2016 Tesla Model X driver assistance & safety tech problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V035000Jan 29, 2021134,951 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.

  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, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.

What owners say

1. Filed Jan 23, 2026FLBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   2016 Tesla Model X experienced Electronic Parking Brake failure with alerts stating ‘parking brake did not release.’ Tesla is charging for replacement despite known EPB defect and recall affecting 2016 Model X vehicles. This is a safety-related braking issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11712871 · source
2. Filed Dec 8, 2025NJDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

   Description of Problem: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPLETE FAILURE My 2016 Tesla Model X instrument cluster has completely failed and permanently displays "CAR OFF" regardless of the actual vehicle status, including while actively driving at highway speeds. Critical Information I CANNOT See While Driving: Gear position (P, D, R, N) - I have no visual confirmation of what gear the vehicle is in Vehicle speed/speedometer Warning lights (brake, ABS, tire pressure, etc.) Battery status…

   NHTSA complaint #11703781 · source
3. Filed May 28, 2025CABody & StructureDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The following is copied from: NHTSA ID Number: 11487520 Incident Date [XXX] Consumer Location SAN JOSE, CA On nine separate documented occasions, the passenger front wheel molding trim piece, in which one of the proximity sensors is mounted, completely detached, causing the proximity sensor to alarm continuously. On two of these nine occasions, the trim piece detached while the vehicle was traveling on the road, and on one of these two occasions, the vehicle was traveling on…

   NHTSA complaint #11663536 · source
4. Filed May 27, 2025NYDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

   Hi, several alerts have popped up, Regenerative braking unavailable, Park Assist unavailable, Automatic Emergency Braking is unavailable, Traction control disabled, Stability control disabled, ABS (anti-lock braking system) disabled. The odd thing is that the alerts come and go as they please. I can't figure out what it is. Could be software related. Possibly a software update has messed it up?

   NHTSA complaint #11663286 · source
5. Filed May 5, 2025GACrash2 injuredTowedAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

   Was stopped at a red light behind the car in front of me. I was stopped at a appropriate distance from the car in front of me. I had my right foot on the brake pedal, when the car accelerated on its own. It launched its self into the car ahead of me. I looked down and my foot was still on the brake pedal. None of the air bags inside the car deployed.

   NHTSA complaint #11658937 · source
6. Filed Mar 13, 2025MADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSteering

   Hi, My steering wheel turning very hard even though NHTSA issued the the recall last month but your website says your vehicle is not on recall. Also my rear camara is working still Tesla said needs to be replace again even though Tesla replace in 2023 which is I paid. My autonomy is not working even though I paid $8000 plus $500 tax when I purchase my model X in 2016 for full self driving/ Tesla doesn't want to honor this to us. Hopefully NHTSA put my vehicle in recall list.…

   NHTSA complaint #11648176 · source
7. Filed Mar 10, 2025NYDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Rear camera lags to appear when the car is put in Reverse. At times when switching to Drive the rear camera image stays on the screen. Sometimes it works as inteneded and sometimes it doesn't. The computer has its moments.

   NHTSA complaint #11647280 · source
8. Filed Feb 21, 2025WIDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Just got [XXX] yesterday morning. I have ~350 miles on this version now in ~24 hrs. FIRST TIME I've ever completely turned off FSD and went back to Autopilot Only. This release is Absolutely 100% DANGEROUS and needs to be pulled and rolled back ASAP Observations: 1: Does not Honor Turn Only lanes and drives straight through them. 2: CONSTANT lane switching no matter what setting it's on. 3: Lane changes without using turn signal. Example, in right lane, it FULLY changes lane…

   NHTSA complaint #11644163 · source
9. Filed Mar 26, 2024CADriver Assistance & Safety TechSuspension

   Car tends to brake in autopilot without having any car in front causing jolt feeling and dangerous scenario for vehicles behind. Suspension work like upper control, half shafts, ball joints, toe and struts been replaced 5 times. One time entire wheel came off.

   NHTSA complaint #11579425 · source
10. Filed Feb 19, 2024CADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    I've reached out to Tesla Service Department on multiple occasions regarding the Auto Pilot Software update and they have failed to provide an update as of today February 19th, 2024.

    NHTSA complaint #11572732 · source
11. Filed Dec 28, 2023ILBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    Display MCU1 is unsafe or at end of life and unsafe locks up goes dark and unresponsive for long periods of time, unable to drive sometimes my my car is under warranty either they should fix it or upgrade it, I was told I need to upgrade it but my car is still under new car bumper to bumper warranty either fix it or replace it, if MCU1 doesn’t work then replace it with MCU2 and honor the new car bumper to bumper warranty

    NHTSA complaint #11562222 · source
12. Filed Dec 28, 2023ILDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    Tesla issues encountered with model X 2016: 1). Bought a demo car with a new car warranty, the car is supposed to be checked and verified that it meets safety guidelines, and certain standards, a).the car had a yellowish tinge had to get it buffed and detailed to look true pearl white cost $400 b). my tires were so bad the tire shop told me they are unsafe to drive so had to get them replaced the morning after I bought the car from tesla-ohio branch and got back to chicago I…

    NHTSA complaint #11562218 · 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