What are the most common Tesla Model X problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2018 Tesla Model X has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Front Upper Control Arm Clunk & Premature Suspension Wear, MCU1 eMMC Flash Memory Failure (Black/Frozen Center Screen), Phantom Braking on Autopilot / Full Self-Driving. Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Tesla Model X reliable?
The 2018 Tesla Model X has 11 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 5 issues are rated critical: Front Upper Control Arm Clunk & Premature Suspension Wear and MCU1 eMMC Flash Memory Failure (Black/Frozen Center Screen) and Phantom Braking on Autopilot / Full Self-Driving and Electronic Power Steering Assist Loss (Recall) and Large Drive Unit Bearing Whine / Motor Failure. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Tesla Model X problems?
Repair costs for known Tesla Model X issues range from $0 to $9,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Front Upper Control Arm Clunk & Premature Suspension Wear, typically costs $300-$1,600 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2016-2022 Tesla Model X Front Upper Control Arm Clunk & Premature Suspension Wear?
Model X front (and to a lesser extent rear) control arm assemblies are widely reported to prematurely wear, loosen, or crack. The most common complaint is a clunking or creaking noise from the front suspension over bumps, traced to water intrusion into the upper control arm ball… Repairs typically run $300-$1,600. Severity: high.
What is the 2016-2018 Tesla Model X MCU1 eMMC Flash Memory Failure (Black/Frozen Center Screen)?
Early Model X vehicles (built before March 2018) use a Media Control Unit (MCU1) with an 8GB eMMC flash chip rated for only ~3,000 write cycles. Constant logging wears the chip out, degrading memory segments until the central touchscreen freezes, reboots repeatedly, or goes fully… Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2016-2024 Tesla Model X Phantom Braking on Autopilot / Full Self-Driving?
Model X vehicles using Autopilot or FSD have reported 'phantom braking' - sudden, unprompted hard braking or deceleration when no obstacle is present. With radar removed from post-2021 cars (Tesla Vision, camera-only), shadows, glare, overpasses, and oncoming traffic can trigger… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2017-2021 Tesla Model X Electronic Power Steering Assist Loss (Recall)?
Tesla recalled 40,000+ Model S and Model X vehicles from 2017-2021 because the electronic power steering assist can suddenly stop working after hitting a pothole or driving on rough roads, causing a sudden increase in steering effort and higher crash risk. A separate earlier reca… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2016-2021 Tesla Model X Large Drive Unit Bearing Whine / Motor Failure?
Earlier Model X drive units can develop a progressive hum, whine, or drone that rises with road speed, caused by worn rotor bearings inside the motor (the bearings spin up to ~22,000 RPM). The noise is present regardless of throttle position and independent of road surface, disti… Repairs typically run $1,500-$9,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2016-2023 Tesla Model X Air Suspension Leak, Sagging Ride Height & Compressor Failure?
The Model X's standard adaptive air suspension develops air leaks at the air struts, fittings, or valve block, plus compressor wear, causing a corner (usually a front) to sag overnight, slow self-leveling, and 'suspension will not raise / needs service' warnings. Height-sensor fa… Repairs typically run $400-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2024 Tesla Model X Panoramic Windshield Cracking & Delamination?
The Model X's oversized one-piece panoramic windshield (the largest in production) is prone to cracking from minor rock/stone impacts and to delamination (bubbling/cloudy separation between glass layers), sometimes starting at the edges. Because the glass is huge, curved, and int… Repairs typically run $1,000-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2023 Tesla Model X Front Door Auto-Presenting Handle Fails to Present / Retract?
The Model X's motorized front-door handles (which auto-present as you approach and retract when driving) frequently jam, fail to extend, or present but won't unlatch the door. Root causes include worn handle drive gears, debris, a jammed retraction mechanism, or a failed door pop… Repairs typically run $400-$1,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2015-2024 Tesla Model X Model X Falcon-Wing Door Faults?
The signature Falcon-Wing rear doors on Model X are notoriously trouble-prone — symptoms include doors refusing to open, opening too slowly, getting stuck mid-cycle, mis-detecting obstacles, hitting low ceilings, and squeaking. Tesla revised door hardware multiple times (Gen 1 →… Repairs typically run $0-$3,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2021 Tesla Model X 12V Auxiliary Battery Premature Failure?
Legacy Model X vehicles use a small 12V lead-acid auxiliary battery (AtlasBX/Hankook 85B24LS, 45Ah) that powers low-voltage systems. It commonly degrades in 2-4 years and can fail with little warning. When it dies, the car may not wake/start, doors may lock out, screens go dead,… Repairs typically run $85-$400. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2021 Tesla Model X Touchscreen Yellow Border / Band Discoloration?
A yellow band or border develops around the perimeter of the center touchscreen. It is not a failed LCD but a breakdown of the adhesive/laminate layer bonding the display, aggravated by heat and UV exposure. It affects both MCU1 and MCU2 units and is largely cosmetic, though wide… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: low.
