2017 Tesla Model X Driver assistance Problems

Power Steering Assist stopped working while on the road. A couple days later, power steering stopped working completely.

NHTSA ID

11697950

Incident

Oct 17, 2025

The autopilot ECU failed on my car per Tesla. There was no warning on the car that my safety features were disabled. This is also reported online as a common issue and Tesla is charging $2k to repair a safety computer. The computer was advertised as two chips as a failsafe but that was not the case as both failed on my car. I suspect this software updates broke the computer as well and not at fault from the customer

NHTSA ID

11696104

Incident

Oct 16, 2025

The rear camera freezes when backing up the car. The issue is noted in the latest model years but this issues applies to this model year as well. Please issue a safety recall. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11640046

Incident

Jan 31, 2025

The rear camera failed as I tried to reverse into a parking spot. the whole system froze up and took over 20+ second to finally load happened twice in one day

NHTSA ID

11631873

Incident

Dec 20, 2024

When driving my car last Friday evening at ~5:45pm PST, I was about 1 mile away from home when alerts popped up on my car including- "Regenerative breaking unavailable", "ABS disabled", "Stability Control disabled", "Traction Control disabled", "Steering Assist reduced", "Automatic Emergency Braking is Unavailable" Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault" "Park Assist Unavailable". I drove the last mile to my house and when I pulled into my garage my gear shift would not work to put my car into park. I tried to then do a "soft reset" by holding both buttons on the steering wheel down, and this would not work. I frantically called the nearest Tesla service center and after 20 min the person there told me there wasn't anything they could help me with and gave me the number for Tessa Roadside Assistance. This whole time I had to have my foot on the break pedal to keep my car from moving forward and going through my garage wall into my house. I was on hold with Tesla Roadside assistance awaiting an answer for another 30min, and after talking with an agent he told me to "find a large rock to put under my tires to prevent the car from moving forward", this wasn't a feasible option as I was alone with a 12 year old girl, there are also not any large rocks near my garage. Tesla service then connected me with a towing agency, but let me know that since my car warranty only covers my battery and drive train, I would have to pay for the tow out of pocket. The tow truck driver came about 20 minutes later, so at this point I was sitting in my garage with my foot on the break pedal for well over an hour. There was no way that anyone could power off the car or get it into another gear other than drive. There was no way to access the 12v batter and disconnect the car since I couldn't open my frunk as the car was not in park. without the assistance of a tow truck I could have been stuck in my car for hours holding the break pedal.

NHTSA ID

11609414

Incident

Aug 16, 2024

Tesla has failed to update the software on the car as per the recall notice. Tesla is requesting me to pay 2500$ to upgrade the hardware so they can update the recall hardware. I had reached out to Tesla more than three different times and been waiting for more than 4 months for Tesla to provide the resolution for recall which Tesla has failed to provide as yet t no cost. This is a major safely concerns and due to this I am afraid to drive this car.

NHTSA ID

11590591

Incident

May 9, 2024

While driving CA-17, as is frequently the case, I had to disengage automatic steering several times to correct its poor lane keeping. Much to my surprise, the vehicle stopped maintaining speed, creating a dangerous situation with vehicles behind me as the uphill road caused the vehicle to rapidly decelerate the second I turned the wheel. After experimentation, I discovered that Tesla has completely removed cruise control capabilities from these vehicles unless you completely disable the FSD beta functionality, which makes this vehicle highly unsafe to drive in any environment where autosteer is inadequate, including CA-17. Further, this isn't just unsafe on weird highways. This poor decision on Tesla's part could very easily cause rear-end collisions on freeways. Nobody in their right minds would expect a vehicle to suddenly massively decelerate just because you correct its poor steering. This is just plain DANGEROUS. This so-called "Full Self Driving (Supervised)" version needs to be recalled immediately, and Tesla MUST be forced to make cruise control fallback available regardless of the FSD state. Until they do, it is fundamentally unsafe to allow Tesla vehicles to remain on public highways and freeways with FSD (Supervised) enabled.

NHTSA ID

11587001

Incident

Apr 14, 2024

This is regarding two Tesla recalls: - NHTSA Recall Number: 23V-838; TC2023-657 - NHTSA Recall Number: 24V-051 As noted in both recalls, they are to be delivered via software updates. My car is currently running version 2022.8.10.16 7477b4ff8e78 which is clearly lower than the version required for both recalls. I have taken my car to service as my software version is not updating. Tesla has refused to comply with the recall and update the software version on my car. It should be noted, although irrelevant for the recalls, that my car is still under manufacturer's extended warranty, which we purchased along with the car when buying it new from Tesla.

NHTSA ID

11572435

Incident

Feb 16, 2024

I received a notice from Tesla for recall No. 23V-838 for my 2017 Tesla Model X - P100D. The notice states that I should check if my software version is "2023.44.30" or a later release. Unfortunately, the 2017 Model X is on a different update schedule, as it has different computer and sensor systems than newer Model X's. My software version is from 2022. Accordingly, the recall was not remedied by Tesla for my vehicle and all other older Teslas with the prior sensor suite. I checked for any software updates but none was available. At the very least, the notice is deficient, as if they pushed a separate update for older model Teslas, it was not communicated therein. Thanks!

NHTSA ID

11572174

Incident

Feb 8, 2024

The steering wheel was dysfunctional; the wheel was locked in the middle of the highway, and the car started to change lanes, causing a massive accident. There was a significant accident between my car and a truck; both cars were totaled. My airbags didn't open as well. I got a massive concussion, and I do not know about the condition of the other driver. There was a recall about the steering wheel, and we brought our car to the dealership, and supposedly they fixed the issue. There was no warning or message before the accident. The message appeared on my Tesla screen for the first time less than a few minutes before the accident.

NHTSA ID

11553596

Incident

Oct 27, 2023

I paid for FSD And now TESLA has disabled the feature. They have not responded to any inquiries by me as to when it’s going to be reactivated. I would appreciate anything that you can do.

NHTSA ID

11538247

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

MCU1 FSD beta still not working and nothing has been addressed from Tesla. Tesla states we will MCU1 will be supported for fsd.

NHTSA ID

11525569

Incident

Jun 6, 2023

When autopilot is engaged, the car randomly decelerates on the highway. This has happened multiple times. I have tried to report this to tesla but to no avail. They tell me the following: 1. They are unaware of any issue 2. Then, it is my specific car's problem and not a design issue and they will not fix it without charging me over a $1100 3. When I asked them what the issue is, they said they don't know and want me to provide to the minute detail on when the incident happened. 4. That I should stop using autopilot (which I paid for) because it may be unsafe for me to use. When I point out that their statements are conflicting with each other, they ignore me. I have tweeted about this to Elon Musk as well to NHTSA and I am hoping that someone will notice this and help me get this fixed.

NHTSA ID

11513784

Incident

Mar 12, 2023

Dashboard or driver screen suddenly goes black while driving (and at other times will freeze on a certain speed, despite slowing down, or breaking.) At this point, driver does not know what speed he, or she is traveling at, nor what gear. Response from Tesla is to reboot the car. However, these episodes while driving continue and are very dangerous. Tesla is pushing paying $2000 to get an infotainment upgrade to solve this safety issue which seems to be a defect in the car.

NHTSA ID

11507909

Incident

Jan 17, 2023

This contains new information, a smoking gun, and is associated with NHTSA complaint numbers 11505487, 11505488, and 11505489. NHTSA Recall: 21V-035; Tesla Manufacturer Recall: SB-21-21-001 I was threatened a $35/day charge and tow/impound though no maintenance was performed on my vehicle. I went to pick it up and the vehicle was still suffering from the recalled eMMC issue which causes the screens to blank, freeze, etc. All driving information, safety features, and some exterior safety features are lost - it's a major hazard. This recall has two parts, the first part was a Tesla over the air update, which it pushed to the affected vehicles. I believe in doing this, Tesla has now stated to the NHTSA that the recall was complete. However, the recall has a secondary part "To be specific, Tesla will replace the VCM daughterboard that has the Hynix 8GB eMMC with a VCM daughterboard that has an enhanced 64GB Micron eMMC, free of charge." which Tesla is completely denying accomplishment. I have requested the car be repaired 7 times over the past 6 months and they have denied and avoided the recall repair, stating that there are no active recalls and forcing a paid upgrade to the MCU2. Tesla is abusing the over the air update capability and falsely stating that they're correcting issues to avoid correcting safety hazards. My vehicle has experienced 13 failures over our 6k miles of ownership in 6 months. In those 13 failures, 6 nearly caused catastrophic accidents. Additionally, the service center in Fort Worth (275 University Drive) has been altering/cancelling service records to avoid completing required recall repairs. The GM, [XXX] was recently fired/resigned and the senior service rep [XXX] was moved. Tesla must fix its unsafe vehicles and I recommend double checking all recalls Tesla has "completed" via over the air updates. They're artificially avoiding accomplishment of the recall and leveraging the safety hazard on the consumer. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U

NHTSA ID

11505612

Incident

Feb 4, 2023

Continuation of complaint 3 of 3 though this occurred 12 times over 6 months and nearly causing 6 accidents - tell me if you need me to make 6 separate complaints - 12/8/2022 - Vehicle key fobs stopped working (still able to start vehicle from the Tesla mobile app) and the screens completely locked up while driving multiple times nearly causing multiple accidents. It's also likely that the key fob failure was a result of the malfunctioning computer. Cleared computer cache. 12/23/2022 - Battery Fault (vehicle may not start warning) BMS_w035, front passenger safety restraint fault, buggy and unsafe screens; still no information from Tesla regarding the recall for the malfunctioning screens and computers. Tesla stated that they could not "see" any of the faults in the vehicle or in their server, though my wife took photos. 1/16/2023 - Service request scheduled for warranty/recall repair for unsafe screen hazard that was resetting while driving, vehicle towed to Tesla; 14 Jan 2023 Tesla cancelled the service request and input their own request that describes a customer inquiry for an infotainment (computer) upgrade and that we've declined the repair. Based on this, I am unable to download the invoices because they've jammed up the system to further impede proving their negligence. Currently, Tesla has locked up the app so that I cannot create service requests for the warranty/recall issue, they're failing to repair the vehicle, they're failing to communicate beyond threats of daily charges and towing, and it is impossible to reach someone at the service center though I've been able to describe the issue on multiple occasions to the Tesla phone answering service folks. Tesla is out of control and has placed my family and others in harms way due to their negligence to inform and accomplish their warranty and recall requirements. I respectfully request your help in holding Tesla accountable so others are not longer put at risk, and so their vehicles get repaired.

NHTSA ID

11505489

Incident

Dec 22, 2022

This is a follow on complaint due to this occurring 12 times over the past 6 months, 6 of those times nearly resulted in catastrophic accidents. I wrote Tesla via certified mail, per their owner's rights requirements in Dec 22 and Jan 23, stated the problem and requested repair, replace, or repurchase. I gave Tesla ample opportunity to repair the vehicle. Tesla now refuses to repair and is failing to adhere to their own warranty, recall, stated owners rights, TX code, and NTHSA guidance (recall and likely codes due to breach), and they're now threatening me and behaving negligently by asking that I take their malfunctioning and hazardous vehicle back out on the road. Our vehicle has been out of service 2 months total and 1 month currently over multiple corrective action attempts for a recalled item. Service Visit Invoices versus reality, plus dates in and out of service do not include additional vehicle down time while waiting for service visit time slots - We purchased the vehicle on 7/23/2022 - I do not have access to records prior to this date, though I am certain this vehicle was plagued by the recalled issue under factory warranty. I firmly believe, based on Tesla's actions under my ownership, that they will do anything in their power, including blocking or changing vehicle history so they can avoid their responsibilities. 7/23/2022 - Key fob battery replaced; Invoice failed to include service center employee hard resetting the computer system and faulty AC system, plus trim piece identified as needing repair 8/10/2022 - HVAC and trim corrected; Invoice failed to include issues with computer and technician described that some of these require resets sometimes, but failed to provide info about the recall and the nature of the failures. I described that the screens would unsafely reset on their own and the technicians failed to provide any further information. 9/16/2022 - Vehicle failed to charge at high speed charging and buggy/malfunctioning screens included

NHTSA ID

11505488

Incident

Dec 14, 2022

This issue most likely plagued our Model X during it's original factory warranty based on the class action, NTHSA inquiry, and NTHSA and Tesla recall for the same issue which affects Model X buil between 2016 and 201. These are the things we have personally experienced 12 times over our short ownership, 6 times these nearly caused accidents - this catastrophic malfunction has occurred (on average) once every 500 miles during our ownership: Primary driving instrument and safety info screen (small screen/driver dash screen) and larger infotainment screen BOTH: Freeze, “lock up” or “go blank” Turn black (an issue known by some drivers as “the black screen of death”) Fail to turn on Repeatedly reboot Display a “touchscreen unresponsive” message Stop working completely Otherwise malfunction These issues generally occurred at the worst possible times, most likely when the deficiently designed computer was over taxed (night, weather, traffic, cold - though it also occurred twice under basic conditions). Each time, it was absolutely disorienting and results in a hazard for driver, occupants, and people/property around the malfunctioning vehicle. Class action info - https://www.classaction.org/tesla-s-x-touchscreen-mcu-problems-lawsuits NHTSA investigation: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2020/INRM-EA20003-11321.pdf NHTSA and Tesla Recall - https://www.classaction.org/media/tesla-touchscreen-recall-notice.pdf Tesla has failed to repair this issue over the past 6 months. I requested they repair, replace, or repurchase per my owner's rights. Tesla now refuses to repair and negligently states that I must pick up the faulty and unsafe vehicle. They are in breach of their warranty and recall obligations.

NHTSA ID

11505487

Incident

Jul 27, 2022

Phantom breaking occurs predictably in the same spots along the NJ Garden State Parkway. Most certainly I have noticed it and can easily replicate it around the Toms River exit 80 in both south and north bound lanes. The vehicle will break suddenly and abruptly when enhanced autopilot or self-driving is engaged. It will come to a complete stop if allowed even when there is absolutely no other vehicles or obstacles in front of it which would justify breaking. It has happened during the day and even late at night when the road is void of vehicles. This same behavior also occurs further south on the GSP I believe around exit 50 but I can't recall with precision on that one.

NHTSA ID

11502670

Incident

Nov 14, 2022

On the date of January 4th, at approximately 6:50 pm, while using the Autopilot feature on my Model X, I was driving 55 mph on the highway and the phantom break occurred, which it completely stopped my car but I was fortunate enough there wasn't any car behind me and I was able to speed up quickly avoid any accident.

NHTSA ID

11501181

Incident

Jan 4, 2023

When exiting an on-ramp on a freeway, the car suddenly veered to the left on its own, almost colliding into another vehicle. There was no dangerous activity nor any stopped cars anywhere around the car.

NHTSA ID

11499972

Incident

Jan 3, 2023

I was driving my Tesla on left line of I75 Norh with 70 miles speed. It was on autopilot . Without any warning car lost the control and slipped, changed three lines and collide at the right side median .it’s happened on 3 July 2022. I reported the accident to Tesla right away. The accident took place more than 6 months and still Tesla is saying they are studying the car and not giving a clear report. So the repair people doesn’t know how to fix it and I am out of car. Please investigate the case and help me to get a report so that I can fix the car.

NHTSA ID

11499776

Incident

Jul 3, 2022

When using autopilot (handsfree) feature, it brakes automatically. In some cases, there is no car in front of it and applies short brake automatically. During bottleneck traffic it gets worst, applies throbbing hard brake and due to excessive hard braking rotors/pads are going bad very often. Whatever is on your seats, will be on the floor and feels like you are having a stroke. Due to the defect in autopilot feature, rotors/pads are going bad and need to spend lot of money replacing them. As tesla service centers are pretty expensive. Attached is the invoice. I feel that brake pads/rotors/labor should be all covered under Tesla warranty. Autopilot feature is very dangerous to use and it also creates lot of stress when the feature is engaged. One of the location/time stamp sharing it below, pretty sure Tesla can pull it off from their history as well. There was no car in front and it just applied hard brake: Dec 7th 2022 at 10:10 am. Coordinates: 40°42’03.5”N74°09’15.7”W (PR2W+97R Newark, New Jersey (40.700977,-74.1543580)

NHTSA ID

11497411

Incident

Dec 7, 2022

Highly repeatable issue: driving on left lane of a highway going at high speed (60) with adaptive cruise control enabled (but *not* full self drive mode). Put on turn signal to merge into right lane. There was a car in the right lane directly next to me but I had not initiated the merge, was merely signaling my intent to merge. My car SLAMMED on the breaks (very dangerous as I was almost rear ended the first time by a 18 wheeler). Did some testing at a later date- if there is a car slightly ahead of me in the right lane, the car behaves normally (maintains speed) if there is a car in my blind spot, the car indicates there is someone in my blind spot but maintains speed. If I am driving in the left lane all three scenarios (slightly ahead, directly adjacent, in blind spot) the car maintains appropriate speed. It is only when car is directly adjacent when in left lane w/ right turn signal that car always now will slam on brakes. Very dangerous- Tesla has been made aware of the Issue 2x now- and had informed me that “it is beta software (?????!!!!!!) and to live with it.”

NHTSA ID

11487037

Incident

Sep 17, 2022

We were driving down the freeway in daytime sunny weather on “autopilot” (I was actively monitoring the vehicle of course) when the car SLAMMED on the brakes for no reason. It was aggressive and fortunately I disconnected the driver assist “autopilot” and immediately pressed on the accelerator (not an intuitive action) to avoid causing an accident. There was no reason for the car to behave this way. Furthermore, Tesla updated the software recently on my vehicle. I purchased the vehicle with radar, whereby it would use the radar as an input in coordination with other information for the adaptive cruise control and auto steer. (Collectively called the “autopilot” by Tesla. This recent software update took the radar out of the equation and made my car function differently (less robust) by now only using the cameras and not the radar. The cameras on my model year are not, to my understanding, of the same capability as the cameras that Tesla is using with their newest models. Despite the cameras being older, tesla modified the vehicle via over the air software update to only utilize the cameras, again, despite the car being designed to utilize the radar as an input to the semi autonomous driving. I take great issue with Tesla retroactively reducing the capability of my semi autonomous driving and not providing a warning or a clear choice. The phantom braking I experienced was after this software update that removed the radar. It’s one thing if a driver needs to be prepared to brake, but quite another if the car brakes EXTREMELY aggressively and the driver has to rush to press the accelerator, all while startled. I work as an airline pilot and this seeming total disregard for safety, removal of radar input that the car has on board already, and lack of transparency to the driver would never be accepted in aviation. I urge the NHTSA to look into the aggressive uncommanded braking. Thank you, Stefan

NHTSA ID

11483743

Incident

Sep 8, 2022