The Lemon Index
288Lemon Index (100 = average car)
164complaints per 100,000 sold
135without driver-assist complaints
73,368sold in the U.S., 2022-2024
Year by year
| Model year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 434 | 4.3× the average car's complaints | 39 | 15,693 |
| 2023 | 447 | 4.5× the average car's complaints | 62 | 24,165 |
| 2024 | 101 | about average | 19 | 33,510 |
Top problems
- electrical: 48% of complaints
- cruise and speed control: 18% of complaints
- drivetrain: 17% of complaints
- lights: 12% of complaints
Fire complaints: 2 (2.7 per 100,000 sold; all EVs average 0.8). EV fires vs gas →
Range and yearly cost
| EPA range (2025) | 240–320 miles |
| Electricity use | 47–51 kWh per 100 miles |
| Yearly charging cost (EPA) | $1,050–$1,150 |
| Ford F-150 (gas twin), yearly gas cost | $2,800–$3,400 |
| Saves per year | about $2,000 |
EPA estimate: 15,000 miles a year at national average prices. Every EV's cost →
Recalls
12 recalls for model years 2022-2024, 3 mentioning fire. The newest:
- transmission & drivetrain Dec 2025
The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. NHTSA 25V863000 - lights Oct 2025
The rear lightbar may have microcracks in the outer lens that allows moisture to accumulate, which can result in inoperative or flickering reverse lights. NHTSA 25V731000 - tires May 2025
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light may not illuminate as intended, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. NHTSA 25V340000 - suspension May 2025
The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly. NHTSA 25V341000 - stability control May 2025
The SYNC software may fail to activate the electronic stability control (ESC) system at the beginning of each ignition cycle. NHTSA 25V313000 - electrical Apr 2025
The fasteners that secure the junction box bus bars inside the high-voltage battery pack may not have been tightened securely, which can cause electrical arcing at the busbars. Fire risk. NHTSA 25V272000 - electrical Mar 2025
A manufacturing defect in the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit. Fire risk. NHTSA 25V131000 - suspension Dec 2024
The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly. NHTSA 24V949000
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).