YearToAvoid

2018 Tesla Model X Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 21 Engine complaints for the 2018 Tesla Model X, 11% of that year's 192 total complaints. Twelve of these engine complaints involved a crash and 10 involved injuries, with a median mileage at failure of 9,200. No related recalls are listed for this component.

Engine complaints
21
11% of 192
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
10
Median mileage
9,200 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration at low speed while parking, leading to collisions with poles, fences, or parked cars.
  • Several complaints describe the vehicle accelerating on its own without warning, sometimes with no dashboard alert or chime before impact.
  • Some drivers report sudden acceleration occurring while Autopilot or FSD was engaged, requiring manual braking to try to stop the car.
  • One owner described repeated episodes of sudden acceleration during highway use with Autopilot active, saying the vehicle did not slow down even with another vehicle ahead.
  • Multiple incidents happened during low-speed parking maneuvers, with the car lurching forward or backward despite the driver pressing the brake.

When 2018 Tesla Model X engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 8, 2018, latest Aug 3, 2026.

2018 Tesla Model X engine complaints: complaints filed per month5May 2018Nov 2018Jan 2020Oct 2020Mar 2022Feb 2026
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2018 to Aug 2026; peak Jan 2020 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2018 Tesla Model X

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Model X model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20150 (0%)
  2. 201643 (10%)
  3. 201721 (8%)
  4. 201821 (11%)
  5. 201913 (13%)
  6. 202019 (15%)
  7. 20214 (10%)
  8. 202213 (10%)
  9. 20237 (4%)
  10. 20242 (8%)
  11. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2018 Tesla Model X?
NHTSA lists 21 Engine complaints for the 2018 Model X, which is 11% of the 192 total complaints filed for that model year.
Are there any recalls tied to these engine complaints?
No related recalls are listed for the Engine component on the 2018 Model X in this data.
Did these engine problems lead to crashes or injuries?
Yes. Of the 21 Engine complaints, 12 involved a crash and 10 involved injuries.
At what mileage do these engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Engine complaints on the 2018 Model X is 9,200 miles.
How does the 2018 Model X compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2018 Model X's engine complaints made up 11% of its total complaints, close to 2019's 13% and 2020's 15%, and higher than 2023's 4% and 2024's 8%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.