The Lemon Index
413Lemon Index (100 = average car)
234complaints per 100,000 sold
159without driver-assist complaints
37,678sold in the U.S., 2023-2024 (small sample)
Year by year
| Model year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 394 | 3.9× the average car's complaints | 21 | 9,276 |
| 2024 | 419 | 4.2× the average car's complaints | 67 | 28,402 |
Top problems
- automatic emergency braking: 27% of complaints
- electrical: 26% of complaints
- lights: 24% of complaints
- brakes: 22% of complaints
Fire complaints: 1 (2.7 per 100,000 sold; all EVs average 0.8). EV fires vs gas →
Range and yearly cost
| EPA range (2025) | 303–326 miles |
| Electricity use | 36–40 kWh per 100 miles |
| Yearly charging cost (EPA) | $800–$900 |
| Cadillac XT5, yearly gas cost | $3,050–$3,450 |
| Saves per year | about $2,400 |
EPA estimate: 15,000 miles a year at national average prices. Every EV's cost →
Recalls
9 recalls for model years 2023-2024. The newest:
- back over prevention Feb 2026
The rearview camera screen may turn gray with no camera image. NHTSA 26V082000 - equipment May 2025
The driver video display may go blank while driving. NHTSA 25V356000 - suspension Apr 2025
The left or right front stabilizer bar bracket bolts may have been improperly tightened, which can allow the bolts to loosen and separate from the vehicle frame. NHTSA 25V232000 - brakes Aug 2024
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) may activate unexpectedly and release brake pressure in the vehicle's service brake system. NHTSA 24V589000 - electrical May 2024
The electric motors in the rear drive units may have insufficiently insulated wires that can contact each other, resulting in a loss of drive power. NHTSA 24V320000 - seat belts Nov 2023
The bracket that anchors the left-rear and center-rear seat belts may have been improperly welded to the seat frame. NHTSA 23V785000 - electrical Oct 2023
The body control module (BCM) may have been updated with incorrectly calibrated software and fail to make the pedestrian warning sounds. NHTSA 23V682000 - electrical May 2023
Certain connections within the high-voltage battery pack may be out of position or incorrectly welded, which can cause a loss of drive power. NHTSA 23V367000
Complaints filed with NHTSA by the end of the year after the model year. Sales are Kelley Blue Book estimates for every brand (Tesla doesn't report U.S. sales by model). These scores use a shorter window than the main Lemon Index (complaints filed by the end of the year after the model year), so brand-new EVs like the Cybertruck get a fair, complete window. That's why a Tesla's score here differs a little from its main car page. Sales source: KBB (2023-24); Wikipedia (2022).