2016 Tesla Model S
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 215 of 645 complaints (33%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 667 in 2015 to 645 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 electric vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 800–850 | 750–850 | 700–850 | 700–800 | 750–800 | |
| Combined MPGe | 89–95 | 89–101 | 89–104 | 95–104 | 98–103 | |
| City / Highway MPGe | 86–94 / 90–97 | 88–101 / 90–106 | 88–102 / 90–107 | 92–102 / 100–107 | 92–102 / 100–105 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Complaints filed | 365 | 667 | 645 | 424 | 168 | |
| Recalls issued | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 52 | 70 | 92 | 55 | 36 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 9 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 19 | 29 | 64 | 23 | 21 | |
| Deaths reported | 13 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 8 | 13 | 8 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Tesla Model S have?
10 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Tesla Model S?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 215 of 645 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Tesla Model S get?
EPA rates it 89–104 MPGe combined across 13 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Tesla Model S?
EPA estimates $700–$850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (13)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 88 MPGe (low) | 90 MPGe (low) | 89 MPGe (low) | $850 (high) | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 88 MPGe (low) | 90 MPGe (low) | 89 MPGe (low) | $850 (high) | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 88 MPGe (low) | 90 MPGe (low) | 89 MPGe (low) | $850 (high) | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 101 MPGe | 102 MPGe | 101 MPGe | $750 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 95 MPGe | 106 MPGe | 100 MPGe | $750 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 101 MPGe | 107 MPGe (high) | 103 MPGe | $750 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 89 MPGe | 98 MPGe | 93 MPGe | $800 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 91 MPGe | 100 MPGe | 95 MPGe | $800 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 97 MPGe | 100 MPGe | 98 MPGe | $750 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 102 MPGe (high) | 105 MPGe | 103 MPGe | $750 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 101 MPGe | 107 MPGe (high) | 104 MPGe (high) | $700 (low) | 0 g/mi |
Show 2 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 11 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 98 MPGe | 101 MPGe | 99 MPGe | $750 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 13 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Large Cars | 92 MPGe | 105 MPGe | 98 MPGe | $800 | 0 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 15 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 2 |
| Electrical | 149 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 0 |
| Brakes | 60 | 18 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| Steering | 86 | 14 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 215 | 38 | 8 | 23 | 8 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 15 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 141 | 41 | 1 | 39 | 2 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 36 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 66 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 150 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (10)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES · Campaign 24V376000 · May 29, 2024
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · Campaign 24V051000 · Jan 31, 2024
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:DRIVER MONITORING:SOFTWARE · Campaign 23V838000 · Dec 12, 2023
Defect: 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.
STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING · Campaign 23V085000 · Feb 16, 2023
Defect: 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.
STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING · Campaign 22V037000 · Jan 28, 2022
Defect: 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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · Campaign 21V00B000 · Dec 22, 2021
Defect: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM · Campaign 21V035000 · Feb 1, 2021
Defect: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 19V002000 · Jan 31, 2019
Defect: 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.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · Campaign 18V204000 · Mar 30, 2018
Defect: 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.
PARKING BRAKE · Campaign 17V260000 · Apr 20, 2017
Defect: 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.