2016 Tesla Model S problems
Owners have filed 1,027 complaints about the 2016 Tesla Model S with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 20.4% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 14.6%.
Complaints1,027
Crashes160
Fires23
Injuries115
Deaths12
What owners report breaking
Suspension 20.4% · 209
Electrical system 14.6% · 150
Unknown or other 14.6% · 150
Steering 8.4% · 86
Vehicle speed control 7.9% · 81
Service brakes 5.2% · 53
Forward collision avoidance 4.9% · 50
Exterior lighting 4.8% · 49
Severity
Of those complaints, 160 describe a crash, 23 describe a fire, 115 report an injury and 12 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 10 model years of the Tesla Model S in this data, 2016 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 2015 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 121 in the last three years against 323 in the three before. The issues here may already have been addressed.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 25,972 miles.
In owners' own words
Here is a Tesla in the junkyard: https://www.Salvagereseller.Com/cars-for-sale/25125417-2016-Tesla-model-s-san-diego-ca the suspension has collapsed and the front wheel has flipped 180 degrees. The top and bottom ball joints have snapped off completely. This is not the result of a collision it is simply mechanical failure. Please take action immediately to prevent further deaths and injury. Concerned citizen. Suspension · reported at 3,000 miles
And another Tesla freshly arrived in the junkyard. Https://www.Copart.Com/lot/50206827 guess what? The back wheel went whompy. Given the relatively small number of teslas sold compared to mainstream manufacturers the number of these cars in the wreckers yard is astonishing. And so many of them have whompy wheels. Would you please be so kind as to investigate. Thank you. Concerned citizen. Suspension · reported at 5,000 miles
I could hear a noise in the front suspension while driving. Upon returning home the front driver side suspension collapsed while I was parking the car. The front suspension link broke and the wheel was rubbing against the arch liner. I was lucky that the failure occurred at very low speed but the damage could have been significant if it had happened just a few minutes earlier, while driving. Suspension
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…