2018 Tesla Model X Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Tesla Model X has 192 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 70, and 9 recall campaigns, ranking 4th-worst among 11 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, with Suspension, Wheels & Tires the top problem area at 23% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #4 of 11 Model X years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 192
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 35
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 16
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 87
- 86 city / 89 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 0
Top 2018 Tesla Model X problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires45 (23%)
- Other41 (21%)
- Electrical System36 (19%)
- Structure & Body33 (17%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras32 (17%)
- Engine21 (11%)
- Steering18 (9%)
- Brakes15 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (6%)
- Airbags8 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the vehicle lurching or accelerating suddenly at low speed while parking, sometimes jumping curbs or hitting poles.
- Several reports describe airbags failing to deploy or deploying unexpectedly during low-speed parking-lot collisions.
- Owners report the self-park feature moving the car backward unexpectedly and striking objects despite braking.
- One report describes a rear wheel becoming loose or unstable, which the owner linked to a crash.
- Owners describe Autopilot failing to slow or stop in time when approaching an object ahead.
- One report describes the vehicle being able to shift into gear and move without a driver present, with no safety interlock preventing it.
2018 Tesla Model X recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V376000May 28, 2024Seat Belts125,233 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Seat belts:front:warning light/devices
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 24V051000Jan 30, 2024Electrical System2,193,869 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 23V838000Dec 12, 2023Electrical System2,031,220 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system:adas:driver monitoring:software
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
2018 Tesla Model X fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 86 MPG
- Highway
- 89 MPG
- Combined
- 87 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $850
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Model X years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Tesla Model X reliable?
- NHTSA lists 192 complaints and 9 recall campaigns for the 2018 Model X, giving it a complaint index of 70 and a Caution verdict, the 4th-worst rank among 11 model years covered.
- What is the biggest problem area on the 2018 Tesla Model X?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area, accounting for 45 complaints, or 23% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 14,000 miles.
- Does the 2018 Tesla Model X have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns tied to the 2018 Model X covering seat belts, electrical systems, steering, and collision avoidance cameras, none classified as do-not-drive.
- How does the 2018 Model X compare to other Model X years?
- Its complaint index of 70 is worse than 2019 (40, Good), 2021 (20, Best), and 2024 (10, Best), but better than 2016 (90, Avoid) and 2017 (100, Avoid).
- What is the fuel cost for a 2018 Tesla Model X?
- EPA rates the 2018 Model X at 87 MPG combined, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $850.