Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.
The 2016 Tesla Model S has 648 owner complaints, with suspension the part named most often at 210. Its combined rating is 89 to 104 MPGe, with a 5-year fuel cost of $4,390 to $5,220 at U.S. average prices, based on 15,000 miles a year. NHTSA gives it 5 overall stars. It has 10 recall campaigns covering seat belts, electrical system and steering, and others.
Written by AI from public EPA and NHTSA data. Not a review.
Fuel economy
89–104 MPGecombined; city 88–102, highway 90–107; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$4,390–$5,220U.S. average; Ohio $4,680–$5,560 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA electricity prices for Jul 2026
NHTSA's VIN data lists no trims for the 2016 Model S, so these are the versions EPA tested, by its names. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.
Owners have filed 648 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Model S. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.
Complaints by part of the car
Part
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Suspension
210
35
8
23
Unknown or other
150
10
2
7
Electrical system
149
8
5
7
Steering
87
14
2
10
Vehicle speed control
81
35
1
37
Service brakes
53
18
1
12
Exterior lighting
49
1
0
0
Forward collision avoidance
39
8
0
1
Structure
30
6
0
2
Visibility/wiper
26
0
0
0
Back over prevention
21
1
0
1
Power train
18
2
0
0
13 more parts
Fuel/propulsion system
15
7
4
6
Lane departure
15
1
0
0
Wheels
15
3
0
0
Air bags
14
4
0
2
Visibility
13
0
0
0
Electronic stability control (ESC)
11
4
0
6
Latches/locks/linkages
6
0
0
1
Engine
5
0
0
0
Seats
3
0
0
0
Parking brake
2
1
0
0
Seat belts
1
0
0
0
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
0
0
0
Tires
1
0
0
0
Complaints by model year
Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2016 Model S over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Carmakers sent NHTSA 99 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2016 Model S, the latest on Jun 3, 2025. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.
The parts they mention most: unknown or other (39), equipment (27), electrical system (10), equipment adaptive/mobility (8), seats (8).
NHTSA defect investigations
Opening an investigation isn't a finding of a defect. Outcomes are as NHTSA's summary states them. A recall is shown as an investigation's outcome only where NHTSA's summary names it; other recalls NHTSA's file lists with it are marked as listed, not caused.
Investigation
Part
Opened
Status
Engineering analysis EA26002 FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
These are searches on those sites; we don't copy or check their listings. Your ZIP is used for these links and never kept.
Specs
EPA class: large cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 10 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Version
Engine
Transmission
Fuel
City / hwy / comb
Model S - 60D All-Wheel Drive
193 (front) 193 (rear) (60 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 218 miles of range
101 / 107 / 104 MPGe
Model S - 70D All-Wheel Drive
193 (front) 193 (rear) (70 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 240 miles of range
101 / 102 / 101 MPGe
Model S - 75D All-Wheel Drive
193 (front) 193 (rear) (75 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 259 miles of range
102 / 105 / 103 MPGe
Model S - 85D All-Wheel Drive
193 (front) 193 (rear) (85 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 270 miles of range
95 / 106 / 100 MPGe
Model S - 90D All-Wheel Drive
193 (front) 193 (rear) (90 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 294 miles of range
101 / 107 / 103 MPGe
Model S - P100D All-Wheel Drive
193 (front) 375 (rear) (100 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 315 miles of range
92 / 105 / 98 MPGe
Model S - P85D All-Wheel Drive
193 (front) 375 (rear) (85 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 253 miles of range
89 / 98 / 93 MPGe
Model S - P90D All-Wheel Drive
193 (front) 375 (rear) (90 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 270 miles of range
91 / 100 / 95 MPGe
Model S (60 kW-hr battery pack) Rear-Wheel Drive
285 kW AC Induction (60 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 210 miles of range
98 / 101 / 99 MPGe
Model S (70 kW-hr battery pack) Rear-Wheel Drive
285 kW AC Induction (70 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 234 miles of range
88 / 90 / 89 MPGe
Model S (75 kW-hr battery pack) Rear-Wheel Drive
285 kW AC Induction (75 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 249 miles of range
97 / 100 / 98 MPGe
Model S (85 kW-hr battery pack) Rear-Wheel Drive
285 kW AC Induction (85 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 265 miles of range
88 / 90 / 89 MPGe
Model S (90 kW-hr battery pack) Rear-Wheel Drive
285 kW AC Induction (90 kW-hr battery pack)
Automatic (A1)
Electricity 265 miles of range
88 / 90 / 89 MPGe
Sources and dates
U.S. EPA fuel economy data, file of Sep 29, 2026
NHTSA owner complaints, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA recalls, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA manufacturer communications, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA defect investigations, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, file of Aug 7, 2026
U.S. Energy Information Administration, file of Oct 12, 2026
Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data