NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2016 Tesla Model S and owners have filed 604 complaints. The most-reported area is suspension (204 complaints). 12 complaints describe a fire and 89 complaints describe a crash.
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2016 Model S.
What owners reported to NHTSA, by component. One complaint can name several components.
| Month | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Apr 2016 | 2 |
| May 2016 | 2 |
| Jun 2016 | 5 |
| Jul 2016 | 6 |
| Aug 2016 | 10 |
| Sep 2016 | 18 |
| Oct 2016 | 9 |
| Nov 2016 | 11 |
| Dec 2016 | 11 |
| Jan 2017 | 3 |
| Feb 2017 | 14 |
| Mar 2017 | 5 |
| Apr 2017 | 7 |
| May 2017 | 2 |
| Jun 2017 | 10 |
| Jul 2017 | 7 |
| Aug 2017 | 8 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 |
| Oct 2017 | 5 |
| Nov 2017 | 4 |
| Dec 2017 | 6 |
| Jan 2018 | 3 |
| Feb 2018 | 3 |
| Mar 2018 | 9 |
| Apr 2018 | 4 |
| May 2018 | 4 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 |
| Aug 2018 | 3 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 |
| Oct 2018 | 4 |
| Nov 2018 | 4 |
| Dec 2018 | 2 |
| Jan 2019 | 0 |
| Feb 2019 | 0 |
| Mar 2019 | 3 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 |
| May 2019 | 3 |
| Jun 2019 | 4 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 |
| Sep 2019 | 5 |
| Oct 2019 | 9 |
| Nov 2019 | 3 |
| Dec 2019 | 4 |
| Jan 2020 | 12 |
| Feb 2020 | 6 |
| Mar 2020 | 2 |
| Apr 2020 | 1 |
| May 2020 | 2 |
| Jun 2020 | 22 |
| Jul 2020 | 43 |
| Aug 2020 | 14 |
| Sep 2020 | 8 |
| Oct 2020 | 5 |
| Nov 2020 | 25 |
| Dec 2020 | 12 |
| Jan 2021 | 20 |
| Feb 2021 | 7 |
| Mar 2021 | 2 |
| Apr 2021 | 6 |
| May 2021 | 10 |
| Jun 2021 | 12 |
| Jul 2021 | 4 |
| Aug 2021 | 6 |
| Sep 2021 | 4 |
| Oct 2021 | 6 |
| Nov 2021 | 7 |
| Dec 2021 | 7 |
| Jan 2022 | 7 |
| Feb 2022 | 6 |
| Mar 2022 | 2 |
| Apr 2022 | 2 |
| May 2022 | 4 |
| Jun 2022 | 3 |
| Jul 2022 | 6 |
| Aug 2022 | 8 |
| Sep 2022 | 9 |
| Oct 2022 | 6 |
| Nov 2022 | 4 |
| Dec 2022 | 8 |
| Jan 2023 | 2 |
| Feb 2023 | 4 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 |
| Apr 2023 | 1 |
| May 2023 | 4 |
| Jun 2023 | 6 |
| Jul 2023 | 4 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 |
| Sep 2023 | 0 |
| Oct 2023 | 3 |
| Nov 2023 | 3 |
| Dec 2023 | 8 |
| Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Feb 2024 | 6 |
| Mar 2024 | 2 |
| Apr 2024 | 4 |
| May 2024 | 1 |
| Jun 2024 | 4 |
| Jul 2024 | 0 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 |
| Sep 2024 | 4 |
| Oct 2024 | 3 |
| Nov 2024 | 3 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 |
| Jan 2025 | 0 |
| Feb 2025 | 1 |
| Mar 2025 | 0 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 |
| May 2025 | 0 |
| Jun 2025 | 3 |
| Jul 2025 | 3 |
Jul 31, 2025Unknown or otherTHE CENTER TOUCHSCREEN IS LEAKING A STICKY GLUE-LIKE SUBSTANCE AND HAS VISIBLE BUBBLES FORMING INSIDE THE SCREEN. THIS AFFECTS VISIBILITY AND OPERATION OF ESSENTIAL VEHICLE FUNCTIONS LIKE HVAC, NAVIGATION, AND DEFROST CONTROLS. THIS ISSUE IS WORSEN WITH HEAT EXPOSURE. THE SCREEN ALSO FREEZES RANDOMLY.
Jul 26, 2025SuspensionI was backing out of a parking space and the front driver side fore link broke. Internet search reveals this is a known issue associated with Tesla Model S during the period mine was manufactured (February 2016), caused an investigation & service bulletin from the NHTSA, and a recall in China, hence I wanted to report this occurence.
Jul 14, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or otherWhile the car is parked and locked the rear driver side door opens in its own. The door handle does not present itself and is scheduled for repair. This is new and started happening today. Despite how many times I close it. It opens on it own. The door is locked when this happens. Door sitting still. Plugged in to charge and locked. The door opens on its own. It unlatches, Does not fully open.
Jun 19, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or otherMy driver's side of the vehicle looks like it's melting. I was informed by the service advisor at Tesla that this is a common issue, and the computer needs to be replaced at my expense.
Jun 14, 2025Suspension, Wheels, Unknown or otheron 5/20/25, I had my Tesla repaired as I had suspension issues. They repaired my car to rectify my suspension for both my front and rear tires. Then on 6/12/25, I was driving on the highway and going about 70-75 mph when I heard a huge pop. No warning indicators came on and something did not feel right. I figured nothing else came of it. I was about 30 miles away from home and when I got home, my tire was pushed inward. I was concerned on whether this was related to a bad repair since it was so soon to my previous repair and they indicated that they did not touch that area. After they saw my v…
Jun 8, 2025Power trainI wanted to bring a situation to your attention, report an incident and understand why model years 2012-2020 Tesla Model Ss have not been recalled for a defective drive unit. This is a known defect - known by Tesla. There have been no recalls for mine - VIN number [XXX] . On [XXX], my 2016 Tesla Model S suddenly lunged and jerked down to less than 5 mph from about 45 mph in 5-10 seconds as a result of a defective and failed drive unit, here in San Ramon , CA. NO WARNING. We forced the car to lunge and hop over to the median with traffic stopping, building up, honking, braking....truly a mirac…
Apr 7, 2025Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical systemThe contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact depressed the brake and the vehicle kept rolling forward. The contact opened the door for the vehicle to come to a stop. On another occasion, the contact stated that the ADAS feature engaged and while driving at various speeds, and the vehicle failed to recognize stop signs, traffic lights, or pedestrians. The contact stated that the function was a paid feature; however, the system failed to op…
Feb 26, 2025Electrical system⚠ FireComponent Failure: The Tesla NEMA 14-50 charging adapter for my 2016 Model S malfunctioned, causing overheating that melted a prong and led to an electrical fire. The defective adapter appears identical to those in Tesla's November 2016 recall, though mine was designated "not affected." The damaged adapter and charging cable are available for inspection. Safety Risk: This malfunction created a serious fire hazard endangering myself and my property. The electrical fire damaged both my vehicle and charging equipment, and the fire could have spread to my home, potentially endangering my family an…
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall and complaint records, updated Oct 1, 2026. Complaints are owner reports and are not verified by NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.