Tesla Model X: best & worst years

Here is every Tesla Model X model year we cover (2017–2024), ranked by our reliability verdict, with the owner-reported problems behind each one.

Every Tesla Model X year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2024 Caution 7 Steering complaints remained elevated on the refreshed Model X, including residual power-steering assist concerns following the 2022 recall.; Electrical and software issues are reported, including touchscreen, 12V battery and connectivity glitches.; Falcon-wing-door and body-structure alignment and seal complaints persist on a small share of cars. Full report ↗
2023 Caution 6 Steering complaints remained elevated on the refreshed Model X, including residual power-steering assist concerns following the 2022 recall.; Electrical and software issues are reported, including touchscreen, 12V battery and connectivity glitches.; Falcon-wing-door and body-structure alignment and seal complaints persist on a small share of cars. Full report ↗
2022 Caution 6 A late-2022 software update mis-classified bumps and potholes as steering inputs and degraded electric power-assist steering; Tesla recalled it and recalibrated over the air, and steering complaints spiked on refreshed cars.; The optional yoke and capacitive turn-signal and horn buttons are easy to mis-hit, and a separate recall covered driver airbags that could be mismatched between yoke and round wheels during service.; Refreshed cars show build-quality teething: panel and trim fit, seal and rattle complaints and occasional infotainment glitches. Full report ↗
2021 Caution 6 A late-2022 software update mis-classified bumps and potholes as steering inputs and degraded electric power-assist steering; Tesla recalled it and recalibrated over the air, and steering complaints spiked on refreshed cars.; The optional yoke and capacitive turn-signal and horn buttons are easy to mis-hit, and a separate recall covered driver airbags that could be mismatched between yoke and round wheels during service.; Refreshed cars show build-quality teething: panel and trim fit, seal and rattle complaints and occasional infotainment glitches. Full report ↗
2020 Caution 6 Front-suspension wear continues into the Raven update: control-arm and air-suspension complaints with clunks and occasional ride-height faults are common.; Electrical and software glitches are reported, including 12V battery failures, door-control faults and infotainment or connectivity dropouts.; Owners report unexpected automatic-emergency-braking and forward-collision warnings activating without cause (phantom braking) on Autopilot-equipped cars. Full report ↗
2019 Caution 6 Front-suspension wear continues into the Raven update: control-arm and air-suspension complaints with clunks and occasional ride-height faults are common.; Electrical and software glitches are reported, including 12V battery failures, door-control faults and infotainment or connectivity dropouts.; Owners report unexpected automatic-emergency-braking and forward-collision warnings activating without cause (phantom braking) on Autopilot-equipped cars. Full report ↗
2018 Caution 5 First-generation MCU (Tegra processor, 8GB eMMC flash) on cars built before about April 2018 can wear out its memory, causing the center touchscreen to freeze, reboot or go black; an out-of-warranty replacement is expensive.; Front-suspension control arms and links wear early and, in some cases, the control arm can fracture; many owners report persistent creaking or clunking from the front end, especially on 22-inch-wheel builds.; Steering complaints include clunks tied to the front suspension and occasional reports of heavy or notchy steering effort. Full report ↗
2017 Caution 5 First-generation MCU (Tegra processor, 8GB eMMC flash) on cars built before about April 2018 can wear out its memory, causing the center touchscreen to freeze, reboot or go black; an out-of-warranty replacement is expensive.; Front-suspension control arms and links wear early and, in some cases, the control arm can fracture; many owners report persistent creaking or clunking from the front end, especially on 22-inch-wheel builds.; Steering complaints include clunks tied to the front suspension and occasional reports of heavy or notchy steering effort. Full report ↗

Tesla Model X problems by year

2024 Tesla Model X Caution

The most sorted refreshed Model X to date: few complaints, long range, supercar acceleration and a fast infotainment system. Falcon-wing-door complexity, high insurance and costly out-of-warranty repairs are the main cautions.

  • Steering complaints remained elevated on the refreshed Model X, including residual power-steering assist concerns following the 2022 recall.
  • Electrical and software issues are reported, including touchscreen, 12V battery and connectivity glitches.
  • Falcon-wing-door and body-structure alignment and seal complaints persist on a small share of cars.

2023 Tesla Model X Caution

A maturing refreshed Model X with excellent range, performance and tech, but steering and software complaints stayed elevated and a round wheel is now available. Repairs and insurance are expensive; a strong long-distance EV if its recalls are done.

  • Steering complaints remained elevated on the refreshed Model X, including residual power-steering assist concerns following the 2022 recall.
  • Electrical and software issues are reported, including touchscreen, 12V battery and connectivity glitches.
  • Falcon-wing-door and body-structure alignment and seal complaints persist on a small share of cars.

2022 Tesla Model X Caution

The redesigned Model X adds a faster interior and blistering Plaid performance, but a 2022 software update degraded power steering (recalled) and the yoke and capacitive controls divide owners. Verify the steering recall and build quality.

  • A late-2022 software update mis-classified bumps and potholes as steering inputs and degraded electric power-assist steering; Tesla recalled it and recalibrated over the air, and steering complaints spiked on refreshed cars.
  • The optional yoke and capacitive turn-signal and horn buttons are easy to mis-hit, and a separate recall covered driver airbags that could be mismatched between yoke and round wheels during service.
  • Refreshed cars show build-quality teething: panel and trim fit, seal and rattle complaints and occasional infotainment glitches.

2021 Tesla Model X Caution

A transition year as the redesigned Model X began shipping late in 2021; complaint volume is low but early refreshed cars brought the polarizing yoke and were swept into steering and airbag recalls. Compelling tech, but confirm recall completion.

  • A late-2022 software update mis-classified bumps and potholes as steering inputs and degraded electric power-assist steering; Tesla recalled it and recalibrated over the air, and steering complaints spiked on refreshed cars.
  • The optional yoke and capacitive turn-signal and horn buttons are easy to mis-hit, and a separate recall covered driver airbags that could be mismatched between yoke and round wheels during service.
  • Refreshed cars show build-quality teething: panel and trim fit, seal and rattle complaints and occasional infotainment glitches.

2020 Tesla Model X Caution

A refined late-first-generation Model X with the MCU2 screen, strong range and quick acceleration. Suspension components and occasional phantom-braking and electrical complaints persist and repairs are costly, but it is one of the steadier pre-refresh years.

  • Front-suspension wear continues into the Raven update: control-arm and air-suspension complaints with clunks and occasional ride-height faults are common.
  • Electrical and software glitches are reported, including 12V battery failures, door-control faults and infotainment or connectivity dropouts.
  • Owners report unexpected automatic-emergency-braking and forward-collision warnings activating without cause (phantom braking) on Autopilot-equipped cars.

2019 Tesla Model X Caution

The Raven update brought a new motor, adaptive air suspension and the more durable MCU2 screen, making 2019 a more mature Model X. Suspension wear and software quirks remain and running costs are high, but reliability is better than the early cars.

  • Front-suspension wear continues into the Raven update: control-arm and air-suspension complaints with clunks and occasional ride-height faults are common.
  • Electrical and software glitches are reported, including 12V battery failures, door-control faults and infotainment or connectivity dropouts.
  • Owners report unexpected automatic-emergency-braking and forward-collision warnings activating without cause (phantom braking) on Autopilot-equipped cars.

2018 Tesla Model X Caution

Early-2018 cars still use the failure-prone MCU1 screen and share the falcon-door and front-suspension wear of 2016-17, though later builds improved. Quick and roomy, but verify the screen, doors and suspension and expect pricey out-of-warranty repairs.

  • First-generation MCU (Tegra processor, 8GB eMMC flash) on cars built before about April 2018 can wear out its memory, causing the center touchscreen to freeze, reboot or go black; an out-of-warranty replacement is expensive.
  • Front-suspension control arms and links wear early and, in some cases, the control arm can fracture; many owners report persistent creaking or clunking from the front end, especially on 22-inch-wheel builds.
  • Steering complaints include clunks tied to the front suspension and occasional reports of heavy or notchy steering effort.

2017 Tesla Model X Caution

Innovative but the riskiest Model X year: first-gen MCU1 screens wear out, falcon-wing doors and front control arms give trouble, and early build quality is rough. Thrilling and practical, but budget for costly out-of-warranty repairs.

  • First-generation MCU (Tegra processor, 8GB eMMC flash) on cars built before about April 2018 can wear out its memory, causing the center touchscreen to freeze, reboot or go black; an out-of-warranty replacement is expensive.
  • Front-suspension control arms and links wear early and, in some cases, the control arm can fracture; many owners report persistent creaking or clunking from the front end, especially on 22-inch-wheel builds.
  • Steering complaints include clunks tied to the front suspension and occasional reports of heavy or notchy steering effort.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Tesla models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.