The Lemon Index
265Lemon Index (100 = average car)
150complaints per 100,000 sold
131without driver-assist complaints
25,263sold in the U.S., 2023-2024 (small sample)
Year by year
| Model year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 214 | 2.1× the average car's complaints | 16 | 12,999 |
| 2024 | 319 | 3.2× the average car's complaints | 22 | 12,264 |
Top problems
- electrical: 53% of complaints
- cruise and speed control: 18% of complaints
- motor and cooling: 11% of complaints
- automatic emergency braking: 11% 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) | 240–342 miles |
| Electricity use | 25–33 kWh per 100 miles |
| Yearly charging cost (EPA) | $550–$750 |
| Hyundai Sonata, yearly gas cost | $2,000–$2,400 |
| Saves per year | about $1,550 |
EPA estimate: 15,000 miles a year at national average prices. Every EV's cost →
Recalls
6 recalls for model years 2023-2024. The newest:
- seat belts Apr 2026
The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach. NHTSA 26V218000 - electrical Sep 2025
The charging port door panel may detach. NHTSA 25V606000 - electrical Nov 2024
The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may become damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power. NHTSA 24V868000 - transmission & drivetrain Apr 2024
The differential gear bolts in the gear drive unit may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of drive power or cause the differential to lock up. NHTSA 24V283000 - electrical Mar 2024
The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may become damaged and stop charging the 12-Volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power. NHTSA 24V204000 - transmission & drivetrain Feb 2024
The rear inner driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, allowing it to break under load and resulting in a loss of drive power. NHTSA 24V065000
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).