Problems · by component

2016 Tesla Model S service brakes problems

51 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model S cite service brakes, 8% of all 604 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
51
8% of all complaints
Crashes
18
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the service brakes

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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 Brake Rear Brake Caliper. Replaced LH Park Brake Rear Brake Caliper.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2024Service brakesODI 11580751
“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 immovable, causing a traffic obstruction immediately after use and again on the road, potentially endangering myself, other motorists, and pedestrians due to the unexpected immobilization of my vehicle in traffic. 3. Yes, the problem was acknowledged by the Tesla service center in Lynnwood, WA, which replaced one of the malfunctioning parking brake components on [XXX], thereby confirming the malfunction. There was also confirmation of recall 17V-260 and that my vehicle was experiencing the same symptoms. 4. The vehicle was inspected and serviced by the manufacturer's service center (Tesla in Lynnwood, WA). There were no inspections conducted by police, insurance representatives, or other…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 15, 2024Service brakesODI 11572037
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 12, 2024Service brakesODI 11571431
“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 malfunction of the enhanced auto pilot system We immediately filed a service ticket with Tesla and upon repeated requests we were told that car could not be inspected and the breaks or auto pilot system could not be tested as the car was not drivable. Police and car insurance company were notified. Tesla was able to provide us with a EDR There were no warning signs or messages prior to the malfunction.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2023Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11530361
“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 Tesla support call log”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 2, 2023Unknown or other, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11505150
“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, some kind of fluid (likely radiator ) started leaking. Also noticed some scratches/damages to the bumpers”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2022Service brakesODI 11488792

Showing 6 of 51 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.