YearToAvoid

2023 Tesla Model X Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2023 Tesla Model X has a complaint index of 80, ranking 3rd worst among 11 model years and earning an Avoid verdict. Owners most often reported steering problems (46 complaints, 24% of total), followed by electrical system and collision avoidance/camera issues, with 17 recalls tied to this year.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
80/100
#3 of 11 Model X years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
194
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
17
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
18
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
12
Top issue
Steering
Best nearby year
2024
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
98
103 city / 93 hwy
Injuries / deaths
12 / 0

Top 2023 Tesla Model X problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden, unintended acceleration while parking or entering a driveway, sometimes ending in a collision with a garage door, wall, or another vehicle.
  • Some drivers say the brake pedal failed to stop the vehicle even when pressed fully to the floor during an unintended acceleration event.
  • Multiple owners describe the touch-sensitive horn button on the steering wheel as hard to locate quickly, delaying horn use in emergency situations.
  • One owner reported a front passenger heated seat activating remotely on its own, producing smoke and a burning smell severe enough to create a hole in the seat.
  • An owner reported airbags failing to deploy in a low-speed collision with a pole, along with a door that became inoperable afterward.
2023 Tesla Model X complaints: complaints filed per month23Jan 2023Sep 2023Mar 2024Sep 2024Mar 2025Oct 2025Apr 2026
194 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2023 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2024 (23).

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
2021Best20412497
2022Caution501272298
2023Avoid801941798
2024Best1026898
2025Good3015394

All Tesla Model X years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Tesla Model X reliable?
NHTSA data ranks the 2023 Model X 3rd worst out of 11 model years with a complaint index of 80, and it carries an Avoid verdict based on owner complaints and recalls.
What is the biggest problem with the 2023 Tesla Model X?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 46 complaints, or 24% of all complaints filed for this year, with a median failure mileage of 300 miles.
Does the 2023 Tesla Model X have recalls?
NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns tied to the 2023 Model X, covering areas including collision avoidance cameras, airbags, electrical systems, and seat belts.
How does the 2023 Model X compare to other years?
The 2023 model's complaint index of 80 is worse than the 2019 (40, Good), 2021 (20, Best), and 2024 (10, Best) model years, but better than 2016 (90, Avoid) and 2017 (100, Avoid).
Were there any crashes or injuries reported for the 2023 Model X?
NHTSA data shows 18 crashes, 2 fires, and 12 injuries reported for the 2023 Model X, with no deaths recorded.

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.