The Lemon Index
20152017Complaints only. Tesla doesn't report U.S. sales by model, and no estimate covers this model year on its own, so there's no per-car score. Owners filed 219 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
219 owner complaints, first 3 years 89–104 MPGe combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Lexus ES 302016 BMW 5 Series 142016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 55
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2016 Tesla Model S
- Infotainment screen / radio57 complaintsmostly at 36,000–71,000 miles (58,000–114,000 km)
- Backup camera57 complaintsmostly at 37,000–66,000 miles (60,000–106,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm48 complaintsmostly at 5,000–49,000 miles (8,000–79,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 652 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Tesla Model S (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,000 and 16,000 miles (3,200–26,000 km) (the middle half of the 199 complaints, of all 219 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 24V376000 (seat belts), 24V051000 (electrical) and 23V838000 (electrical) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Tesla's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 219 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 16K miles (3K to 26K km) on the car (199 of all 219 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Ball joint equivalent fractured while pulling out of garage. Front end fell, nearly bringing tire into contact with wheel well.
2016 Tesla Model S owner · NHTSA complaint 10924050
More owner reports
Left forelink cracked while turning the wheel in a parking lot
NHTSA complaint 11240524
Sudden squeak and front of the car felt more bouncy when going over bumps or any elevation. Also when lowering or raising air suspension will make rubbing sound. Car has never been into accident or any damage.
NHTSA complaint 11257163
Recalls 10
- Seat belts · recall issued 2024
In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended.
- Electrical · recall issued 2024
An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.
- Electrical · recall issued 2023
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.
Show all 10 recalls
- Steering · recall issued 2023
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…
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
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.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2021
The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2021
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 dis…
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
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…
- Steering · recall issued 2018
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.
- Parking brake · recall issued 2017
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model S 60 5 HB RWD Later Release | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model S 60 5 HB RWD Early Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model S 60D 5 HB AWD Later Release | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model S 60D 5 HB AWD Early Release | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $700–$850 (USD) a year in electricity (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year).
Every Tesla Model S year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Tesla Model S reliable?
We can't score it: Tesla doesn't report U.S. sales by model, and no estimate covers this model year on its own, so there is no per-car rate. Owners filed 219 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2016 Tesla Model S problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (50%), steering (27%) and speed control (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Tesla Model S have?
10 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2016 Tesla Model S safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Tesla Model S problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,000 and 16,000 miles (3,200–26,000 km) (the middle half of the 199 complaints, of all 219 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2016 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2016 Tesla Model S have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2016 Tesla Model S cost in fuel a year?
About $700 to $850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Tesla Model S year is better than the 2016?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2022 drew the fewest (about 3 times the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works