The Lemon Index
440Lemon Index (100 = average car)
250complaints per 100,000 sold
232without driver-assist complaints
61,092sold in the U.S., 2022-2024
Year by year
| Model year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 742 | 7.4× the average car's complaints | 87 | 20,498 |
| 2023 | 397 | 4× the average car's complaints | 43 | 18,879 |
| 2024 | 188 | 1.9× the average car's complaints | 23 | 21,715 |
Top problems
- electrical: 61% of complaints
- battery and drive system: 13% of complaints
- brakes: 10% of complaints
- drivetrain: 9% of complaints
Fire complaints: 1 (1.6 per 100,000 sold; all EVs average 0.8). EV fires vs gas →
Range and yearly cost
| EPA range (2025) | 231–319 miles |
| Electricity use | 29–40 kWh per 100 miles |
| Yearly charging cost (EPA) | $650–$900 |
| Kia Sportage, yearly gas cost | $2,300–$2,550 |
| Saves per year | about $1,650 |
EPA estimate: 15,000 miles a year at national average prices. Every EV's cost →
Recalls
5 recalls for model years 2022-2024, 1 mentioning fire. The newest:
- electrical Jul 2026
The high voltage battery cells may contain misaligned electrodes, which can lead to a fire while parked or driving. Fire risk. NHTSA 26V431000 - 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 24V867000 - 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 24V200000 - transmission & drivetrain Jan 2024
One of the drive shafts may have been improperly heat-treated, allowing it to break under load and resulting in a loss of drive power. NHTSA 24V057000 - parking brake May 2022
A software error in the Shifter Control Unit (SCU) may disengage the parking mechanism, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway. NHTSA 22V322000
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).