2020 Tesla Model X Problems: 9 Known Issues
2020 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026
2020 · All trims · All engines
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2020 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026
2020 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2020 Tesla Model X has 9 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are Front Upper Control Arm Clunk & Premature Suspension Wear ($300-$1,600 repair), Phantom Braking on Autopilot / Full Self-Driving ($0-$0 repair), Electronic Power Steering Assist Loss (Recall) ($0-$0 repair) and Large Drive Unit Bearing Whine / Motor Failure ($1,500-$9,000 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $300 to $9,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model X vehicles. The restraint control module (RCM) calibration may cause the front passenger air bag to deploy incorrectly during certain low speed crashes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model X vehicles equipped with a full self-driving computer 4.0 and running software release version 2023.2.200. Weak camera signal strength may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The forward-facing camera may be misaligned, causing some of the active safety features such as emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane assist to become unavailable without alerting the driver.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2020 Tesla Model X has 9 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Front Upper Control Arm Clunk & Premature Suspension Wear, Phantom Braking on Autopilot / Full Self-Driving, Electronic Power Steering Assist Loss (Recall). Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2020 Tesla Model X has 9 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 4 issues are rated critical: Front Upper Control Arm Clunk & Premature Suspension Wear 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.