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U.S. public vehicle records

2020 Tesla MODEL X: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

127 owner complaints analyzed

10 distinct recall campaigns

5,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 127 complaints (29.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior2922.8%
Steering behavior1915.0%
Electrical and battery issues75.5%
Engine operation21.6%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Suspension
37
Unknown Or Other
22
Electrical System
21
Steering
18
Vehicle Speed Control
18
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
15
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
13
Structure:Body
11
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Suspension37
Unknown Or Other22
Electrical System21
Steering18
Vehicle Speed Control18
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking15
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control13
Structure:Body11

Suspension: 37; Unknown Or Other: 22; Electrical System: 21; Steering: 18; Vehicle Speed Control: 18; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 15; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 13; Structure:Body: 11

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
30
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00030
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 30; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 89 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2020
23
2021
17
2022
29
2023
19
2024
18
2025
9
2026
12
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
202023
202117
202229
202319
202418
20259
202612

2020: 23; 2021: 17; 2022: 29; 2023: 19; 2024: 18; 2025: 9; 2026: 12

Pattern summary

Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 29 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11300090 · 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)

THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO FULL SPEED WHEN PARKING THE CAR IN A MALL PARKING LOT. I TRIED TO PARK THE CAR, IT DID NOT FIT SO I WENT REVERSE A COUPLE OF FEET AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT. THE CAR WENT OVER THE TIRE STOPPERS AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN IT CRASHED AGAINST A POST. THIS WAS 100% THE CAR'S FAULT, I AM SURE I DID NOT PRESS THE ACCELERATOR. I HAVE SUBMITTED THE CLAIM WITH TESLA AND THEY ARE REVIEWING THE DATA. I SAW THE NEWS THAT OTHER CARS HA…

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11300090 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11318912 · 2020-03-21 (March 21, 2020)

AT APPROXIMATELY 6:18 PM ON 3/21/2020, I WAS DRIVING MY BRAND NEW 2020 TESLA MODEL X (7 MILES STARTING ODOMETER) HOME FROM TAKING DELIVERY OF IT (!), AND AFTER 20 MILES OF MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING, I WAS NEARING HOME AND STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT (WITH SEVERAL CARS STOPPED AHEAD OF ME). AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS OF SITTING DEAD-STOPPED, THE CAR VIGOROUSLY ACCELERATED WITH NO ACTION ON MY PART, AND I HAD TO TURN THE CAR HARD TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID A FULL-ON COLLISION WITH THE STOPPED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. FORTUNATELY, TO MY RIGHT THERE WAS A CUR…

Owner-reported narrative. 27 miles reported. Look up ODI 11318912 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11318984 · 2020-03-22 (March 22, 2020)

HERE IS A 2020 TESLA MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/35799520/8 IT HAS DONE JUST 2000 MILES AND ALREADY THE WHEEL HAS GONE WHOMPY. DESPITE THERE BEING A TSB OUT FOR WEAK SUSPENSION LINKS HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2019/MC-10153421-9999.PDF TESLA IS STILL SWEEPING THIS ISSUE UNDER THE RUG. THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THE OLDER CARS ON THE ROADS BUT WORSE STILL THE NEW CARS COMING OFF THE LINE STILL HAVE SUSPENSION GIBLETS MADE FROM PLAY-DOUGH.. GOOD HEAVENS TO BETSY.... ARE YOU GUYS ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL? PLEASE …

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11318984 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11320351 · 2020-04-06 (April 6, 2020)

WHILE I WAS PARKING, MY TESLA MODEL X SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO MY OFFICE BUILDING. I AM SURE THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME.

Owner-reported narrative. 275 miles reported. Look up ODI 11320351 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11320402 · 2020-04-07 (April 7, 2020)

WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP THE PARKING CURB AND STRIKE A RETAINING WALL. I HAVE THE VIDEO FROM THE CAR. WHILE TURNING RIGHT INTO AN AVAILABLE PARKING SPOT, I WAS ABOUT 80% INTO THE SPOT WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,470 miles reported. Look up ODI 11320402 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11321956 · 2020-04-22 (April 22, 2020)

HERE IS A 2020 TESLA MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/36107917/20 IT HAS DONE JUST 500 MILES AND THE BACK WHEEL HAS GONE ALL WHOMPY. THE TREAD IS PARTLY WORN AWAY ON THE WHOMPY WHEEL. THIS SHOWS THAT THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO DRIVE AFTER THE WHEEL STARTED TO GO WHOMPY .OH WELL, I GUESS YOU HAVE TO BE BRAINLESS TO BUY A TESLA IN THE FIRST PLACE. HOW ABOUT YOU DO YOUR JOB AND RECALL THESE DEADLY DEFECTIVE ELECTRIC BATTERING RAMS BEFORE EVEN MORE PEOPLE GET KILLED. THANK YOU. [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONAL…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11321956 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11322227 · 2020-04-25 (April 25, 2020)

HERE IS A VIDEO OF A TESLA ON THE DRAG STRIP HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=5RFDDIMYDP4&T=589S THE COMMENTATOR NOTES THAT THE TESLA LOOKS AS THOUGH ITS AXLE IS ABOUT TO SNAP. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS ARE WHOMPING AROUND SO AS TO BE IN DANGER OF JAMMING UP IN THE WHEEL WELLS. THIS IS NOT JUST THE COMPRESSION OF RUBBER BUSHINGS IN THE SUSPENSION. IT IS THE RESULT OF STRAIN IN THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. TESLAS THAT ARE DRIVEN "ENTHUSIASTICALLY" ARE CERTAIN TO STRESS THE CAST AND EXTRUDED ALUMINUM COMPONENTS WELL BEYOND THEIR ELASTIC L…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11322227 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11337068 · 2020-07-01 (July 1, 2020)

I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY 99 NEAR CHOWCILLA, CALIFORNIA IN MY TESLA MODEL X WITH UNDER 7,000 MILES ON AUTOPILOT AND THERE WAS NO CARS IN ANY DIRECTION NEAR ME. THIS FREEWAY WAS A STRAIGHT LINE WITH NO BENDS OR CURVES. THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 75 MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON AUTOPILOT AND THE CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATE VERY AGGRESSIVELY FOR NO REASON. THE TIRES SCREECHED AS THE CAR'S SPEED SUDDENLY CAME TO A NEAR STANDSTILL AT THE SPEED OF 10-15 MPH. THE DRIVER ([XXX]) TOOK MANUAL CONTROL AND DROVE THE CAR WITHOUT ANY POTENTIAL FATALITIES. IF THERE WAS…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11337068 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

10 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

21V846000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Camera | Forward Collision Avoidance:Software | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings

Reported: 2021-10-29 (October 29, 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V037000 · Steering:Automated/Adaptive Steering

Reported: 2022-01-27 (January 27, 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V063000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | Electrical System:Software

Reported: 2022-02-04 (February 4, 2022)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V235000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | Electrical System:Software

Reported: 2022-04-12 (April 12, 2022)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V818000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System

Reported: 2022-11-01 (November 1, 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V085000 · Steering:Automated/Adaptive Steering

Reported: 2023-02-15 (February 15, 2023)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation.  The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V838000 · Electrical System:Adas:Driver Monitoring:Software

Reported: 2023-12-12 (December 12, 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V051000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel

Reported: 2024-01-30 (January 30, 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."

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V153000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | Electrical System:Software

Reported: 2024-02-27 (February 27, 2024)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V376000 · Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices

Reported: 2024-05-28 (May 28, 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."

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗