CarBrief

NHTSA has 193 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Model X, and the car has 9 recalls listed[1][2]. Owners describe suspension, screen and braking issues, and the recall remedies are mostly software updates.

193owner complaints[1]
9recalls[2]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 193 owner complaints for the 2018 Model X[1]. Of those, 35 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 16 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

The biggest groups by complaint count are:

Component group Complaints
Unknown or other[3] 41
Suspension[4] 37
Electrical system[5] 36
Forward collision avoidance[6] 32
Structure[7] 22

Suspension. In a sample of 12 suspension complaints we read, 10 describe broken or collapsed suspension parts, or a wheel that went out of position or came off[4]. Several of those texts point to photos of salvage-auction cars, not the filer's own car. One text describes a shudder when accelerating[4]. The median mileage at failure for this group is 14,000[4].

Screens and electrical. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 5 describe the center screen, instrument cluster or infotainment freezing, lagging or failing[5]. Two describe the car moving unexpectedly while parking with the brake pedal pressed[5]. The median mileage at failure is 9,550[5].

Braking system warnings. Among 9 distinct texts in a forward collision avoidance sample, 7 describe sudden braking with no obstacle that the owner could see[6]. The group has 6 crashes and 4 injuries among 32 complaints[6].

Structure. In a sample of 12 structure complaints, 4 describe door problems, such as a rear door or a falcon-wing door that would not open or latch[7]. Another 4 describe the car moving unexpectedly at low speed while parking[7].

Speed control and brakes. Speed control has only 19 complaints, but 12 involve a crash and 10 an injury[8]. Brakes have 14 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 3,150[9]. Steering has 18 complaints, with 1 fire and no crashes[10]. These are small groups, so treat them as signals and not as proof of how common a problem is.

Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 9 recalls that cover this car[2]. Newest first:

Several recall texts say the remedy "will" be released. Check with Tesla or a dealer that each one is available for your car.

Range and efficiency

EPA lists three versions of the 2018 Model X. All are electric with all-wheel drive.

Version Combined City / highway EPA range
75D[20] 93 MPGe 91 / 95 238 miles
100D[21] 87 MPGe 86 / 89 295 miles
P100D[22] 85 MPGe 83 / 89 289 miles

The 100D has the longest rated range of the three. The 75D is the most efficient but has the shortest range[20][21][22].

Size

The listed variant is the all-wheel-drive SUV. It is 198 in long, 79 in wide and 66 in high, with a 117 in wheelbase and a curb weight of 5,269 lb[23]. These are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

How 2018 compares with other years

2016: 450 complaints, 12 recalls20162017: 268 complaints, 10 recalls20172018: 193 complaints, 9 recalls19320182019: 102 complaints, 8 recalls20192020: 128 complaints, 10 recalls20202021: 41 complaints, 24 recalls20212022: 128 complaints, 22 recalls20222023: 194 complaints, 17 recalls20232024: 27 complaints, 8 recalls20242025: 16 complaints, 3 recalls20252026: 7 complaints, 0 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Model X model year. The 2018 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
201645012
201726810
20181939
20191028
202012810
20214124
202212822
202319417
2024278
2025163
202670

NHTSA lists these complaint and recall counts by Model X model year[2]:

Year Complaints Recalls
2016 450 12
2017 268 10
2018 193 9
2019 102 8
2020 128 10
2021 41 24
2022 128 22
2023 194 17

Only 2016, 2017 and 2023 have more complaints than 2018[2]. Years 2021, 2022 and 2023 list more recalls than 2018, as do 2016, 2017 and 2020[2]. Recalls often cover several model years, so the counts overlap.

Should you buy a used 2018 Model X?

The file shows a car with a sizeable complaint record and a long recall list. Owners describe suspension failures, screen problems and unexpected braking in the samples we read[4][5][6]. Most recalls are handled with software updates, but one needs a replacement board[19]. Before buying, ask the seller for proof that every recall is done, and check which version it is, since range runs from 238 to 295 miles[20][21]. A pre-purchase inspection that looks at the suspension and the center display is a sensible step. Our data does not cover battery health, price or trims, so check those separately.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2018 Tesla Model X have?
NHTSA lists 193 complaints[1]. The largest groups are unknown or other with 41, suspension with 37 and electrical system with 36[1][3][4][5].
How many recalls does the 2018 Tesla Model X have?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2018 model year[2]. They cover seat belt warnings, steering assist, the center display and driver-assistance software[11][15][19][13].
What is the range of the 2018 Tesla Model X?
EPA lists 238 miles for the 75D, 295 miles for the 100D and 289 miles for the P100D[20][21][22].
Is the 2018 Model X better than other years?
It has fewer complaints than 2016 and 2017, but 2023 has 194 against 193 for 2018[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so they are only a rough guide.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 193 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Tesla Model X (35 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Tesla Model X model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 41 complaints name the unknown or other component group (14 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 11,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 37 complaints name the suspension component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 36 complaints name the electrical system component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 9,550). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 32 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 22 complaints name the structure component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,650). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 19 complaints name the speed control component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 9,200). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 14 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,150). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 18 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Recall 24V376, filed May 28, 2024: Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light / Devices. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 24V051, filed January 30, 2024: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 23V838, filed December 12, 2023: Electrical System › Adas › Driver Monitoring › Software. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 23V085, filed February 15, 2023: Steering › Automated / Adaptive Steering. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 22V818, filed November 1, 2022: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 22V169, filed March 18, 2022: Back Over Prevention › Display Function. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 22V037, filed January 27, 2022: Steering › Automated / Adaptive Steering. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 21V846, filed October 29, 2021: Forward Collision Avoidance › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 21V035, filed January 29, 2021: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System. NHTSA recall database
  20. EPA rating for Model X 75D, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 93 MPGe combined, 238 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Model X 100D, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 87 MPGe combined, 295 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Model X P100D, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 85 MPGe combined, 289 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MODEL X 4DR SUV AWD: length 198 in, width 79 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 5,269 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.