2021 Tesla MODEL X

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Tesla MODEL X has 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is steering problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: the contact owns a 2021 tesla model x. the contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. the contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to steer while entering a parking lot. the contact s.

9 crash reports 6 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

STEERING

12 complaints

20%

• The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to steer while entering a parking lot. The contact s
• AFTER AN UPDATE I WAS REVERSING MY CAR , CAR STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD AND STEERING WHEEL LOST CONTROL WITH SIGN OF STEERING ASSIST REDUCED AND LANE DEPARTURE ..... IT WAS A DEATH SCARE. I CONTACTED TESLA, 3 WEEKS AGO AND TODAY MY CAR HAS GONE FOR REPAIR. I HEAR THAT MODEL Y AND 3 ARE RECALLED. I
• [XXX] I was driving southbound on [XXX] in Dallas, TX (near [XXX] exit) in Tesla ModelX, with 2 kids in the back seat. It is raining. My speed is around 60-65mph and I am in the rightmost lane. Suddenly the vehicle skids a little, and my steering wheel and brakes are not working anymore. It seemed

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to steer while entering a parking lot. The contact s”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

10 complaints

17%

• My SD card failed and had to be replaced on my 2021 model X. The car's screens went completely blank during the 2021.24.3 software update. Car lost all power while park, failed to turn on after 3+ hours, had to be towed to service center. There was told the SD card failed and had to be replaced.
• On 10-16-21 Saturday around 7:40 PM, I was going to my brother-in-law's house which is on the left side of the road I was driving. It is a single lane road in a busy residential area. I wanted to park outside of the house by the road. I took a left turn towards the gate, then slight reverse and put
• AFTER AN UPDATE I WAS REVERSING MY CAR , CAR STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD AND STEERING WHEEL LOST CONTROL WITH SIGN OF STEERING ASSIST REDUCED AND LANE DEPARTURE ..... IT WAS A DEATH SCARE. I CONTACTED TESLA, 3 WEEKS AGO AND TODAY MY CAR HAS GONE FOR REPAIR. I HEAR THAT MODEL Y AND 3 ARE RECALLED. I

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“My SD card failed and had to be replaced on my 2021 model X. The car's screens went completely blank during the 2021.24.3 software update. Car lost all power while park, failed to turn on after 3+ hours, had to be towed to service center. There was told the SD card failed and had to be replaced. ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

8 complaints

14%

• Since my delivery date of 12/4/2020 I have had four different times where both of the screens on my Tesla Model X have gone blank. On two of the occasions the vehicle was parked but on two other occasions the vehicle was being operated at highway speeds on the highway. I have also experienced part
• My SD card failed and had to be replaced on my 2021 model X. The car's screens went completely blank during the 2021.24.3 software update. Car lost all power while park, failed to turn on after 3+ hours, had to be towed to service center. There was told the SD card failed and had to be replaced.
• The touchscreen and instrument panel/dash screen went black and shut down on several occasions while driving the vehicle. I was not able to see how fast I was going and no indication of whether my turning signal or lights were working. But mostly, it was just scary. I have documentation of all the r

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Since my delivery date of 12/4/2020 I have had four different times where both of the screens on my Tesla Model X have gone blank. On two of the occasions the vehicle was parked but on two other occasions the vehicle was being operated at highway speeds on the highway. I have also experienced part”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

6 complaints

10%

• WE GOT A 2021 TESLA X FOR JUST ONE MONTH. BUT THE COMPUTER HAS DEAD THREE TIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN HIGH WAY AND HAVE MY TWO KIDS IN THE BACK SEATS. TWO OUT OF THE THREE TIMES I HAD TO PULL OVER MY CAR TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND TURN IT ON AGAIN. ONE OF THE TIMES THE COMPUTER CAME BACK AGAIN BY IT
• I PURCHASED A TESLA MODEL X ON 14 NOV 2020 AND HAD BEEN DRIVING JUST AROUND 2 MONTHS. AT AROUND 11:10PM OR SO AS WE WERE CRUISING ON THE I-580, AND WERE 2 EXITS NORTH OF THE 680 HIGHWAY, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN THE CAR WHICH INCLUDED THE LARGE SCREEN AND THE DRIVER'S INSTRUMENT PANEL WEN
• WHILE DRIVING THE CAR LOST POWER TO ALL SCREENS AND FUNCTIONS SUCH AS SIGNALS AND SPEEDOMETER ALL STOPPED WORKING. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM REBOOTED IN 10 SECONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN MATER OF 3 MONTHS.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“WE GOT A 2021 TESLA X FOR JUST ONE MONTH. BUT THE COMPUTER HAS DEAD THREE TIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN HIGH WAY AND HAVE MY TWO KIDS IN THE BACK SEATS. TWO OUT OF THE THREE TIMES I HAD TO PULL OVER MY CAR TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND TURN IT ON AGAIN. ONE OF THE TIMES THE COMPUTER CAME BACK AGAIN BY IT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

6 complaints

10%

• HERE IS A 2021 MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/39434989?TENANT=US&ROWNUMBER=19 THE BACK WHEEL AND SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED OFF. THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF A CRASH IT IS THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS CRACKED IN HALF ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO
• On 10-16-21 Saturday around 7:40 PM, I was going to my brother-in-law's house which is on the left side of the road I was driving. It is a single lane road in a busy residential area. I wanted to park outside of the house by the road. I took a left turn towards the gate, then slight reverse and put
• At 50K miles the control arms on model X seem to always fail. This is a serious safety issue. My last model X had the same issue. Also my friends who have Teslas have many control arm failures.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“HERE IS A 2021 MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/39434989?TENANT=US&ROWNUMBER=19 THE BACK WHEEL AND SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED OFF. THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF A CRASH IT IS THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS CRACKED IN HALF ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 59 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to steer while entering a parking lot. The contact s
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: My SD card failed and had to be replaced on my 2021 model X. The car's screens went completely blank during the 2021.24.3 software update. Car lost all power while park, failed to turn on after 3+ hours, had to be towed to service center. There was told the SD card failed and had to be replaced.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: Since my delivery date of 12/4/2020 I have had four different times where both of the screens on my Tesla Model X have gone blank. On two of the occasions the vehicle was parked but on two other occasions the vehicle was being operated at highway speeds on the highway. I have also experienced part
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WE GOT A 2021 TESLA X FOR JUST ONE MONTH. BUT THE COMPUTER HAS DEAD THREE TIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN HIGH WAY AND HAVE MY TWO KIDS IN THE BACK SEATS. TWO OUT OF THE THREE TIMES I HAD TO PULL OVER MY CAR TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND TURN IT ON AGAIN. ONE OF THE TIMES THE COMPUTER CAME BACK AGAIN BY IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)