The Lemon Index
244Lemon Index (100 = average car)
133complaints per 100,000 sold
114without driver-assist complaints
133,620sold in the U.S., 2021-2023
Year by year
| Model year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 376 | 3.8× the average car's complaints | 40 | 24,828 |
| 2022 | 238 | 2.4× the average car's complaints | 52 | 38,120 |
| 2023 | 212 | 2.1× the average car's complaints | 86 | 70,672 |
Top problems
- electrical: 40% of complaints
- battery and drive system: 17% of complaints
- drivetrain: 12% of complaints
- automatic emergency braking: 12% of complaints
Fire complaints: 2 (1.5 per 100,000 sold; all EVs average 0.8). EV fires vs gas →
Range and yearly cost
| EPA range (2023) | 247–259 miles |
| Electricity use | 28–29 kWh per 100 miles |
| Yearly charging cost (EPA) | $650 |
| Chevrolet Trax, yearly gas cost | $2,400–$2,450 |
| Saves per year | about $1,775 |
EPA estimate: 15,000 miles a year at national average prices. Every EV's cost →
Recalls
7 recalls for model years 2021-2023, 5 mentioning fire. The newest:
- electrical Oct 2024
The installation of advanced diagnostic software may have failed. Fire risk. NHTSA 24V812000 - electrical Jun 2024
The advanced diagnostic software may have been incorrectly installed and fail to detect defective battery modules, possibly resulting in a battery fire. Fire risk. NHTSA 24V481000 - body structure Dec 2023
This recall includes certain vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall number 22V-930. Fire risk. NHTSA 23V845000 - airbags Aug 2023
The instrument panel may be missing the perforation on the underside of the panel cover that allows the passenger-side air bag to deploy properly. NHTSA 23V567000 - body structure Dec 2022
After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire. Fire risk. NHTSA 22V930000 - electrical Aug 2021
The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity. Fire risk. NHTSA 21V650000 - airbags Jul 2021
One of the two fasteners that secure the driver's frontal air bag to the steering wheel may be missing or improperly tightened. NHTSA 21V517000
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).