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2016 Tesla Model S

Electric
Large Cars
13 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns10
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA645
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
EV rangebest configuration, EPA315 mi
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Tesla Model S is sold in the U.S. as a electric large car with 13 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Model S AWD - P100D, is EPA-rated at 315 miles with 98 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 645 complaints, most often about the suspension. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Model S AWD - 60DElectricAWD193 (front) 193 (rear) (60 kW-hr battery pack)101107104 MPGe218 mi3212 h$700
Model S AWD - 75DElectricAWD193 (front) 193 (rear) (75 kW-hr battery pack)102105103 MPGe259 mi3312 h$750
Model S AWD - 90DElectricAWD193 (front) 193 (rear) (90 kW-hr battery pack)101107103 MPGe294 mi3312 h$750
Model S AWD - 70DElectricAWD193 (front) 193 (rear) (70 kW-hr battery pack)101102101 MPGe240 mi3312 h$750
Model S AWD - 85DElectricAWD193 (front) 193 (rear) (85 kW-hr battery pack)95106100 MPGe270 mi3412 h$750
Model S (60 kW-hr battery pack)ElectricRWD285 kW AC Induction (60 kW-hr battery pack)9810199 MPGe210 mi3410 h$750
Model S (75 kW-hr battery pack)ElectricRWD285 kW AC Induction (75 kW-hr battery pack)9710098 MPGe249 mi3412 h$750
Model S AWD - P100DElectricAWD193 (front) 375 (rear) (100 kW-hr battery pack)9210598 MPGe315 mi3512 h$800
Model S AWD - P90DElectricAWD193 (front) 375 (rear) (90 kW-hr battery pack)9110095 MPGe270 mi3512 h$800
Model S AWD - P85DElectricAWD193 (front) 375 (rear) (85 kW-hr battery pack)899893 MPGe253 mi3612 h$800
Model S (70 kW-hr battery pack)ElectricRWD285 kW AC Induction (70 kW-hr battery pack)889089 MPGe234 mi3810 h$850
Model S (85 kW-hr battery pack)ElectricRWD285 kW AC Induction (85 kW-hr battery pack)889089 MPGe265 mi3812 h$850
Model S (90 kW-hr battery pack)ElectricRWD285 kW AC Induction (90 kW-hr battery pack)889089 MPGe265 mi3812 h$850

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38171, 37422, 37240, 37238, 37239, 38170, 37421, 38172, 37242, 37241.

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Recalls (10)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Seat Belts

SB-24-00-008
125,233 vehicles
ProblemTesla, 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."RiskA seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.FixTesla 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.
NHTSA campaign 24V376000reported May 28, 2024Tesla, Inc.
▲high

Electrical System

SB-24-00-003
2,193,869 vehicles
ProblemTesla, 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."RiskWarning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.FixTesla 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.
NHTSA campaign 24V051000reported Jan 30, 2024Tesla, Inc.
○minor

Electrical System

SB-23-00-008
2,031,220 vehicles
ProblemTesla, 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.RiskIn 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.FixTesla 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.
NHTSA campaign 23V838000reported Dec 12, 2023Tesla, Inc.
▲high

Steering

SB-23-00-001
362,758 vehicles
ProblemTesla, 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 exRiskFSD 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.FixTesla 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.
NHTSA campaign 23V085000reported Feb 15, 2023Tesla, Inc.
▲high

Steering

SB-22-00-001
53,822 vehicles
ProblemTesla, 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.RiskFailing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.FixTesla 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V037000reported Jan 27, 2022Tesla, Inc.
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

SB-21-11-003
130,441 vehicles
ProblemTesla, 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."RiskIf 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.FixTesla 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V00B000reported Dec 21, 2021Tesla, Inc.
▲high

Back Over Prevention

SB-21-21-001
134,951 vehicles
ProblemTesla, 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.RiskThe 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.FixOwners 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V035000reported Jan 29, 2021Tesla, Inc.
▲high

Air Bags

SB-19-20-001
68,673 vehicles
ProblemTesla, 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.RiskAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.FixTesla 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V002000reported Jan 7, 2019Tesla, Inc.
▲high

Steering

SB-18-32-002
70,421 vehicles
ProblemTesla, 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.RiskLoss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.FixTesla 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V204000reported Mar 29, 2018Tesla, Inc.
▲high

Parking Brake

SB-17-33-002
31,709 vehicles
ProblemTesla, 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.RiskIf 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.FixTesla 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V260000reported Apr 19, 2017Tesla Motors, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Adas — FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Engineering Analysis to evaluate Tesla’s Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) degradation detection system. The focus of this investigation will be to assess the system’s ability, when encountering reduced roadway visibility conditions, to detect degradation and alert the driver with sufficient time to respond. ODI will evaluate the performance of FSD in degraded roadway conditions and the updates or modifications by Tesla to the degradation detection system, including the timing, purpose, and capabilities of the updates, and Tesla’s assessment of their safety impact. Tesla’s FSD is an

Opened Mar 18, 2026 · action EA26002

Electrical System:Adas — Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged open

The Office of Defects Investigation (“ODI�) is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of FSD executing driving maneuvers that constitute traffic safety violations. This investigation concerns versions of FSD that Tesla has labeled as "FSD (Supervised)" and "FSD (Beta)." Tesla characterizes FSD as an SAE Level 2 partial automation system requiring a fully attentive driver who is engaged in the driving task at all times. Level 2 partial automation systems are designed to support and assist the driver in performing certain aspects of the driving task, requiring a driver to supervise and intervene as necessary.  The driver

Opened Oct 7, 2025 · action PE25012

Electrical System:Adas — Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements open

The Office of Defects Investigation (“ODI�) has identified numerous incident reports submitted by Tesla, Inc. (“Tesla�) in response to Standing General Order 2021-01 (the “SGO�), in which the reported crashes occurred several months or more before the dates of the reports. The majority of these reports involved crashes in which the Standing General Order in place at the time required a report to be submitted within one or five days of Tesla receiving notice of the crash. When the reports were submitted, Tesla submitted them in one of two ways. Many of the reports were submitted as part of a single batch, while others were submitted on a rolling basis. Preliminary engagement betwe

Opened Aug 20, 2025 · action AQ25002

Electrical System:Adas:Autonomous/Self Driving — Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts. closed

On January 6, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation 24003 (PE24033) to investigate Actually Smart Summon (Summon) sessions resulting in crashes during active sessions. According to Tesla, Summon is a short-distance SAE Level 2 system, controlled by the user from a cell phone within a certain distance and intended for use in parking lots and on private property. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by Tesla as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers to identify Summon incidents resulting in crashes. ODI's analysis indicates that almost all Summon reported crashes involved minor property damage claims with no reported incidents involving a vu

Opened Jan 6, 2025 · closed Apr 3, 2026 · action PE24033

Electrical System:Adas — FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions closed

On October 17, 2024, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24031) of Tesla’s Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) to assess: the ability of the FSD system to detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions; whether any other FSD crashes had occurred under degraded roadway visibility conditions that are similar in nature to the four SGO-reported crashes identified in the opening document, and if so, the contributing circumstances for each of those crashes; and any updates or modifications by Tesla to the FSD system that may affect the performance of FSD in degraded roadway visibil

Opened Oct 17, 2024 · closed Mar 18, 2026 · action PE24031

Electrical System:Adas:Driver Monitoring:Software — Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening a Recall Query to assess the remedy adequacy of Recall 23V838. On December 12, 2023, Tesla filed a Defect Information Report (Recall 23V838) applicable to all Tesla models produced and equipped with any version of its Autopilot system, which Tesla described as an SAE Level 2 (L2) Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). Autopilot is the simultaneous engagement of Tesla’s Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC) and Autosteer. In describing the safety defect, Tesla’s Defect Information Report (DIR) explained that “the prominence and scope of the system’s controls may be insufficient to prevent driver misuse,� and Tesla committed to th

Opened Apr 25, 2024 · action RQ24009

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
645complaints filed

92 involved a crash · 12 a fire · 64 injuries · 8 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 74 · 2017: 72 · 2018: 39 · 2019: 34 · 2020: 152 · 2021: 91 · 2022: 70 · 2023: 38 · 2024: 34 · 2025: 16 · 2026: 25

Most-cited components

Suspension209
Unspecified150
Electrical System150
Steering86
Vehicle Speed Control81
Service Brakes53

What owners describe

“Failure of L front fore link resulting in unstable wheel, contact of wheel with wheel well, difficult steering and inability to drive vehicle.”Jul 19, 2021 · Wheels · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, after diagnosing the vehicle, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair would not be completed on the vehicle. The contact stated t…”Jul 1, 2021 · Back Over Prevention · NHTSA owner report
“Sudden unintended acceleration: When pressing the brake on uneven paved roads the vehicle will suddenly accelerate while my foot is on the brakes. This has been an ongoing issue since I received the car and I was told this has to do with regenerative braking but it is definitely a safety issue. There are two commonly v…”Jun 29, 2021 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
5 HB AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot rated★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot rated★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot rated★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot rated★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot rated★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot rated★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★6%
5 HB AWDnot ratednot rated★★★★★★★★★★6%
5 HB RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★6%
5 HB RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★6%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.

Other Model S model years

A

2026 Tesla Model S

0 recalls · 3 complaints

B

2025 Tesla Model S

2 recalls · 6 complaints

F

2024 Tesla Model S

6 recalls · 38 complaints

F

2023 Tesla Model S

13 recalls · 112 complaints

F

2022 Tesla Model S

20 recalls · 136 complaints

F

2021 Tesla Model S

23 recalls · 176 complaints

F

2020 Tesla Model S

11 recalls · 80 complaints

F

2019 Tesla Model S

10 recalls · 44 complaints

F

2018 Tesla Model S

11 recalls · 168 complaints

F

2017 Tesla Model S

9 recalls · 424 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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