repaired · 2026 Q2
Structure: body
Risk. Trim that separates from the vehicle during use can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
2016 Tesla Model XProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 453 owner complaints about the 2016 Tesla Model X, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-615 the manufacturer reports only 63% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 9, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz — a photo credit is required if this image is used anywhere other than Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2016 Tesla Model X has problems
453 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
151Suspension16 crash/fire/injury
94Electrical system12 crash/fire/injury
59Steering8 crash/fire/injury
57Structure15 crash/fire/injury
35Vehicle speed control
25Visibility/wiper
25Forward collision avoidance
24Service brakes
15Power train
10814 other systems21 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 151 | 16 |
| Electrical system | 94 | 12 |
| Steering | 59 | 8 |
| Structure | 57 | 15 |
| Vehicle speed control | 35 | 19 |
| Visibility/wiper | 25 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 25 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 24 | 6 |
| Power train | 15 | 3 |
| 14 other systems | 108 | 21 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
12 recalls
2016 Tesla Model X recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Front: warning light/devices
Risk. A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Risk. Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Driver monitoring: software
Risk. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as…
Show 8 more recalls
repaired · 2025 Q1
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk. FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a…
repaired · 2022 Q2
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk. Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Back over prevention: software
Risk. The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting,…
repaired · 2022 Q4
Structure: body
Risk. Trim that separates from the vehicle during use can cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q1
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk. If the seat back moves forward in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Parking brake
Risk. If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk. If the third row seat does not remain in its adjusted position, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Tesla.
Mileage at failure
When do suspension problems start?
20kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 104 suspension complaints. 100% were reported before 100,000 miles.
61under 30k miles104under 100k miles0100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Suspension
11 owners mentioned a cost$1,319median
Middle half: $1,000 – $4,198
Electrical system
8 owners mentioned a cost$1,675median
Middle half: $1,450 – $2,500
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2016 vs. every other Model X year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Model X median. How we score
'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
18 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2016 Tesla Model X, and the recalls they led to.
- Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting RequirementsOpen
- Battery Management Software UpdatesNo recall
- Sudden Unintended AccelerationNo recall
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
- Defect Petition Interlock RequestNo recall
- Sudden Unintended AccelerationOpen
- Loss of rearview cameraLed to recall 21V-035
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Autopilot System Driver ControlsLed to recall 23V-838
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsOpen
- Automatic vehicle control systemsNo recall
- Loss of rearview cameraNo recall
- Fore Link FailureNo recall
- Autopilot & First Responder ScenesNo recall
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsNo recall
- Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.No recall
- Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engagedOpen
- Recall 23V838 Remedy EffectivenessOpen
In owners' words
What Model X owners report
Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The failure follows the same pattern every time. At first there is a loud noise from the compressor when the car starts. Over time the noise lasts longer. Eventually the compressor can no longer raise the vehicle, and it sits at its lowest ride height, nearly on the ground. In that condition the…
In March of 2025, my steering of the model X became really stiff. As time went on, the problem became worse and no longer able to turn left or right without major force. I made an appointment with Tesla and took it in for servicing. At this time they changed the steering bolts and steering shaft…
Sudden and catastrophic shearing of the driver side rear suspension arm (control arm). My understanding is all these cars from Tesla have aluminum suspension arms which causes identical and catastrophic failure of the vehicle during driving due to choice of Aluminum instead of stainless steel(SS).…
Own a 2016 Model X?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.