2016 Tesla Model X Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 3%of 452 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2016 Tesla Model X, 3% of the 452 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2016 Tesla Model X's mcu is often freezing, restarting, or going completely black while driving and while parked. When this happens, I'm unable to access any of the features of the car but more importantly, the rearview camera does not work when the mcu is having an issue. With the small rear window, I cannot see any children or people behind my vehicle. Reversing with no rear view camera is dangerous. I'm also unable to turn on the fog lights when needed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11390716, filed 2021-01, 43,399 miles“Main computer system died. All screens stopped functioning (including speedometer). Car wouldnt lock/unlock. Tesla said the mcu had to be replaced and they were going to charge me because it was 5 days out of warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11342632, filed 2020-08, 47,000 miles“Touch screen stayed off for more than 30 minuets on a 2 hour freeway drive with no control of the vehicles defroster, climate, navigation or audio controls. Touch screen does not always respond and glitches. Rear view camera does not always respond nor works immediately when in reverse and goes all black. Defrost would not work on freeway multiple times due to black non responsive screen. Rear driver seat sequels/squeaks a lot when sat in. Car often takes a minute or longer for the dashboard and touchscreen to turn on. Battery does not hold correlating charge to miles driven. …”
NHTSA complaint #11394301, filed 2021-02, 67,000 miles“While highway driving the main mcu froze due to a manufacturer known memory corruption defect and would not reboot. This defect failure impacts access and control of the following safety features, turn signals, emergency brake, emergency battery disconnect, fog lights (front and rear), auto high beams, rear pedestrian camera, suspension (inability to disable auto leveling for tire changing or towing), traction control slip start, side mirror adjustments. Battery safety limits for acceleration and regen based on environmental temperature safety limits are also disabled. …”
NHTSA complaint #11337992, filed 2020-07, 50,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that the display screen went blank while driving at various speeds without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and the display screen functionality returned; however, the failure recurred soon after restart. The contact then received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting). The contact took the vehicle to a service center and was informed that there was a limited amount of parts to repair the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11428915, filed 2021-08, 70,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2016 Tesla Model X
151 complaintsElectrical system
93 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 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 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