VehicleVerdict

2016 Tesla Model S steering problems

The 2016 Tesla Model S has 84 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

84

Steering complaints

8%

Share of year

14

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Steering complaints by year

Model S steering complaints by model year84 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 29 complaints2014: 27 complaints2015: 51 complaints2016: 84 complaints2017: 47 complaints2018: 15 complaints2019: 4 complaints2020: 10 complaints2021: 29 complaints2022: 20 complaints2023: 19 complaints2024: 4 complaints2025: 1 complaints
Model S steering complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

23V085000SteeringFebruary 15, 2023 · 362,758 units

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation.  The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

Consequence

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 crash.

Remedy

Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023.  Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.  Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

22V037000SteeringJanuary 27, 2022 · 53,822 units

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.

Consequence

Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.

18V204000SteeringMarch 29, 2018 · 70,421 units

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.

Consequence

Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-32-002.

What owners report

A TESLA HAS JUST CRASHED INTO A GARAGE AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE: HTTP://WWW.OCREGISTER.COM/2017/08/25/TESLA-SLAMS-INTO-LAKE-FOREST-GARAGE-SEVERELY-DAMAGING-IT-AND-SPARKING-A-FIRE/ PICTURES (ATTACHED) SHOW THAT A COMPLETE WHEEL AND SUSPENSION SNAPPED OFF THE CAR BEFORE IT CHARGED INTO THE GARAGE. PLEASE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 25, 2017 · crash · fire

Common questions

How many steering complaints does the 2016 Tesla Model S have?

NHTSA has 84 complaints about the 2016 Tesla Model S steering — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Tesla Model S steering?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the steering: 18V204000, 22V037000, 23V085000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.