NHTSA (USA)Low Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 10 recalls and 122 owner complaints for the 2020 Tesla Model X.
Complaints about the 2020 Tesla Model X cluster most heavily around suspension and the automatic emergency braking system. On the suspension side, owners frequently describe a loud cranking or grinding noise when turning, along with a sense of resistance or binding in the steering, many report the symptoms become noticeable at lower speeds during parking maneuvers or tight turns. The forward collision avoidance system draws the second-largest share of reports, with owners describing unwanted or unexpected automatic braking activations while driving at highway speeds. Electrical system complaints cover a range of behaviors, including warning messages appearing mid-drive, unexpected shutdowns while the vehicle is still moving, and automated door mechanisms opening with what owners describe as excessive or uncontrolled force. A small number of reports mention the front hood unlatching and lifting while driving at speed.
122
Total Complaints
17
Crash-Related
5
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Tesla Model X has 10 recalls, the most serious involving the Full Self-Driving and automatic emergency braking software: a communication error can trigger sudden unintended braking, while FSD Beta software can exceed speed limits, behave unpredictably at intersections, or roll through all-way stops without stopping.
On the assisted driving side, the Autosteer system may not adequately prompt a driver to take control when the system reaches its limits, allowing an unprepared driver to remain in a situation requiring manual intervention. The electric power steering system can also lose its assist when the vehicle hits a pothole or rough road surface, making the steering wheel noticeably harder to turn, particularly at low speeds.
There are three separate recalls related to pedestrian warning sounds. A factory reset can mute the low-speed pedestrian alert entirely, and the Boombox feature can override those sounds while the vehicle is moving, leaving nearby pedestrians unable to hear the car approaching.
The remaining recalls are display and warning system issues. Brake, Park, and ABS warning lights appear in a smaller font than required, making them harder to read on the instrument panel. The seatbelt warning light and chime may also fail to activate when the driver is not buckled, removing the reminder to fasten the belt before driving.
At a glance
What can fail
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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 →
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
A factory reset can silence the Pedestrian Warning System sounds, which alert pedestrians to the vehicle's presence. The vehicle then fails to meet federal sound requirements for electric vehicles.
What the fix does
Tesla releases a free software update (2023.44.30.14) over-the-air to restore the Pedestrian Warning System sounds.
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 Boombox function can play sounds through an external speaker while driving, which may mask the Pedestrian Warning System sounds that alert nearby pedestrians.
What the fix does
A free software update will disable Boombox when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon features.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Boombox function plays audio through an external speaker while driving, which can mask the Pedestrian Warning System sounds that alert pedestrians to the vehicle's movement.
What the fix does
A free software update will disable Boombox when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse, restoring pedestrian warning sounds.
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.