2016 Tesla Model S Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 2%of 649 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the wheels of the 2016 Tesla Model S, 2% of the 649 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,000 miles. 3 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.
“While pulling my car out of the garage driveway on 1/8/2021, heard a metal cranking noise and I wasn't able to turn the steering wheel to the left. After inspecting the wheel, noticed the front wheel on the driver side was touching/stuck the wheel liner. Scheduled a service appointment with Tesla and took the car to the Tesla service center today, they identified both front forelinks need to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11387906, filed 2021-01, 27,750 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“Below is a copy of an email I sent to Tesla on april 30,2018. I have yet to receive a response. Please contact me if you need more information. On january 23, 2018 I had an incident with my Tesla where I hit a small pothole (11' wide by 18' long and 2' deep) at a moderate speed of about 40mph. (I have pictures of the road the pothole in question.) I lost some control of my car swerving into the oncoming lane from the impact, but managed to pull over about a couple of hundred yards after that with no further incident. …”
NHTSA complaint #11098746, filed 2018-05, 26,699 miles“Owners are still reporting extreme and rapid wear of rear tires on the hidden inside edge that can go unnoticed until the tire blows out. Here is a thread from the elbilforum in norway elbilforum.no/forum/index.php?board=49.0 sample: a: rear worn out after 50 days, 4000 km. Reply # 480 on: friday 17 october 2014, in time 5:50 p.m. Now I sit in verdal in nord-trndelag with flat rear tire. Famous light vibrations in the rear tire when I drove on the e6, and thought that there was little air in the tires as it is 4 degrees. …”
NHTSA complaint #10924537, filed 2016-11, 10,000 miles“Left wheel fell off from what appears to be a broken bolt controlling lower control arm. The car was backing into a driveway at low speeds with a sudden thud. The left front was resting on the tire with the tire turned at 90 degrees. The lower control arm was no longer attached with the bolt broken. See pictures.”
NHTSA complaint #10936088, filed 2016-12, 3,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10169816Dec 10, 2019Older versions of the Model S and Model X LH front drive unit clevis mount contain a bushing that allows the front drive unit to move side-to-side more than expected during hard…
- 10110741Feb 10, 2017Some Model S and Model X vehicles may have been manufactured with front suspension fore links that may not meet Tesla strength specifications. In the event of link failure, the…
Wheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 7 | 5% |
| 2021 | 10 | 6% |
| 2020 | 4 | 5% |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 13 | 3% |
| 2016 | 15 | 2% |
| 2015 | 12 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 2% |
| 2013 | 7 | 2% |
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 complaintsForward collision avoidance
39 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
39 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 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