2016 Tesla Model S · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 54owner reports
- 10,000median miles
- 18involved a crash
Newest report Apr 7, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
54 of the 647 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 54 reports
Brake wear on other Model S years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the caliper (4 reports), the pads and rotors (3 reports) and the ABS module (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the brakes covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 3,000 and 31,000 miles, from the 31 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“My car slams on the brakes consistently at green lights when FSD is activated. This is version 12.5.4.2 of FSD. Tesla is not responding to my inquiries.”
Filed Dec 15, 2024
“Tesla has refused to fix safety recall items. They asked me to replace the cluster own my own so i can receive updates.”
Filed Mar 29, 2024
“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.”
Filed Feb 12, 2024
“Driving on highway in early rush hour at 80 mph on autopilot (6:35am May 20). Car just full braking as if something in road even though there were no objects on roadway. Truck behind me nearly crashed into the back of me before I could hit accelerator.”
Filed May 20, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 18 of 54 reports involved a crash and 12 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 209 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 169 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 29 reports