2020 Tesla Model X Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 6, 2026 · 128 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Model X years
About as many complaints as other years 5th of 12 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Tesla Model X. That ranks 5th out of 12 Model X model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is suspension (37 complaints, 29%), typically at around 4,000 miles. Complaints mention 17 crashes, 6 injuries. There are 10 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 11 defect investigations involving it.

Tesla Model X
Tesla Model X 100D at Retro Classics 2023. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2020 Tesla Model X problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Suspension37 · ~4,000 mi
Electrical System28 · ~11,840 mi
Forward Collision Avoidance25 · ~28,000 mi
Unknown or Other23 · ~4,550 mi
Steering18 · ~6,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control18 · ~1,150 mi
Lane Departure11 · ~1,820 mi
Structure11 · ~3,600 mi
Power Train8 · ~5,000 mi
Service Brakes8
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Suspension3729%4,000——
Electrical System2822%11,840——
Forward Collision Avoidance2520%28,000——
Unknown or Other2318%4,550——
Steering1814%6,000——
Vehicle Speed Control1814%1,150——
Lane Departure119%1,820——
Structure119%3,600——
Power Train86%5,000——
Service Brakes86%———
Wheels54%6,300——
Seats43%———
Back Over Prevention32%40——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)32%6,000——
Engine22%200——
Seat Belts22%———
Exterior Lighting11%3,600——
Fuel/propulsion System11%———
Tires11%———
Visibility/wiper11%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2022, with 29 complaints
2020: 232020232021: 172021172022: 292022292023: 192023192024: 182024182025: 9202592026: 13202613

n = 128 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2020 Tesla Model X recalls (10)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Seat belts:front:warning light/devicesMay 28, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V376000 · 125,233 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

Forward collision avoidance: warnings:external/pedestrian alert; electrical system:softwareFeb 27, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V153000 · 6,557 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panelJan 30, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V051000 · 2,193,869 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

Electrical system:adas:driver monitoring:softwareDec 12, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V838000 · 2,031,220 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

Risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

Steering:automated/adaptive steeringFeb 15, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V085000 · 362,758 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation.  The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

Risk: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023.  Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.  Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

Steering:electric power assist systemNov 1, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V818000 · 40,168 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.

Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.

Electrical system:software; forward collision avoidance: warnings:external/pedestrian alertApr 12, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V235000 · 594,894 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V-063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V-063 will need to have the new remedy software installed.

Forward collision avoidance: warnings:external/pedestrian alert; electrical system:softwareFeb 4, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V063000 · 578,607 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall has been superseded by Recall 22V-235. Tesla's number for the new recall is SB-22-00-003.

Steering:automated/adaptive steeringJan 27, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V037000 · 53,822 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.

Risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.

Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: camera; forward collision avoidance:software; forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking; forward collision avoidance: warningsOct 29, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V846000 · 11,728 vehicles

Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.

Risk: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions (EA26002) — opened Mar 18, 2026, still open.
  • Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged (PE25012) — opened Oct 7, 2025, still open.
  • Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements (AQ25002) — opened Aug 20, 2025, still open.
  • Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness (RQ24009) — opened Apr 25, 2024, still open.
  • Sudden Unintended Acceleration (DP23002) — opened Jun 29, 2023, still open.
  • FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions (PE24031) — opened Oct 17, 2024, closed Mar 18, 2026.
  • Defect Petition Interlock Request (DP23001) — opened Apr 7, 2023, closed Mar 18, 2026.
  • Pedestrian alert sounds (DP22005) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V063000.
  • Autopilot System Driver Controls (EA22002) — opened Jun 8, 2022, closed Apr 25, 2024, led to recall 23V085.
  • Tesla Passenger Play (PE21023) — opened Dec 21, 2021, closed May 26, 2023.
  • Autopilot & First Responder Scenes (PE21020) — opened Aug 13, 2021, closed Jun 8, 2022.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

I own a 2020 Tesla Model X equipped with HW3 and Full Self-Driving (FSD). After a Tesla software/FSD update earlier in 2026, the vehicle began experiencing a recurring problem during FSD operation. The issue has now occurred more than 20 times. During certain FSD-controlled maneuvers, particularly…

Forward Collision Avoidance · received Oct 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769385

The seat belt in the middle row of the 6 seater model X can get wrapped under the seat and locked, creating a very dangerous situation for children or anyone sitting in that seat. The seats in the 6 seater middle row Do Not fold down, and there's no way to release this seatbelt once it gets locked

Seat Belts · received Sep 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11762468

Horn stopped working

Unknown or Other · received Sep 4, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11762078

On September 2, 2026 at 2:25 PM, my 2020 Tesla Model X Performance was operating under Tesla Smart Summon in a parking lot in Carrollton, Texas. I was outside the vehicle, maintained a clear line of sight at all times, and actively supervised the vehicle through the Tesla mobile app. No one was…

Unknown or Other · received Sep 2, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11761711

While driving my Tesla Model X on the interstate at highway speed, the vehicle began intermittently displaying false warnings that the trunk was open. This occurred multiple times during the drive and appears to have been caused by a malfunctioning trunk latch sensor. At the time, I was using…

Forward Collision Avoidance · received Aug 12, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11756594

Other Tesla Model X years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Tesla Model X?

Owners most often report suspension, electrical system, forward collision avoidance problems. The top one, suspension, accounts for 37 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2020 Tesla Model X?

Yes, 10 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2020 Tesla Model X a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Model X model years, the 2020 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.