2021 Tesla MODEL X: complaints, problems and recalls

WE GOT A 2021 TESLA X FOR JUST ONE MONTH. BUT THE COMPUTER HAS DEAD THREE TIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN HIGH WAY AND HAVE MY TWO KIDS IN THE BACK SEATS. TWO OUT OF THE THREE TIMES I HAD TO PULL OVER MY CAR TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND TURN IT ON AGAIN. ONE OF THE TIMES THE COMPUTER CAME BACK AGAIN BY IT SELF AFTER BEING DEAD FOR COUPLE OF MINUTES. LUCKILY I DID NOT USE SELF DRIVE MODE THOSE DRIVES. OTHERWISE WHO KNOWS WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE. I SPOKED WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE AND BEEN TOLD IT'S A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THEIR CAR. HOWEVER T…

Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395757 at NHTSA ↗

UNDER MEDIUM/HEAVY ACCELERATION, THERE IS A RATTLING/GRINDING SOUND LIKE SOMETHING IS COMING LOOSE. TESLA SAYS ITS NORMAL. ITS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND TESLA REFUSES TO REPAIR.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11397694 at NHTSA ↗

HERE IS A 2021 MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/39434989?TENANT=US&ROWNUMBER=19 THE BACK WHEEL AND SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED OFF. THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF A CRASH IT IS THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS CRACKED IN HALF ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO GO WHOMPABOUT. JUST LOOK AT THE PHOTOGRAPHS. THESE LOWER LINKS HAVE SNAPPED MANY TIMES ALREADY AND HAVE CAUSED FATAL CRASHES. PLEASE PUT A STOP TO THIS TESLA MADNESS. THANK YOU. KEEF

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11403993 at NHTSA ↗

I PURCHASED A TESLA MODEL X ON 14 NOV 2020 AND HAD BEEN DRIVING JUST AROUND 2 MONTHS. AT AROUND 11:10PM OR SO AS WE WERE CRUISING ON THE I-580, AND WERE 2 EXITS NORTH OF THE 680 HIGHWAY, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN THE CAR WHICH INCLUDED THE LARGE SCREEN AND THE DRIVER'S INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT COMPLETELY DARK. WE WERE BAFFLED AS THIS WAS SOMETHING WE NEVER ENCOUNTERED BEFORE. WE BEGAN PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE WHEN AFTER ABOUT A COUPLE OF MINS THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE PANEL SHOWED THAT WE HAD JUST AROUND 30 MILES OF RANGE LEFT. WE THEN …

Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406053 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR LOST POWER TO ALL SCREENS AND FUNCTIONS SUCH AS SIGNALS AND SPEEDOMETER ALL STOPPED WORKING. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM REBOOTED IN 10 SECONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN MATER OF 3 MONTHS.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11408658 at NHTSA ↗

Since my delivery date of 12/4/2020 I have had four different times where both of the screens on my Tesla Model X have gone blank. On two of the occasions the vehicle was parked but on two other occasions the vehicle was being operated at highway speeds on the highway. I have also experienced partial software downloads from Tesla twice. It is very discomforting to be traveling an interstate highway at 75 mph and have all the screens that display information necessary to operate your vehicle go blank. I have had one mobile technician look …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422651 at NHTSA ↗

Since delivery in December 2020 the computer MCU has shut down for two minutes while driving over a dozen times. The computer reboots after a couple of minutes but during this time it disables all instrumentation, turn signals and other driver information. I brought it in to the Tesla Service Center in Highland Park, Illinois with a list of dates and times that it shut down and they told me it was a known firmware issue and that there would be a solution sometime in the future. I don't believe a 2021 Tesla that cost nearly $100 K would force m…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423571 at NHTSA ↗

My SD card failed and had to be replaced on my 2021 model X. The car's screens went completely blank during the 2021.24.3 software update. Car lost all power while park, failed to turn on after 3+ hours, had to be towed to service center. There was told the SD card failed and had to be replaced. This faulty SD card seems to be more than just a 2016-2018 issue.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431269 at NHTSA ↗

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.

Reported: 2021-11-09 (November 9, 2021)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment.

Consequence: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-007.

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.

Reported: 2022-02-01 (February 1, 2022)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.

Reported: 2022-02-02 (February 2, 2022)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."

Consequence: Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.

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.

Reported: 2022-04-08 (April 8, 2022)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model X vehicles. The left or right front-row side curtain air bags may not deploy as intended when the windows are lowered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Consequence: Improper side curtain air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Tesla Service Centers will replace the left and right front-row side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-003.

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.

Reported: 2022-05-03 (May 3, 2022)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S, Model X, and 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating certain firmware releases. The infotainment central processing unit (CPU) may overheat during the preparation or process of fast-charging, causing the CPU to lag or restart.

Consequence: A lagging or restarting CPU may prevent the center screen from displaying the rearview camera image, gear selection, windshield visibility control settings, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will improve CPU temperature management, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-009.

Reported: 2022-09-19 (September 19, 2022)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

Consequence: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.

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.

Reported: 2022-11-15 (November 15, 2022)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model X vehicles. The restraint control module (RCM) calibration may cause the front passenger air bag to deploy incorrectly during certain low speed crashes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: A passenger air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the RCM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-015.

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.

Reported: 2023-07-14 (July 14, 2023)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.

Consequence: A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect the front-row seat belts and connect the seat belts to pretensioner anchors, or replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-004.

Reported: 2023-10-11 (October 11, 2023)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model X vehicles. The vehicle controller may fail to detect low brake fluid and will not display a warning light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence: Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-005.

Reported: 2023-11-03 (November 3, 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reported: 2024-07-24 (July 24, 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.

Consequence: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2024-12-23 (December 23, 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."

Consequence: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2025-03-19 (March 19, 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.

Consequence: An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2026-05-04 (May 4, 2026)

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and Model X vehicles operating software version 2026.8.6. The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-001.