no report yet
Back over prevention: software
NewRisk. A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
2021 Tesla Model XProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 41 owner complaints about the 2021 Tesla Model X, most often about the steering. It is covered by 24 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-172 the manufacturer reports only 73% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 17, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 Tesla Model X has problems
41 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
13Steering
7Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
6Forward collision avoidance3 crash/fire/injury
6Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
5Lane departure1 crash/fire/injury
4Vehicle speed control2 crash/fire/injury
3Power train
2Visibility/wiper
2Latches/locks/linkages
43 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 13 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 3 |
| Suspension | 6 | 1 |
| Lane departure | 5 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 2 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 4 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
24 recalls
2021 Tesla Model X recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Air bags
Risk. An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Driver side: cushion
Risk. A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Electrical system: software
Risk. An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 20 more recalls
repaired · 2026 Q2
Front: warning light/devices
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.
repaired · 2026 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
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.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Driver monitoring: software
Risk. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as…
repaired · 2025 Q4
Air bags: frontal
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.
repaired · 2025 Q3
Electrical system
Risk. 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.
repaired · 2025 Q2
Seat belts: front
Risk. A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2025 Q1
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2024 Q4
Air bag/restraint control module: software
Risk. A passenger air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q3
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q4
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2024 Q2
Back over prevention: display function
Risk. A lagging or restarting CPU may prevent the center screen from displaying the rearview camera image, gear selection, windshield visibility control settings,…
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q1
Side/window: curtain
Risk. Improper side curtain air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
no report yet
Electrical system: software
Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk. Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q4
Air bags
Risk. A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
repaired · 2021 Q4
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
Risk. Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Tesla.
Best & worst years
2021 vs. every other Model X year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Model X median. How we score
'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
13 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2021 Tesla Model X, and the recalls they led to.
- Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting RequirementsOpen
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
- Defect Petition Interlock RequestNo recall
- Sudden Unintended AccelerationOpen
- Autopilot System Driver ControlsLed to recall 23V-085
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsOpen
- Autopilot & First Responder ScenesNo recall
- Tesla Passenger PlayNo recall
- Front seat belt anchor detachmentLed to recall 23V-488
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsNo recall
- Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.No recall
- Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engagedOpen
- Recall 23V838 Remedy EffectivenessOpen
In owners' words
What Model X owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
While driving the car the dash board lit up with several failures related to auto pilot and auto steering. The car would not engage auto pilot or cruise control and the dashboard showed messages that the car driver assist has failed, lane departure warning, blind spot warning and required immidiate…
Steering got stuck on the road while driving. I couldnt move or change lanes. It was really scary. Then I slowed down and then I had tp pull out of the road to the shoulder. Then I waited for 20-30 mins and restarted the car. Then it worked. I was able to go home. I contacted Tesla and they said…
After completing a 17.5-hour, ~1,000-mile non-stop road trip from Florida to Texas using Autopilot with no interventions or issues, the following week this vehicle experienced a sudden and total steering failure while slowly turning through my residential neighborhood. The steering locked up…
Own a 2021 Model X?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.