Used Car Checklists

2024 Tesla Model X: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the automatic emergency braking, suspension, and airbags. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

Tesla Model X2024
Owner complaints
17
Recalls
8
Crashes reported
2
Reliability
Good
61/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Run the VIN before you go

A history report shows accidents, title brands, odometer readings, and open recalls for this 2024 Tesla Model X. Ask the seller for the VIN; it is also on the dash at the base of the windshield.

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

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.

Reported on other Model X years with the same design

These years share the 2024's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.

2025 Model X

13 owner complaints
  • Electrical 2
  • Brakes 2

Worth adding to your 2024 checks

  • Inspect the windshield closely for cracks, and ask whether any glass claims were denied as accident damage.
  • Use driver assist on a highway test drive and watch for sudden hard braking or the system shutting off.
  • Try each speed mode and confirm the car holds a speed that matches the setting and the posted limit.
Open the 2025 checklist

2023 Model X

183 owner complaints
  • Steering 45
  • Electrical 16
  • Body and structure 11

Worth adding to your 2024 checks

  • Turn the wheel 90 degrees and find the horn by touch; ask whether a center-horn wheel was retrofitted.
  • Open Service Mode and check for safety restraint system, airbag or "safety systems disabled" alerts.
  • Review service records for repeat restraint system, airbag or seat belt repairs.
Open the 2023 checklist

Which Model X is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2024 Tesla Model X. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

VersionDriveEPA rating
ElectricAWD335 mi range
  • With a full charge, the range estimate on the dash should land near the EPA figure of 335 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 2024 Tesla Model X, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

  • Automatic emergency braking3No crashes

    Phantom braking on the highway with adaptive cruise control engaged is the main pattern. The car abruptly slows by 5 to 15 mph with no hazard ahead, sometimes several times in one drive and nearly daily for some drivers. Reports describe close calls with following traffic, and the problem continues after service visits. A separate report describes the car creeping on its own in reverse with the wheel at full lock, which Tesla service called a known software characteristic awaiting a future update.

  • Suspension3No crashes

    Drive faults light up stability control, ABS, and air suspension warnings at once, and the car loses functions such as regenerative braking, cruise control, and normal acceleration. Reports include delayed or absent throttle response and the car rolling backward on an incline when the driver tries to move forward. Faults come back after repair, and service centers sometimes cannot reproduce them. One owner reports a freeway tire blowout and links it to uneven tire wear from air suspension height changes and inaccurate tire pressure readings.

  • Airbags2No crashes

    Restraint system warnings appear and do not go away. Reports describe a rear right safety restraint system fault message showing daily from delivery onward. Another describes a front passenger airbag that reads OFF with a belted adult seated, along with a passenger seat belt reminder that never triggers, even at highway speed. Tesla service has blamed software without supplying a fix, or has not made repairs, so the warnings persist and passengers may not be protected as intended.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints Model X owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

Automatic emergency braking
Phantom Breaking and vehicle slow down events occur near daily when using the highway when adaptive cruise control is engaged. The vehicle will abruptly try to stop, or slow down aby 5-10 MPH. This has caused several close calls with other drivers on the highways. Date of the incident is the latest. In the last two weeks prior to the incident, it has occurred at least 6-10 times.

Filed with NHTSA, February 2025

How the 2024 compares with other Model X years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2024 ranks sixth for owner complaints among 7 Model X years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2024 Average of other years
  • Automatic emergency braking35
  • Suspension314
  • Airbags21

Where the 2024 fits in the Model X's history

Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.

The 2024 is the second model year of the Model X's second generation (2023 on).

Recalls to confirm (8)

Recall repairs are free at any Tesla dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

  1. 25V172000AirbagsMar 2025

    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.

    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.

  2. 25V002000Backup cameraJan 2025

    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.".

    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.

  3. 24V967000AirbagsDec 2024

    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.".

    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.

  4. 24V904000Exterior lightsDec 2024

    Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Model X vehicles. The parking lights and low beam headlights may flicker. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".

    Risk: Flickering headlights or parking lights may not suffciently illuminate the roadway, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. All vehicles were updated by September 17, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-017.

  5. 24V554000Door latches and locksJul 2024

    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.

    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.

  6. 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.

  7. 24V051000ElectricalJan 2024

    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.".

    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.

  8. 23V743000SteeringNov 2023

    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.

    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.

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