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2016 Tesla Model S

Verified August 31, 2026Sources: NHTSA · EPA · vPIC

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Safety
not rated
Recalls
10
on record
MPG
combined

Heavily recalled

10 safety recalls on record. Confirm with the seller that every campaign has been completed.

Vehicle Summary

2016 Tesla Model S

10 recalls
0 complaints

Before You Buy

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No complaint on record reports a crash
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Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
10
Owner complaints
0
Complaints citing a crash
0

These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalized by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.

10 Recalls on Record

These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.

Enter your VIN to check if specific recalls apply to your vehicle.

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.

  • 19V002000high

    Airbag system issue

    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 passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Consequence

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy

    Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-19-20-001.

    Full campaign record
  • 18V204000high

    Steering issue

    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.

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 17V260000high

    Brake system issue

    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.

    Consequence

    If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-17-33-002.

    Full campaign record
  • 22V037000high

    Electrical issue

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE

    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.

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 21V035000high

    Backup camera software issue

    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 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.

    Consequence

    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.

    Remedy

    Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.

    Full campaign record
  • 21V00B000high

    Latches/locks/linkages · hood · latch

    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."

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 23V085000high

    Steering issue

    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.

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 23V838000high

    Electrical issue

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING: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 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.

    Consequence

    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, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

    Full campaign record
  • 24V051000high

    Electrical issue

    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 such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

    Consequence

    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.

    Remedy

    Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

    Full campaign record
  • 24V376000high

    Lighting issue

    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 comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Consequence

    A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy

    Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

    Full campaign record

NHTSA crash-test ratings

NHTSA holds no crash-test rating for this model year.

Not every model year is tested. A missing rating is not a poor rating.

Fuel economy & emissions

The EPA holds no fuel-economy record for this model year.

The EPA does not publish a record for every model year.

Consumer complaints

No owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.

Nothing on file. Newer model years often have few complaints simply because fewer cars are on the road yet.

Safety timeline

Every dated recall and NHTSA investigation for the 2016 Tesla Model S, newest first.

  1. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE24033

    Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.

  2. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation DP23001

    Defect Petition Interlock Request

  3. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA26002

    FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions

  4. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE24031

    FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions

  5. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE25012

    Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged

  6. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation AQ25002

    Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements

  7. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE24033

    Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.

  8. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE24031

    FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions

  9. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE20020

    Fore Link Failure

  10. Recall

    Recall 24V376000

    A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

  11. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation EA20003

    Loss of rearview camera

  12. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation EA22002

    Autopilot System Driver Controls

  13. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation RQ24009

    Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness

  14. Recall

    Recall 24V051000

    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.

  15. Recall

    Recall 23V838000

    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, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

  16. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation DP22005

    Pedestrian alert sounds

  17. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation DP23002

    Sudden Unintended Acceleration

  18. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation DP23001

    Defect Petition Interlock Request

  19. Recall

    Recall 23V085000

    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.

  20. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation DP22005

    Pedestrian alert sounds

  21. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA22002

    Autopilot System Driver Controls

  22. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE21020

    Autopilot & First Responder Scenes

  23. Recall

    Recall 22V037000

    Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.

  24. Recall

    Recall 21V00B000

    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.

  25. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation DP19005

    Battery Management Software Updates

  26. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA21002

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  27. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE21020

    Autopilot & First Responder Scenes

  28. Recall

    Recall 21V035000

    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.

  29. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation DP20001

    Sudden Unintended Acceleration

  30. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE20010

    Loss of rearview camera

  31. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE20020

    Fore Link Failure

  32. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA20003

    Loss of rearview camera

  33. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE20010

    Loss of rearview camera

  34. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation DP20001

    Sudden Unintended Acceleration

  35. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation DP19005

    Battery Management Software Updates

  36. Recall

    Recall 19V002000

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  37. Recall

    Recall 18V204000

    Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

  38. Recall

    Recall 17V260000

    If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.

  39. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE16007

    Automatic vehicle control systems

  40. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE16007

    Automatic vehicle control systems

Dates are the NHTSA report-received date for recalls and the ODI open/close date for investigations. Crash-test ratings are not shown here because the source does not provide a reliable publication date for them.

Specifications & ratings

Specifications

Body class
Unknown
Drive type
Unknown
Engine
0L 0-cyl
Fuel type
Unknown
Transmission
Unknown
Seats
0

Explore related

Safety timeline

Full timeline
  1. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE24033

    Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.

  2. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation DP23001

    Defect Petition Interlock Request

  3. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA26002

    FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions

  4. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE24031

    FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions

  5. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE25012

    Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged