The Lemon Index
1436Lemon Index (100 = average car)
808complaints per 100,000 sold
661without driver-assist complaints
23,135sold in the U.S., 2024 (small sample)
Year by year
| Model year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1436 | 14.4× the average car's complaints | 187 | 23,135 |
Top problems
- electrical: 52% of complaints
- automatic emergency braking: 12% of complaints
- lane assist: 11% of complaints
- cruise and speed control: 9% of complaints
Fire complaints: 1 (4.3 per 100,000 sold; all EVs average 0.8). EV fires vs gas →
Range and yearly cost
| EPA range (2025) | 230–304 miles |
| Electricity use | 38–42 kWh per 100 miles |
| Yearly charging cost (EPA) | $850–$950 |
| Kia Telluride, yearly gas cost | $2,900–$3,200 |
| Saves per year | about $2,150 |
EPA estimate: 15,000 miles a year at national average prices. Every EV's cost →
Recalls
7 recalls for model years 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 - seats Dec 2024
The second- and third-row seat mounting bolts may be missing. NHTSA 24V962000 - electrical Oct 2024
Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. NHTSA 24V757000 - parking brake Sep 2024
A software error may cause the remote smart parking assist feature, which allows the operator to remotely move the vehicle, to miscalculate stopping distances. NHTSA 24V693000 - body structure Jun 2024
The headliner may not adequately protect passengers from impact in a crash. NHTSA 24V400000 - seat belts May 2024
The front passenger seat belt retractor cover may not be secured properly, which can cause the front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) and emergency locking retractor (ELR) to not operate as intended. NHTSA 24V338000 - 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 24V271000
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).