2016 Tesla Model S brakes problems

Related recalls

• Recall 17V260000Apr 19, 201731,709 vehicles
  PARKING BRAKE

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.

  Risk: If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2018. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-17-33-002.

What owners say

1. Filed Apr 7, 202579,000 miCABrakesElectrical SystemSteering

   The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact depressed the brake and the vehicle kept rolling forward. The contact opened the door for the vehicle to come to a stop. On another occasion, the contact stated that the ADAS feature engaged and while driving at various speeds, and the vehicle failed to recognize stop signs,…

   NHTSA complaint #11653299 · source
2. Filed Dec 15, 2024PABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   My car slams on the brakes consistently at green lights when FSD is activated. This is version 12.5.4.2 of FSD. Tesla is not responding to my inquiries.

   NHTSA complaint #11630835 · source
3. Filed Apr 2, 2024CTBrakes

   Vehicle Error: Parking brake not applied/Vehicle may free roll. This issue appeared to be covered by the attached recall, but the service center indicated that it did not apply to my vehicle. Therefore, they charged me for the repair. I do not understand this as the recalled vehicle criteria seems to match my vehicle information. Are you able to evaluate whether this recall should apply to my vehicle? Thank you. Repair Notes: Installed Vehicle Set of Wheels. Replaced RH Park…

   NHTSA complaint #11580751 · source
4. Filed Feb 15, 2024WABrakes

   1. The component that failed was the parking brake. This failure occurred immediately after leaving the Ballard Way Tesla Supercharger. Tesla in Lynnwood, WA, replaced one of the parts on [XXX]. I am unsure if the replaced part is available for inspection, as I did not retain it. The other brake caliper, which has not been replaced, has not shown issues but is available for inspection. 2. The safety risk was significant as the parking brake malfunction rendered my vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11572037 · source
5. Filed Feb 12, 2024OHBrakes

   Similar issue to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V260000. Vehicle was in park. Shifted the vehicle into drive and the passenger side parking break seized and would not release.

   NHTSA complaint #11571431 · source
6. Filed Jan 3, 2024CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   Driving 75mph on cruise control. Car sensed a vehicle in front of me (which there were no vehicles in sight) my Tesla started flashing the red car light and making the alert noise. My vehicle automatically slammed on the brakes dropping me to about 40mph instantly. My greatest fear continuing to drive this vehicle is if I use cruise control, and it senses a vehicle in front of me without their actually being a vehicle and slams on the brakes again myself or someone is going…

   NHTSA complaint #11563311 · source
7. Filed Jul 5, 2023CACrashTowedBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The car was on enhanced auto pilot and was moving at about 50 mph, the traffic in front of me slowed down. The car failed to give an alert, it failed to slow down and stop. I applied the breaks, but by then the car crashed into the pick-up truck in front of me. The car came to a complete stop after the crash and the computer system in the car completely shut down. The car had to be towed to the garage. My safety and the safety of the driver in front of me were at risk due to…

   NHTSA complaint #11530361 · source
8. Filed Feb 2, 2023CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

   1) repeated incidents of Tesla ghosting braking on the highway in autopilot. Sometimes with no cars in sight 3) braking from a high speed to 35 or 40 mph - would have definitely caused a crash if auto close behind me 3) all incidents have been reported to teslas with time date stamps and they have never gotten back to me and ignored all my warnings that this will cause an accident ( which I now see it has ) I can get a date and time on some if needed. You can also search the…

   NHTSA complaint #11505150 · source
9. Filed Oct 11, 2022CTBrakes

   We were entering our driveway to park the car at the garage As always, I drove towards the end of the driveway to reverse into the garage. I turned the wheel towards the right, pressed the break to stop the car to reverse, car lurched forward and went down the small hill (3-4 feet high) to the neighbors yard and when I pressed the break again the car stopped (after about 15 feet from the driveway). Damages : Car’s bottom hit the ground and all plastic parts came out. Also,…

   NHTSA complaint #11488792 · source
10. Filed Aug 26, 2022CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

    While driving the vehicle car shutdown and went into park for unknown reasons. The steering wheel became almost impossible to turn. I also experienced the regenerative emergency braking and brakes malfunction. Car rolled off into the street nearly hitting another vehicled parked in front of it. The malfunction was initially reported to Tesla on January 5, 2022. Appointment was made for January 26, 2022, but was later rescheduled for a later date due to the service centers…

    NHTSA complaint #11481467 · source
11. Filed Jul 1, 2022CABrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

    CPU compatibility to existing OS and memory system causing multiple failures during driving with: 1. instrument cluster reset or reboot (temporarily disables all controls related to buttons/knobs on steering wheel and possibly other safety functions), 2. main nav/computer screen reset or reboot (temporarily disables all controls), 3. auto braking activation (cannot be disabled by user) enabled at dangerous and unpredictable times of city traffic, 4. backup camera picture not…

    NHTSA complaint #11472049 · source
12. Filed May 20, 2022MOBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    Driving on highway in early rush hour at 80 mph on autopilot (6:35am May 20). Car just full braking as if something in road even though there were no objects on roadway. Truck behind me nearly crashed into the back of me before I could hit accelerator.

    NHTSA complaint #11465515 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology