Tesla Model X Complaints (2022)

125 consumer complaints on file.

#11759243August 24, 2026
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CRITICAL FLUIDITY/ACCESSIBILITY DEFECT The vehicle lacks a standard mechanical horn assembly, instead it is equipped with a small electronic button. This configuration creates a severe safety hazard due to the following critical failure points: High-Stress Unusability: The button is highly difficult to locate during an unfolding emergency, causing a dangerous delay in driver reaction time. Loss of Function During Maneuvers: When the steering wheel is actively turning, the button's position shifts constantly, making it physically impossible to find or press reliably while evasive steering is underway. Failure to Warn: This design directly compromises the driver's ability to sound an immediate audible warning, drastically increasing the risk of an unavoidable collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757903August 19, 2026
STEERING
The power steering fails very often making it hard to turn and happens when I’m on the highway going 60+ mph which is very dangerous and a threat to my safety. The only way to fix it in those moments is to pull over turn the car off which consists of me getting out of my vehicle and waiting two minutes. But usually when it happens once that day it occurs all day even if I reset the car and try all the other troubleshooting options which make it very difficult to rely on the car for safety. It happened only once every few months but now it happens almost every other time I drive my car. This is not a normal wear and tear issue as I’ve had cars before with over 50k miles and not once have I had a power steering failure on those cars which are older and have more mileage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755585August 8, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I was in the car. I had put on my seat belt and reached back to plug in my phone to charge. Before I turned back the phone accelerated forward and crashed into two cars in the parking lot.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746082June 23, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I am reporting several safety concerns based on approximately one year of experience using Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD). Primary Event: Between February 23 and February 28, 2026, while traveling northbound on the NJ Turnpike with FSD engaged, the vehicle accelerated to approximately 95 mph in a 65 mph. The acceleration appeared unexpected and excessive for the traffic conditions. I disengaged FSD and immediately took control of the vehicle to reduce speed and continued driving manually.No collision occurred, but I considered the event a safety risk because the vehicle exceeded the posted speed limit by a substantial margin. Additional Observations: 1. On multiple occasions, FSD appeared not to recognize or comply with “NO TURN ON RED” traffic signs.2. Situations where overhead or elevated traffic signs appeared not to be recognized by the system.3. On one occasion, the vehicle navigated toward railroad tracks where the roadway and tracks intersected at an approximate 45-degree angle. The vehicle behavior caused concern.4. When driving directly into bright sunlight, particularly when the sun is low and shining directly into the windshield, FSD performance appears degraded or confused. Human drivers typically use sun visors and other visual cues in these conditions. The vehicle’s driving behavior appeared less predictable during such events. 5. Lane changes are attempted across areas marked by continuous lane where lane change would not normally be expected. Additional Concern: A significant regulatory issue may involve situations where drivers intervene immediately before a collision. In real-world driving, drivers often instinctively take control when they perceive an imminent hazard. Therefore, when evaluating crashes involving FSD, I believe investigators should review vehicle data for period immediately preceding a collision, including several seconds before any disengagement, rather than focusing solely on whether FSD was engaged at the exact moment of impact.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741443June 2, 2026
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
As I was driving the Tesla Model X, I received a steering assist reduced error on the dash. There was no immediate noticeability, but after about 5 minutes, it felt like there was ZERO power steering, with no additional warnings in the car. With zero power steering, car required extreme forces required to get to the shoulder. If attempting any kind of turn, car would require forces in excess of 80lbs of pressure to execute. Once safely in a parking lot, I put the car into SERVICE mode to check the errors. There was an EPAS error, where it said Torque Sensor 1 not receiving, along with a Torque Sensor 2 not receiving. This has occurred to me 3 times, in the 3 years I've owned the car. Other than "Steering assist reduced", there is no other warning that the car's EPAS steering system reverts to just manual forces required to steer a car. I do not trust my wife to drive this car, as she would not have the strength necessary to get the car to a safe location. If this happened while turning, there's a strong possibility the car would not turn at all, a huge safety factor.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740539May 28, 2026
STEERING
The steering wheel locks periodically and I have to get out and re enter my car. On long drives it works pretty fine and does not do this much on highways only once but in hotter weathers it seems to be much much worse. This happened once before the warranty but I did not think much of it. In one instance the steering wheel was so tight that it hurt my wrist while getting off the road
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736598May 8, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
The primary front trunk (frunk) latch mechanism fails to unlatch on the first attempt, requiring multiple actuations to open. When I brought the vehicle to the manufacturer's official service center to have the defective safety latch inspected and repaired, they confirmed the behavior but refused to fix the underlying hardware. Instead, the service center officially documented on my repair invoice that this latch failure is "frequently present and deemed a characteristic of the vehicle." A malfunctioning, binding, or misaligned front trunk latch poses a severe safety risk. If the primary latch is failing to release properly, it indicates a defect in the retention mechanism that could lead to the hood unexpectedly opening, flying up, and obstructing the driver's vision at highway speeds (a known issue that has caused recalls in the past). The manufacturer's refusal to repair a failing primary safety latch, and instead documenting it as a normal "characteristic," leaves a critical safety component in a compromised and dangerous state. There were no warning lights prior to this failure; it is a physical, mechanical defect that the manufacturer has acknowledged in writing but refuses to remedy.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730973April 13, 2026
SUSPENSION, WHEELS, STEERING
The failure involves the rear suspension system, specifically suspected rear control arm / suspension linkage play, which caused severe misalignment (rear toe out of specification). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This defect created a significant safety risk. The abnormal toe condition caused rapid and uneven tire wear, with both rear tires becoming nearly completely bald within less than 7,000 miles. This condition increases the risk of tire blowout, loss of traction, and potential loss of control at highway speeds. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center (Les Schwab), which documented suspension play in the rear control arm area and alignment out of specification (rear toe approximately +1.20° total). The alignment could not be maintained, indicating an underlying mechanical issue. Tesla inspected the vehicle but stated that no suspension components required replacement and attributed the issue only to alignment. However, alignment does not go out of specification without a mechanical cause. Despite multiple requests, Tesla refused to provide detailed documentation regarding the inspection or repair of the suspension system. They replaced only one rear tire and did not address the root cause. The other rear tire had already worn completely bald. After approximately 5,386 miles, the replacement tire has again worn down close to the minimum safety limit, demonstrating that the underlying issue was not corrected and continues to affect vehicle safety. There were no warning lights or system messages prior to the failure. The first symptoms were abnormal tire wear, increased energy consumption, and unstable driving behavior at highway speeds, which began shortly after vehicle purchase. This appears to be a repeat safety-related defect that has not been properly diagnosed or repaired.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729091April 3, 2026
STEERING
Lost power steering while I was driving multiple time and I couldn't turn. Later the alert also come on and off but sometime the steering is fine. Found out on Tesla Model X facebook group people are having the same issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724683March 16, 2026
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electric power assist steering system on my 2022 Tesla Model X began displaying a "Steering Assist Reduced / Steering May Require Increased Effort" warning intermittently beginning in approximately May 2024, shortly after I purchased the vehicle. This warning appeared more times than I can count over the following months. In most instances the warning appeared but the steering continued to function normally. On approximately March 2, 2026, the warning appeared and for the first time the steering became extremely difficult to turn, requiring significantly increased physical effort to control the vehicle. The first physical failure occurred while parking at low speed in reverse. The steering failure also occurred subsequently while driving at highway speeds. In both instances I stopped the vehicle, exited, waited briefly, and upon re-entering the vehicle the warning cleared and steering returned to normal. This same sequence repeated the following day. The vehicle was brought to a Tesla authorized service center on March 13, 2026. Tesla's technician confirmed the steering assist reduction as reported and determined the steering gear required full replacement. The failed part, steering gear left hand drive part number 1070801-00-F, was replaced. Only full hardware replacement resolved the issue permanently. Prior power cycling provided only temporary relief. My safety was directly at risk. I am a full-time rideshare driver operating at highway speeds. The failed component has been replaced and is in Tesla's possession. Tesla is charging the full repair cost out of pocket despite this matching a documented pattern of identical failures reported to NHTSA by multiple Tesla owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717677February 12, 2026
STEERING, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving my 2022 Tesla Model X at highway speed, I experienced a sudden loss of steering assist shortly after Supercharging. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn, and I had to use significant force to maintain control. The vehicle displayed a ‘Steering Assist Reduced’ alert, FSD became unavailable, and the suspension behaved unexpectedly. After the incident, the vehicle was taken to Tesla service. At this time, I have not received a clear explanation of the root cause of the steering‑assist loss. Because this event occurred at highway speed and created a safety concern, I am submitting this report so the incident can be documented and reviewed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714755February 1, 2026
STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On January 31, 2026, at 10:30 PM, I was driving from Fort Lauderdale to my home in Boca Raton, Florida. I was using FSD supervised mode. Close to my home, a big red image suddenly appeared, the car started accelerating fast, and I had no control over the car or its steering wheel. The car hit several electrical posts and only stopped after the airbags engaged. My wife was in the passenger seat. The front of the car was totally damaged, and I will have to total it.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714488January 30, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES
I am writing to formally document a life-threatening mechanical failure involving my 2022 Model X on January 30, 2026. While my wife was operating the vehicle, it suffered a simultaneous and catastrophic collapse of all primary safety systems. During operation, the vehicle experienced a total loss of steering and braking control. This was accompanied by a rapid cascade of critical system alerts on the primary display, including “ABS Malfunction,” “Stability Control Disabled,” and “Steering Assist Reduced/Disabled.” Most critically, the vehicle exhibited Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA), increasing speed in direct opposition to the driver’s physical application of the brake pedal. This resulted in a near-miss where the driver narrowly avoided a construction crew.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712587January 22, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The turn signal buttons intermittently fail to work. Many presses of the tuen signal buttons do nothing. When it stops working it stops for several minutes and then will start to work again. The problem is happening more and more frequently. The yoke has been replaced 3 times already for the same issue and after about a year just started happening again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708541January 3, 2026
SUSPENSION
Both front half shafts failed. I did research and this part is known to be substandard, was recalled in China, and remains a problem in the US.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703661December 8, 2025
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
My 2022 Tesla Model X has two recurring safety-critical defects that remain unresolved despite multiple repair attempts. 1. Airbag / Restraint System Failure (RCM2 / OCS Defect): The vehicle frequently misclassifies the front passenger seat. It shows a passenger when the seat is empty and activates passenger seatbelt warnings incorrectly. Recently the vehicle displayed: “Front passenger safety restraint system issue: Service required (RCM2_a064).” Tesla attempted to repair an electrical harness in the seat, but the problem returned. A Tesla technician documented that the seat may still need a new occupancy sensor. Because this affects the Occupant Classification System and airbag deployment logic, it raises potential FMVSS 208 compliance concerns. 2. FSD / GPS Safety Hazard (5 Unsuccessful Repair Attempts): Across five service visits, Tesla attempted to fix GPS drift and unsafe FSD routing. The vehicle still attempts incorrect turns, performs premature lane changes, and misinterprets intersections. One recent incident involved FSD attempting a left turn one intersection early, nearly causing a collision. Tesla replaced the GPS antenna, recalibrated cameras, and replaced the computer, but the unsafe behavior continues. These two defects—incorrect airbag/OCS behavior and hazardous automated-driving/navigation behavior—create a significant safety risk to occupants and other drivers. Both defects persist after repair attempts. I can provide service records, videos, and documentation upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702157November 30, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY
The vehicle presents a compounded safety defect creating a risk of passenger entrapment and high-voltage fire. 1. High Voltage Manufacturing Defect: On September 3, 2024, authorized Tesla Service technicians diagnosed a critical safety fault. The service record states technicians 'found A/C compressor HV harness was incorrectly routed, rubbing against the steering column' and 'found sand inside the connector'. Tesla repaired this defects under the 'Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty,' confirming it was a factory assembly error. This defect created an imminent risk of a high-voltage short to the steering column, which could result in driver electrocution or total vehicle power loss at speed. 2. Passenger Entrapment: The vehicle has a documented history of Rear Falcon Wing Door failure (7 repair attempts from April 2023 to May 2025). The doors frequently fail to latch or open. On July 8, 2025, the Left Rear Door failed to open due to a sensor fault. 3. Combined Hazard: If the incorrectly routed High Voltage harness causes a vehicle power failure, the rear doors' electronic latches will fail. Because the doors have a history of mechanical jamming, passengers in the rear seats would be trapped in a vehicle with a compromised High Voltage system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700457November 19, 2025
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I had my two Teslas parked in the garage. The model X was charging at about 1:30 AM. We heard explosions coming out of the garage. Went to check only to see my model X in flames. We evacuated and called 911 eventually a fire investigation report was made Showing the fire started within the vehicle outward. The battery pack was on fire. We had lithium contamination all over the house and this fire endangered five lives. This incident has been two years ago and until now Tesla refuses to acknowledge the faulty battery and is refusing to do anything about it
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694836October 21, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
The wing-style door of the car closed while my 1-year-old daughter's leg was sticking out. It dragged her leg sideways as it closed, and he femur broke. None of the sensors worked, the door should have detected motion or pressure, but they did not and it resulted in my daughter's leg breaking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11669976June 28, 2025
STEERING
As I was attempting to merge onto Interstate 75, I noticed that steering became unexpectedly difficult. Consequently, I decided not to enter the highway. I then crossed the highway and pulled into a parking lot, where I turned off the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the issue seemed to have resolved itself.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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