The Lemon Index
20222024Too new: partial score · still collecting complaintsThe 2023 Tesla Model X hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2023 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.
Too new: partial score · most complaints: steering
194 owner complaints, first 3 years 91–102 MPGe combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
Only 11 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V283000 (back over prevention), 25V172000 (airbags) and 25V002000 (back over prevention) done? It has 17 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Tesla's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 194 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 30K miles (0K to 48K km) on the car (11 of all 194 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The power steering appeared to fail, and the wheel is locked in a semi straight position. It requires tremendous force to turn the wheel. This is a major safety issue to have this happen while driving.
2023 Tesla Model X owner · NHTSA complaint 11536513
More owner reports
FSD hw3 is so f ing dangerous. It’s tried to kill me many times. It forces lane charge or a jerking wheel wrestling disengage or swerve
NHTSA complaint 11710524
The horn on the Model X is a tiny button on the steering wheel. This is a safety issue and not instinctual in the event of an emergency.
NHTSA complaint 11585100
Recalls 17
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- Airbags · recall issued 2025
An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image.
Show all 17 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2024
The driver's air bag could tear during deployment.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2024
The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2024
In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended.
- Electrical · recall issued 2024
An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2024
Software instability may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2023
The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash.
- Electrical · recall issued 2023
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.
- Steering · recall issued 2023
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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2023
The vehicle controller may fail to detect low brake fluid and will not display a warning light.
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued 2023
The forward-facing camera may be misaligned, causing some of the active safety features such as emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane assist to become unavailable without alerting the driver.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2023
The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2023
Weak camera signal strength may prevent the rearview image from displaying.
- Steering · recall issued 2023
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…
- Airbags · recall issued 2022
The restraint control module (RCM) calibration may cause the front passenger air bag to deploy incorrectly during certain low speed crashes.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model S (All Variants) 5 HB AWD Early Release | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $750–$850 (USD) a year in electricity (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year).
Every Tesla Model X year. 2023 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2023 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/tesla-model-x/?y=2023" title="Tesla Model X reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/tesla-model-x/2023/">Lemon Index</a> (2023 Tesla Model X reliability)</p>Two windows: the 2023 scores 658 here (complaints in its first 3 years) and 1027 on its EV page (complaints filed by the end of 2024). Different windows, so the numbers differ.
Quick answers
Is the 2023 Tesla Model X reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn about 7 times the average car's complaints per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 658; 100 is average). The Tesla Model X year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2021.
What are the most common 2023 Tesla Model X problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (24%), automatic emergency braking (13%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Tesla Model X have?
17 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2023 Tesla Model X safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2023 Tesla Model X have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2023 Tesla Model X cost in fuel a year?
About $750 to $850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Tesla Model X year is better than the 2023?
Nearby, the 2021 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit more than the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works