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U.S. public vehicle records

2016 Tesla MODEL X: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

446 owner complaints analyzed

12 distinct recall campaigns

30,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 259 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 148 of 446 complaints (33.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior6013.5%
Steering behavior4911.0%
Electrical and battery issues235.2%
Transmission and shifting40.9%
Engine operation40.9%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Suspension
148
Electrical System
92
Unknown Or Other
88
Steering
58
Structure:Body
49
Vehicle Speed Control
35
Visibility/Wiper
25
Service Brakes
24
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Suspension148
Electrical System92
Unknown Or Other88
Steering58
Structure:Body49
Vehicle Speed Control35
Visibility/Wiper25
Service Brakes24

Suspension: 148; Electrical System: 92; Unknown Or Other: 88; Steering: 58; Structure:Body: 49; Vehicle Speed Control: 35; Visibility/Wiper: 25; Service Brakes: 24

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
118
25,000 to 49,999
54
50,000 to 74,999
56
75,000 to 99,999
24
100,000 to 149,999
6
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000118
25,000 to 49,99954
50,000 to 74,99956
75,000 to 99,99924
100,000 to 149,9996
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 118; 25,000 to 49,999: 54; 50,000 to 74,999: 56; 75,000 to 99,999: 24; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (118). 187 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2016
41
2017
59
2018
12
2019
20
2020
95
2021
71
2022
48
2023
39
2024
27
2025
25
2026
9
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
201641
201759
201812
201920
202095
202171
202248
202339
202427
202525
20269

2016: 41; 2017: 59; 2018: 12; 2019: 20; 2020: 95; 2021: 71; 2022: 48; 2023: 39; 2024: 27; 2025: 25; 2026: 9

Pattern summary

Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 60 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 49 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 23 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10850222 · 2016-03-17 (March 17, 2016)

FALCON DOORS NOT CLOSING, REAR DRIVER SEAT ELECTRICAL DEAD, WARNING LIGHT BLOCKING BACKUP CAMERA READING REAR SEATS NOT IN PLACE, ALL INSULATION PEELING OFF ABOVE TIRES, BUBBLING PAINT, TRUNK AND SIDE PANELS MISALIGNED SO TILTED TRUNK HOOD AND FINGER GOES IN ONE GAP BUT FINGERNAIL ONLY BARELY IN OTHER SIDE GAP, WAVY INSULATION ALONG REAR, FRONT PASSENGER DOOR MOTOR SPINS. PERMANENT SEAT DEPRESSION IN REAR. STATIONARY TO BACKING UP.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10850222 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10853450 · 2016-04-05 (April 5, 2016)

THIS IS A COMPLAINT MADE IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THE VIN IS A RANDOM NUMBER AND NOT THE ACTUAL VEHICLE INVOLVED. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT DOORS AND FALCON DOORS FAILING TO OPEN OR CLOSE CORRECTLY. HERE IS A REPORT FROM AN OWNER WHOSE FALCON DOORS OPENED INADVERTENTLY WHILST THE CAR WAS IN MOTION (EXITING HIS GARAGE) CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/FALCON-WINGS-OPEN-FROM-KEY-FOB-SIGNAL-WHILE-DRIVING.67429/ "HOW IT HAPPENED - THE SHORT VERSION ON THE SECOND DAY OF OWNING MY …

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853450 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10853937 · 2016-04-07 (April 7, 2016)

THIS IS A COMPLAINT IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY. HERE IS ANOTHER DEFECT IN THE TESLA MODEL X WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE A FAILURE TO PROPERLY TEST THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT IS RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC. THE VIN IS A MADE UP ONE TO SATISFY YOUR WEB-SITE. THERE IS A THREAD RUNNING ON TESLA FORUM COMPLAINING OF DOUBLE OR TRIPLE VISION EFFECTS CAUSED BY THE WINDSCREEN. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/DOUBLE-VISION-AT-NIGHT-THROUGH-WINDSHIELD.60997/PAGE-2 SAMPLE: (EDITED FOR BREVITY) I AM SURPRISED THAT TESLA IS ORDERING YOU A NEW …

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853937 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10864703 · 2016-05-13 (May 13, 2016)

HERE IS A MODEL X IN THE SALVAGE YARD. IT IS ALMOST BRAND NEW BUT THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS FALLEN APART. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=22034238&ROWID=36&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS# THE CLOSE UP PHOTOGRAPH REVEALS A LOWER SUSPENSION BALL JOINT THAT HAS FALLEN APART. THERE IS NO COLLISION DAMAGE THAT COULD ACCOUNT FOR THIS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER URGENTLY. YOU HAVE OVER 20 REPORTS FILED FOR MODEL S SUSPENSION FAILURES AND NOW WITH A MERE HANDFUL OF THE MODEL X ON THE ROAD THE SAME FAILURE HAS HAPPENED AGAIN.…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10864703 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10872285 · 2016-06-03 (June 3, 2016)

WINDSHIELD SUFFERS FROM A "DOUBLE VISION" PROBLEM THAT IS NOTICEABLY PRONOUNCED AT NIGHT TIME WITH ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS, STREETLIGHTS, ETC. SEEMS TO BE A COMMONLY REPORTED ITEM IN ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUMS, AND MAY POSE A SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT BY CAUSING DRIVER CONFUSION.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10872285 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10872286 · 2016-06-03 (June 3, 2016)

THE RIGHT REAR DOOR (KNOWN AS "FALCON WING DOORS") CAME OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND BEGAN TO IMPACT THE BODY OF THE CAR. NOT ONLY DID THIS POSE A RISK FOR BREAKING THE GLASS ON THE DOOR WHILE IT DRAGS AGAINST THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE NO "PINCH DETECTION" IN THIS SCENARIO AS THE DOOR CONTINUED TO CLOSE WHILE GRINDING THE GLASS AGAINST THE DOOR JAMB. IF A HAND OR OTHER BODY PART WHERE TO GET CAUGHT, THIS MECHANISM WOULD CLEARLY SEVER IT UNDER THE FORCE OF THE MOTORS DRIVING THE HEAVY DOOR. IT IS A MUCH HIGHER RISK DESIGN THA…

Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10872286 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10873117 · 2016-06-07 (June 7, 2016)

OUR 5 DAY OLD TESLA X WHILE ENTERING A PARKING STALL SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED ON ITS OWN CLIMBING OVER GRASS AND AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY WIFE'S ARMS HAVE BURN MARKS AS A CONSEQUENCE.

Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10873117 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10874060 · 2016-06-13 (June 13, 2016)

HERE ARE TWO MODEL X CARS AT A REPAIR SHOP. SEE ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPH. THEY BOTH HAVE FRONT SUSPENSION DAMAGE. THE BLACK CAR IN THE FOREGROUND HAS THE FRONT WHEEL SLICED IN HALF. THIS CAN ONLY BE THE RESULT OF A BROKEN SUSPENSION COMPONENT. ELON MUSK HAS TWEETED THAT THE NHTSA HAS CLEARED TESLA OF ANY PROBLEMS HE HAS ALSO BRANDED MY COMPLAINTS AS FRAUDULENT. THIS IS ABOUT AS SERIOUS AS IT CAN GET. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS.

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10874060 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

12 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

16V192000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly

Reported: 2016-04-06 (April 6, 2016)

Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2016 Model X vehicles manufactured September 29, 2015, to March 30, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the third row seat back may move forward under load such as in a frontal collision. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence: If the third row seat does not remain in its adjusted position, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will replace all affected third row seats, free of charge. The recall began on April 20, 2016. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-844-248-3752 or by email at ServiceHelpNA@teslamotors.com. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-16-13-003

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V260000 · Parking Brake

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V639000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly

Reported: 2017-10-12 (October 12, 2017)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Model X vehicles. The left-side, second row, reclining seat backs may not fully latch due to having incorrectly adjusted recliner mechanism cables. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Consequence: If the seat back moves forward in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla service technicians will correct the cable adjustment for the left-side, fold-flat, second row, seat recliner mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2017. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-17-13-004.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V062000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System

Reported: 2020-02-05 (February 5, 2020)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Model X vehicles. 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 with coated steel bolts, and add a corrosion-preventative sealer to the steering gear motor housing and motor connection bolts. If the mounting bolts are found to be broken or break during removal and cannot be removed, a new steering gear will also be installed. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 15, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V710000 · Structure:Body

Reported: 2020-11-17 (November 17, 2020)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model X vehicles. The front and spine cosmetic roof trim may have been adhered to the vehicle without first using primer. As a result, one or both pieces of trim may separate from the vehicle while moving.

Consequence: Trim that separates from the vehicle during use can cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will test the roof trim adhesion, and, as necessary, apply primer, free of charge. The recall began January 15, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-20-12-005. This recall has been superseded by Recall 24V615 (SB-24-12-008).

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V035000 · Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | Back Over Prevention:Software

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V037000 · Steering:Automated/Adaptive Steering

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V085000 · Steering:Automated/Adaptive Steering

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V838000 · Electrical System:Adas:Driver Monitoring:Software

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V051000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V376000 · Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V615000 · Structure:Body

Reported: 2024-08-15 (August 15, 2024)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model X vehicles. The front and center roof cosmetic trim pieces may be adhered to the vehicle without primer. As a result, one or both pieces of trim may separate from the vehicle.

Consequence: Trim that separates from the vehicle during use can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla service will test the roof trim adhesion and reattach the trim pieces as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-12-008. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 20V-710 will need to have the new inspection and remedy completed.

NHTSA campaign record ↗