2016 Tesla Model S automatic emergency braking problems
50 of the 647 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model S name the automatic emergency braking (NHTSA’s “Forward Collision Avoidance” heading — forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, including phantom braking). Filed under the same heading: 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the automatic emergency braking
Source: NHTSA complaint database10 of the 50 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 19 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 6
Half of the 13 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the automatic emergency braking problem between 61,000 and 80,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
647 complaints in all about the 2016 Tesla Model S, 6 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Forward Collision Avoidance” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Tesla Model S automatic emergency braking problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the automatic emergency braking. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
When in Autopilot mode on I287S highway , the vehicle in my right lane changed to my lane with more than enough distance. But, Tesla applied sudden break bringing car speed from 65mph to around 45 mph. Luckily, no one was following me, and, I took control and disengaged autopilot
The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle emitted an abnormally loud sound and experienced phantom braking. The forward emergency braking system warning light was illuminated.
With full self driving mode engaged the automatic braking feature comes on even though no cars or obstacles are present. This has been very dangerous on the highway
The car was in autopilot mode 3 days ago on Highway 41 in CA at a speed of about 65 mph when the brakes were suddenly activated, dramatically slowing the speed. There was no obstruction in the road to warrant braking. I pressed the accelerator to resume my speed and to avoid stopping in the middle of the highway.
I have recently been made aware of pending requests and investigations re the Tesla autopilot system and ‘phantom braking.’ The issue is much broader than the 2020-2022 models. I experience this on an almost daily issue when I use the autopilot features with my FSD package.
What is on file about the automatic emergency braking
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNHTSA investigation
- PE16007 Automatic vehicle control systemsopened Jun 28, 2016 · closed Jan 19, 2017
- On May 7, 2016, a 2015 Tesla Model S collided with a tractor trailer crossing an uncontrolled intersection on a highway west of Williston, Florida, resulting in fatal injuries to the Tesla driver. Data obtained from the Model S indicated that:1) the Tesla was being operated in Autopilot mode at the time of the collision; 2) the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system did not provide any warning o…
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Tesla Model S
Source: the same files- suspension problems 209 complaints
- electrical problems 150 complaints
- steering problems 86 complaints
- cruise control problems 81 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre automatic emergency braking problems common on the 2016 Tesla Model S?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 50 owner complaints naming the automatic emergency braking on this model year (8% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 NHTSA investigation is filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the automatic emergency braking on the 2016 Tesla Model S?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 10 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do automatic emergency braking problems show up on the 2016 Tesla Model S?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 71,000 miles; half of them between 61,000 and 80,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Forward Collision Avoidance" heading cover?
Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, including phantom braking. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.