2021 Tesla Model X: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 58 complaints
58
Total Complaints
450mi
Median Mileage
Steering
Top Issue
9
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
40
25th Percentile
450
Median Mileage
2,500
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Steering
11
Unknown Or Other
8
Suspension
6
Electrical System
6
Warning
4
Power Train
3
Adaptive Cruise Control
3
Automatic Emergency Braking
3
Vehicle Speed Control
3
Visibility/Wiper
2
Severity Assessment
9
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"WE GOT A 2021 TESLA X FOR JUST ONE MONTH. BUT THE COMPUTER HAS DEAD THREE TIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN HIGH WAY AND HAVE MY TWO KIDS IN THE BACK SEATS. TWO OUT OF THE THREE TIMES I HAD TO PULL OVER MY CAR TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND TURN IT ON AGAIN. ONE OF THE TIMES THE COMPUTER CAME BACK AGAIN BY IT..."
"UNDER MEDIUM/HEAVY ACCELERATION, THERE IS A RATTLING/GRINDING SOUND LIKE SOMETHING IS COMING LOOSE. TESLA SAYS ITS NORMAL. ITS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND TESLA REFUSES TO REPAIR."
"HERE IS A 2021 MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/39434989?TENANT=US&ROWNUMBER=19 THE BACK WHEEL AND SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED OFF. THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF A CRASH IT IS THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS CRACKED IN HALF ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Electrical System
6 complaints
Median: 800 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 27
TX: 7
IL: 3
OH: 3
NE: 3
CT: 3
AZ: 2
VA: 2
FL: 2
OR: 1
Tesla Model X — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (23)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Software
Campaign 22V037000 | 27/01/2022
Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
Air Bags
Campaign 21V868000 | 09/11/2021
A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Tesla Service will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-007.
Software
Campaign 22V045000 | 01/02/2022
The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.
Camera
Campaign 21V846000 | 29/10/2021
Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
Software
Campaign 22V050000 | 02/02/2022
Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.
Software
Campaign 22V063000 | 04/02/2022
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3
Curtain
Campaign 22V233000 | 08/04/2022
Improper side curtain air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Tesla Service Centers will replace the left and right front-row side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-003.
Software
Campaign 22V235000 | 12/04/2022
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer se
Display Function
Campaign 22V296000 | 03/05/2022
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.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will improve CPU temperature management, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-009.
Power Window Devices And Controls
Campaign 22V702000 | 19/09/2022
A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.
Electric Power Assist System
Campaign 22V818000 | 01/11/2022
A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.
Software
Campaign 22V843000 | 15/11/2022
A passenger air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the RCM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-015.
Automated/Adaptive Steering
Campaign 23V085000 | 15/02/2023
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.
Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
Front
Campaign 23V488000 | 14/07/2023
A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Tesla Service will inspect the front-row seat belts and connect the seat belts to pretensioner anchors, or replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla'
Electrical System
Campaign 23V679000 | 11/10/2023
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.
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-005.
Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Campaign 23V743000 | 03/11/2023
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.
Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.
Software
Campaign 23V838000 | 12/12/2023
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.
Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
Instrument Cluster/Panel
Campaign 24V051000 | 30/01/2024
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.
Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
External/Pedestrian Alert
Campaign 24V153000 | 27/02/2024
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
Warning Light/Devices
Campaign 24V376000 | 28/05/2024
A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
Latch
Campaign 24V554000 | 24/07/2024
An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
Air Bags
Campaign 25V172000 | 19/03/2025
An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.
Cushion
Campaign 24V967000 | 24/12/2024
A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.
Protect Your Steering System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
- Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
- Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
- Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
- Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28