2020 Tesla Model X Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Tesla Model X has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 5th worst out of 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 127 complaints, 10 recalls, 17 crashes, and 6 injuries, with suspension and electrical issues topping the list.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #5 of 11 Model X years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 127
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 17
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 96
- 99 city / 93 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2020 Tesla Model X problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
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 suddenly accelerating on its own while parking or pulling out of a space, sometimes crashing into walls, curbs, or other vehicles.
- Some reports describe sudden unintended acceleration even with a foot on the brake pedal, including one case where brakes reportedly failed to stop the car.
- One owner reported the front driver-side suspension housing cracked at highway speed while using Full Self-Driving, causing a tire blowout.
- Several incidents happened at very low mileage, including one at 40 miles and another at 200 miles, suggesting problems appeared almost immediately after delivery.
- One owner reported the reverse camera and instrument display went blank shortly before an unintended acceleration event.
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 60, ranking it 5th worst among 11 model years, with a Caution verdict. Suspension, wheels & tires is the top complaint area at 32% of complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Tesla Model X?
- The largest share of complaints involves suspension, wheels & tires (32%), followed by the electrical system (23%) and collision avoidance & cameras (20%). The median mileage at failure for suspension complaints was 4,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 Tesla Model X have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns tied to the 2020 Model X, covering components including seat belts, collision avoidance cameras, electrical systems, and steering. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 Model X compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 60, the 2020 model sits between the worse 2017 and 2016 model years (complaint index 100 and 90) and the better 2019, 2021, and 2024 model years, which earned Good or Best verdicts.
- Were there any crashes or injuries reported for the 2020 Model X?
- NHTSA data shows 17 crashes and 6 injuries linked to 2020 Model X complaints, with no reported fires or deaths.