What year Tesla Model X should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2016, 2017, and 2023 Model X years are flagged to avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 90, 100, and 80 respectively, the three highest in the lineup.

Which Tesla Model X year is the best?

The 2021 and 2024 Model X years score lowest on the Complaint Index, at 10 and 20 respectively, making them the Best-rated years based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.

Is the 2017 Tesla Model X reliable?

The 2017 Model X has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any year, with 268 complaints, 10 recalls, 58 injuries, and 52 deaths reported to NHTSA, making it the year to avoid relative to other Model X years.

What problems does the 2023 Tesla Model X have?

The 2023 Model X's top reported problem area is Steering, accounting for 24% of its 194 complaints, with a median failure mileage of just 300 miles. It also has 17 recall campaigns.

How many complaints and recalls does the Tesla Model X have overall?

Across 11 model years (2015-2025), NHTSA lists 1,538 total complaints and 39 recall campaigns for the Tesla Model X.

Tesla Model X Best and Worst Years (2015–2025)

Avoid the 2016, 2017, and 2023 Tesla Model X, which carry the highest Complaint Index scores (90, 100, and 80) among 11 model years. The 2021 and 2024 model years score lowest (10 and 20) and rank as the Best years based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.

Avoid 2016 Avoid 2017 Avoid 2023 Best 2021 Best 2024

Model years: 11; 2015–2025
NHTSA complaints: 1,538
Recall campaigns: 39
Crashes reported: 188
Fires reported: 14
Top problem area: Suspension, Wheels & Tires

Model X Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Tesla Model X problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2015	No verdict	0	0	0	0	2	—	—	—
2016	Avoid	90	448	62	4	12	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	92	—
2017	Avoid	100	268	24	1	10	Electrical System	90.5	—
2018	Caution	70	192	35	2	9	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	87	—
2019	Good	40	100	13	3	8	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	87	—
2020	Caution	50	127	17	0	10	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	96	—
2021	Best	10	41	3	0	24	Steering	97	—
2022	Caution	60	127	12	2	22	Steering	98	—
2023	Avoid	80	194	18	2	17	Steering	98	—
2024	Best	20	26	2	0	8	Collision Avoidance & Cameras	98	—
2025	Good	30	15	2	0	3	Electrical System	94	—

Model X years to avoid: what went wrong

2017 Tesla Model X Index 100 · 268 complaints · 10 recalls

The 2017 Model X has the highest Complaint Index of any year at 100, based on 268 complaints and 10 recalls. Electrical System issues lead at 29% of complaints (median 32,000 miles), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 23% (median 20,000 miles) and Steering at 19% (median 31,881 miles). NHTSA data shows 24 crashes, 58 injuries, and 52 deaths for this year, the highest death count in the lineup. Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking and airbags failing to deploy in low-speed collisions.

2017 electrical system problems →2017 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2017 steering problems →

2016 Tesla Model X Index 90 · 448 complaints · 12 recalls

The 2016 Model X ranks worst overall with a Complaint Index of 90 and 448 complaints tied to 12 recalls. Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues dominate at 35% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 20,000. Electrical System problems follow at 22% (median 50,000 miles), and Structure & Body complaints at 16% (median 15,000 miles). NHTSA also logged 62 crashes, 4 fires, and 1 death for this year. Owners report suspension components separating and structural trim, such as roof pieces, detaching from the vehicle.

2016 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2016 electrical system problems →2016 structure & body problems →

2023 Tesla Model X Index 80 · 194 complaints · 17 recalls

The 2023 Model X carries a Complaint Index of 80 across 194 complaints and 17 recalls. Steering complaints are the top category at 24% of complaints, with a notably low median failure mileage of 300, and Electrical System issues follow at 12% (median 1,000 miles). NHTSA recorded 18 crashes and 12 injuries for the year. Owners report sudden unintended acceleration events, including incidents where vehicles struck garage doors, parked vehicles, and store fronts shortly after starting to drive.

2023 steering problems →2023 electrical system problems →2023 collision avoidance & cameras problems →

Most common Tesla Model X problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Other363 (24%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires361 (23%)
Electrical System321 (21%)
Steering263 (17%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras217 (14%)
Structure & Body189 (12%)
Engine143 (9%)
Brakes116 (8%)
Lane Departure63 (4%)
Visibility & Wipers62 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Tesla Model X should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2016, 2017, and 2023 Model X years are flagged to avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 90, 100, and 80 respectively, the three highest in the lineup.
Which Tesla Model X year is the best?: The 2021 and 2024 Model X years score lowest on the Complaint Index, at 10 and 20 respectively, making them the Best-rated years based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
Is the 2017 Tesla Model X reliable?: The 2017 Model X has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any year, with 268 complaints, 10 recalls, 58 injuries, and 52 deaths reported to NHTSA, making it the year to avoid relative to other Model X years.
What problems does the 2023 Tesla Model X have?: The 2023 Model X's top reported problem area is Steering, accounting for 24% of its 194 complaints, with a median failure mileage of just 300 miles. It also has 17 recall campaigns.
How many complaints and recalls does the Tesla Model X have overall?: Across 11 model years (2015-2025), NHTSA lists 1,538 total complaints and 39 recall campaigns for the Tesla Model X.