2016 TESLA MODEL S Complaints

While backing out in my driveway, which has a gentle slope, the front suspension link broke and the front part of the chassis/fender scraped against the driveway surface making scraping sounds of friction and damage underneath the front fender. It is certainly a safety issue and I am glad I was still near home and not on the road, especially highway. I could see a broken metal part on the driveway which I showed the service personnel. The car has barely 45000 miles on it. It is used solely for city driving on mostly flat roads (including Cupertino to Palo Alto office commute). I bought the car in August 2018 from a certified used car dealer with 18000 miles on it. The car was not driven that much during the pandemic closure for about 1.5 years. There was never a service reminder sent by Tesla. So this is completely unwarranted that a critical part like suspension link will randomly break apart! I see that this is an issue known to NHTSA (https://www.reuters.com/article/tesla-safety-investigation-idINKBN2871ES), but I did not receive any recall notice from Tesla. Therefore the service station is charging me full money for the broken fore link as well as the yet unbroken fore link on the other side, and suggesting that I replace the aft links too. This seems totally unfair that the customer has to pay large sum for a mechanical failure known to Tesla.

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the electrical system intermittently failed. The contact stated that the turn signals failed to sound, the back-up camera was blank or was sometimes distorted. The contact stated that he was concerned for his safety while driving. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that two years ago, the vehicle performed a software update and afterwards, the electronics failed to properly operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was a known issue, and that the contact needed to wait for a software update. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed to wait for the software update but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unavailable.

While on the road/highway, the screen goes blank and soon starts rebooting itself. This is a big distraction and a matter of anxiety for the driver who fears sudden stopping of the car till the screen comes back up in a few minutes. This has happened to me intermittently many times. I have reported it several times but nothing was done since the technician at Tesla couldn’t repeat it the one time they may have test driven the car. That is the problem with intermittent issues. But for me, that one more time it happens next time, and I get anxious and distracted, it may result in an accident. I think this is a serious safety issues that many other Tesla owners have reported as seen on the web. Since your form asks for one specific date of incident I have indicated one approximate date but this has happened several times over last three years.

With full self driving mode engaged the automatic braking feature comes on even though no cars or obstacles are present. This has been very dangerous on the highway.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, he heard an abnormally loud sound come from the driver’s side wheel. The contact pulled over and inspected the wheel but did not see an issue. The contact stated that he continued driving and while driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver’s side wheel detached and went into the wheel well. The vehicle then began to steer slowly to the left independently and the contact was able to get the vehicle into a parking lot. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to his place of employment. The local Tesla dealer was contacted however, the cause of the failure not yet determined. The dealer informed the contact that the driver’s side control arm needed to be replaced but the part was not available. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that the failure was not related to the control arm, but that the wheel well and the front fascia lower valence needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,466.

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to avoid hitting an animal and the suspension detached from the vehicle as wheel well the front driver’s side wheel was loosened and the wheel rail liner was fractured. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The local Tesla Service Center was contacted; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The dealer informed the contact that the suspension needed to be replaced but the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

I purchased a used 2016 Tesla Model S in September 2021, with 58,961 miles. Within a month, a strange scraping sound can be heard as I was backing out of my driveway, it was the metal piece that was connected to the wheel. Somehow it had broken off and was bent in a position where it was grinding my brake pads down to unsafe levels. Telsa said it was caused by making a 'sharp turn' and is not covered under warranty. The work to fix costed $1450.03 to replace brake pads and wheel that was cracked. But didn't disclose in the invoice what was causing the scraping sound. They claimed that when they drove the vehicle they could not hear any scraping sound. Based on Tesla's TSB report, this is a known defect and Tesla should have repaired it without charging me. But they would rather have me believe that I was a terrible driver.

Main Display is de-laminating. Glue is leaking inside of car. Fear it will short out electrically and fail or become a fire hazard.

My car has only 50,000 miles but suspension is making noise. Tesla dealer is saying they need to replace the Links - Front Suspension - Lower - Aft -LH/RH. Tesla is charging me $1,828.87 to replace these links. I see in the internet that lot of 2016/2017 made cars has this defect. I strongly believe this is manufacturing defect and Tesla is responsible for fixing this issue for all effected customers. I appreciate if you can investigate into this issue.

Lh suspension fore link broke causing tire to rub inner wheel well while driving at around 30mph resulting in damage to tire and wheel well liner .... car was not able to be driven ..... Tesla service center was not willing to repair under warranty or good will even though they issued a tsb regarding certain 2016 model s cars having suspension parts that were not up to Tesla quality standards and could result in failure