2020 Tesla Model X Problems and Recalls (124 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 2020 Tesla Model X is Suspension (23% of 124 owner reports). There are 10 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Suspension — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 124 complaints · 10 recalls
What problems show up on the 2020 Tesla Model X?
28 of 124 filings named Suspension (23% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Automatic braking / collision warning (20 reports).
There are 10 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Automatic braking / collision warning, Steering, Electrical, and Seat belts. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The 2019 has 100 reports on file; this year has 124. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.
What owners reported
System named most often: Suspension 28 complaints · 22.6% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 17
- Fires 0
- Injuries 6
- Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension (SUSPENSION) | 28 | 22.6% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) | 20 | 16.1% | 3 crashes · 0 fires |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 13 | 10.5% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Steering (STEERING) | 10 | 8.1% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE) | 8 | 6.5% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) | 6 | 4.8% | 5 crashes · 0 fires |
| Body / frame (STRUCTURE) | 5 | 4.0% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 3 | 2.4% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Wheels (WHEELS) | 3 | 2.4% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 63 | 50.8% | 11 crashes · 0 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 21V846000 was reported 6 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 22V037000 was reported 477 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 22V063000 was reported 566 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 22V235000 was reported 633 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 22V818000 was reported 755 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 23V085000 was reported 861 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 23V838000 was reported 1,242 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 24V051000 was reported 1,291 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 24V153000 was reported 1,319 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2020-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2020-Q3 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2020-Q4 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2021-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2021-Q2 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2021-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2021-Q4 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2022-Q1 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2022-Q2 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2022-Q3 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2022-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2023-Q1 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2023-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2023-Q3 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2023-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2024-Q1 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2024-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2024-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2024-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2025-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2025-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2025-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2025-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2026-Q1 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2026-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2026-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V846000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 22V037000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 22V063000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 22V235000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 22V818000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 23V085000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 23V838000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 24V051000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 24V153000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 24V376000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE21020 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE21023 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA22002 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP22005 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP23001 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP23002 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | RQ24009 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE24031 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | AQ25002 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE25012 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA26002 |
Safety Recalls (10)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Automatic braking / collision warning, Steering, Electrical, and Seat belts.
-
Recall campaign 21V846000
Automatic braking / collision warning
- Report date
- Component:
- Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE)
- Consequence:
- Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 22V037000
Steering
- Report date
- Component:
- Steering (STEERING)
- Consequence:
- Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
- 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. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
-
Recall campaign 22V063000
Electrical
- Report date
- Component:
- Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall has been superseded by Recall 22V-235. Tesla's number for the new recall is SB-22-00-003.
-
Recall campaign 22V235000
Electrical
- Report date
- Component:
- Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V-063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V-063 will need to have the new remedy software installed.
-
Recall campaign 22V818000
Steering
- Report date
- Component:
- Steering (STEERING)
- Consequence:
- A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.
-
Recall campaign 23V085000
Steering
- Report date
- Component:
- Steering (STEERING)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 23V838000
Electrical
- Report date
- Component:
- Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 24V051000
Electrical
- Report date
- Component:
- Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 24V153000
Electrical
- Report date
- Component:
- Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
-
Recall campaign 24V376000
Seat belts
- Report date
- Component:
- Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
- Consequence:
- A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- 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.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Showing 3 of 124 complaints · page 1 of 5
CrashFireInjuryDeath
On September 2, 2026 at 2:25 PM, my 2020 Tesla Model X Performance was operating under Tesla Smart Summon in a parking lot in Carrollton, Texas. I was outside the vehicle, maintained a clear line of sight at all times, and actively supervised the vehicle through the Tesla mobile app. No one was inside the Tesla. While Smart Summon was pulling the vehicle out of a parking space and turning into the driving aisle, the passenger side of my Tesla contacted the rear corner of an adjacent stationary parked vehicle. As soon as I observed the contact, I immediately stopped the Smart Summon operation. Both vehicles sustained property damage. The adjacent vehicle had been stationary and visible throughout the maneuver. I am reporting this because Smart Summon failed to maintain sufficient clearance from a stationary parked vehicle while maneuvering out of the parking space.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
While driving my Tesla Model X on the interstate at highway speed, the vehicle began intermittently displaying false warnings that the trunk was open. This occurred multiple times during the drive and appears to have been caused by a malfunctioning trunk latch sensor. At the time, I was using Autosteer, part of Tesla’s Autopilot driver-assistance system. Each time the false trunk-open condition occurred, Autosteer immediately and unexpectedly disengaged. Under normal circumstances, when Autosteer disengages while I am driving, the vehicle provides an audible alert and a visual warning instructing the driver to take control immediately. During these incidents, neither warning occurred. There was no audible alert and no visual notification informing me that Autosteer had disengaged or that I needed to immediately resume steering. The system simply stopped providing automatic steering assistance. Because there was no warning that Autosteer had disengaged, I did not immediately realize that the vehicle was no longer maintaining its lane. The vehicle drifted into the adjacent lane before I recognized what had happened and regained control. Fortunately, there was no vehicle in the adjacent lane. Had another vehicle been present, this could have resulted in a collision. This occurred multiple times during the drive. The false trunk-open warning repeatedly caused Autosteer to disengage without the normal audible or visual disengagement warnings. My primary safety concern is not simply the malfunctioning trunk latch sensor. The safety concern is that a failure of an unrelated trunk latch sensor can cause Autosteer to suddenly disengage at highway speed without providing the driver with an audible or visual warning that automatic steering assistance has been lost. In my case, this failure mode resulted in an unintended lane departure. A relatively minor sensor malfunction should not be capable of causing an unannounced loss of automatic steering assistance.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to you once again to emphasize and provide additional details regarding the critical safety issue I previously addressed concerning the Tesla Model X vehicles, which is similarly affecting Tesla Model S models. My personal experience underscores the severity of this problem: I have had to replace six tires due to accelerated inner wall wear in the last 5 months. This specific wear pattern is a direct result of improper camber alignment, an issue that Tesla has continuously refused to rectify. This problem is not isolated to my vehicle alone. A growing number of Tesla Model X and Model S owners have reported similar experiences, indicating a widespread and systemic issue. The accelerated inner wall tire wear poses significant safety risks, as it can lead to unexpected and dangerous tire failures on the road. Despite the clear evidence and numerous complaints from Tesla owners, Tesla has consistently declined to address this issue adequately. It appears that the company’s reluctance is rooted in the fact that proper repair or recall to fix the camber alignment is not cost-effective from their perspective. However, this cost-cutting measure is putting drivers and passengers at risk. Given the scale and gravity of this issue, I urge the National Highway Safety Institute to take immediate action. It is essential to investigate these recurring problems with both the Tesla Model X and Model S models. The safety of Tesla drivers, passengers, and the general public is at stake, and a thorough investigation could compel Tesla to take the necessary corrective actions. Thank you for your attention to this urgent safety matter. I trust that the National Highway Safety Institute will act promptly to ensure automotive safety and hold manufacturers accountable for their vehicles’ reliability and safety.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2020 Tesla Model X?
Owners named Suspension most often — 28 of 124 reports (23%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 2020 Tesla Model X?
NHTSA lists 10 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Automatic braking / collision warning, Steering, Electrical, and Seat belts. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 2020 Tesla Model X?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Listen for clunks over bumps and look at tire wear for alignment issues. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.