2018 Tesla Model X: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the suspension, electrical, and automatic emergency braking. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018- Owner complaints
- 148
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 24
- 12 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2018 Tesla Model X: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Model X is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Tesla Model X. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | AWD | 295 mi range |
- With a full charge, the range estimate on the dash should land near the EPA figure of 295 miles. A much lower number on a mild day can mean a worn battery; ask for a battery health report.
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Tesla Model X, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Suspension313 crashes
Rear tires wear fast on the inner edge, in one report down to the cords within about 5,000 miles. Other reports describe loud creaking traced to the upper control arms, a shudder under acceleration noticed before 1,500 miles, an air suspension compressor warning, and links that break while driving and leave a wheel tilted or loose. Of 31 complaints, 3 are crash-related. Most crash-flagged excerpts come from one outside filer describing cars at salvage auctions, not from owners describing their own cars.
Electrical222 crashes
The instrument cluster and center touchscreen go blank, freeze, or reboot while the car is moving. When that happens, the driver loses the speedometer, turn signal sounds, audio, and sometimes the rear camera. Some screens stay dark for up to 20 minutes, and others freeze on one speed. Reports start around 5,000 miles, and several owners say repeat service visits did not fix the problem. Two crash reports describe the car surging while parking even though the brake was pressed, and one of them involved an injury. Other complaints cover phantom braking and lower range after a software update.
Automatic emergency braking144 crashes
Phantom braking is the most common complaint. The car brakes hard on the highway with nothing ahead, often on plain cruise control, and in one report drops from 75 to 55 mph. One owner counts more than 30 events in a 6-mile stretch. Other reports describe the opposite failure, where the car does not slow for stopped traffic or a car directly ahead. Four of the 14 complaints involve crashes, and one involved an injury. One phantom braking report gives about 41,200 miles.
Acceleration and cruise control138 crashes
Unintended acceleration at parking-lot speed is the main pattern. The car surges during a slow turn or while pulling into a space, then hits poles, parked cars, or walls, sometimes hard enough to deploy the airbags. Eight of the 13 complaints involve crashes, with 7 people injured. A few owners report surges on Autopilot, including one from a full stop at a red light. Others report hard braking on cruise control with no traffic around, or the computer freezing at highway speed while the display stays stuck on one speed.
Body and structure111 crash
Falcon wing doors fail to open and often report an obstruction that is not there. Some owners say heat and sun make it worse. Children have been trapped inside, and a failed door pop actuator can leave a door unusable from inside and outside. Other reports cover the front trunk opening while driving, leaking falcon door windows with crumbling trim, fender garnish coming loose near the wheels, a rear window shattering on its own, and a front wheel separating at 7,800 miles.
Steering7No crashes
A reduced steering assist warning appears on some cars, together with disabled stability control, emergency braking, or cruise control, in one case right after a software update. Notchy steering led to a lower steering column replacement. Loud creaking or squeaking while turning is traced to seized upper control arms and cracked bushings. The one fire report describes a horn stuck on, a locked steering wheel, and smoke from under the front trunk. Fast wear on the inner edges of the tires, blamed on camber, also appears.
Seats7No crashes
Second-row seats stop locking and slide back and forth. In one injury report, a child was thrown into the front seat. Service described a locking mechanism that was wearing away. Other reports describe a loose, rocking driver seat, a fractured driver seat back near 56,000 miles, a power driver seat that moved forward from its easy-entry position and pinned the driver, and captain's seats that do not hold a child seat tether securely.
Seat belts5No crashes
Second-row belts jam. Some stay pulled out and will not retract, and others retract fully and cannot be pulled out. One belt was found twisted inside at about 27,000 miles, and another needed a new belt assembly. A restraint system fault alert that comes and goes was traced in one case to a wiring disconnect. Parents report that middle-row seats do not hold a forward-facing child seat tether. One injury report describes a third-row shoulder belt locking around a child's neck.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Model X owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
On Saturday, May 21, 2021 I left home to go to the health club about a mile and a half from my house. I noticed the light was very bumpy. It just did not feel right. Came home And noticed did the car head problem with the suspension. Both front wheels seem to be Forli suspended. Please see the photographs of the front of the car and front passenger as well as front driver side wheels and suspension area.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2021
Under normal acceration..the car shake and vibrate violently. This is a known Tesla design flaw on all MODEL X. Tesla even issue a Technical Service Bulletin to address the design flaw. This shudder...shake... and vibration is very dangerous and could cause the drive shaft to separate from the drive unit. This will cause an abruption separation and stall in a middle of an intersection
Filed with NHTSA, June 2022
The Tesla recall under NHTSA Recall No: 23V-838 has not been completed by Tesla. The upgraded computer I purchased from Tesla and had installed in December 2021 cannot accept the OTA update. Tesla is requesting that I replace the computer again for 2 thousand dollars for the recall OTA. Telsa said my current computer has an internal bug and needs to be replaced. I should not have to spend 2K for another computer that barely lasted 2 years.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2024
About 224 miles N. of Los Angeles, on I-5, Southbound, the car aggressively braked while using traffic aware cruise control. Speed was around 75 when braking started. Speed dropped to 55 MPH at the end. There was a couple additional brakes on this southbound journey. I can't believe that Tesla thinks they can implement full self driving when they can't manage to maintain a constant and not jarring speed. This is a recipe for disaster.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2022
How the 2018 compares with other Model X years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 ranks second for owner complaints among 7 Model X years, about 2.0 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Suspension3110
- Electrical2210
- Automatic emergency braking143
- Acceleration and cruise control134
- Body and structure113
- Steering714
Where the 2018 fits in the Model X's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the fourth model year of the Model X's first generation (2015–2023).
Tesla updated the Model X for 2021, so a 2018 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2021 (not on a 2018)
- Introduction of the Plaid performance model
- Updated interior and powertrain
Recalls to confirm (7)
Recall repairs are free at any Tesla dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V376000Seat beltsMay 2024
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.".
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.
23V838000ElectricalDec 2023
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.
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.
22V818000SteeringNov 2022
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.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
22V169000Backup cameraMar 2022
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. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
22V037000ElectricalJan 2022
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
Risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
21V846000Automatic emergency brakingOct 2021
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. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
Risk: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
21V035000Backup cameraJan 2021
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. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.
Risk: The eMMC controller wear-out condition can cause the loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Tesla will notify owners, and will replace the VCM daughterboard with one containing an enhanced eMMC controller, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-21-001.
Also looking at these instead of a Model X?
Cars shoppers compare with the Tesla Model X, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
- Porsche Cayenne13
- Mercedes-Benz GLE51
- BMW X563
- Lexus RX87
- GMC Yukon108
- Audi Q7134
- 2018 Tesla Model X148
