2020 Tesla Model X Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#6 most-complained of 11 Model X years
The 2020 Tesla Model X has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 6th worst of 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 127 complaints, 10 recalls, 17 crashes, and 6 injuries, with suspension, wheels and tires being the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 127
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 17 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 96
- 99 city / 93 hwy
Top 2020 Tesla Model X problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires41 (32%)
- Electrical System29 (23%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras26 (20%)
- Other22 (17%)
- Engine19 (15%)
- Steering18 (14%)
- Structure & Body15 (12%)
- Brakes11 (9%)
- Lane Departure11 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (6%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking or at low speed, in some cases resulting in the vehicle jumping curbs or striking objects.
- Some describe the vehicle lurching forward on its own while the driver's foot was on the brake pedal, with no warning light illuminated.
- Suspension housing has reportedly cracked at highway speed, causing the front tire to strike the wheel and blow out.
- Several owners describe the car surging out of control while pulling into a parking spot, leading to collisions with vehicles or structures.
- Brake failure was reported after sudden self-acceleration, with the vehicle only stopping after hitting a fixed object.
2020 Tesla Model X recalls
10 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 24V153000Feb 27, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras6,557 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Forward collision avoidance: warnings:external/pedestrian alert
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- 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.
2020 Tesla Model X fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 99 MPG
- Highway
- 93 MPG
- Combined
- 96 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $800
- 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.
2020 compared with other Model X years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Tesla Model X reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 Model X a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst out of 11 model years for this model. It sits in the middle of the range, better than the 2016, 2017, and 2023 model years but worse than 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025.
- What is the top problem area for the 2020 Tesla Model X?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area, accounting for 41 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this year, and a median failure mileage of 4,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 Tesla Model X have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2020 Model X, covering areas including seat belts, collision avoidance/cameras, electrical system, and steering. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- How many complaints and crashes does NHTSA list for the 2020 Model X?
- NHTSA lists 127 complaints, 17 crashes, 6 injuries, and 0 fires for the 2020 Tesla Model X.