Tesla Model X years to avoid (and the best years)
1,394 NHTSA owner complaints and 39 recalls across 10 model years, 2016 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 1,394complaints
- 39recalls
- 169reported crashes
- 14reported fires
- 128reported injuries
- 53reported deaths
Which Tesla Model X years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Tesla Model X years to avoid are 2016 and 2017. The typical Tesla Model X year has 126 complaints on file.
- 2016: 417 complaints, 3.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the suspension (35% of complaints) and the electrical system (22% of complaints).
- 2017: 237 complaints, including 52 reports of a death. Most complaints name the electrical system (29% of complaints) and the suspension (24% of complaints).
What are the best Tesla Model X years?
The Tesla Model X years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (41) and 2022 (126). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 0.1× | 3 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2024 | 26 | 0.2× | 8 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2023 | 192 | 1.5× | 17 | 17 | 10 | Some concerns to check | Steering |
| 2022 | 126 | 1.0× | 22 | 12 | 2 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2021 | 41 | 0.3× | 24 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2020 | 127 | 1.0× | 10 | 17 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Suspension |
| 2019 | 73 | 0.6× | 8 | 10 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Suspension |
| 2018 | 140 | 1.1× | 9 | 24 | 12 | Some concerns to check | Suspension |
| 2017 | 237 | 1.9× | 10 | 23 | 58 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 417 | 3.3× | 12 | 59 | 32 | Approach with caution | Suspension |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 529 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Steering, suspension & tires222 (42%)
- Electrical & infotainment78 (15%)
- Engine & powertrain67 (13%)
- Structure & body46 (9%)
- Brakes44 (8%)
Recalls (39)
Safety · 26V283000 · May 2026 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 25V172000 · Mar 2025 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V002000 · Jan 2025 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 24V967000 · Dec 2024 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 24V904000 · Dec 2024 · model year 2024
Flickering headlights or parking lights may not suffciently illuminate the roadway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 24V615000 · Aug 2024 · model year 2016
Trim that separates from the vehicle during use can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V554000 · Jul 2024 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 24V376000 · May 2024 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Safety · 24V153000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2020, 2021
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 24V051000 · Jan 2024 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V035000 · Jan 2024 · model year 2023
A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 23V862000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2022, 2023
An unlocked door may unlatch and open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 23V838000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Steering · 23V743000 · Nov 2023 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Electrical system · 23V679000 · Oct 2023 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 23V488000 · Jul 2023 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 23V489000 · Jul 2023 · model year 2023
Safety features that are unavailable without any warning to the driver may increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 23V244000 · Apr 2023 · model year 2023
A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Steering · 23V085000 · Feb 2023 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 22V843000 · Nov 2022 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
A passenger air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Steering · 22V818000 · Nov 2022 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 22V702000 · Sep 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 22V296000 · May 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A lagging or restarting CPU may prevent the center screen from displaying the rearview camera image, gear selection, windshield visibility control settings, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 22V264000 · Apr 2022 · model year 2022
The second-row seat may not properly restrain occupants during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 22V235000 · Apr 2022 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 22V233000 · Apr 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
Improper side curtain air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Safety · 22V169000 · Mar 2022 · model years 2018, 2019
A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V063000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V050000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V045000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Electrical system · 22V037000 · Jan 2022 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V868000 · Nov 2021 · model year 2021
A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Safety · 21V846000 · Oct 2021 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V035000 · Jan 2021 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018
The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 20V710000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2016
Trim that separates from the vehicle during use can cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Steering · 20V062000 · Feb 2020 · model year 2016
Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V639000 · Oct 2017 · model years 2016, 2017
If the seat back moves forward in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 17V260000 · Apr 2017 · model years 2016, 2017
If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. If the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V192000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
If the third row seat does not remain in its adjusted position, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.