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Vehicle Stats/Tesla/Model X Reliability
NHTSA Official DataUpdated Sep 2026Methodology

Tesla Model X Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

Poor reliability signalOur verdict from 3,112 complaints and 111 recalls on NHTSA record

Comparing used Tesla Model X options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.

3,112
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
111
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
381
Crash-Related
crash complaints
34
Fire-Related
fire complaints
413
Injuries Reported
across all years
10
Years Analyzed
2017–2026

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Found a Tesla Model X? Check that exact car.

Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.

  • Accident & damage history
  • Odometer rollback records
  • Open recalls & title brands
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Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Tesla Model X has 3,112 owner complaints and 111 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is SUSPENSION. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.

Tesla Model X — key reliability facts
Make
Tesla
Model
Model X
Model years analyzed
2017–2026 (10 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
3,112
Safety recall campaigns
111
Crash-related complaints
381
Fire-related complaints
34
Worst model year (by complaints)
2017 (1,185 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2026 (6 complaints)
Top reported issue area
SUSPENSION
Reliability signal
Poor
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) · Data last refreshed Sep 5, 2026
This Model X has 111 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free →

By model year

Tesla Model X: which years to avoid & which to buy

Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

Years to avoid
20171,185 complaints2018700 complaints2020375 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

Best years to buy
20266 complaints202515 complaints202426 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.

Looking at a 2017 Tesla Model X? It logged the most NHTSA complaints of any model year — averages won't tell you whether this exact car is affected.Check this VIN free →

Crash test ratings

NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.

What the complaint data suggests

Poor
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Data engine & NHTSA methodology by Eduard Batog, Co-founder & Data Engineer. How we calculate this.

The TESLA MODEL X has 3,112 NHTSA complaints and 111 recalls on record. 381 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Key findings
  • 3,112 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 111 federal recall campaigns
  • 381 crash-related complaints on record
Top concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Worst years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.

Best years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.

What to check before buying used
  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume — popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Problems by model year (best vs. worst)

2017
1185
2018
700
2019
365
2020
375
2021
120
2022
125
2023
195
2024
26
2025
15
2026
6

Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026

Safety recalls

NHTSA safety recalls

111 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Safety recall

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

#25V002000BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWAREJuly 1, 2025
Safety recall

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

#25V002000BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWAREJuly 1, 2025
Safety recall

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

#24V904000EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSFebruary 12, 2024
Safety recall

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

#23V743000STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BARMarch 11, 2023
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

#22V235000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWAREDecember 4, 2022
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

#22V233000AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAINAugust 4, 2022
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

#22V063000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWAREApril 2, 2022
Safety recall

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

#22V296000BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTIONMarch 5, 2022
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

#22V050000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWAREFebruary 2, 2022
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

#22V045000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWAREJanuary 2, 2022
Safety recall

AIR BAGS

#21V868000AIR BAGSSeptember 11, 2021
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHION

#24V967000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHION
Safety recall

AIR BAGS

#25V172000AIR BAGS
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

#24V051000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Safety recall

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES

#24V376000SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
Safety recall

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

#24V554000LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Safety recall

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHION

#24V967000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHION
Safety recall

AIR BAGS

#25V172000AIR BAGS
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE

#22V037000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
Safety recall

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

#21V846000FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

Common problems

What goes wrong most often

The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 3,112 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.

01
SUSPENSION716 complaints
02
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM696 complaints
03
UNKNOWN OR OTHER681 complaints
04
STEERING434 complaints
05
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE391 complaints
06
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL269 complaints
07
STRUCTURE243 complaints
08
SERVICE BRAKES182 complaints

Owner complaints

NHTSA complaint reports

3,112 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAug 2026

For over the past 18 months, Tesla FSD software deliberately removed the driver’s ability to control following distance, instead replacing it with fuzzy descriptions of “mad max, hurry, standard, chill, and sloth.” As a result the car cannot maintain a safe highway following distance as determined by the driver. When in Hurry and or Standard mode, the car will routinely reach speeds of 75 to 80 mph and decrease following distance to about 3 car lengths, with no car for more than 20 car lengths behind. When a sudden slowdown occurs, the tesla reacts slowly, often decreasing the following distance to 1 car length, as the car behind closes and misjudges the deceleration of the Tesla, resulting in a potential 3 car collision. Adjusting from hurry to standard, or even down to chill or sloth mode does not bring the following distance back to the driver’s education rule of thumb - 1 car length per 10 mph. About 3-10 seconds after the mode change, the software forces an unexpected lane change into a slower lane. The only solution is to disable all driver assistance measures, coast to the necessary following distance and then re-engage. The cycle then repeats. Sometimes when there are nearby cars blocking lane changes, the car remains at 1 car length following distance (for up to 7 seconds after changing from hurry to sloth mode), with the car behind at 3 car lengths while remaining at 70 to 75 mph. Software versions include the latest: 2026.21.6, with the HW4 autopilot computer. This is completely a vendor chosen software defect which could easily be addressed by new defaults, or with simple software changes. The elegant solution is to use the autopilot control scroll wheel. Presently, it takes 2 “detents” to change between modes, if turning one detent downwards would allow driver to increase following distance, that would be sufficient. Alternatively within the Byzantine onscreen menus, an option could be added, but that would be unsafe to adjust while driving.

Crash 1 InjuryUNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEJun 2026

In January my parents Tesla in self driving mode drove them straight through a building. The breaks didn't deploy, the airbags didn't deploy and the steering wheel was shaking and unresponsive. Thankfully no one was seriously injured. That said, there was a lot of physical damage to the restaurant/building and the car was completely totaled. We are certain that there were catastrophic failures with the car that caused the accident however the mechanic has informed us that due to her NDA she cannot provide any details about her findings after examining the car. She sent her findings to Tesla who was supposed to issue a report to us and the insurance company, but several months later we still have not received anything. They are well past the 30 days time limit. We cannot get anyone from Tesla to respond to us. There was a police report and the cops, firemen, and mechanics where all absolutely floored that the airbags didn't deploy given the damage to the vehicle. Self driving failed. Breaks failed. Steering failed. Airbags failed. and Tesla has failed to respond.

SUSPENSION,WHEELSMay 2026

Incident Description: I was driving on the highway using Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) / FSD Supervised at approximately 65+ mph. Traffic conditions were moderate, and weather and visibility conditions were clear. While FSD was actively engaged, my phone began ringing. As I briefly attempted to silence the ringing phone, the FSD system unexpectedly disengaged/canceled during highway driving. I did not receive sufficient audible warning, advance notification, or adequate transition time to safely assume full manual control of the vehicle. There was no meaningful cushion time for driver response before vehicle behavior changed. The disengagement occurred abruptly and created an immediate dangerous situation at highway speed. The sudden transfer of control, without sufficient warning or response time, significantly reduced my ability to react safely. At the time of the incident: - My attention had been on the roadway prior to the phone ringing - I was monitoring the vehicle as required under FSD Supervised - My hands were near the steering wheel - There was no construction, lane merge, or unusual road condition nearby Immediately following the disengagement, the vehicle suddenly drifted and braked, resulting in a collision with the curb/barrier area near the highway bridge. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved and no secondary collision occurred. I am requesting that Tesla investigate: - FSD disengagement behavior - Warning timing and driver alert mechanisms - System logs and telemetry data - Whether the vehicle generated internal safety/event reports at the time of the incident - Whether the disengagement and transition-to-driver behavior complied with Tesla’s intended safety protocols Relevant evidence preserved: - Tesla dashcam footage - Photos of vehicle damage and scene - Time and location information  - Vehicle data request pending

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEApr 2026

In April 13th, 2026 while driving from the house through community, I suddenly stopped at the cross roads due to unexpected conditions. During this event, a coffee mug placed in the cup holder tipped over and spilled liquid onto the center console area—near the phone charging pad and critical control panel used for gear selection and essential driving functions. In about 15 minutes after the spill, when I reached the highway at about 70 mph, the vehicle experienced a rapid and severe system-wide failure. The dashboard displayed multiple warnings and errors, including: * “Steering assist reduced – Steering may require increased effort” * “Center console buttons to select gears unavailable – Use touchscreen to select gears – Schedule service” * Repeated alerts indicating braking and system limitations * Conflicting and inaccurate readings, including the speedometer displaying “0 mph” while the vehicle was still moving at highway speed At the same time: * Braking response was severely compromised despite full pedal application * Hazard lights and turn signals were non-functional * Gear selection controls became unavailable or unreliable * Driver assistance and safety systems were disabled * The system issued instructions to “press and hold brake” while braking performance was inconsistent This resulted in a complete loss of situational awareness and control while I was in the car with my older parents and my child. l. I was unable to signal to surrounding vehicles while attempting to maneuver into a narrow emergency lane at highway speed. My family and I had fear for our lives. Critically, the vehicle instructed to exit immediately while we were still in a dangerous roadside position without functioning hazard lights. We were exposed to active highway traffic without any ability to alert others. was eventually able to maneuver the vehicle into the emergency lane under extremely dangerous conditions. The vehicle was towed, and the issue was reported immediately.

SEATSApr 2026

On April 1st 2026, our brand-new 2026 Tesla Model X, 6-seat configuration, experienced a dangerous third-row seat incident. Our dog slipped into a blind spot beneath/behind the third-row seat while the seat was folded down. After the dog became trapped, the powered third-row seat would not respond, and there was no usable manual release or mechanical way for us to raise the seat and free him. The dog was trapped under the seat and in immediate danger. We drove directly to Tesla Service for an emergency rescue. Tesla personnel informed us that the only way to free the trapped animal was to dismantle and destroy/remove the rear seat assembly. That is what they did. The dog was then taken for emergency veterinary treatment and remains traumatized, with possible physical injury. This vehicle had been delivered only 4 days earlier. In my view, this presents a serious safety/design issue involving the third-row power seat system and the lack of an accessible emergency release when a living occupant or animal is trapped under the seat. The fact that destructive disassembly was allegedly the only way to free the trapped animal raises a serious safety concern. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident as a potential safety defect involving the third-row seat mechanism, emergency release/access, and occupant/animal entrapment risk. I have photos, veterinary records, and related documentation.

CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEMar 2026

Tesla has auto-park in the supervised FSD. My wife was using it to park the car in a public garage and it hit a post. The car was damaged. It was too quick for my wife to intervene. I know it is supervised, but there is no time to intervene when it comes to parking where the spot to park is close to other cars or posts anyway.

Read 14 more owner reports
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAug 2026

The Full-Self Drive of my Tesla failed to follow the programmed navigation directions I set to take me home in one direction, but instead the vehicle took a completely different path on its own. When the vehicle was programmed to turn right towards my home, the car quickly jerked back into traffic and I was forced to take control before accidentally hitting another vehicle The vehicle continued to go into another direction and did the same thing several times later. I put my home address in the navigation to go home, but as soon as my Tesla was about to turn right into my subdivision it quickly pulled and jerked me left back into traffic and took me completely into another direction several days again. I let the car complete its misdirection and the car took me around the block into a parking lot and bought me back to my original planned destination to my home

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEJul 2026

While operating a 2025 Tesla Model X on Full Self-Driving (FSD Supervised), the vehicle engaged in leader-car following behavior and trailed a slow-moving vehicle onto an active railroad crossing. FSD failed to ensure the exit path was clear, causing the vehicle to suddenly decelerate from 12 mph to 0 mph, stranding the car directly on the tracks just as the crossing's active warning lights and gates triggered. When attempting to take immediate manual control to clear the tracks, the vehicle suffered a severe drivetrain control lockout. The vehicle remained unresponsive and stuck at 0 mph for approximately 3 seconds despite driver intervention to shift into reverse and accelerate. After the 3-second software lag, manual control was recovered, and the vehicle reversed. A dropping railroad gate arm struck the vehicle's panoramic roof and hood during the escape. Telemetry stats and multi-camera dashcam video of this autonomous software failure and control lockout have been retained.

STRUCTUREFeb 2026

Sept 20, 2025. 2025 Model X door alarmed for being open when it was actually closed. Door would only open intermittently. Your in car and cannot escape through drivers door. It was locked shut and thought it was open. Parked car requested Tesla service. Mobile unit came out replaced electric opener. Door continued to lock driver in and out of car randomly for the month of October 2025. We parked car and scheduled appointments with Tesla multiple times. They were not concerned this was a safety issue. They reschedule our appointments multiple times. At the end of October after several service appointments and multiple parts replaced the door started working. Their final comments we "THEY WERENT ABLE TO VERIFY THERE WAS AN ISSUE."

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJan 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that after the latest update was pushed out, the speed regulation on the vehicle failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the speed regulation was set to "Standard Mode" and the vehicle accelerated to 70 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. The contact stated that was not the mode selected. In addition, when the contact set the speed regulator to "Crawl Mode," the vehicle drove 10-15 MPH below the speed limit. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to control the speed of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCENov 2025

I am writing to report and formally document a very serious and distressing safety incident involving my Tesla Model X that occurred for a second time, on [XXX]. While driving routinely into the parking garage at my workplace, my vehicle suddenly and violently stopped without warning. There were no obstacles, vehicles, or pedestrians in front of me. The abrupt stop caused my body and head to jolt forward with force, resulting in whiplash. I am still feeling dizzy, dazed, and disoriented, and I believe I may need to consult a neurologist as I have a headache from the whiplash. This is not the first time this has occurred. A similar but less severe incident happened previously while I was driving on [XXX] . At that time, I dismissed it as a possible glitch, but after this most recent and violent episode, I am deeply alarmed. I am extremely concerned about the safety of this vehicle. What if this sudden stop had occurred on the freeway, or while my two children were in the car? The potential consequences could have been catastrophic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCENov 2025

My Tesla Model X was in Autopilot mode (v13.2.9) at the time of the incident. The vehicle’s advanced driver-assistance system was actively controlling steering and speed, while I remained attentive with my hands on the wheel I was closely monitoring the car’s operation but was not manually steering, braking, or accelerating during Autopilot engagement The vehicle collided with stationary flexible delineator posts. The impact occurred at 55MPH. The flexible delineator posts were the only object struck. No other vehicles were involved in the accident, and no persons were injured.No passengers or bystanders affected. The collision with the flexible delineator posts caused damage to my vehicle’s front bumper area and cracked right headlight. There was no damage to any property besides my own vehicle. The incident was captured on the Tesla’s built-in camera system (dashcam). I have saved the video footage, which clearly shows the car’s approach and the impact with the flexible delineator posts. This video is available and can be provided for review.

SEAT BELTSOct 2025

I own a Tesla Model X 6-seater. The second-row seatbelt repeatedly becomes twisted and fails to retract or lay flat after only a few days of normal use. I have brought the vehicle to the Tesla Service Center in Austin, TX (2323 Ridgepoint Dr) multiple times — five separate repair visits so far — for the same issue. Each time, the technicians temporarily correct the twist or adjust the belt path, but the issue returns within days. I have attached screenshots of all five repair records, including Tesla’s technician notes describing the repeated attempts to resolve the problem. The problem appears to be caused by misalignment of the seatbelt retractor or seat design, not by user misuse. When the belt twists, it cannot retract properly or lay flat across the passenger, which may reduce its effectiveness during a collision. Tesla Service has not offered a permanent fix or design correction, and the defect continues to recur. This appears to be a systemic issue in the second-row seatbelt system of the Model X six-seat configuration. Because the defect involves a federally required safety restraint that may not function as intended, I am reporting this as a potential safety defect for further investigation.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGAug 2025

Hazard flasher button in my 2-weeks old new Tesla Model X is not working. On August 23, 2025, I was in a parking lot and needed to turn on the hazard flashers to signal to the car behind me that I was waiting for another vehicle to leave a parking space. I discovered that the hazard flasher button on my 2025 Tesla Model X did not work at all. Since I could not activate the hazard lights, I had to continue driving to find another parking spot. This was the first time I tried to use the hazard flashers since purchasing the vehicle two weeks earlier, and they have never worked. I attempted both a power cycle and vehicle reset, but the hazard button remains completely unresponsive. On this model, the hazard flasher is integrated into a touch-sensitive bar in the center console, and there is no alternative physical or touchscreen backup control. The absence of functioning hazard lights poses a significant safety risk. If I only discovered this defect during a true emergency situation (e.g., breakdown or accident), I would not have been able to warn surrounding traffic. In my opinion, relying on a touch bar for such a critical safety function is unreliable; a physical pressable button should be required. Tesla has scheduled a service appointment, but it is two weeks away, and in the meantime, I am driving a vehicle without working hazard lights. This is a safety-critical defect that should be investigated.

Crash 1 InjuryELECTRICAL SYSTEMAug 2025

The contact owned a 2025 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH with Self-driving Assist activated, while the vehicle in front deaccelerated, the vehicle had aggressively deaccelerated. The contact stated that the self-driving assist had deactivated, causing him to aggressively depress the brake pedal, stopping before it struck the vehicle in front. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was struck in the rear by another vehicle, causing the vehicle to rear-end another vehicle. The contact sought medical attention for head and back injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was deemed a loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,150.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,UNKNOWN OR OTHERAug 2025

There is an error alert on my car that says front left safety restraint issue service is required. So seems to me the airbags or seat belt may not be working properly and its clearly labeled as a safety issue. We have to drive this vehicle nearly daily and tesla is refusing to fix for a minimum of 10 days even though this fault could threaten our lives. Make them fix ASAP

UNKNOWN OR OTHERAug 2025

serious error made during full self drive, it wants to make an illegal left turn at the intersection of cascade road and beltine that has caused multiple near collisions (see google maps location [XXX] ). I notified tesla of this via feedback option with no change for the last 4 months. I am concerned about full self drive ignoring traffic laws. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

STEERINGJul 2025

Left indicator button is randomly unresponsive, sometime it doesn’t work for up to a minute. This happened to me with my previous model x (bought back by tesla in a lemon case for the same issue), happened to me also in a loaner car they gave me while trying to fix this issue and now again in a recently purchased model x. In both cases Tesla replaced the steering yoke and that didn’t solved the issue This is a serious safety issue that left me frustrated and with no solution from Tesla. Every time i got a different response from tesla like: - its a software issue - its a design flaw - I’m not pressing the button correctly - I’m resting my finger on the button and that makes the button unresponsive - we couldn’t replicate the issue I have a video of the left indicator not working for a whole minute while the right one is working

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPERJun 2025

I own a 2025 Tesla Model X. A large crack appeared in the windshield spontaneously, without any impact or road debris. It has since worsened audibly while driving. Tesla is classifying this as an accident without identifying an impact point, and they have refused to cover towing or acknowledge a potential manufacturing defect. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle in this condition and believe this may be a structural glass failure. Escalation to Tesla Executive Support is ongoing. Safety concern unresolved.

UNKNOWN OR OTHERMay 2025

On [XXX], I visited the Tesla Brooklyn Showroom to purchase a new Tesla Model X. I tendered a valid, notarized promissory note for $128,487.79 as full payment for the vehicle. Under UCC § 3-310, a promissory note is a negotiable instrument payable on demand, legally considered a cash equivalent. Despite fulfilling my payment obligation, the vehicle was not delivered. On May 10, 2025, I returned to the showroom to deliver an enforcement packet, which included the promissory note, an Affidavit of Lien, and a UCC-1 Financial Statement. When I arrived, I attempted to hand these documents to the General Manager, Dylan Karlok, but he instructed a staff member named Marcel to throw away the legal documents and refused to accept them. This act was captured on video. Due to Tesla’s refusal to deliver the vehicle despite valid payment, I have been left without reliable transportation. The manager also falsely claimed that I did not have the funds to purchase the vehicle, which has damaged my credibility and caused significant emotional distress. I am requesting the immediate delivery of the originally ordered Tesla Model X, compensation for damages, and a formal acknowledgment from Tesla regarding the mishandling of the payment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Showing 20 of 3,112 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Check the exact car

Before you buy, check the exact Tesla Model X

These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.

The basics

How to read this data

Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Tesla Model X, in plain English.

01

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Tesla Model X has 3,112 complaints on record across 10 model years.

02

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Tesla Model X has 111 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

03

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 381 of the Tesla Model X's 3,112 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

04

How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?

The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.

05

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

06

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Tesla Model X vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Tesla Model X vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

07

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Tesla Model X has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

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Tesla Model X reliability — frequently asked questions

Is the Tesla Model X reliable?

Poor. The Tesla Model X has 3,112 NHTSA owner complaints and 111 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is SUSPENSION. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.

Which Tesla Model X years to avoid?

Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2017 (1,185 complaints), 2018 (700 complaints), 2020 (375 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.

What are the most common Tesla Model X problems?

Top reported issues: SUSPENSION (716 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (696 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (681 complaints).

Does the Tesla Model X have recalls?

Yes — 111 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Tesla Model X. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

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