What federal records show for the 2016 Tesla Model S

Recall campaigns, manufacturer warranty extensions, and consumer complaints recorded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for this model-year. Every figure carries its sample size and the date the records were read.

Federal records · buyer verification

2016 Tesla Model S

A component is listed below if NHTSA records a vehicle recall campaign, a manufacturer warranty extension or service campaign, or at least 10 distinct consumer complaints.

Recall campaigns

NHTSA lists these campaigns as covering certain 2016 Tesla Model S vehicles. One campaign can list several components, so adding these counts is not a way to total the campaigns — 10 vehicle campaigns are on record for this model-year.

Electrical System3 campaigns149 distinct complaints
92 carried a usable odometer reading; the middle 50% of those readings fell between 28,400 and 67,000 miles.
Steering2 campaigns86 distinct complaints
64 carried a usable odometer reading; the middle 50% of those readings fell between 2,000 and 10,000 miles.
Back Over Prevention1 campaign21 distinct complaints
Air Bags1 campaign14 distinct complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages1 campaignno complaint count above OAV’s minimum of 10
Parking Brake1 campaignno complaint count above OAV’s minimum of 10
Seat Belts1 campaignno complaint count above OAV’s minimum of 10

Federal law requires the manufacturer to remedy a safety recall at no cost to the owner — by repair, replacement or refund — for vehicles not more than 15 years old on the date the defect was determined.

Parts are sometimes on back-order and some remedies are interim, so a dealer may not be able to complete the work immediately. A specific vehicle’s current recall status is available through NHTSA’s VIN recall lookup.

Most-complained components with no recall campaign on record

At least 10 distinct complaints, ordered by complaint count.

Suspension209 distinct complaints
149 carried a usable odometer reading; the middle 50% of those readings fell between 3,000 and 40,000 miles.
Vehicle Speed Control81 distinct complaints
56 carried a usable odometer reading; the middle 50% of those readings fell between 2,000 and 25,000 miles.
Service Brakes54 distinct complaints
Exterior Lighting49 distinct complaints
30 carried a usable odometer reading; the middle 50% of those readings fell between 35,000 and 65,730 miles.
Forward Collision Avoidance39 distinct complaints
Visibility39 distinct complaints
Structure30 distinct complaints
Power Train17 distinct complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System15 distinct complaints
Lane Departure15 distinct complaints
Wheels15 distinct complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)11 distinct complaints

OAV lists only communications filed as warranty extensions or service campaigns. Tesla filed 99 other service communications for this model year; those are not listed.

These federal records are not an input to OAV’s price verdict.

These records describe the 2016 model-year, not any individual vehicle, and are not an inspection. One complaint can be recorded against more than one component, so counts do not sum to the model-year total. Service records for any component listed here are worth requesting from the seller.

Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. Mileage is self-reported and frequently rounded. Complaint records as of 2026-09-28. Recall records as of 2026-09-28. Manufacturer communications as of 2026-09-28.

2016 Tesla Model S listings

Currently listed on OAV, ordered by how recently each was listed. Prices and availability come from the dealer.

Listings are shown for this model-year and are not selected by, or connected to, the federal records above.