YearToAvoid

2023 Tesla Model X Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#3 most-complained of 11 Model X years

The 2023 Tesla Model X ranks 3rd worst out of 11 model years with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 194 complaints, 18 crashes, 17 recalls, and a top problem area of Steering, with a median failure mileage of 4,200.

Complaints
194
Recalls
17
Crashes / fires
18 / 2
Injuries / deaths
12 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
98
103 city / 93 hwy

Top 2023 Tesla Model X problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other91 (47%)
  2. Steering46 (24%)
  3. Electrical System23 (12%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras21 (11%)
  5. Structure & Body16 (8%)
  6. Brakes12 (6%)
  7. Airbags9 (5%)
  8. Seat Belts9 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (5%)
  10. Lane Departure8 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking or in stop-and-go traffic, sometimes ending in a crash into a garage, wall, or another vehicle.
  • Several owners state the brake pedal did not stop the vehicle even when pressed to the floor during an acceleration event.
  • Multiple complaints describe the touch-sensitive horn button on the steering wheel as too hard to locate quickly, delaying horn use in emergency situations.
  • One owner reported a heated passenger seat activating remotely and smoking, creating a hole and burning fumes inside the cabin.
  • An airbag complaint noted the front driver's door became inoperable after a collision in which the airbags did not deploy.
2023 Tesla Model X complaints: complaints filed per month29Jan 2023Sep 2023Mar 2024Sep 2024Mar 2025Oct 2025Apr 2026
258 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2023 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2024 (29).

2023 Tesla Model X recalls

17 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V283000May 4, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras218,868 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Back over prevention:software

    Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and Model X vehicles operating software version 2026.8.6. The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-001.

  2. NHTSA 25V172000Mar 19, 2025Airbags91 vehicles

    Air bags

    Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.

    Risk: An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.

  3. NHTSA 25V002000Jan 6, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras239,382 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Back over prevention:software

    Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Tesla will also identify any vehicles that experienced a circuit board failure, or stress that may lead to a circuit board failure, and replace the affected computers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-001.

See all 17 recalls for the 2023 Tesla Model X →

2023 Tesla Model X fuel economy and fuel cost

City
103 MPG
Highway
93 MPG
Combined
98 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$750
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.

2023 compared with other Model X years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Best10412497
2022Caution601272298
2023Avoid801941798
2024Best2026898
2025Good3015394

All Tesla Model X years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Tesla Model X reliable?
Compared to other Model X years, 2023 ranks 3rd worst out of 11 years tracked, with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
What problems does the 2023 Tesla Model X have?
NHTSA data shows Steering complaints are the top issue at 24% of the 194 total complaints, followed by Electrical System (12%) and Collision Avoidance & Cameras (11%). There were 18 crashes and 12 injuries reported.
How many recalls does the 2023 Tesla Model X have?
NHTSA lists 17 recalls for the 2023 Model X, covering areas including Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Airbags, Electrical System, and Seat Belts. None are do-not-drive recalls.
What year Tesla Model X should I avoid?
Among the years with data, 2016 and 2017 have the highest complaint indexes at 90 and 100, both rated Avoid; 2023 also carries an Avoid verdict with an index of 80.
At what mileage do 2023 Model X problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure across complaints for the 2023 Model X is 4,200 miles, though individual problem areas vary, such as 300 miles for Steering issues and 48,000 miles for Suspension complaints.

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.