2016 TESLA MODEL S Complaints

HUNDREDS of times, usually on interstate highways, our car would suddenly brake for no apparent reason. Often there are no vehicles or obstacles or bridges nearby. The car will brake from 75 mph down to 25 mph if we don't hit the accelerator. This is scary every time.

The recent upgrade of the Tesla MCU UI (User Interface) firmware from V10 to V11 has significant User Experience problems creating a less safe vehicle. Standard pieces of automotive functionality have been moved off the main screen and into sub-menus. Two weeks ago, my car was forcefully or accidentally (may be my fault) updated to the V11 UI. To my dismay the window defrost button was moved from a single press on at the bottom of the touchscreen to multiple precise presses. I experienced how unsafe this is while driving in northern New Mexico on a snowy curvy mountain road after sunset departing Bandelier National Monument. The front windshield began fogging up as I reached 50 mph on the one lane 55mph speed limit road. Previously, a quick glance at the screen would be sufficient to make sure my finger was over the correct button. But now, the defroster button is hidden. I'm in the middle of a turn, my window is quickly fogging up, and I need the defroster ASAP. I didn't have time to take my eyes off the road for multiple seconds to make sure I was using the touchscreen correctly and wait for the slow UI animations to run. So, I did an unsafe, but least worst thing and stopped in the middle of the road. I enabled the defroster and continued the trip, but was shocked I needed to risk being rear ended to enable the defroster. These changes have not been thought through from a safety perspective. The goal seems to make the UI pretty, at the expense of safety. I could enable the defroster on previous vehicles without taking my eyes off the road at all, because they had physical buttons. The V10 defroster button location was simple to locate with a glance. The V11 defroster button requires multiple seconds and is now a significant safety hazard. I dislike the V11 firmware for many other reasons, but this is the most clear safety issue. Note: The defroster can be turned on via voice control, but it is not available in areas without mobile/cell service.

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer's app was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the screen display had malfunctioned while driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was 37,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Left suspension front fore link broken, damaged left front tire and wasn't driable.

Some versions of Model S and X front drive unit halfshafts might cause excessive vibrations during hard acceleration at higher ride height settings. If the drive shaft fails while driving on the freeway then it will not be safe especially with kids in the car. Tesla needs to add this on their recall list. Please see service bulletin https://cdn.motor1.com/pdf-files/sb-21-39-001-replace-front-drive-unit-halfshafts.pdf

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, he heard a popping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and inspected the vehicle but found no failure. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continued driving however, at 5 MPH he heard another popping sound. The contact called a local towing company to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. While attempting to place the vehicle on the flatbed, the contact was informed that a large metallic part had fractured and detached from the vehicle. The dealer’s diagnostic result was that the driver’s side front lower fore link collar had broken off the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket. The mechanic was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lightning). The contact stated that the display screen for the cameras was inoperable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and sent an associate to the contact's residence to inspect the vehicle. The associate inspected the hood latch and tires but not the display screen. The manufacturer informed the contact that there was a shortage of parts for the recall repair and canceled the recall repair appointment. The failure mileage was unknown.

Brakes became 95% unresponsive after a car wash and near 0 degree F weather. This caused a low speed rear-end collision. Some ice build up on calipers, rotors were clean. Unsure of exact cause. Vehicle will be inspected ASAP, but I'm betting we find nothing after the ice dissipates. No warning lights. Contacted Tesla and remote diagnostics revealed no issues.

Immediately after purchase of the vehicle from Tesla and on my way home from the dealer, I rolled my driver-side window down, then attempted to roll the window up upon entering the freeway. The window went half-way up, then rolled back down automatically. I attempted many times to roll the window up, but it would not go up. On the freeway, this caused a safety issue due to wind and debris entering inside the vehicle and causing safety problems for me. I took the car back to Tesla for repair. They indicated they fixed the problem, but this issue has occurred 6 more times, and each time I take the car in, they indicate it has been fixed, while the problem occurs again, not just with the driver-side window, but with other windows as well. I am seriously concerned about my safety and the safety of my family. This issue has occurred in various situations causing serious safety issues: 1. I took my car to Big Bear to ski, and the problem occurred in extremely cold temperature, exposing me and my family to extreme temperatures while attempting to operate the vehicle with the window down and unable to maintain cabin temperature for a few hours while trying to come back from the trip. 2. In two instances this issue occurred in the rain, causing water to enter the cabin and interfering with visibility and safely operating the vehicle. 3. In one instance this issue occurred while I was passing a place where landscaping sprinklers were on and I was sprayed in the face with water, seriously jeopardizing my visibility and I had to stop in place to clear my face from water before being able to see again and safely resume operation of the vehicle. 4. There are many more instances. Tesla is refusing to take back the vehicle as a lemon, despite repairing the vehicle 7 times all together, with the problem still occurring intermittently. I refuse to let my family drive the vehicle for fear of their safety, and I only drive it myself under very limited circumstances.

The tail light flooded during rain and the tail light would not turn on. I was notified of this issue after an officer pulled me over and gave me a notice. There were no warning signs. In search of the issue online, it appears that it is a very common issue with the Model S tail lights.