NHTSA (USA)Low Risk
At a glance
This page covers 9 recalls and 186 owner complaints for the 2018 Tesla Model X.
Complaints about the 2018 Model X cluster most heavily around suspension and the forward collision avoidance system, with electrical issues also drawing a notable share of reports. On the suspension side, owners describe ride quality problems, component wear, and handling concerns across a range of driving conditions. The forward collision avoidance system generates frequent complaints as well, with owners reporting unintended braking events and warnings triggering without an apparent obstacle present. Electrical complaints cover a wider range of symptoms, owners describe total power loss events that leave the vehicle unresponsive, doors failing to operate, battery range falling well short of estimates particularly in cold weather, and difficulty charging at fast-charging stations. The falcon wing doors appear in multiple reports, with owners saying they fail to open or close reliably, sometimes in warm weather conditions.
186
Total Complaints
31
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
12
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Tesla Model X has 9 recalls, the most serious involving the Full Self-Driving Beta software, which can allow the vehicle to exceed speed limits, behave unpredictably at intersections, or roll through all-way stops without coming to a full stop, raising the risk of a crash. A separate software issue can cause a false forward-collision warning or trigger the automatic emergency braking system unexpectedly, bringing the car to a sudden stop in traffic.
On the steering and driver assistance side, the electric power steering system can lose assist after hitting a pothole or rough road, requiring noticeably more effort to steer, particularly at low speeds. The Autosteer lane-keeping feature has also been found to insufficiently prompt drivers to stay engaged, which can leave the vehicle operating without adequate human oversight.
Several visibility issues round out the list. The center display on certain vehicles can wear out its internal memory over time, causing the rearview camera, defrost and defog controls, and exterior turn signals to stop working. On vehicles with the older Autopilot 2.5 computer, the rearview camera image can take a moment to appear when reversing. There are also two compliance-related concerns: warning lights for braking and stability systems display in a font too small to read easily, and the seatbelt reminder chime and light may not activate when the driver is unbuckled.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The seat belt warning light and chime may not activate when the driver is unbelted, failing to alert the driver to fasten their seat belt.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a software update over the air to fix the warning system so it activates properly for unbelted drivers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System warning lights on the instrument panel display in an incorrect font size, which does not meet federal brake system safety standards.
What the fix does
Tesla is releasing a free over-the-air software update to correct the warning light font size display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Autosteer controls may not be prominent or clear enough to prevent drivers from misusing this advanced driver-assistance feature when it's engaged.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to improve how Autosteer controls are displayed and managed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The FSD Beta software may drive unsafely at intersections—going straight in turn-only lanes, not stopping at stop signs, or proceeding through yellow lights without caution. It may also not properly adjust for posted speed limits or account for driver speed changes above limits.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to fix the FSD Beta system's intersection and speed-limit handling.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power steering assist system may stop working when driving on rough roads or hitting a pothole, leaving you with manual steering only.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over-the-air to recalibrate the power steering system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may not display immediately when the vehicle shifts into reverse, leaving the driver without rear visibility.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over-the-air to restore proper rearview camera display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Full Self-Driving (Beta) software's rolling stop feature may allow the vehicle to pass through all-way stop intersections without fully stopping.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free over-the-air software update that disables the rolling stop functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software communication error may cause the forward-collision warning to activate falsely or trigger the automatic emergency brake system unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Tesla released a free over-the-air software update to fix the communication error.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The center display's memory storage device wears out over time and eventually loses data integrity, causing some display functions to stop working.
What the fix does
Tesla will replace the display control board with one containing an upgraded memory device that lasts longer, at no cost to owners.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.