (7%)
  11. 20229 (7%)
  12. 20236 (5%)
  13. 20242 (5%)
  14. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 Tesla Model S?
NHTSA lists 37 Structure & Body complaints for the 2016 Model S, which is 6% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall related to Structure & Body issues on the 2016 Tesla Model S?
Yes. Recall 21V00B000 covers 2014-2021 Model S vehicles where the front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging.
At what mileage do these structure and body problems typically appear?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 38,000 miles at the time these complaints were filed.
Have these Structure & Body issues caused crashes or injuries?
NHTSA complaint data for this area on the 2016 Model S records 6 crashes and 2 injuries, with no fires reported.
How does the 2016 Model S compare to other years for Structure & Body complaints?
The 2016 Model S has 37 complaints (6% share), similar to 2015 (37 complaints, 6%) and higher in count than 2017 (20 complaints, 5%) and 2018 (16 complaints, 10% share).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.