2016 TESLA MODEL S Complaints

I am reporting a safety-related defect involving sudden loss of motive power on my 2016 Tesla Model S. During the drivetrain warranty period, the vehicle developed a persistent humming/buzzing noise from the rear drive unit. This noise was documented on video with a timestamp confirming it occurred while the vehicle was under warranty. At the time, there was no loss of performance or warning indicators. Due to the distance to the nearest Tesla service center (approximately 200 miles), the vehicle was not immediately inspected. When I later contacted Tesla Service, the vehicle was approximately three weeks outside the drivetrain warranty. Upon inspection, Tesla advised that the rear drive unit was failing and would require replacement at customer expense. Tesla declined warranty coverage despite evidence that the failure symptoms began during the warranty period. The rear drive unit later catastrophically failed while the vehicle was being driven uphill, resulting in a complete loss of propulsion. Prior to this incident, Tesla service personnel had advised that if the rear motor failed, the front motor would allow the vehicle to operate in a limp mode to reach a safe location. This did not occur. When the failure happened, the vehicle lost all motive power and was unable to maintain position on an incline. The vehicle nearly rolled backward into traffic. Police assistance was required (911 call) to redirect traffic so the vehicle could be rolled backward down the hill to a safe location. A minor child was present in the vehicle at the time. I am aware that failures of rear drive units on 2016–2017 Tesla Model S vehicles related to coolant intrusion have been reported by Tesla service personnel and other owners. This incident demonstrates a serious safety risk involving sudden loss of power and incorrect guidance regarding vehicle behavior during drive unit failure. I believe this represents a safety-related defect warranting investigation.

I was parking the car and gently tapped on the accelerator to inch forward. The car accelerated suddenly, crashed into a concrete sign holder, and knocked down a sign, until I was able to stop it using the breaks. The accident caused $5000 worth of damage that I paid out of pocket to fix, since I assumed I must have made a mistake. However when I got the car back a month later, unintended acceleration happened AGAIN - under the same circumstances. I was parking and inching forward. I tapped the accelerator and the car accelerated suddenly. This time I was able to stop it before causing any damage. At this point, I KNEW that the first accident was not my error, since it had now happened again, and I was 100% sure that I did nothing wrong. I looked up "unintended acceleration - Tesla" and found examples of the exact same thing happening while parking. I looked for a fix, and it suggested changing the mode of the car to "creep." This so far has worked well.

My 2016 Tesla Model S (45,500 miles) is experiencing a complete failure of the Media Control Unit (MCU1), resulting in a total loss of the rearview camera display and defrost/defogging controls. This is a critical safety hazard. The unit was previously replaced by Tesla in 2021 under NHTSA Recall 21V-035. However, this replacement part has failed again after only a few years of low-mileage use. Tesla Service is refusing to provide a free repair or a goodwill discount for an MCU2 upgrade, claiming the 'recall repair' only had a 1-year warranty. It is unacceptable that a safety-critical component replaced under a federal recall fails twice in 45,000 miles. Tesla has failed to provide a permanent fix for the eMMC defect identified by NHTSA. By refusing to restore the camera functionality without charging full price, Tesla is knowingly allowing a safety defect to persist. I request an investigation into these premature failures of recall-replaced components

-Airbag warning light on -Horn not working -Steering wheel scroll buttons not working -Clicking noise when turning wheel This failure occurred during normal driving. Airbags will not deploy and horn is inoperable, creating a safety risk myself and my family. I have never been into any accidents and have only driven normal. These safety systems should not fail. This is a manufacturing issue.

The retracting door handle on my Tesla Model S failed, creating a dangerous situation where I could not enter the vehicle when needed. This defect poses a serious safety risk because if this failure occurred during a medical emergency, a crash, or a fire, neither I nor first responders would be able to access the vehicle quickly. In real-world scenarios — such as needing to reach a child in the back seat, assisting an injured passenger, or evacuating the vehicle in traffic — a non-functional door handle can cause delays that lead to injury. The failure also increases risk in cold-weather regions, where being locked out of the vehicle can expose occupants to freezing temperatures. This is not a cosmetic issue; it is a critical safety hazard.

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a right turn there was an abnormal sound coming from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated then started to smell a burning rubber odor. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that the front passenger’s side wheel had seized in a right turn position and was rubbing against the wheel well. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE20020 (Suspension). The failure mileage was 60,348.

While driving on the freeway in the fast lane at 75 MPH I80W, the car began a loud humming sound that came from the rear. My passenger and I noted that it was significant sound that we took a video to record the sound. I was the driver and I noticed that the sound increased as I accelerated. Then without any warning the car began to decelerate and no longer accelerated. The car slowed considerably to 35 MPH and it became a major safety issue because I had to cross all lanes of traffic at this slow speed. It was only after the car had completely shut down that the warning messages began to display. I reached the side of the road and we waited for the tow truck driver for about an hour. Subsequently, the car was towed to a Tesla dealer near my home. I was informed that the drive unit needed to be replaced with an explanation of internal failure, costing over $7000. However, the root cause of the internal failure was never explained or investigated even at my request stating that they do not take apart the drive unit. This incident occurred after driving 7hrs of heavy rainfall for 2 days. A quick google search of "2016 Tesla model S drive unit failure" reveals plenty of Tesla owners that had similar issues.

I am writing to formally report a recall-related safety defect that occurred after the eMMC recall service on my vehicle’s Media Control Unit (MCU). Following the recall, the display adhesive began to leak and the screen started separating from its frame. The adhesive continues to drip onto the dashboard and the display shows signs of delamination. This is a safety issue that directly affects driver visibility and may result in electrical contamination inside the MCU. Under federal law, Tesla is required to correct any defect that is related to or arises from a recalled component. This obligation is clearly stated in 49 U.S. Code Section 30120 and 49 CFR Section 573.6. The adhesive leakage and display delamination meet the definition of a related safety defect under 49 CFR Section 573.5(c) because the problem is connected to the same system that was recalled and repaired. A manufacturer performing a recall repair must return the system to safe operating condition. Tesla is therefore responsible for verifying and correcting any new or worsening safety defect identified during or after recall service. Tesla’s own internal Service Bulletin SB-21-17-003 confirms this obligation. It states that if display delamination, bubbling, or adhesive leakage is observed, the entire MCU assembly must be replaced. The service department’s statement that Tesla is “not obligated” to inspect or replace the screen is incorrect and contradicts both federal recall requirements and Tesla’s own technical documentation.

My car is equipped with Full Self Driving. When I use that mode the car drives over , on, or dangerously close to the middle yellow line. Basically it drives you into oncoming traffic every single time I use it. It also has erratic fluctuations in throttle control that would confuse other drivers and possibly cause an accident. It’s constantly increasing and decreasing the throttle and feels jerky going down the road. I took the car to the Tesla Service center yesterday and they confirmed the issue and checked the hardware associated with the system. They indicated that the hardware was all working and adjusted properly and that the issue is a software issue. They told me to not use it and that eventually maybe Tesla will put out an update that may fix the problem. Tesla has sold thousands of cars with FSD and continues to call the system in BETA. They have since moved on to 2 more versions of the software and not offered an upgrade to the thousands of early adopters with the original hardware and software. The system is dangerous to drivers and everyone on or near the roadways when these are activated. Tesla said that can upgrade these “older” 2015 and newer models but haven’t because it will cost too much for them. They charged over $8000 for the system and it has yet to work. They need to be forced recall the system and fix these cars for everyone’s safety. The service manager told me he has a similar issue with car and he just opts to not use it. So even the employees at Tesla know of the issue.

Car was making a rattling noise and no indication on the car indicating that it was a suspension issue. Drove for a few months without realizing that it was a suspension and hence a safety problem. Took it to the Tesla Service Center and they diagnosed as a suspension problem and said that it was unsafe to drive the car. The repair at Tesla to replace the links (aft, fore, sway bar) and spring/damper assembly was $5809.71;