2019 Tesla Model X: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the suspension, electrical, and steering. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019- Owner complaints
- 83
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes reported
- 10
- 5 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Tesla Model X: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
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 2019 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 | 325 mi range |
- With a full charge, the range estimate on the dash should land near the EPA figure of 325 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 2019 Tesla Model X, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Suspension192 crashes
A strong judder or shudder under acceleration, often between 30 and 40 mph, is the most common complaint. It traces to the front half shafts and axles. Replacements help for a while, then the vibration returns, and repeat repairs can be billed to the owner. Other reports describe clicking when turning, wheels knocked out of alignment, and control arms that break. Several filings, many from one repeat filer citing salvage-auction cars, describe a wheel and suspension tearing off at low mileage. Two complaints involve crashes and one involves an injury.
Electrical142 crashes
The center screen and instrument cluster go dark while driving. That takes away the speedometer, turn signals, backup camera, and driver warnings, and the problem keeps coming back after software fixes. Some cars lose power at highway speed with a "Vehicle system shutting down" message, or refuse to start. Repairs include a new 12-volt battery, a micro SD card, and a blown fuse. Falcon wing doors open on their own, close on fingers or heads, or trap a child inside. Two crashes involve sudden acceleration while parking at very low speed.
Steering71 crash
A loud squeak or noise when turning the wheel is common, and repairs after the warranty runs out are expensive. One quote is $3,000, and a full steering column replacement runs over $5,600. Owners also report a constant shudder they blame on the camber and control arms, with warranty coverage refused. On Autopilot, the car swerves out of its lane where lanes merge or brakes for no reason. One crash and fire report describes a rear wheel separating from a salvage-auction car.
Acceleration and cruise control62 crashes
Adaptive cruise control slams on the brakes on open highways, dropping 40+ mph without warning. Owners report near-miss rear-end collisions, and some stop using the feature. Cruise control can also push past the set speed. Two crashes involve sudden unintended acceleration at low speed: one while backing up at a traffic light, and one where a parked car lurched into a wall. Another car would not slow down after showing an "acceleration and top speed reduced" warning.
Body and structure51 crash
Falcon wing doors refuse to open in direct sun above 80 F and show an "Obstacle Detected" error. Opening them by hand means switching off the child lock and waiting up to 20 seconds, and repeat repairs do not fix it. A closing door also hits a person on the head. Other complaints cover a bumper that will not stay attached through several repairs and a wheel arch cover torn loose by water spray. One crash happened after the backup camera view switched away while reversing.
Brakes51 crash
Most of these reports describe phantom braking, not brake hardware wear. On the freeway with cruise control or driver assistance on, the car brakes hard with no traffic ahead, sometimes almost to a skid, and often at the same spots near bridges. False early collision warnings come with it. One crash report says the car failed to stop at about 30 mph after the brake pedal was pressed, at roughly 20,000 miles.
Automatic emergency braking5No crashes
At 55 to 65 mph on Autopilot, the car brakes hard for no reason, sometimes to a full stop, and following traffic has to swerve or brake hard. The forward collision warning sounds with nothing ahead. Some owners say it happens around large trucks, and drivers learn to cover the accelerator. Other complaints say the system brakes too late and too hard for stopped cars, and one says Full Self-Driving Beta runs red lights.
Airbags31 crash
Two of these complaints are really about sudden unintended acceleration while parking. In both, the car hits a wall or tree, and the driver says braking did not stop it. One crash deploys the airbags and causes serious facial, eye, and rib injuries. The other complaint involves a seat sensor malfunction that affects airbag deployment. The fix is a $4100 seat replacement that is not covered.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Model X owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The suspension is making loud clicking noises when turning or accelerating. The suspension system seems to have an inbuilt design flaw as many people are reporting the issue online.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2024
My car at a complete stop at a red light and sudden the car accelerated so fast forward ( unintentioned accelerated ) and rear ended the car in front. Need to take a look into car electrical and software issue
Filed with NHTSA, September 2021
Tesla display and navigation dashboard went dark 3 times while driving on the highway. For 4 minutes I could not see what speed I was going at, I could not give any indication. The risk was that the car could have stopped while in the lane and crashed or caused an accident. This has happened twice before
Filed with NHTSA, August 2023
Constant shudder when driving because of design flaw in Camber & control arms. We tried reaching out to Tesla multiple times but they don't want to cover it under warranty Multiple owners are having same issue
Filed with NHTSA, January 2023
How the 2019 compares with other Model X years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 7 Model X years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Suspension1912
- Electrical1411
- Steering714
- Acceleration and cruise control65
- Body and structure54
- Brakes52
Where the 2019 fits in the Model X's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the fifth model year of the Model X's first generation (2015–2023).
Tesla updated the Model X for 2021, so a 2019 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2021 (not on a 2019)
- Introduction of the Plaid performance model
- Updated interior and powertrain
Recalls to confirm (6)
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.
Also looking at these instead of a Model X?
Cars shoppers compare with the Tesla Model X, with their own 2019 checklists.
2019 owner complaints, side by side
- Mercedes-Benz GLE22
- Audi Q758
- Porsche Cayenne58
- 2019 Tesla Model X83
- Audi Q8103
- BMW X5157
- Lexus RX166
