2018 Tesla Model X Owner Complaints

While driving on FSD (Full Self Driving) the vehicle was turning off the road into a parking lot and sped up and hit a vehicle while I was pressing the brake to the floor! I had to brace for impact when I hit the vehicle. I have requested the data and telemetry logs from Tesla. Everything was fine before the crash. Husband had a similar incident a few weeks ago where he was turning with FSD engaged and the vehicle stopped in the middle of the turn with a vehicle coming right at him, he had the gas floored to get out of the way but was completely stopped, could not move for 15 seconds or so.

NHTSA ID

11754460

Incident

Aug 2, 2026

The falcon doors on the model X, when it is a hot day, and the sun is hitting the door, these doors will not open under any circumstance, resulting in a major safety issue. should there be an accident, a fire or other issue where someone needs to exit the vehicle, they are simply not able to do so under any circumstance! This is a known problem with these vehicles, if the sun hits these doors or it’s a hot day. There are hundreds, if not thousands of posts about these doors, not opening when the sun is hitting the door for a prolonged period of time or the door gets hot. There needs to be a recall for this issue. From my research, seems that there’s some sort of sensor adhesive that comes loose or something similar to that. And either case this is a major safety issue, as it does not allow the passenger to exit the vehicle under any circumstance. Even holding the override button on the screen does not open the door. My kids have been stuck in this car on a repeated basis due to this issue of the door, not opening due to this failed sensor. Tesla is aware of this issue, and has never issued a recall, even though they know it affects all of the model X models

NHTSA ID

11744075

Incident

Jun 12, 2026

The Automated Emergency Brakes did not activate. This car hit the next car on the street. I was driving when I noticed the brake lights on the car in front of me, so I applied the brakes. Though it did not work, as this car is equipped with the Automated Emergency Brakes feature, it was expected that the car would activate the feature to stop to avoid impact and an accident. Which did not happen, and this car has a tremendous loss; the car in front also suffered a loss. The car manufacturer has given data in Excel files showing the events; it has no data at the time of the impact, but it has data well before and well after. Due to the failure of this important feature, the car has suffered a loss (potentially a total loss), the insurance process has been affected, and there has been a mental impact on my family members and me. Hence, requesting help in this regard.

NHTSA ID

11739759

Incident

May 17, 2026

The falcon doors will not open under any circumstance if the car is sitting in the sun. This is a known issue by Tesla with thousands of online complaints by owners. It seems the glue that holds the sensor comes loose in the heat. This is a major safety issue by NHTSA’s own standards. Not being able to exit the vehicle is directly listed as a reason for a recall by NHTSA. You need to force Tesla to issue a recall for this known issue by Tesla

NHTSA ID

11736902

Incident

May 9, 2026

For the past year, the battery will not hold it charge. I am getting about 30% of predicted mile range in colder weather and about 50% of predicted range in warmer weather. This makes the car unusable except for short trips and even then requires frequent charging. In addition, intermittantly, it will not charge quickly at a Supercharger. When others cars present are charging 180 range mph, I am charging at 20-50 range mph. I have had Tesla evaluate the issue and they claim there is nothing wrong but refused to share their evaluation with me. The rep would not give me any specific reason for my problem other than they found nothing wrong. I started the process before the end of the battery warranty (8 years) which has now expired. I feel Tesla service is committing systemic fraud in their approach to warrantied battery failure.

NHTSA ID

11732201

Incident

Feb 10, 2026

I own a 2018 Tesla Model X that has multiple breakdowns ( 3 times to date: Feb.28, 2026, Mar.7, 2026, Mar.14, 2026) resulting in the vehicle becoming undriveable and could not be shifted out of Neutral. During driving on separate occasions, the vehicle displayed multiple safety warnings and critical systems became disabled. Alerts shown on vehicle included: 1. Automatic Emergency Braking unavailable 2. Power braking Assist reduced 3. Parking brake not applied 4. Safety restraint system issue 5. ABS disabled 6. Park Assist unavailable 7. Service required Following these alerts, the vehicle became undriveable and could not be shifted properly, remaining stuck in Neutral. The vehicle therefore could not be driven safely. The vehicle was previously taken to a Tesla service center after an earlier breakdown. Tesla reported cleaning corrosion during service, but shortly after the vehicle was returned, the problem occurred again with the same or similar safety warnings. This issue is concerning because multiple braking and safety appear to fail simultaneously, including ABS, braking assist, and restraint system alerts. The vehicle becomes undriveable and may create a dangerous situation. Given the repeated breakdowns and the disabling of critical safety systems, I am reporting this issue for investigation.

NHTSA ID

11724612

Incident

Mar 14, 2026

The 2018 Model X experienced a sudden and complete loss of power and became totally inaccessible. All doors and access points were inoperable and the vehicle could not be unlocked, disconnected, powered on, or placed into any service or tow mode. Emergency front-trunk release cables had to be used and external 12-volt power applied at the jump terminals to wake the vehicle. The inability to access the vehicle was unexpected and alarming. Children, pets, elderly, and others could have been inside of the vehicle. Thankfully, they were not. Tesla inspected the vehicle and stated the failure was related to the battery coolant heater. The failure resulted in a complete vehicle immobilization and access failure. I had previously experienced restart warnings on the dashboard, but I did not expect a total lockout and loss of access. The inability to access the vehicle was unexpected and alarming. It may be a known safety issue. It should be recalled. This condition presents a serious safety risk because occupants could be trapped inside the vehicle and the vehicle cannot be accessed or moved without external power. In extreme heat or cold, or in a medical or emergency situation involving a child or pet, this failure mode could create a life-threatening situation. Importantly, even after multiple requests, I have not received a copy of the diagnostic report, or anything other than informal emails or calls. Tesla has not provided information regarding this failure other than broad statements, and visuals of the location of the battery pack, in an attempt to deny warranty coverage. The Tesla reports a High Voltage System alert currently. The vehicle is subject to Tesla’s Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty. Tesla has stated that the failed component was the battery coolant heater, but has refused to cover the repair under warranty. Tesla confirmed the failure but has not provided the diagnostic report, fault codes, or vehicle logs supporting its determination.

NHTSA ID

11715891

Incident

Feb 3, 2026

During a recent incident where a tire issue caused damage to the wiring harness for the parking brake, resulting in a Parking Brake Failure notification on the screen, the vehicle would not stop or turn off. The vehicle displayed N for neutral on the dash, but the vehicle would drive forward unless the brake was depressed. In addition, we were unable to place the vehicle in Park, which meant that we were unable to shut it off. The only way to stop the vehicle from driving on its own and crashing into something was to place concrete blocks under the tires! Unplugging the 12v battery also had no effect! The vehicle kept driving as if it was in drive, and there as no way to stop it without placing the foot on the brake pedal the entire time or placing the blocks I referenced. The only way I was able to shut it off, was to pull what's known as the Fireman's Loop, which I'm guessing firemen pull in the case of an accident. I wasn't aware of this mechanism, and only learned of it after posting on numerous social media apps regarding this issue. This is a Major issue, as we are talking about a moving and unstoppable car! Tesla needs to build some mechanism that allows the car to be shut off by the driver or to override the screen and place the car in park. Pulling this firemans loop and unplugging the 12v battery, required me being in front of the vehicle, risking my life, as the vehicle could've easily moved if the concrete barriers didn't stop it, and also required me taking 30+ minutes to remove components from the Frunk, just to access these components!!

NHTSA ID

11715473

Incident

Feb 4, 2026

On 02/01/2026 at approximately 2:07 p.m., my 2018 Tesla Model X (VIN [XXX] , approximately 151,099 miles, software version 2026.2.3) experienced Sudden Unintended Acceleration while I was driving near [XXX] . I was [briefly describe what you were doing, for example: “slowing to a stop in traffic,” or “slowly pulling into a parking space,” or “braking to turn into a driveway”]. My foot was on the brake and I was NOT attempting to accelerate when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly surged [forward/backward] with far more power than appropriate for the situation. I had to [firmly press the brake / shift to neutral / steer away] to avoid a collision. At or around the same time, a “Sudden Unintended Acceleration” warning/message appeared on the vehicle’s display. This acceleration did not match my pedal input and created a serious risk of a crash. [There was no contact, damage, or injury / or briefly describe any damage or injuries, if applicable.] The vehicle was operating on software version 2026.2.3 at the time. [Autopilot/Traffic‑Aware Cruise Control/Full Self‑Driving was ON/OFF at the time – please select what is correct.] I have reported this incident to Tesla and requested that they preserve and review the vehicle log data for this time and location. I am filing this complaint because I believe this is a safety‑critical defect involving sudden unintended acceleration, and I am concerned it could recur and/or affect other Tesla vehicles. *** If you tell me exactly what you were doing (parking vs in traffic, approximate speed, forward vs reverse, Autopilot on/off), I can fill in the bracketed parts precisely for you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11714968

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

The contact owned a 2018 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 17 MPH, the vehicle suddenly made a right turn and crashed into a bridge. No warning lights illuminated. The contact's wife did seek medical attention; however, she sustained minor whiplash. A police report was not filed, but a Police Department did report on scene. Upon further inspection, the contact arrived on scene and noticed that the Rear passenger-side tire had detached, possibly due to the axle. The vehicle was towed to a local Collision shop, where it was deemed a total loss. In addition, prior to the accident, the vehicle was taken to a local independent tire shop, where the front two Tire and Brake pads were replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,726.

NHTSA ID

11714507

Incident

Jan 13, 2026

Mileage

100,726 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model X equipped with Lexani Tires, Tire Line: LX-20 Performance, Tire Size: 265/45/R20, DOT Number: 1TBA7B95C3724. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud sound coming from the front of the vehicle. After the vehicle was inspected, the contact observed tread separation on the driver’s side rear tire, and that the top tread portion of the tire was separating. Due to the tire failure, the vehicle became inoperable. Additionally, the transmission failed to properly shift into park(P), and there was a wiring harness failure following the failure. Due to the failure the vehicle was not drivable and required to be towed. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23T009000 (TIRES). The tire was a replacement tire. The tire failure mileage was approximately 8,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 78,886.

NHTSA ID

11713340

Incident

Jan 26, 2026

Mileage

78,886 mi

265 45R 20 As I was driving down the road, I heard a flapping sound. I couldn't pull over right away, as I was in the left lane, and there was a lot of traffic. I pulled over, but I couldn't put the vehicle into park or turn it off! After a family member showed up. i had them put their foot on the brake, while I investigated the issue. I noticed a long piece of tread that was handing from the inner tread. Then I noticed that an entire line of tread was missing as well. The hanging tread cut through the protective lining for the wiring of the vehicle. Then it tore up some wires, which I later came to realize were the brake wires. This is a Tesla, and I was not able to put it into park. The car is is still in drive, with no way of putting it into park or turning it off! This tire has caused significant damage to my rims and vehicle!

NHTSA ID

11713150

Incident

Jan 24, 2026

Water entered the passenger cabin of my vehicle during normal rain exposure while the vehicle was parked overnight. The failure occurred at the roof glass/seal system, allowing rainwater to intrude into the interior behind the second-row seating area and soak the carpet and underlying padding. This resulted in persistent moisture and a strong musty odor inside the cabin, consistent with microbial growth and mold risk. The condition affects interior air quality and poses a potential health risk to vehicle occupants, particularly children or passengers seated in the rear. Prolonged moisture inside the cabin also raises safety concerns related to corrosion and possible impact to electrical components, sensors, and restraint systems routed through the interior floor area. The condition substantially impairs safe and normal vehicle use. The presence of moisture and microbial odor makes the vehicle unsuitable for passenger transport and creates uncertainty regarding the integrity of interior and electrical systems. The issue was inspected and confirmed by the manufacturer’s authorized service center. The service center documented that water intrusion occurred through failed or missing sealant around the roof/door glass assembly and confirmed saturation of interior carpet and padding. The manufacturer recommended replacement of interior padding for safety reasons but declined responsibility due to the vehicle being outside the basic warranty period. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to discovery. The issue was identified after rain exposure when wet carpet and odor were observed. The problem is reproducible under rain conditions. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ID

11712459

Incident

Jan 14, 2026

My 2018 Tesla Model X experienced repeated over-the-air software update failures starting in late December 2025. Each update attempt would run for hours and then fail with a timeout error. This pattern continued for several weeks with the same error every time. After these repeated failed update attempts, the Autopilot ECU (computer) completely failed. Tesla service diagnosed the issue on January 6, 2026 as a failed Autopilot ECU 3.0 requiring full replacement at a cost of $1,808. The failure has disabled Full Self-Driving, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking, and all driver-assistance safety features. I am concerned this represents a systemic defect where Tesla's software updates are damaging or exposing failures in Autopilot hardware. Multiple other Tesla owners have reported this same pattern in 2024-2025: update timeout errors followed by complete Autopilot computer failure requiring expensive replacement. Tesla is charging customers to fix problems created by their own update process. The loss of critical safety features occurred solely due to Tesla's software update attempts.

NHTSA ID

11709103

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

Vehicle: 2018 Tesla Model X Recall Reference: Tesla eMMC Recall – NHTSA Campaign Number 21V-035 (Recall 21V035000) Defect Description: In March 2021, Tesla notified me by email of a recall involving failure of the eMMC memory chip in the Media Control Unit (MCU). This defect is known to cause loss of vehicle system functionality and safety-related features. Despite this notification, Tesla has refused to honor the recall and replace the eMMC when I brought my vehicle in for service. Current Vehicle Condition: My vehicle exhibits severe and worsening symptoms consistent with eMMC failure, including: System freezing and frequent unresponsiveness GPS extremely slow or nonfunctional Turn signal indicators intermittently fail Horn fails to operate approximately 95% of the time Vehicle reset/reboot does not work Touchscreen and vehicle controls are very slow or nonresponsive These issues occur regularly and without warning. Safety Risk: This defect creates a significant safety hazard. The failure of turn signals, horn, and system responsiveness increases the risk of accidents. The inability to reset or restore the system while driving further endangers occupants and other road users. Due to these failures, the vehicle is unsafe to operate. Manufacturer Response: Although Tesla issued a recall notice in March 2021, they have declined to perform the recall repair on my vehicle. No effective remedy has been provided, and the vehicle’s condition continues to deteriorate. Request for NHTSA Action: I am requesting that NHTSA investigate Tesla’s failure to honor Recall 21V-035 and require Tesla to provide the mandated repair. This unresolved defect affects safety-critical systems and presents an ongoing risk. When I went there last Dec 4 to get this repaired, they wanted me to upgrade and pay almost $2000. I am willing to pay half of the cost but not the entire amount.

NHTSA ID

11705751

Incident

Dec 4, 2025

After the latest software update, the icons to show your headlights are on and high beams are active are now blocked in the top left corner of the dash. There's no seating position possible that the steering wheel doesn't block this critical information.

NHTSA ID

11705724

Incident

Dec 17, 2025

Car lost power on the highway suddenly while driving at highway speeds and would not start after we pulled over off the highway. Took a picture of all the alerts. This is the second catastrophic event with this vehicle due to the HV battery. Event: 11:32am November 27,2025. Was needed to be towed to service center. BMS u008 error displayed on screen among others. No alerts until the immediate loss of power. After the Tesla service center ran diagnostics they discovered that the HV battery failed and needed to be replaced. This put my entire family (wife and two children) at risk to a major accident again due to the sudden deceleration of the vehicle and being rear ended by another vehicle on the highway (I was traveling at highway speeds when the failure occurred) or being unable to stop suddenly as the braking system was not effective / difficult to press the brake pedal. I used my Meta Ray Ban Smart Glasses to take a photo hands free using a voice command to capture my speed and the error that displayed when I lost power on the highway and the amount of traffic around me.

NHTSA ID

11704731

Incident

Nov 27, 2025

Car lost power on the highway suddenly and would not start after and we pulled over on the side of the highway. Took a picture of all the alerts. Heard a loud thunk noise when the car lost power, did not hit anything in the road. Event: 2:21pm March 31,2024. Was needed to be towed to service center. BMS u008 error displayed on screen among others. No alerts until the immediate loss of power. _ _ limpMode Acceleration and top speed reduced Performance may be restored on next drive After the Tesla service center ran diagnostics they discovered that the HV battery failed and needed to be replaced. This put my entire family (wife and two children) at risk to a major accident either due to the sudden deceleration of the vehicle and being rear ended by another vehicle on the highway (I was traveling at highway speeds when the failure occured).

NHTSA ID

11704725

Incident

Mar 31, 2024

Door is not working and causes the car to be unable to drive and to run out of battery. The door failure prevents emergency exit from the vehicle. In the event of a crash, fire, or submersion, I/occupants would be trapped inside the Model X, directly leading to an injury or fatality.

NHTSA ID

11704517

Incident

Nov 10, 2025

I own a 2018 Tesla Model X 100D. The high-voltage battery has failed twice in seven years. Tesla replaced both with re-manufactured batteries. My battery warranty ends in December 2026, and if it fails again the replacement cost is about $17,000. The car’s full-charge range has also dropped from over 300 miles when new to about 220–240 miles. The value of the car has dropped to around $24,000, largely because of battery issues and the risk of future failure. A high-voltage battery should not be failing this often. If it fails again after the warranty expires, the car is not usable or safe. I believe this may affect more owners than Tesla acknowledges. I am requesting that NHTSA review the safety and long-term reliability of Tesla’s high-voltage batteries and the re-manufactured replacements.

NHTSA ID

11704120

Incident

Dec 5, 2025

The horn on the steering wheel stopped working. It causes the air conditioning to turn on when pressed.

NHTSA ID

11695012

Incident

Sep 22, 2025

Control arm squeaks. Only way Tesla fixes is to replace. Smoke fix is a 2$ grease application to ball joint but they charge 1500$. I have done it 2 times and now again happened.

NHTSA ID

11687129

Incident

Sep 13, 2025

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11685098

Incident

Jul 8, 2025

On [XXX], around [XXX], I was driving my 2018 Tesla Model X on [XXX] , waiting to turn left into [XXX]. While stopped in traffic on the slight incline, my vehicle unexpectedly shifted into automatic park without input. The car rolled back slightly, and the vehicle behind me bumped into my rear bumper. I shifted back into drive and moved forward, but moments later, the same malfunction happened again—the Tesla went into automatic park, rolled back, and was bumped once more. Both incidents frightened my [XXX] daughter, who began crying and was visibly shaken. The likely cause is a failure in Tesla’s “roll-away prevention” safety feature, known to trigger due to sensor errors. This is a serious hazard. Sudden uncommand shifting into park in live traffic creates risk of rear-end collisions, injuries, or worse, especially in school zones or high-traffic intersections. I have since found numerous reports of similar issues from other Tesla owners, including incidents on highways, showing this is not isolated. See example: Reddit thread . At this time, the car has not yet been inspected by Tesla, police, or insurance representatives. There were no warning lamps, error codes, or prior symptoms before or during the failures. This malfunction caused two rear-end collisions in minutes, endangered my child, and could easily have escalated into a major accident. Tesla must urgently investigate and correct this automatic park/roll-away prevention defect before it results in severe injury or fatalities. No repairs for my vehicle as I was able to pop back in the light cover. Other driver is making a claim into which I believe is a preexisting issue but cannot prove. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11683200

Incident

Aug 22, 2025

On July 25, 2025 I was installing a toddlers car seat in the vehicles rear passenger seat. Upon clipping the secure straps onto the rear seat, I noticed the seat slid all the way to the front position - the seat was loose - sliding back and forth. Nothing appeared to be visually broken. I made an appointment with Tesla and they report that they “replaced an actuator” that had failed. The failure caused the entire rear seat to slide without warning and no way to secure the seat. Tesla does not consider this a safety issue. Tesla is charging $1800 for repairs. Tesla says the broken part is not available for inspection. Tesla seemed to indicate that a possible electrical component failed that resulted in this issue.

NHTSA ID

11683116

Incident

Jul 25, 2025