2016 Tesla Model S power train problems
17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2016 Tesla Model S — 3% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I own a 2016 Model S P100D equipped with the Large Drive Unit (LDU). The component that fails is the rotor coolant seal in the rear drive unit motor. Coolant leaks internally into the motor and inverter, causing bearing wear, corrosion, isolation faults, and eventual complete drive unit failure…”
filed May 4, 2026
“I own three 2016 Tesla vehicles with the same known safety defect: two Model S P100D and one Model X P100D, all equipped with the Large Drive Unit (LDU). The component that fails is the rotor coolant seal in the rear drive unit motor. Coolant leaks internally into the motor and inverter, causing…”
filed May 4, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Model S years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Model S | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 Model S | 3 | 2% |
| 2021 Model S | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 Model S | 6 | 8% |
| 2019 Model S | 3 | 7% |
| 2018 Model S | 5 | 3% |
| 2017 Model S | 9 | 2% |
| 2015 Model S | 29 | 4% |
| 2014 Model S | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 Model S | 35 | 8% |
| 2012 Model S | 5 | 8% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Tesla Model S
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.