YearToAvoid

2020 Tesla Model X Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 19 Engine-area complaints for the 2020 Tesla Model X, 15% of all 127 complaints filed for the year. Nine involved crashes and two involved injuries, with a median mileage at failure of 1,150. No related recalls are on file for this component.

Engine complaints
19
15% of 127
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
1,150 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, with the vehicle surging forward or in reverse and striking curbs, walls, or posts.
  • Several drivers describe the car accelerating on its own while stationary or nearly stationary, with no warning light illuminated before the event.
  • One owner reported a loss of reverse camera and instrument display function shortly before the vehicle self-accelerated and crashed through a garage wall.
  • A separate cluster describes recurring coolant leaks from what owners call the '3&4 way valve,' disabling the vehicle and triggering repeated low-coolant warnings.
  • Some incidents occurred at very low mileage, including failures reported at 40, 200, 300, and 2,000 miles.

When 2020 Tesla Model X engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 17, 2020, latest Sep 19, 2024.

2020 Tesla Model X engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2020Apr 2020Oct 2020Feb 2021Mar 2022Jul 2022May 2023Dec 2023
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2020 to Sep 2024; peak Apr 2020 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2020 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 common are engine problems on the 2020 Tesla Model X?
NHTSA lists 19 Engine-area complaints for the 2020 model year, making up 15% of the 127 total complaints filed for that year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Tesla Model X engine or acceleration issue?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this component on the 2020 Model X.
At what mileage do these engine problems usually happen?
The median mileage at failure for Engine-area complaints on the 2020 Model X is 1,150 miles, and several sample complaints occurred under 300 miles.
Did the 2020 Model X engine complaints involve crashes or injuries?
Of the 19 Engine-area complaints, 9 involved a crash and 2 involved an injury, according to NHTSA data. No fires were reported.
How does 2020 compare to other Model X years for engine complaints?
The 2020 Model X's 19 Engine complaints represent 15% of its total complaints, higher than the 2019 (13%), 2021 (10%), and 2023 (4%) shares in NHTSA's data.

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.