2016 Tesla Model X Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 93about this part
- Share
- 21%of 452 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 93 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Tesla Model X, 21% of the 452 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My screen goes black. This recovers over time when I reboot, but if I am checking mileage the screen goes black again. People who have the same car have told me that this is a known problem with the computer memory for this vehicle. This has happened when the car is stationary and moving on a city street. I am not able to get a service appointment until august 7, 2020”
NHTSA complaint #11342178, filed 2020-07, 51,500 miles“Most times when I take my foot off the gas pedal, the car seems to accelerate on its own. However, when merging onto the highway, acceleration is reduced. As of the past couple of weeks, steering around turns has become a problem. The car operates like it's sliding on an ice patch.”
NHTSA complaint #11394956, filed 2021-02, 19,500 miles“I have had problems with my Tesla 1- doors repeatedly malfunctioning (stationary and driving) 2- the accelerator was malfunctioning, city streets and freeways 3- computer shot down while driving and screen went blank. City streets tomorrow again I am taking the car for repair because of doors malfunctioning I dont find it safe. I left it in the service center. I have only driven it 2000 miles over 13 months.”
NHTSA complaint #11300619, filed 2020-01, 41,000 miles“Vehicle accelerated suddenly and crashed into a tree in front while parking the car in a parking lot. We reported the problem to Tesla but they got back to us denying any car malfunction that caused the acceleration. However we received a recall letter today saying that affected parking brake caliper may cause in rollaway and crash.”
NHTSA complaint #10995447, filed 2017-06, 1 miles“During charging, the car mcu screen went blank, and the car was not accessible or controllable. Vehicle was unresponsive until tow truck driver bypassed unit by jump starting the 12 volt battery. Limited control was regained. Car was drivable, but the rear doors were inoperative. I am not sure what other systems were inoperative. I am concerned about this happening during driving or getting stranded in a remote place.”
NHTSA complaint #11339512, filed 2020-07, 57,798 milesRelated recalls
- 24V051000Jan 30, 2024Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An…Covers: Tesla Model X 2016–2024, Model S 2012–2023, Model 3 2017–2023 +2 more
- 23V838000Dec 12, 2023Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of…Covers: Tesla Model X 2016–2023, Model S 2012–2023, Model 3 2017–2023 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11020189Jun 3, 2025On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the battery powered Pyrotechnic High Voltage (HV) Battery Disconnect will reach the end of its battery lifespan in the near future, which…
- 11001922Apr 18, 2024One or both front door drive units and front door harnesses may require replacement due to corrosion.
- 10172384Feb 19, 2020Tesla is committed to continuous improvement of the security of its products and advises customers to always install the latest mobile app and vehicle software releases to remain…
- 10171177Jan 15, 2020On certain Model X vehicles, a plug in the 12V battery was not installed at the factory, or a Service Center installed a replacement 12V battery that lacks the plug.
- 10171176Jan 2, 2020When some Autopilot HW2 and HW2.5 Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles are near airport ASR-9 radar antennae, the vehicle cameras might be affected by electromagnetic…
- 10169818Dec 13, 2019Some Autopilot HW2 or later Model S and Model X vehicles with Tegra Media Control Units (MCUs) may emit a faint static noise coming from the tweeters on the A-pillar. The noise…
- 10165737Sep 24, 2019On some Model X vehicles, water might enter the door latches on the rear (Falcon Wing) doors, which can damage the electrical components integral to door latching operation.
- 10160518Apr 24, 2019On some Model X vehicles, a pinched electrical wiring harness at the liftgate might create an obstruction alert, causing the power function of the liftgate not to operate. The…
- 10145809Sep 13, 2018On some Model X vehicles, incorrect routing of the intrusion sensor wires might result in electrical interference between the intrusion sensor and the intrusion sensor electrical…
- 10143591Jul 20, 2018On some Model X vehicles, one or both intrusion sensors may have been incorrectly installed and may not function properly.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2025 | 3 | 19% |
| 2024 | 4 | 15% |
| 2023 | 21 | 11% |
| 2022 | 16 | 12% |
| 2021 | 7 | 17% |
| 2020 | 28 | 22% |
| 2019 | 20 | 20% |
| 2018 | 36 | 19% |
| 2017 | 72 | 27% |
| 2016 | 93 | 21% |
Other parts of the 2016 Tesla Model X
151 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsSteering
58 complaintsBody and structure
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
35 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsForward collision avoidance
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
12 complaintsWheels
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Tesla Model X
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