KnownCarProblems2016 Tesla Model X Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 450 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model X, most often about the suspension (34% of complaints, typically around 20,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Model X model year since 2000 and has 12 recalls.
Most common 2016 Tesla Model X problems
Suspension
151 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
Here is a Model X in the junkyard. Https://www.copart.com/lot/25385958 it has not been in a collision. No air-bags have deployed. There is no damage to the bodywork. The front rh steering knuckle has cracked in half. This is a clear indication of a manufacturing defect. The cast aluminium knuckle has a brittle…
Here is another Tesla in the junkyard: https://www.copart.com/lot/38498547 it has bio-hazard stickers indicating that occupants were injured. The front top ball joint has separated from its socket. Both lower ball joint stems have snapped. These are steel components that are stronger than the alloy parts they are…
Electrical
93 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: adas.
While highway driving the main mcu froze due to a manufacturer known memory corruption defect and would not reboot. This defect failure impacts access and control of the following safety features, turn signals, emergency brake, emergency battery disconnect, fog lights (front and rear), auto high beams, rear pedestrian…
Touchscreen died completely affecting ability to drive vehicle. No ability to control defrost or air conditioning for windshield visibility. Turn signals produce no audible noise. No backup camera. No ability to change charge rate or reasonably identify when car will run out of charge and die on a long trip. I cannot…
Other or unspecified
89 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles.
Ever since I bought my 2016 Tesla Model X I have been having problems with the mcu (main screen) it keeps freezing up, it won't respond to my touch commands, I can not change the suspension settings, driving settings, climate control, disabling pin and everything that is related to the screen which is basically all…
My screen goes black. This recovers over time when I reboot, but if I am checking mileage the screen goes black again. People who have the same car have told me that this is a known problem with the computer memory for this vehicle. This has happened when the car is stationary and moving on a city street. I am not…
Steering
58 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
Here is another example of a Tesla with a popped ball-joint. Https://poctra.com/2016-Tesla-model-x/id-ai6j3yjqme16nyxj/ebensburg-pa/photos the ball joint attaches to a flimsy pressed steel upper wishbone. That wishbone is not even bent out of shape so therefore the ball-joint can not have had any great force placed…
Here is yet another Tesla in the junkyard. Https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/39245824?tenant=US&rownumber=10 the front suspension has snapped off completely. This does not look like damage caused by a collision. The wheel and tire are almost undamaged so it is unlikely that a violent force was applied to the…
Body and structure
57 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Here is a report from an owner that the centre portion of the glass roof came unglued and flew off while he was driving on the freeway: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/acceleration-shudder.74184/page-9 ** an interesting side note, I got a Model X loaner. It's signature #005. While driving on the freeway I hear…
Sudden unintended acceleration. The car suddenly accelerated instead of stopping when I applied the brakes while pulling into a parking space. I was going approximately 5 MPH. Instead of stopping, the car jumped a concrete parking block, went over a curb, climbed an embankment, and struck a tree before it came to a…
Speed control
35 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 2,000 miles.
While turning left into a parking spot at a very slow speed, the car suddenly accelerated with extreme force. It ran over a curb and collided with a tree and a truck. There was only light pressure on the accelerator. The automatic braking and the airbags did not deploy. There was over $18 000 damage to the two…
Takata recall I drove my Tesla Model X 2016 today to work and when I was about to park the car in the parking lot (around 6 miles per hour may be) it suddenly accelerated and hit the concrete wall and bounced back around 8 feet. Since it was for parking I can surely say that I did not accelerate the car. The steering…
Visibility and wipers
33 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, sun/moon roof assembly.
Viewing through the front windshield creates "double vision" effect most noticeable in the evening with lights, causing for objects to look blurred, creating eye strain and uncomfortable driving. Most notable are taillights and signal lights that appear to multiply.
My 2016 Tesla Model X's mcu is often freezing, restarting, or going completely black while driving and while parked. When this happens, I'm unable to access any of the features of the car but more importantly, the rearview camera does not work when the mcu is having an issue. With the small rear window, I cannot see…
Driver assistance
28 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, assist, warnings.
Having many issues that seem to follow the reported symptoms of failing emmc memory, however Tesla told me that it is not the issue and that the emmc just needs "refreshed" for $95.59. It sounds like a way for Tesla to delay the inevitable replacement or avoid replacing the module. Also, I think it should be illegal…
Mcu failure while driving on the freeway. I was driving with autopilot on the freeway. The mcu failed and disengage the autopilot but there was no audio warning. Almost crashed into the wall of the hov lane.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Tesla Model X recalls
Body and structure: body
Risk: Trim that separates from the vehicle during use can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: warning light/devices
Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Electrical: instrument cluster/panel
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Electrical: software
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk: 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.
Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.â owner notification letters were mailed april 15, 2023.â owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.â tesla's number for this recall is sb-23-00-001.
Full defect summary
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.â 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.
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: defroster/defogger/hvac system
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: body
Risk: Trim that separates from the vehicle during use can cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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).
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: If the seat back moves forward in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 [email protected]. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-16-13-003
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) is opening this engineering analysis to evaluate teslaâs full self driving beta and full self driving (supervised) (collectively, fsd) degradation detection system. The focus of this investigation will be to assess the systemâs 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 teslaâs assessment of their safety impact. Teslaâs fsd is an
Traffic safety violations while full self driving ("fsd") is engaged
Summary
The office of defects investigation (âodiâ) is opening this preliminary evaluation (pe) to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of fsd executing driving maneuvers that constitute traï¬c 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.â the driver r
Compliance with standing general order 2021-01 reporting requirements
Summary
The office of defects investigation (âodiâ) has identified numerous incident reports submitted by tesla, inc. (âteslaâ) in response to standing general order 2021-01 (the âsgoâ), 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
Actually smart summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
Summary
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
Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions
Summary
On october 17, 2024, nhtsaâs office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe24031) of teslaâs 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
Recall 23v838 remedy effectiveness
Summary
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 teslaâs traffic-aware cruise control (tacc) and autosteer. In describing the safety defect, teslaâs defect information report (dir) explained that âthe prominence and scope of the systemâs controls may be insufficient to prevent driver misuse,â and tesla committed to th
Sudden unintended acceleration
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition requesting that odi reevaluate its decision to deny dp20-001 on the basis that intermittent high electrical current demands on the vehicles' 12vdc systems may have caused some or all of the incidents examined by odi in dp20-001. The petitioner bases this information on a review of open-source research and the dp20-001 denial. The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following odi number: 11528471.
Defect petition interlock request
Summary
On march 21, 2023, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition requesting a ârecall of all tesla carsâ produced from 2013 to the date on which the petition was filed due to what petitioner considers to be the increased likelihood of pedal misapplication. Attached to the petition is a paper authored by petitioner. According to petitioner, the differences in the operator controls between the subject tesla vehicles and internal combustion engine powered vehicles promote driver pedal misapplication, leading to sudden unintended acceleration (sua) incidents. To fix this alleged defect, petitioner argues that the subject vehicles should be equipped with measures that require:
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Autopilot system driver controls
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) upgraded pe21020 to ea22002 on june 8, 2022, to extend work and deepen the pe21020 crash analysis, to supplement that analysis with additional data, and to perform vehicle evaluations to understand how teslaâs autopilot system may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the driverâs supervision. To support this work, odi collected additional crash information and assessed vehicle control authority, driver engagement technologies, and related human factors considerations associated with partial automation via analysis of peer vehicle data and hands-on vehicle evaluation, assessments from NHTSA human
Questions about the 2016 Tesla Model X
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Tesla Model X?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (151 complaints, typically around 20,000 miles); electrical (93 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); other or unspecified (89 complaints, typically around 49,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Tesla Model X have?
- 12 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 15, 2024 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Tesla Model X?
- It is the most complained-about Model X model year since 2000, with 450 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.