2016 Tesla Model S Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 56about this part
- Share
- 9%of 650 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Tesla Model S, 9% of the 650 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,500 miles. 18 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My husband was driving my car, we arrived at the parking lot and as he was pulling into a parking space and coming to a stop, the car suddenly accelerated at high speed, went over the cement bumper for the space, over the one for the space in front and hit a parked saturn in front of us. He is certain that he was braking at the time. We took the car in to Tesla who ran a diagnostic. …”
NHTSA complaint #11066047, filed 2018-01, 4,960 miles“There is a pending recall for this VIN. I was delivered this used vehicle by Tesla in apr 2019. I asked them to complete the recall at that time. I was told the part is backordered. Several reminders and 9 months later it seems Tesla in not interested in addressing this recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11297935, filed 2020-01, 31,000 miles“I was stopped at a stop light on my way to work around 8am on a very crowded city street. As the light turned green, I slowly pressed on the gas to move forward and the car took off at top speed. I hit the brake but the car did not respond - it did not slow down or stop, nor did any alarm, either visual or auditory, go off inside the car. To hit the car in front of me and then had to swerve to avoid hitting dozens of cars in my path. I grazed past a lamp post, another car and finally crashed into a tree.”
NHTSA complaint #10949955, filed 2017-02, 3,000 miles“Please see the attached report I filed on safer car.gove and the letter I wrote to Tesla. I have not got response to any of those.. .this problem happened after I had successfully turned the car 90 degree to park headon. The car had to be at a very low speed at that time. Then when I as just a couple of feet from the curb, the car accelerated out of control. If you get the report from Tesla, you will find that car could not have accelerated this fast even if I had pressed the accelerator pedal by mistake. Many other drivers have experienced the same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11342364, filed 2020-07, 26,000 miles“Takata recall thank you for taking the time to review this complaint. I am sending it due to two main reasons: 1 - this is the second recall I've received for the same car; 2 - I am having safety issues with my Tesla since november 2018. After several e-mails and visiting a center in person, my issue remains unresolved and I am rarely getting any responses. The last time Tesla got back to me was in february. ----- core problem: I am having recurring issues with the electrical systems of the car, and they remain after taking it to a service center. …”
NHTSA complaint #11189826, filed 2019-03, 16,000 milesRelated recalls
- 17V260000Apr 19, 2017Tesla, 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…Covers: Tesla Model S 2012–2016, Model X 2016–2017
Related service bulletins
- 10194342Mar 17, 2016Cold Weather Brake Package
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2023 | 6 | 5% |
| 2022 | 11 | 8% |
| 2021 | 16 | 9% |
| 2020 | 6 | 8% |
| 2019 | 7 | 16% |
| 2018 | 25 | 15% |
| 2017 | 25 | 6% |
| 2016 | 56 | 9% |
| 2015 | 21 | 3% |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 | 25 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2016 Tesla Model S
211 complaintsOther or unknown
150 complaintsElectrical system
149 complaintsSteering
87 complaintsVehicle speed control
81 complaintsExterior lighting
49 complaintsForward collision avoidance
39 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
39 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsFuel system
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Tesla Model S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology