2016 Tesla Model S Electrical System Problems
NHTSA component category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How electrical system ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 639 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Tesla Model S overview page.
What owners report
“TAKATA RECALL. A SERIOUS INCIDENT HAPPENED TO MY TESLA MODEL S IN DECEMBER 16, 2016 WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP…”NHTSA complaint 11000097 — filed 06/19/2017
“THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING IN THE TESLA MODEL S AND IT ALSO APPLIES TO THE MODEL X. THERE HAVE BEEN…”NHTSA complaint 10991821 — filed 05/26/2017
“I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE TESLA AUTOPILOT CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDENT THAT COULD EASILY HAVE CLAIMED MANY LIVES. HERE IS A…”NHTSA complaint 10981143 — filed 04/27/2017
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical System complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 Tesla Model S have electrical system problems?
Electrical System is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2016 Tesla Model S: 145 of 639 complaints on file (22.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2016 Tesla Model S have in total?
639 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 91 involved a crash, 12 involved a fire, 64 reported injuries, and 8 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's electrical system category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
