2021 Tesla Model X Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Tesla Model X. Part of Generation 2 (Plaid refresh) — 2021–present.

20202022
Complaints
58
per 10K Sold
79.4
US Sales
7,305
Crashes
9
Fires
0
Injuries
6
Fatalities
Recalls
23

Worst 2021 Tesla Model X Problems

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

#111 complaints

Steering Defects

#26 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:1,113 mi
Crash-related:1
#36 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:100 mi
Crash-related:1
Considering a 2021 Tesla Model X?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Tesla Model X.

Steering Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
1,113
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
100
Lane Departure: Warning
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Assist
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Electric Power Assist System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Tesla Model X. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 Tesla Model X

23 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~10,034,594 vehicles.

25V172000Airbags · Electrical System:horn
~91 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and 2021-2025 Model X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.

24V967000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:cushion
~487 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 212, "Windshield Mounting."

24V554000Electrical System:software · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
~1,849,638 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.

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."

24V153000Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings:external/pedestrian Alert · Electrical System:software
~6,557 affected

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."

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.

23V743000Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar · Air Bags:frontal
~194 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.

23V679000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:brake Fluid Low Warning:switch/sensor/float · Electrical System
~54,676 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model X vehicles. The vehicle controller may fail to detect low brake fluid and will not display a warning light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

23V488000Seat Belts:front
~15,869 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach.

+ 13 more recalls

Other Tesla Model X Years

2021 Tesla Model X — FAQ

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

Is the 2021 Tesla Model X reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2021 Tesla Model X has 58 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash-related, and 23 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 11 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Tesla Model X?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (11 complaints); Electrical Faults (6 complaints, avg 1,113 mi); Suspension Failures (6 complaints, avg 100 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 2021 Tesla Model X?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 607 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 Tesla Model X?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Tesla Model X include 9 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 6 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 2021 Tesla Model X have any recalls?
Yes — 23 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 10,034,594 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 2021 Tesla Model X?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

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.

Check Your Specific 2021 Tesla Model X

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99