Model year
2016 Tesla Model S
NHTSA lists 10 recalls and 649 complaints for the 2016 Tesla Model S (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are SUSPENSION (211), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (150), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (146). NHTSA lists 18 investigations, including 6 investigations with no close date in the file. NHTSA lists crash-test variants for this model year and marks the overall rating Not Rated. EPA rates it 89–104 MPGe combined and 32–38 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $700–$850, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2012 61 complaints
- 2013 461 complaints
- 2014 366 complaints
- 2015 668 complaints
- 2016 649 complaints
- 2017 428 complaints
- 2018 170 complaints
- 2019 44 complaints
- 2020 80 complaints
- 2021 179 complaints
- 2022 139 complaints
- 2023 114 complaints
- 2024 38 complaints
- 2025 6 complaints
- 2026 7 complaints
Recalls
24V376000 · May 28, 2024
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…
24V051000 · Jan 30, 2024
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…
23V838000 · Dec 12, 2023
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…
23V085000 · Feb 15, 2023
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…
22V037000 · Jan 27, 2022
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…
21V00B000 · Dec 21, 2021
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…
21V035000 · Jan 29, 2021
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL; BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
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. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches…
19V002000 · Jan 7, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2014-2016 Model S vehicles equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the…
18V204000 · Mar 29, 2018
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…
17V260000 · Apr 19, 2017
PARKING BRAKE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.
Complaints
649 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 92, fire flag on 12, injury field 64, deaths field 8. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE16007 | Automatic vehicle control systems · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING; FORWARD… | Jun 28, 2016 | Jan 19, 2017 |
| DP19005 | Battery Management Software Updates · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE;… | Oct 1, 2019 | Sep 28, 2021 |
| DP20001 | Sudden Unintended Acceleration · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL… | Jan 13, 2020 | Jan 8, 2021 |
| PE20010 | Loss of rearview camera · BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | Jun 22, 2020 | Nov 22, 2020 |
| EA20003 | Loss of rearview camera · BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL;… | Nov 12, 2020 | May 2, 2024 |
| PE20020 | Fore Link Failure · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM; SUSPENSION:FRONT | Nov 22, 2020 | Aug 12, 2024 |
12 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P100D 5 HB AWD Early Release | Not rated | Not Rated | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.057 | NHTSA photo |
| P100D 5 HB AWD Later Release | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 5 · possibility 0.057 | — |
| P85D 5 HB AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.057 | NHTSA photo |
| P90D 5 HB AWD Early Release | Not rated | Not Rated | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.057 | NHTSA photo |
| P90D 5 HB AWD Later Release | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 5 · possibility 0.057 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model S (70 kW-hr battery pack) · Automatic (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 88 | 90 | 89 | 38.0 | 234 | $850 |
| Model S (85 kW-hr battery pack) · Automatic (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 88 | 90 | 89 | 38.0 | 265 | $850 |
| Model S (90 kW-hr battery pack) · Automatic (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 88 | 90 | 89 | 38.0 | 265 | $850 |
| Model S AWD - 70D · Automatic (A1) · All-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 101 | 102 | 101 | 33.0 | 240 | $750 |
| Model S AWD - 85D · Automatic (A1) · All-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 95 | 106 | 100 | 34.0 | 270 | $750 |
| Model S AWD - 90D · Automatic (A1) · All-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 101 | 107 | 103 | 33.0 | 294 | $750 |
| Model S AWD - P85D · Automatic (A1) · All-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 89 | 98 | 93 | 36.0 | 253 | $800 |
| Model S AWD - P90D · Automatic (A1) · All-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 91 | 100 | 95 | 35.0 | 270 | $800 |
| Model S (75 kW-hr battery pack) · Automatic (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 97 | 100 | 98 | 34.0 | 249 | $750 |
| Model S AWD - 75D · Automatic (A1) · All-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 102 | 105 | 103 | 33.0 | 259 | $750 |
| Model S (60 kW-hr battery pack) · Automatic (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 98 | 101 | 99 | 34.0 | 210 | $750 |
| Model S AWD - 60D · Automatic (A1) · All-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 101 | 107 | 104 | 32.0 | 218 | $700 |
1 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2016 Tesla Model S at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.