2016 Tesla Model S Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 6%of 649 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2016 Tesla Model S, 6% of the 649 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 miles. 8 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“The main computer in the car goes blank. This affects all parts of the car. It has happened while stationary and in motion. When it shuts off you lose control of all systems including: navigation, emergency braking, lane assistance, use of cameras, all access to safety features. I have read there is a recall but when I contacted the manufacturer they refused to fix the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11388714, filed 2021-01, 96,000 miles“Main control unit (mcu)has shut down several times. The screen has gone black and navigation functions and maps disappeared. Inconvenience more than anything there. I have lost the backup camera and defrost functions. The car has remained pretty much drivable though I don't think I had turn signals (or at least the indication on dash). The car has been both stationary and moving when these things happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11375097, filed 2020-11, 120,000 miles“At approximately 9am on the morning of 1/4/18, I was driving in autopilot on the 405 heading north to my office in santa monica in my Tesla Model S and the car simply ran into the barrier wall on the left side of the car pool lane at 75mph. It was absolutely crazy! I have contacted Tesla about the accident several times, but they are simply not interested. I just read about an accident that the u.s. National transportation safety board is investigating where the same thing happened and the driver died. …”
NHTSA complaint #11081565, filed 2018-03, 15,000 miles“Prior to 10/2/2020 numerous reboots usually after being parked. Had to wait excessive time since I had pin to drive enabled. Disabled pin to drive since I was getting stuck. It is embarrassing and not a good reflection on Tesla products to have to wait 5 minutes to move your car. Something is wrong. 10/2/2020 while driving on I 40 noted there was a lack of turn signal sounds. Noted navigation did not seem to be updating to current position. While on autopilot the car started to drift toward an exit. The autopilot had disengaged with no warning sound' nothing. Continued to steer manually. …”
NHTSA complaint #11384969, filed 2020-12, 71,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10153851Dec 21, 2018On some Model S and Model X vehicles with 2nd generation Autopilot, the forward facing camera pitch (vertical angle) might not conform to internal specifications.
- 10143587Jul 9, 2018On some Model S and Model X vehicles with 2nd generation Autopilot, the forward facing camera pitch (vertical angle) might not conform to internal specifications.
Forward collision avoidance: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 29% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 18 | 16% |
| 2022 | 34 | 24% |
| 2021 | 48 | 27% |
| 2020 | 23 | 29% |
| 2019 | 12 | 27% |
| 2018 | 50 | 29% |
| 2017 | 68 | 16% |
| 2016 | 39 | 6% |
| 2015 | 31 | 5% |
| 2014 | 9 | 2% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2016 Tesla Model S
211 complaintsOther or unknown
150 complaintsElectrical system
149 complaintsSteering
87 complaintsVehicle speed control
81 complaintsBrakes
55 complaintsExterior lighting
49 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 27, 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