Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 6 NHTSA variants

2016 Tesla Model XRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 417 owner complaints for the 2016 Tesla Model X. Most complaints involve suspension (148) and electrical system (90). The EPA rates it 86–93 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
86–93mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
12campaigns
Latest Aug 2024
Owner complaints
417
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

12 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: body

Free remedy

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model X vehicles. The front and center roof cosmetic trim pieces may be adhered to the vehicle without primer. As a result, one or both pieces of trim may separate from the vehicle.

StructureReported Aug 15, 2024NHTSA 24V615000

Seat belts: warning light

Over-the-air fixFree remedy

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Seat beltsReported May 28, 2024NHTSA 24V376000

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Over-the-air fixFree remedy

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Electrical systemReported Jan 30, 2024NHTSA 24V051000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

417 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2016 – May 2025
  1. Suspension148
  2. Electrical system90
  3. Structure54
  4. Steering44
  5. Vehicle speed control33
  6. Visibility/wiper25
  7. Service brakes18
  8. Forward collision avoidance15
  9. Power train13

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

By model year

Complaints for each Model X model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2016417
2017237
2022129
2023195
202427
202516
20267
Crashes reported
59
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
32
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

148 reports15 crashes3 fires
“Sudden and catastrophic shearing of the driver side rear suspension arm (control arm). My understanding is all these cars from Tesla have aluminum suspension arms which causes identical and catastrophic failure of the vehicle during driving due to choice of Aluminum instead of stainless steel(SS). Aluminum has an ultimate tensile strength of only 90 MPa while SS can exceed 500 MPa. Since my car got disabled completely (motor gets disconnected from the wheel) I almost lost my life with vehicles coming at high speed from behind. I saw the same control arm failures with Tesla cars including S and 3 and X (like mine) all over the world. Here is an example of a very similar failure to mine on a model 3 in Norway : [XXX] The failure is so similar that even the wheel tilted inwards to the wheel bay just in my case due to the clean shearing of the aluminum bushing on the control arm. I would like to make sure these failures do not continue with Tesla and people's lives are not at risk and thus this report.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 16, 2025SuspensionODI 11661421

Electrical system

90 reports12 crashes2 fires
“The contact owned a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 15 MPH from a traffic light, the vehicle was T-boned by another vehicle attempting to run the red light. The contact stated that the other vehicle crashed into the driver’s side front fender panel of the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver’s door was not impacted in the crash. The contact stated that the air bags deployed as needed. However, the contact’s wife was stuck in the vehicle, and unable to exit the vehicle because the doors failed to unlock. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost all electrical functions, causing the doors to remain closed. The contact stated that his wife was unable to move over to the passenger’s side front or rear to exit the vehicle. The contact stated that some pedestrians nearby were able to unlock the door from outside for his wife to exit the vehicle. The contact was concerned that his wife could have been killed if the vehicle had caught on fire or there was some other form of an emergency. The contact stated that his wife sustained a knee injury. Medical attention was not needed at the scene; however, the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2025Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkagesCrash reportedODI 11652101

Structure

54 reports14 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact’s wife attempted to open the driver’s side rear door however, the door failed to open as intended. The contact’s wife noticed a crushing sound. The driver’s side rear top door glass engaged with the fractured center spine trim and the driver’s rear door top glass simultaneously fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured center roof trim. The contact was informed that the center spine roof trim and the driver’s side rear door glass need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle had been previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V615000 (Structure); however, additional repairs were not covered under the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 106,900.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2025StructureODI 11639855
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
Electric motor
Transmissions
Automatic (A1)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity
EV range
289 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Model X AWD - 60D
Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive
919493$800—
Model X AWD - 75D
Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive
919593$800—
Model X AWD - 90D
Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive
909492$850—
Model X AWD - P90D
Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive
899089$850—
Model X AWD - P100D
Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive
819286$900—
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

10 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Tesla Model X as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 10943Vehicle 10942Vehicle 10945
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Tire rotation6,000–8,000 mi6–12 monthsEVs wear tires faster (weight, torque)
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–4 yearsRegen braking spares the pads, not the fluid
Battery coolantPer manualPer manualIntervals vary widely by maker
12V battery—3–5 years
  • Tire rotation6,000–8,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–4 years
  • Battery coolantPer manual
    Per manual
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 Model X questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Tesla Model X have?

12 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2016 Tesla Model X problems?

Owners filed 417 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (148), electrical system (90), structure (54). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Tesla Model X get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Tesla Model X at 86–93 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026