Transport CanadaMedium Risk
At a glance
This page covers 18 recalls and 444 owner complaints for the 2016 Tesla Model X.
Suspension and steering dominate the complaint picture for the 2016 Tesla Model X. The most widely reported issue involves the electric power steering system, where owners describe assist cutting out unexpectedly, sometimes gradually over weeks, sometimes suddenly, leaving the steering wheel heavy and difficult to turn, particularly at low speeds. Several owners report physical failure at the connection between the steering motor and rack, including corroded and broken bolts that allowed the motor to separate entirely. The electrical system draws the next-largest share of complaints, with owners reporting coolant intrusion into the rear drive unit motor and inverter, leading to bearing wear, isolation faults, and full drive unit failure. A smaller cluster of reports ties coolant heater failure to the loss of regenerative braking.
444
Total Complaints
62
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
24
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Tesla Model X has 18 recalls, the most serious involving the Full Self-Driving Beta software, which can cause the vehicle to exceed speed limits, run stop signs, or make unlawful maneuvers at intersections, raising the risk of a crash.
Two separate steering hardware recalls address corroding bolts that attach the electric power steering assist motor to the steering gear; if those bolts break, steering effort increases sharply, especially at low speed. The center display on certain vehicles uses a processor and flash memory chip that wears out over time, causing the rearview camera, defroster controls, and turn signals to stop working. The electric parking brake on some vehicles contains an internal gear that can fracture, leaving the parking brake locked and the vehicle unable to move.
Several seat recalls affect rear passengers: the left-side second-row reclining seat back may not fully latch, and the third-row seat back can pitch forward in a frontal collision, both raising the risk of injury. On certain vehicles, prior repair attempts on the cosmetic roof trim did not fully resolve the issue, and those trim pieces, both the one behind the windshield and the spine trim between the rear doors, can still detach at speed and create road hazards. The Autosteer system, on vehicles where the driver is not actively monitoring the road, may not prompt intervention in time to prevent a crash. Two lower-severity recalls cover an undersized font on brake warning lights in the instrument cluster and a seatbelt reminder chime that may not sound when the driver is unbelted.
At a glance
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
Two cosmetic roof trim pieces—one behind the windshield and one along the roof spine between rear doors—may not be properly attached. Over time, they could loosen and separate from your vehicle.
What the fix does
Tesla will email you to schedule an inspection and repair or replacement of the cosmetic roof trims if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front and center roof trim pieces may not have primer applied before adhesion, causing one or both pieces to separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Tesla will inspect the roof trim adhesion and reattach the trim pieces as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt warning light and chime may not activate when the driver is unbelted, failing to alert the driver to fasten their seat belt.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a software update over the air to fix the warning system so it activates properly for unbelted drivers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System warning lights on the instrument panel display in an incorrect font size, which does not meet federal brake system safety standards.
What the fix does
Tesla is releasing a free over-the-air software update to correct the warning light font size display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Autosteer controls may not be prominent or clear enough to prevent drivers from misusing this advanced driver-assistance feature when it's engaged.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to improve how Autosteer controls are displayed and managed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The FSD Beta software may drive unsafely at intersections—going straight in turn-only lanes, not stopping at stop signs, or proceeding through yellow lights without caution. It may also not properly adjust for posted speed limits or account for driver speed changes above limits.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to fix the FSD Beta system's intersection and speed-limit handling.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When FSD Beta is active, the vehicle may make maneuvers that violate traffic laws if the driver doesn't intervene and take control.
What the fix does
Tesla will send an over-the-air software update to improve how FSD Beta handles certain traffic situations.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Full Self-Driving (Beta) software's rolling stop feature may allow the vehicle to pass through all-way stop intersections without fully stopping.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free over-the-air software update that disables the rolling stop functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The center display's memory storage device wears out over time and eventually loses data integrity, causing some display functions to stop working.
What the fix does
Tesla will replace the display control board with one containing an upgraded memory device that lasts longer, at no cost to owners.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front and spine cosmetic roof trim may not be properly bonded to the vehicle if primer was not applied before adhesion. This can cause one or both trim pieces to separate while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will test the roof trim adhesion and apply primer as needed to secure the trim properly, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Two cosmetic roof trims—one behind the windshield and one between the rear doors—may not be securely attached and could loosen or separate over time.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect the roof trims at no charge and re-install them if they are not properly attached.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Aluminum bolts holding the power steering motor to the gear housing can corrode and crack, reducing or eliminating power steering assist.
What the fix does
Tesla Service Centers will replace the aluminum bolts with coated steel bolts and apply corrosion-preventative sealer. If bolts are broken, the entire steering gear will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts connecting the electric power steering motor to the steering gear can corrode and break, causing loss of power steering assist.
What the fix does
Tesla replaces the mounting bolts for the power steering motor. If bolts are broken or break during removal, Tesla installs a new steering gear.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left-side second row seat back may not fully latch because the recliner mechanism cables are incorrectly adjusted, affecting seat safety.
What the fix does
Tesla service will adjust the left-side second row seat recliner mechanism cables to proper tension at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The cable controlling the left side fold flat second row seat recliner may be misadjusted, preventing the seat back from latching fully. In a crash, a partially latched seat back could move forward.
What the fix does
The service center will readjust the left side fold flat second row seat cable to ensure proper latching.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric parking brake calipers contain an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured and break under load. A broken gear prevents the parking brake from releasing, trapping the vehicle, or causes insufficient holding force, allowing unintended movement.
What the fix does
Tesla Service Centers will replace the defective parking brake calipers with properly manufactured units.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The internal gear in the electric parking brake calipers may be defectively manufactured and could break when you apply or release the parking brake.
What the fix does
Tesla will replace both the left and right electric parking brake calipers at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The third row seat back may move forward during a frontal collision, which violates safety standards for seating systems.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace all affected third row seats at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
