2018 Tesla Model X Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 Tesla Model X. Part of Generation 1 — 2015–2020.

20172019
Complaints
293
per 10K Sold
107.5
US Sales
27,250
Crashes
55
Fires
4
Injuries
23
Fatalities
Recalls
9

Worst 2018 Tesla Model X Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#137 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:14,349 mi
Crash-related:3
#228 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:10,914 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
#319 complaints

Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control

Avg mileage:35,000 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 Tesla Model X.

Suspension Failures
37
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
14,349
Electrical Faults
28
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
10,914
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
19
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
35,000
Steering Defects
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
100,000
Unintended Acceleration
18
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
Avg Miles
12,894
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
16
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
39,850
Body Structure
16
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
9,583
Brakes
13
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
10,670
Transmission / Drivetrain
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
89,806
Seat-Related Issues
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
38,454
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
8
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
13,500
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
1,500
Wheel Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
12,708
Lane Departure: Assist
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
29,112
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Warning
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Communication
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Adas
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Adas:Autonomous/Self Driving
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Adas:Autonomous/Self Driving:Software
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Adas:Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Tesla Model X. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2018 Tesla Model X

9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,954,696 vehicles.

24V376000Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices
~125,233 affected

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."

24V051000Instrument Cluster
~2,193,869 affected

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."

23V838000Electrical System:adas:driver Monitoring:software
~2,031,220 affected

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.

23V085000Steering:automated/adaptive Steering
~362,758 affected

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.

22V818000Steering:electric Power Assist System
~40,168 affected

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.

22V169000Back Over Prevention:display Function
~947 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

22V037000Steering:automated/adaptive Steering
~53,822 affected

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.

21V846000Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Camera · Forward Collision Avoidance:software · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
~11,728 affected

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.

21V035000Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal · Back Over Prevention:software
~134,951 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.

Other Tesla Model X Years

2018 Tesla Model X — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2018 Tesla Model X reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2018 Tesla Model X has 293 NHTSA complaints, 55 crash-related, and 9 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension Failures with 37 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2018 Tesla Model X?
Top reported problems: Suspension Failures (37 complaints, avg 14,349 mi); Electrical Faults (28 complaints, avg 10,914 mi); Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control (19 complaints, avg 35,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Tesla Model X?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 29,176 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2018 Tesla Model X?
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Tesla Model X include 55 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 23 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2018 Tesla Model X have any recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,954,696 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2018 Tesla Model X?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Tesla Model X reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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