Every 2016 Tesla Model S recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Seat Belts · NHTSA 24V376000
May 28, 2024Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/DevicesOver-the-air fix
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- 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 recall details for 24V376000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 24V051000
Jan 30, 2024Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/PanelOver-the-air fix
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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 recall details for 24V051000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 23V838000
Dec 12, 2023Electrical System:Adas:Autonomous/Self Driving:SoftwareOver-the-air fix
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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 recall details for 23V838000 →Steering · NHTSA 23V085000
Feb 15, 2023Steering:Automated/Adaptive SteeringOver-the-air fix
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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 recall details for 23V085000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 22V037000
Jan 27, 2022Electrical System:Adas:Autonomous/Self Driving:SoftwareOver-the-air fix
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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 recall details for 22V037000 →Latches/Locks/Linkages · NHTSA 21V00B000
Dec 21, 2021Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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 recall details for 21V00B000 →Back Over Prevention · NHTSA 21V035000
Jan 29, 2021Back Over Prevention:Software
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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 recall details for 21V035000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 19V002000
Jul 1, 2019Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- 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 recall details for 19V002000 →Steering · NHTSA 18V204000
Mar 29, 2018Steering:Electric Power Assist System
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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 recall details for 18V204000 →Parking Brake · NHTSA 17V260000
Apr 19, 2017Parking Brake
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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 recall details for 17V260000 →
2016 Tesla Model S complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 647 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model S, reporting 92 crashes, 12 fires, 64 injuries, 8 deaths. Tesla has issued at least 99 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Suspension209
- Electrical System150
- Unknown Or Other150
- Steering86
- Vehicle Speed Control81
- Service Brakes53
Service bulletins by component
- Unknown Or Other (39)
- Equipment (27)
- Electrical System (10)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (8)
- Seats (8)
- Steering (5)
Read Tesla Model S owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2016 Tesla Model S
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 12 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
EA26002Opened Mar 18, 2026Open
- Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
PE25012Opened Oct 7, 2025Open
- Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
AQ25002Opened Aug 20, 2025Open
- Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
RQ24009Opened Apr 25, 2024Open
- Sudden Unintended Acceleration
DP23002Opened Jun 29, 2023Open
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open
- Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
PE24033Opened Jan 6, 2025Closed Apr 3, 2026
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
PE24031Opened Oct 17, 2024Closed Mar 18, 2026
- Defect Petition Interlock Request
DP23001Opened Apr 7, 2023Closed Mar 18, 2026
- Pedestrian alert sounds
DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023
- Autopilot System Driver Controls
EA22002Opened Jun 8, 2022Closed Apr 25, 2024
- Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
PE21020Opened Aug 13, 2021Closed Jun 8, 2022
What people reported
Owners have filed 647 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model S. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Crash
“I was parking the car and gently tapped on the accelerator to inch forward. The car accelerated suddenly, crashed into a concrete sign holder, and knocked down a sign, until I was able to stop it using the breaks.”
2016 TESLA MODEL SFeb 5, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11715871
Fire
“Component 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.”
2016 TESLA MODEL SFeb 26, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11645180
Crash
“The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while turning into a parking spot, there was an unintended acceleration of the vehicle; it surged forward, jumped the parking barrier, and crashed into a wall. There were no warning lights illuminated. A police report was filed.”
2016 TESLA MODEL SOct 31, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11622945
Injury reportedCrash
“On September 7th, 2024 around 7:35 PM, my tesla model S 2016 Suddenly accelerated, smashed in the siding of my house breaking the the siding of the wall and was totaled.”
2016 TESLA MODEL SOct 17, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11620457
Crash
“Turned right into garage slowly. Car suddenly accelerated very fast by itself. I swerved and avoided 1 parked vehicle. Was not able to avoid another one. I braked. The car stopped. Airbags had gone off.”
2016 TESLA MODEL SSep 17, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11614992
Check your Model S by VIN
Not every 2016 Tesla Model S is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Tesla dealer.
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