2018 Tesla Model X
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 446 |
| 2017 | 268 |
| 2018 | 192 |
| 2019 | 100 |
| 2020 | 127 |
| 2021 | 40 |
| 2022 | 126 |
| 2023 | 192 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
24% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 47 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
While driving on FSD (Full Self Driving) the vehicle was turning off the road into a parking lot and sped up and hit a vehicle while I was pressing the brake to the floor! I had to brace for impact when I hit the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260803
Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The Full Self Driving System failed to operate correctly. This caused my car to hit another car.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231110
Also filed under LANE DEPARTURE
19% of complaints: suspension — 37 distinct reports on file.
CRASH19% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and control module.
CRASH FIRE INJURY11% of complaints: structure — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and support device/strut.
CRASH INJURY10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 19 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL X. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED OVER A CURB BEFORE CRASHING INTO A CEMENT LIGHT POLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180508
Also filed under AIR BAGS and SERVICE BRAKES
SAFETY TIMELINE
Battery Management Software Updates
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
Loss of rearview camera
Loss of rearview camera
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device.
Remedy: Owners should ensure their vehicles are operating firmware release 2020.48.48.12 or newer, which will alert owners if the eMMC is approaching lifetime wear.
Campaign 21V035000 — check if this car was fixed
Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2.
Remedy: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
Campaign 21V846000 — check if this car was fixed
Tesla Passenger Play
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Campaign 22V037000 — check if this car was fixed
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-004.
Campaign 22V169000 — check if this car was fixed
Autopilot System Driver Controls
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Campaign 22V818000 — check if this car was fixed
Pedestrian alert sounds
Defect Petition Interlock Request
Tesla, Inc.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
Campaign 23V085000 — check if this car was fixed
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 23V838000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 24V051000 — check if this car was fixed
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 24V376000 — check if this car was fixed
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2018 Tesla Model X — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for forward collision avoidance issues (47 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (37 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (36 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 21V035000 (back over prevention, exterior lighting, visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V846000 (forward collision avoidance) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V037000 (electrical system, steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V169000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V818000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V085000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V838000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V051000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V376000 (seat belts) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2018 Tesla Model X reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Tesla Model X is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Tesla Model X?
The most-reported component is forward collision avoidance, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 Tesla Model X have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.