2016 Tesla MODEL S: complaints, problems and recalls

THIS IS A REPORT MADE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO ADDRESS THE CONTINUING PROBLEM OF SNAPPING TESLA MODEL S SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT FILING ANY FALSE INFORMATION, THIS IS A GENUINE REPORT MADE TO TRY AND SAVE LIVES. THE VIN BELONGS TO A TESLA WHICH IS IN THE WRECKING YARD BUT IS NOT THE ACTUAL VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THIS MOST RECENT INCIDENT. THERE IS A NEW REPORT FROM CHINA POSTED ON THE TMC FORUM WHICH INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS OF BROKEN SUSPENSION PARTS. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/THE-REAR-AXLE-SHAFT-BROKEN-WITH…

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10854980 at NHTSA ↗

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TESLA AUTOPILOT MADE IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THE VIN IS NOT THE ACTUAL VEHICLE INVOLVED. HERE IS A FRESHLY POSTED YOUTUBE VIDEO IN WHICH AN OWNER DRIVES HANDS FREE FOR ALMOST AN HOUR WITHOUT RECEIVING ANY "HOLD STEERING WHEEL" NAGS. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TQ_OTCNCPH0 HE IS TRAVELLING AT SPEEDS ABOVE THE POSTED LIMIT BOTH ON FREEWAYS AND ON UNDIVIDED ROADS. HE PASSES CLOSE TO PEDESTRIANS AND EVEN A SCHOOL BUS WHILST WAVING HIS HANDS ABOUT AND EVEN CROSSING THEM OVER HIS CHEST. HE IS NOT READY…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10861153 at NHTSA ↗

THIS VEHICLE IS FOR SALE AS A SALVAGE WRECK. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=21970334&ROWID=1&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS# THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS COMPLETELY TORN AWAY. THE WHEEL IS IN THE FRUNK OF THE CAR AND APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN SLICED IN HALF. THAT IS INDICATIVE OF THE WHEEL BEING GOUGED FROM THE INSIDE WHILST THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT DAMAGE FORWARD OF THE WHEEL THAT COULD ACCOUNT FOR THE SUSPENSION BEING TORN OFF. I HAVE SUBMITTED MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SUSPENSION FAILURES ON …

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10863505 at NHTSA ↗

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH 2 DIFFERENT DRIVERS WITHIN 2 WEEKS. MODEL S 70D INCIDENT 1: MY WIFE WAS AT A STOP SIGN. SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND BEFORE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AGGRESSIVELY. SINCE HER FOOT NEVER TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR SHE WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE AND STOP WITHIN 8-10 FEET. SHE WAS VISIBLY SHAKEN WHEN SHE GOT HOME BUT, REGRETTABLY, NO REPORT WAS FILED. INCIDENT 2: ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, MAY 6, I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE WITH MY WIFE AND BABY IN THE VEH…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10864163 at NHTSA ↗

DOOR HANDLES ARE MADE OF METAL CHROME AND GETS EXCESSIVELY HOT IN THE SUN. YOU ARE UNABLE TO HOLD THE HANDLE AND OPEN IT WITHOUT CAUSING A BURN. (THERE IS A REASON ALL OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS MAKE THE DOOR HANDLES WITH PLASTIC MATERIAL SO IT DOES NOT GET AS HOT IN THE SUN. ALSO THEY MAKE IT SUCH THAT WHEN HOLDING THE HANDLE, YOU HOLD FROM INSIDE THAT IS PROTECTED FROM THE SUN). TESLA NEEDS TO MAKE THE DOOR HANDLE WITH A MATERIAL THAT DOES NOT GET HOT IN SUN AND DESIGN IT IN A WAY THAT THE HOLDING PORTION PROTECTS IT FROM THE SUN.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10873586 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE LOW 12-VOLT BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY PACK WAS NOT IN SYNC AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10873723 at NHTSA ↗

THE ?STALLING? PROBLEM HAPPENED TO MY MODEL S SINCE I STARTED TO DRIVE THE NEW CAR IN 03/16. I GOT KICKED FROM ?D?/?R? TO ?P? AT BEGINNING STAGE WHEN I START TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, AROUND 50% OF THE TIME WHEN I STARTED OR CHANGED MY SITTING POSITION. THE PROBLEM WOULD STOP AFTER I ADJUST MY SITTING POSITION/POSTURE SEVERAL TIMES. I REPORTED TO TESLA ROADSIDE SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES IN 04/16. THERE WAS NO SOLUTION ON-LINE, I HAVE NEVER GOT ANY FOLLOW UP FROM TESLA AS PROMISED. I TOOK MY CAR TO SALES AGENT [XXX] IN BETHESDA, MD. HE COULD NOT S…

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10874934 at NHTSA ↗

2016 TESLA MODEL S. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUSPENSION/ FRONT WHEEL CONTROL ARM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CONTROL ARM BROKE, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO BACK OUT OF HIS GARAGE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10875120 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-04-19 (April 19, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2018-03-29 (March 29, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2019-01-07 (January 7, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2021-12-21 (December 21, 2021)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2021-01-29 (January 29, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2022-01-27 (January 27, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2023-02-15 (February 15, 2023)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2023-12-12 (December 12, 2023)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2024-01-30 (January 30, 2024)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2024-05-28 (May 28, 2024)

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."

Consequence: 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.