The Lemon Index
512Lemon Index (100 = average car)
288complaints per 100,000 sold
199without driver-assist complaints
23,597sold in the U.S., 2024 (small sample)
Year by year
| Model year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 512 | 5.1× the average car's complaints | 68 | 23,597 |
Top problems
- automatic emergency braking: 29% of complaints
- electrical: 28% of complaints
- brakes: 24% of complaints
- wipers and visibility: 15% of complaints
Fire complaints: 0 (0.0 per 100,000 sold; all EVs average 0.8). EV fires vs gas →
Range and yearly cost
| EPA range (2025) | 283–334 miles |
| Electricity use | 32–40 kWh per 100 miles |
| Yearly charging cost (EPA) | $750–$900 |
| Chevrolet Blazer (gas twin), yearly gas cost | $2,050–$3,050 |
| Saves per year | about $1,725 |
EPA estimate: 15,000 miles a year at national average prices. Every EV's cost →
Recalls
5 recalls for model years 2024. The newest:
- parking brake Jan 2026
The rear parking brake wiring harness may become damaged or corroded, resulting in unintended activation of the parking brake or loss of the parking brake function. NHTSA 26V031000 - parking brake Jun 2025
The rear parking brake wiring harness may become damaged or corroded, resulting in unintended activation of the parking brake or loss of the parking brake function. NHTSA 25V433000 - suspension Jun 2024
The right front lower control arm may contain a manufacturing defect that can cause it to fracture. NHTSA 24V487000 - 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 - body structure Dec 2023
The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly. NHTSA 23V869000
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: Kelley Blue Book EV sales reports (estimates).