Is the 2016 Tesla Model S a bad year?
651 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Model S years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2016 Tesla Model S are in line with other Model S years. Suspension, steering, speed control and 2 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Model S owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 10,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 211 (32%) | 4k–41k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 86 (13%) | 2k–10k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 82 (13%) | 2k–26k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 150 (23%) | 29k–67k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 49 (8%) | 36k–67k miles · ahead | — |
| Brakes | 54 (8%) | 3k–27k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Collision avoidance | 39 (6%) | 32k–74k miles · ahead | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 39 (6%) | 36k–64k miles · ahead | — |
| Body structure | 31 (5%) | 18k–65k miles · ahead | — |
| Backup camera | 21 (3%) | 28k–80k miles · ahead | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 18 (3%) | 30k–65k miles · ahead | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 15 (2%) | 11k–59k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Wheels | 15 (2%) | 11k–64k miles · ahead | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Stability control | 11 (2%) | 27k–58k miles · ahead | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 10,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 651 complaints: 93 mention a crash · 12 mention a fire · 31 report an injury · 66 say the car was towed.
34 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2016 Tesla Model S: 10
In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. 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.
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. 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…
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… 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.
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. Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. 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.
When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions. The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
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. If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Tesla: 86
Repair instructions Tesla sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Tesla Model S. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some versions of Model S and X front drive unit halfshafts might cause excessive vibrations during hard acceleration at higher ride height settings
Older versions of the Model S and Model X LH front drive unit clevis mount contain a bushing that allows the front drive unit to move side-to-side more than…
Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies
For some Model S and Model X vehicles built before March 2018, an 8GB embedded MultiMediaCard (?8GB eMMC?) in the Media Control Unit…
NHTSA defect investigations: 18
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
Neighbouring years
2015 Model S: 670 complaints, keep it · 2017 Model S: 432 complaints, keep it.
Every Tesla Model S year
2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Model S years side by side
Other Tesla models: Tesla Cybertruck · Tesla Model 3 · Tesla Model X · Tesla Model Y. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Tesla Model S a bad year?
651 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Model S years. At 10,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Tesla Model S?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: suspension (211), steering (86), speed control (82), electrical system (150), exterior lighting (49).
How many recalls does the 2016 Tesla Model S have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Seat belts (NHTSA 24V-376), Electrical system (NHTSA 24V-051), Electrical system (NHTSA 23V-838), Steering (NHTSA 23V-085) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.