Model X (1st)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Battery Electric (BEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2016-2020 Tesla Model X
That's roughly 7.4x the typical rate for BEVs in this dataset (median 5.5 per year). This generation has materially more battery & propulsion complaints than its peers, even after accounting for sales volume.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 224 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.
Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
- [2020] My 2020 Tesla Model X experiences severe vibration, shaking, and rattling during acceleration, especially between about 20–45 mph and at higher suspension settings. The vibration is strong enough to affect steering stability and safe control of the vehicle during acceleration and lane changes. Tesla has already replaced the front half-shafts twice under warranty for this same problem, but the iss
- [2020] I preordered a 2020 Tesla Model X on [XXX], totaling $112,590, with $62,617 paid in cash and the rest financed. On November 30, 2021, I brought the car to the Renton Tesla Service Center for axle noise when accelerating, but they couldn’t replicate it. On February 7, 2022, I returned with the same complaint and was asked to provide a video of the issue. On April 13, 2022, with video proof of the
- [2020] Premature internal damage to the front half shafts causes the front end to shudder during acceleration between 0-50 mph. This shuddering is distracting and can be felt through the steering column creating a safety risk to the driver and others in the vehicle. I have had Telsa service "repair" this issue under warranty 3 times. AUG 31, 2021 went into Service Center for the Service Bulletin to
High-Voltage Battery
- [2016] I am reporting the cars main high voltage battery. The charging speed has slowed significantly similarly to my other Tesla which is a model S and that car's battery was replaced after the warranty expired due to unsafe circumstances where the car would not start. I'm starting to see similar signs and since this is an early model of the Model X, the battery management system in utilizing the same o
- [2016] HERE IS A TESLA MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/53118179/PHOTOS IT APPEARS TO HAVE BURNED UP IN THE JUNKYARD PRESUMABLY BECAUSE THE BATTERY PACK WAS DAMAGED IN A CRASH AND IT DECIDED TO WAIT A WHILE BEFORE SELF COMBUSTING. BOTH BACK WHEELS HAVE SNAPPED OFF DESPITE THERE BEING NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO THAT PART OF THE CAR. THE BROKEN SUSPENSION ARM FROM ONE OF THE BACK WHEEL
- [2017] Manufacturer designed a Pyro Fuse (a/k/a Battery Fuse), the purpose of which is to open the main battery's circuit in the event of a detected crash via a squib charge, in order to prevent further property damage or risk to life. The obsolete design contained in this model depends on a small lithium ion battery with a 7-10 year lifespan. In this car's case, a timer notification kicked in at about
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2016] The car horn does not work. I was charging my vehicle at a supercharger and the supercharger malfunctioned and caused my vehicle to become unable to drive. I had to tow the vehicle to the service center where they had to reset the car so that he could drive again and they had to replace the 12volt battery. Thereafter, I noticed that the horn was no longer working.
- [2016] MAY 2020 WHILE MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I CONTINUALLY HAD ISSUES WITH THE MAIN SCREEN. ISSUES WERE REPORTED TO TESLA WHO ASSERTED IT WAS THE FIRMWARE. TESLA KEPT MY CAR FOR OVER A WEEK FOR REPAIRS, THEN CHARGED ME $400 FOR NEW FIRMWARE. HOWEVER WITHIN TWO MONTHS THE ISSUES BEGAN AGAIN, THE SCREEN GOING BLACK AND MULTIPLE ERRORS. IN AUGUST I WAS FINALLY GIVEN ANOTHER SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THI
- [2016] THE CAR DOESN'T TAKE CHARGE. I DROVE MY CAR TO TRY DIFFERENT CHARGING SPOT IN THE SAME SUPERCHARGING STATION AND TRY IN ANOTHER CHARGING STATION. THE CAR DOESN'T CHARGE. IT WAS A WEEKEND WHEN THE CAR HAS CHARGING ISSUE. EVENTUALLY THE CAR JUST OUT OF JUICE. WON'T OPEN IT LET ME IN AND I HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO SERVICE CENTER IN THE MONDAY SERVICE BUSINESS DAY. IT NEEDS SPECIAL TOWING WITH DOLLY.
Thermal Events
- [2016] The contact owned a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 15 MPH from a traffic light, the vehicle was T-boned by another vehicle attempting to run the red light. The contact stated that the other vehicle crashed into the driver’s side front fender panel of the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver’s door was not impacted in the crash. The conta
- [2017] HERE IS A TESLA FRESHLY ARRIVED IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/36822732?ROWNUMBER=0 ITT IS BURNED OUT BUT JUDGING BY THE ASHES AROUND THE VEHICLE IT HAS MOST LIKELY BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE STORED IN THE JUNKYARD POST CRASH. THE BACK WHEEL HAS GONE WHOMPY WHICH IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR A TESLA. THERE IS NO CRASH DAMAGE AT THE BACK OF THE CAR THAT WOULD EXPLAIN WHY THE WHEEL WENT WHO
- [2018] Feb 2022 while driving horn engaged and would not go off , had to pull over , steering wheel then locked up and car would not start again but horn continued to go off and had weird smell until it died out. Took vehicle to Tesla service center, was told multiple fuses were blown , mother board and several other electrical/computer issues. May 2023 while parked in driveway horn engaged wound not sto
Charging System
- [2016] I am reporting the cars main high voltage battery. The charging speed has slowed significantly similarly to my other Tesla which is a model S and that car's battery was replaced after the warranty expired due to unsafe circumstances where the car would not start. I'm starting to see similar signs and since this is an early model of the Model X, the battery management system in utilizing the same o
- [2016] The car started giving error messages of systems failing one after another on the highway. It slowed down instantly as if someone pressed the brakes and I could not accelerate. Obviously I did not press the brakes. There were a lot of vehicles behind me and this could have easily caused an accident putting a lot of people at risk. I had to get off the highway asap and get the car towed. The error
- [2016] THE CAR DOESN'T TAKE CHARGE. I DROVE MY CAR TO TRY DIFFERENT CHARGING SPOT IN THE SAME SUPERCHARGING STATION AND TRY IN ANOTHER CHARGING STATION. THE CAR DOESN'T CHARGE. IT WAS A WEEKEND WHEN THE CAR HAS CHARGING ISSUE. EVENTUALLY THE CAR JUST OUT OF JUICE. WON'T OPEN IT LET ME IN AND I HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO SERVICE CENTER IN THE MONDAY SERVICE BUSINESS DAY. IT NEEDS SPECIAL TOWING WITH DOLLY.
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Battery: Tesla 18650 (Panasonic NCA, Legacy S/X)
Pack overview
Known issues
How this pack ages (industry context)
Industry fleet aggregates: 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs / 21 models (Geotab, 2026), and 95% range retention at 5 years on average across 30,000+ vehicles (Recurrent, 2026).
OEM warranty floor on this pack: 8 yr / 150k mi to 70% capacity.
Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. Individual results vary materially with climate, charging behavior, and DC fast-charge frequency.
All Generations
Alternatives in Luxury SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2016-2020 Tesla Model X problems?
The 2016-2020 Tesla Model X has accumulated 4,830 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are general mechanical issues. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Tesla Model X engine is most reliable?
The 2016-2020 Tesla Model X was offered with 0 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the base engine has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2016-2020 Tesla Model X a good used car?
The 2016-2020 Tesla Model X can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 4,830 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016-2020 Tesla Model X have?
The 2016-2020 Tesla Model X has 4,830 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2016-2020 Tesla Model X?
There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2016-2020 Tesla Model X vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Tesla Model X?
Before buying a used Tesla Model X, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to general mechanical issues, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Model X?
The 2020 Tesla Model X received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (9.3% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 4,830 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.