KnownCarProblems2023 Tesla Model X Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 194 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Tesla Model X, most often about the other or unspecified (46% of complaints). It is the 3rd most complained-about Model X model year since 2000 and has 17 recalls.
Most common 2023 Tesla Model X problems
Other or unspecified
90 complaints · 46%Steering
46 complaints · 24%Driver assistance
24 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, warnings, assist.
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH with the cruise control feature activated, the braking system erroneously activated causing the vehicle to abruptly stop in the middle of the highway. During the failure, there were no other vehicles or objects nearby. After shifting…
The contact owned a 2023 Tesla x. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the contact became distracted by an incoming phone call and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed upon impact and the contact became locked inside the vehicle. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. The police…
Electrical
21 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles.
The contact owned a 2023 Tesla x. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the contact became distracted by an incoming phone call and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed upon impact and the contact became locked inside the vehicle. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. The police…
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that the vehicle displayed that a software update had been completed; however, the software update showed that the software was outdated. The update confirmation was displayed even though a software update was not performed. The contact stated that the screen…
Brakes
12 complaints · 6%The contact owned a 2023 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving into her driveway, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated, and conversely, with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. As a result, the vehicle collided with the rear of another vehicle…
Body and structure
12 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving at various speeds or attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong foul odor coming from inside the vehicle. The contact stated the odor ceased after driving for 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer three times.…
Seat belts
9 complaints · 5%Air bags
9 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle attempted to merge near the contactâs vehicle, which caused the passenger front end of the vehicle to collide into a pole. The air bags did not deploy during the incident. The contact…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2023 Tesla Model X recalls
Backup camera: software
Risk: A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Air bags
Risk: An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Backup camera: software
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Air bags: cushion
Risk: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed february 21, 2025. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-24-20-001.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 model s and model x vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) numbers 208, "occupant crash protection" and 212, "windshield mounting."
Electrical: software
Risk: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed september 24, 2024. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-24-00-012.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 model 3, model s, model x, and 2020-2024 model y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
Seat belts: warning light/devices
Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed july 26, 2024. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-24-00-008.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 model s, 2015-2024 model x, 2017-2023 model 3, and 2020-2023 model y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Electrical: instrument cluster/panel
Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-24-00-003.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 model s, 2016-2024 model x, 2017-2023 model 3, 2019-2024 model y, and 2024 cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the brake, park, and antilock brake system (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems" and 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed march 22, 2024. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-24-00-002.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2023 model s, x, and y vehicles equipped with full self-driving computer 4.0 and running a software release version 2023.44.30 through 2023.44.30.6 or 2023.44.100. Software instability may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
Electrical: software
Risk: An unlocked door may unlatch and open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed february 17, 2024. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-23-00-009.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 model s and x vehicles. The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 214, "side impact protection."
Electrical: software
Risk: In certain circumstances when autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed february 10, 2024. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-23-00-008.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 model s, 2016-2023 model x, 2017-2023 model 3, and 2020-2023 model y vehicles equipped with all versions of autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the sae level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Risk: An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 2, 2024. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-23-20-005.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 model s and model x vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.
Brakes: switch/sensor/float
Risk: Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed december 12, 2023. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-23-00-005.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 model x vehicles. The vehicle controller may fail to detect low brake fluid and will not display a warning light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Seat belts: front
Risk: A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Tesla service will inspect the front-row seat belts and connect the seat belts to pretensioner anchors, or replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed september 12, 2023. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-23-20-004.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 model s and model x vehicles. The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.
Driver assistance: camera
Risk: Safety features that are unavailable without any warning to the driver may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla service will inspect and adjust the pitch angle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed september 12, 2023. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-23-17-006.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2023 model s, model x, and model y vehicles. The forward-facing camera may be misaligned, causing some of the active safety features such as emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane assist to become unavailable without alerting the driver.
Backup camera: back over prevention
Risk: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been remedied. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2023 model x vehicles equipped with a full self-driving computer 4.0 and running software release version 2023.2.200. Weak camera signal strength may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 111, "rear visibility."
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk: Fsd beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.â owner notification letters were mailed april 15, 2023.â owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.â tesla's number for this recall is sb-23-00-001.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 model s, model x, 2017-2023 model 3, and 2020-2023 model y vehicles equipped with full self-driving beta (fsd beta) software or pending installation.â the fsd beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
Air bags: software
Risk: A passenger air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the rcm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 14, 2023. Owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is sb-22-00-015.
Full defect summary
Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 model x vehicles. The restraint control module (rcm) calibration may cause the front passenger air bag to deploy incorrectly during certain low speed crashes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) is opening this engineering analysis to evaluate teslaâs full self driving beta and full self driving (supervised) (collectively, fsd) degradation detection system. The focus of this investigation will be to assess the systemâs ability, when encountering reduced roadway visibility conditions, to detect degradation and alert the driver with sufficient time to respond. Odi will evaluate the performance of fsd in degraded roadway conditions and the updates or modifications by tesla to the degradation detection system, including the timing, purpose, and capabilities of the updates, and teslaâs assessment of their safety impact. Teslaâs fsd is an
Traffic safety violations while full self driving ("fsd") is engaged
Summary
The office of defects investigation (âodiâ) is opening this preliminary evaluation (pe) to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of fsd executing driving maneuvers that constitute traï¬c safety violations. This investigation concerns versions of fsd that tesla has labeled as "fsd (supervised)" and "fsd (beta)." tesla characterizes fsd as an sae level 2 partial automation system requiring a fully attentive driver who is engaged in the driving task at all times. Level 2 partial automation systems are designed to support and assist the driver in performing certain aspects of the driving task, requiring a driver to supervise and intervene as necessary.â the driver r
Compliance with standing general order 2021-01 reporting requirements
Summary
The office of defects investigation (âodiâ) has identified numerous incident reports submitted by tesla, inc. (âteslaâ) in response to standing general order 2021-01 (the âsgoâ), in which the reported crashes occurred several months or more before the dates of the reports. The majority of these reports involved crashes in which the standing general order in place at the time required a report to be submitted within one or five days of tesla receiving notice of the crash. When the reports were submitted, tesla submitted them in one of two ways. Many of the reports were submitted as part of a single batch, while others were submitted on a rolling basis. Preliminary engagement betwe
Actually smart summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
Summary
On january 6, 2025, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened preliminary evaluation 24003 (pe24033) to investigate actually smart summon (summon) sessions resulting in crashes during active sessions. According to tesla, summon is a short-distance sae level 2 system, controlled by the user from a cell phone within a certain distance and intended for use in parking lots and on private property. Odi analyzed complaint data provided by tesla as well as complaints submitted to odi from consumers to identify summon incidents resulting in crashes. Odi's analysis indicates that almost all summon reported crashes involved minor property damage claims with no reported incidents involving a vu
Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions
Summary
On october 17, 2024, nhtsaâs office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe24031) of teslaâs full self driving beta and full self driving (supervised) (collectively, fsd) to assess: the ability of the fsd system to detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions; whether any other fsd crashes had occurred under degraded roadway visibility conditions that are similar in nature to the four sgo-reported crashes identified in the opening document, and if so, the contributing circumstances for each of those crashes; and any updates or modifications by tesla to the fsd system that may affect the performance of fsd in degraded roadway visibil
Recall 23v838 remedy effectiveness
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) is opening a recall query to assess the remedy adequacy of recall 23v838. On december 12, 2023, tesla filed a defect information report (recall 23v838) applicable to all tesla models produced and equipped with any version of its autopilot system, which tesla described as an sae level 2 (l2) advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). Autopilot is the simultaneous engagement of teslaâs traffic-aware cruise control (tacc) and autosteer. In describing the safety defect, teslaâs defect information report (dir) explained that âthe prominence and scope of the systemâs controls may be insufficient to prevent driver misuse,â and tesla committed to th
Sudden unintended acceleration
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition requesting that odi reevaluate its decision to deny dp20-001 on the basis that intermittent high electrical current demands on the vehicles' 12vdc systems may have caused some or all of the incidents examined by odi in dp20-001. The petitioner bases this information on a review of open-source research and the dp20-001 denial. The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following odi number: 11528471.
Defect petition interlock request
Summary
On march 21, 2023, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition requesting a ârecall of all tesla carsâ produced from 2013 to the date on which the petition was filed due to what petitioner considers to be the increased likelihood of pedal misapplication. Attached to the petition is a paper authored by petitioner. According to petitioner, the differences in the operator controls between the subject tesla vehicles and internal combustion engine powered vehicles promote driver pedal misapplication, leading to sudden unintended acceleration (sua) incidents. To fix this alleged defect, petitioner argues that the subject vehicles should be equipped with measures that require:
Front seat belt anchor detachment
Summary
On march 24, 2023, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation (pe) after receiving 2 consumer complaints alleging the front seat belts had suddenly detached from the outboard lap pretensioner anchor while in motion in model year (my) 2022-2023 tesla model x vehicles. In its june 19, 2023 response to odiâs may 4, 2023 information request letter of the pe, tesla reported that its review of field repair data identified 12 additional warranty claims of the subject condition in the affected vehicles. On july 14, 2023, tesla filed a safety recall (NHTSA no. 23v-488) of 15,869 my 2021 - 2023 tesla model s and model x vehicles. The recall remedy is an inspection o
Autopilot system driver controls
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) upgraded pe21020 to ea22002 on june 8, 2022, to extend work and deepen the pe21020 crash analysis, to supplement that analysis with additional data, and to perform vehicle evaluations to understand how teslaâs autopilot system may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the driverâs supervision. To support this work, odi collected additional crash information and assessed vehicle control authority, driver engagement technologies, and related human factors considerations associated with partial automation via analysis of peer vehicle data and hands-on vehicle evaluation, assessments from NHTSA human
Questions about the 2023 Tesla Model X
- What are the most common problems with the 2023 Tesla Model X?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: other or unspecified (90 complaints); steering (46 complaints); driver assistance (24 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2023 Tesla Model X have?
- 17 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 4, 2026 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2023 a bad year for the Tesla Model X?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Model X model year since 2000, with 194 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.