AI Damage2016 Tesla Model S: common problems
The maker issued 78 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 78
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- electric
- automatic, 1-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Lane departure | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 39 |
Comparison
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the battery powered Pyrotechnic High Voltage (HV) Battery…
On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the battery powered Pyrotechnic High Voltage (HV) Battery Disconnect will reach the end of its battery lifespan in the near future, which will trigger alerts and may limit the…
- Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies
Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on…
- Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies
Instead, all available owner?s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on…
- Owner's Manual
- Owner's Manual
- Some versions of Model S and X front drive unit halfshafts might cause excessive vibrations during hard…
Some versions of Model S and X front drive unit halfshafts might cause excessive vibrations during hard acceleration at higher ride height settings. This is exclusively an NVH issue and does not otherwise affect…
- For some Model S and Model X vehicles built before March 2018, an 8GB embedded MultiMediaCard (?8GB eMMC?)…
For some Model S and Model X vehicles built before March 2018, an 8GB embedded MultiMediaCard (?8GB eMMC?) in the Media Control Unit (MCU) might malfunction due to accumulated wear. This could result in a blank or…
- Some Model S and Model X vehicles might exhibit stiff steering due to corrosion at the lower steering…
Some Model S and Model X vehicles might exhibit stiff steering due to corrosion at the lower steering column I-shaft U-joint.
- On some Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles, condensation might build up inside of the B-pillar…
On some Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles, condensation might build up inside of the B-pillar applique, potentially obscuring the B-pillar camera. This condition might cause some Autopilot features to be…
- Tesla is committed to continuous improvement of the security of its products and advises customers to…
Tesla is committed to continuous improvement of the security of its products and advises customers to always install the latest mobile app and vehicle software releases to remain as secure as possible. On approximately…
- When some Autopilot HW2 and HW2.5 Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles are near airport ASR-9 radar…
When some Autopilot HW2 and HW2.5 Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles are near airport ASR-9 radar antennae, the vehicle cameras might be affected by electromagnetic interference, and Autopilot/camera alerts might…
- On some Model S and Model X vehicles, the connection of the hook-and-loop material that secures the seat…
On some Model S and Model X vehicles, the connection of the hook-and-loop material that secures the seat upholstery to the seat cushion foam might weaken, causing the upholstery to gather and cause wrinkles.
NHTSA lists 78 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Tesla Model S?
There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 78 manufacturer service bulletins.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Tesla Model S?
NHTSA lists 78 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Tesla Model S from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.