Common problems

Tesla Model X Common Problems

We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 8 Tesla Model X model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.

Data updated April 2026

Owner complaints
602

8 model years

Top recurring issue
Unknown Or Other

7 affected years

Crash reports
74

Owner-reported severity signal

Fire reports
7

36 injuries · 0 deaths

Pattern overview

Most reported Tesla Model X problem categories

#1

Unknown Or Other

119complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 7 model years; highest in 2023.

#2

Electrical System

82complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 6 model years; highest in 2020.

#3

Suspension

87complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2018.

#4

Steering

83complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2023.

#5

Forward Collision Avoidance

26complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2018.

#6

Vehicle Speed Control

31complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2018.

#7

Structure

23complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2023.

#8

Service Brakes

13complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2023.

#9

Seat Belts

6complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2023.

#10

Power Train

3complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2021.

What owners reported

Issue summaries by Tesla Model X model year

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2023 Tesla Model X frequently report issues with the horn's placement as a small button on the steering wheel, which deviates from the traditional center horn location. This design reportedly causes difficulty in quickly locating and using the horn during emergency situations, leading to delayed responses and, in some cases, contributing to crashes. Additionally, some complaints mention problems with the vehicle's full self-driving autopilot system attempting unsafe lane changes, and issues with the garage door activation software causing unintended door movements. These issues are reported across various mileage ranges, with significant safety implications, including crashes and injuries.

Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports

STEERING

Owners report significant issues with the horn placement on the 2023 Tesla Model X's steering wheel, which is a capacitive touch button located on the side rather than in the center. Complaints frequently mention difficulty locating the horn in emergency situations, leading to near-miss incidents where drivers could not alert others in time. Some owners also describe problems with turn signal buttons and other steering wheel controls, which are similarly capacitive and challenging to use without looking. A few reports indicate these issues have resulted in crashes or evasive maneuvers to avoid collisions. These problems are noted by owners with varying mileage, including vehicles with as few as 300 miles, and Tesla's refusal to replace the steering wheel without charge is a common point of frustration.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

SUSPENSION

Owners report several recurring suspension issues with the 2018 Tesla Model X. Common failure patterns include front suspension components such as control arms and half shafts making creaking, squeaking, or vibrating noises, often described as violent shaking or shuddering during acceleration. Complaints frequently mention suspension air compressors failing multiple times within a short period, and rear tire wear due to non-adjustable camber settings. These issues are noted at various mileage points, with some owners experiencing them as early as 5,000 miles. Safety implications include potential loss of control, with a few reports involving crashes due to suspension parts breaking or wheels detaching. Used car buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly regarding repair costs and safety risks.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

SUSPENSION

Owners of the 2020 Tesla Model X frequently report suspension-related issues, particularly involving the failure of ball joints and control arms, which can lead to wheels misaligning or "going whompy." Common symptoms include erratic vehicle shaking, loud knocking noises, and excessive tire wear, often appearing as early as 5,000 to 14,000 miles. Some complaints highlight significant safety implications, including one crash and injury, with reports of loss of control due to suspension failures. These patterns suggest potential risks for used car buyers, who should be aware of possible suspension repairs and associated costs.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2020 Tesla Model X frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, specifically related to software malfunctions and self-driving features. Common symptoms include sudden acceleration, unintended braking, and the failure of screens and dashboards, often leading to a loss of control. These issues have been reported at various mileages, with some incidents occurring as early as 10,000 miles and others around 76,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with complaints involving three crashes and one injury, highlighting risks such as phantom braking and unexpected acceleration. Buyers considering a used Model X should be aware of these potential electrical system issues and the associated safety risks.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2018 Tesla Model X frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving the media control unit (MCU) and instrument cluster becoming inoperable. Symptoms often include blank screens, loss of speedometer and turn signals, and unresponsive controls, which can occur while driving. These failures are noted at various mileages, with some reports starting as early as 5,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with two complaints involving crashes and one injury reported. Buyers should be aware of potential repair costs and the possibility of recurring issues with the vehicle's electronics.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

SUSPENSION

Owners of the 2019 Tesla Model X frequently report suspension issues, particularly involving the front half shafts and control arms. Common symptoms include vibrations during acceleration, loud clicking noises, and in some cases, the suspension components detaching or becoming misaligned. These issues often occur around 15,000 to 35,000 miles, with some instances reported even in vehicles with as few as 2,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes, one involving a fire and injury, due to suspension failures causing loss of control. Prospective buyers should be aware of these potential suspension problems and the associated repair costs.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports

STEERING

Owners of the 2020 Tesla Model X frequently report issues related to steering and suspension, with common symptoms including loud squeaky noises, vibrations, and steering assist reduction. Complaints often describe severe vibration and shaking during acceleration, particularly between 15-45 mph, which can affect steering stability. Some owners mention power steering failures and steering wheel lock-up, with one incident involving a crash due to suspension failure. These issues are reported both shortly after warranty expiration and at varying mileages, with some occurring as early as 4,000 miles. Safety implications include loss of vehicle control, especially during highway driving and lane changes, which potential buyers should consider.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Pre-purchase inspection

What to check on a used Tesla Model X

When problems are reported to begin

  • Electrical system failures — 6,000–7,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Airbag system faults — 30,000–50,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Structural component detachment — 20,000–22,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Second-row seat latch failure — 57,000–59,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Steering failures — 8,000–55,000 miles on the 2021 model-year record
  • Suspension control arm failures — 50,000 miles on the 2021 model-year record
  • Suspension failures — 5,000–14,000 miles on the 2020 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures — 10,000–76,000 miles on the 2020 model-year record

Buyer red flags

  • Test door locks and openers for intermittent failures
  • Verify speed regulation settings function as intended
  • Inspect seatbelt retraction and alignment in second-row seats
  • Check hazard flasher button for responsiveness
  • Test self-driving and collision avoidance systems for unexpected behavior
  • Examine windshield for spontaneous cracks or structural issues
  • Ensure regenerative braking settings are adjustable for icy conditions
  • Test forward collision avoidance system for phantom braking during highway driving

How to interpret the counts

Complaint totals are not failure rates

A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.

Source trail

Where this Tesla Model X data comes from

VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Tesla Model X research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.

Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.

Buyer questions

Tesla Model X research FAQ

What is the most common Tesla Model X problem?

Unknown Or Other is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 7 years with 119 complaints represented.

Which Tesla Model X year has the most reported problems?

The 2023 has the largest unknown or other count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.

Do NHTSA complaints prove a Tesla Model X has a defect?

No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.

Check the actual car

Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.

Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Tesla Model X you are considering.