2016 Tesla Model S Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 49about this part
- Share
- 8%of 650 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2016 Tesla Model S, 8% of the 650 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2 weeks ago I was driving down the freeway at night. My infotainment unit turned black, I lost: 1.. Auto pilot 2. Hvac 3. Exterior lights 4. Radio 5. Maps, blinkers when I contacted Tesla, they said nothing was wrong with my car. We could have easily got into an accident losing these vital things. How do you get Tesla to fix this and what is the right fix?”
NHTSA complaint #11374070, filed 2020-11, 68,000 miles“My 2016 Tesla (manufactured in 01/2017, mileage of 60,400) had the issues with the instrument screen blackout several times. Each time, I lost control of the touch screen, which caused the loss of rear camera view, AC, light and drive control, etc., especially the fogged up on windshield. This is a dangerous issue. I sent my car to Tesla service center (tsc) in matthews, nc on 1/16/21 and they refused to repair my emmc as my car's instrument screen could restart up and was not completely dead. …”
NHTSA complaint #11390978, filed 2021-02, 60,569 miles“My media control unit (mcu) has failed and Tesla is slow to provide me a replacement. They claim that I will be provided a refurbished unit as soon as one becomes available. The mcu failure has impacted my cars rear backup camera, the charging system, the ability to turn on/off headlights and fogs lights, driver settings such as steering (ride selection), front crash warnings, etc. My turn signals are not responding either, and I'm gravely concerned about other safety features failing without this component being replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11331625, filed 2020-06, 70,000 miles“My mcu failed which caused a series of safety issues. The backup camera no longer works. I can not control exterior lights. I cannot use the front or rear defroster which is problematic since the AC is stuck on the on position which causes condensation to form on the windshield, but without defrost control I cannot effectively clear the window. In additional all sounds are disabled which means safety systems such as turn signals and other warnings such as forward collision warning do not work nor can these systems be adjusted.”
NHTSA complaint #11338958, filed 2020-07, 88,000 miles“I've been having ongoing issues with the mcu/ touch screen. I was driving early morning one day when it was still dark outside. I went to turn on fog lights and all of a sudden the headlights turned off and the touch screen froze on me. I had no way of turning the headlights back on and had to drive in the dark without knowing what is ahead of me until I stopped on the side of the road. They did replace the mcu, however I've still been having issues with the touch screen. I don't have full confidence in the system. How do I know this won't happen again?”
NHTSA complaint #11388263, filed 2021-01, 35,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 6 | 4% |
| 2021 | 6 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% |
| 2018 | 8 | 5% |
| 2017 | 28 | 7% |
| 2016 | 49 | 8% |
| 2015 | 46 | 7% |
| 2014 | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 | 15 | 3% |
| 2012 | 5 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2016 Tesla Model S
211 complaintsOther or unknown
150 complaintsElectrical system
149 complaintsSteering
87 complaintsVehicle speed control
81 complaintsBrakes
56 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