Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Both Garnish - Fender - Front - LH Right side and Left side come loose when driving in rain. The force of wheels pushing rain water on the fender garnish causes both the left and right fender garnish 4 push clips to come loose. When this fender garnish breaks and flies off it could hit a pedestrian, another car on the road or the car it is installed on causing an accident
COMPONENT: Rear right falcon-wing door electronic control system. Door becomes stuck in a partially closed position and cannot be opened from inside or outside. Vehicle and component are available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: Falcon-wing doors have NO exterior mechanical release accessible to occupants when the electronic system fails. An occupant of the rear right seat can be trapped inside the vehicle. This creates a foreseeable risk of serious injury or death in any emergency requiring rapid egress: collision, fire (including thermal-runaway events documented across the lithium-ion EV fleet), submersion, or smoke inhalation. The risk is especially severe for child passengers using this seating position. CONFIRMED BY DEALER: Yes. …
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving at various speeds or attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong foul odor coming from inside the vehicle. The contact stated the odor ceased after driving for 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer three times. The contact stated that the local dealer replaced the filters, and the contact was advised to turn off the air conditioner and turn it on while driving; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
I was driving home from work within city limits at less than 30 miles per hour. The roads were waterlogged due to a thunderstorm and the next thing I knew i heard other vehicles near me honking and telling me that something large had fallen off the underside of my car. I stopped the car immediately and was shocked to see that the guard that covers the bottom of my car had fallen off by itself. Apparently the batteries powering the vehicle are situated in the undercarriage and the guard is supposed to protect that area. I called Tesla Insurance Agency and despite me telling them that it would be a possible fire hazard if I continue driving the vehicle and the car was making some noises from the area, they want me to continue driving the car, which I have refused. I am attaching the picture of the part that fell off and also the body shop details of the repairs to be done. …
In April, 10 2023 approximately 6:10 PM I had an traffic accident. My vehicle was parked at paid parking spot next to the pedestrian road (street parking) and I was approached from the back of the car and I recognized the bus approached from my backside of the road. I have no idea somehow, the front driver side door suddenly opened when I approached to my car about 4-5 feet away from the trunk, even though I did not pressed any door open button in my Tesla smartphone app. As a result, the opened door had collided to the LA Metro bus backdoor. I would like to NHTSA will investigate this faulty safety issue. Thank you.
I had my two Teslas parked in the garage. The model X was charging at about 1:30 AM. We heard explosions coming out of the garage. Went to check only to see my model X in flames. We evacuated and called 911 eventually a fire investigation report was made Showing the fire started within the vehicle outward. The battery pack was on fire. We had lithium contamination all over the house and this fire endangered five lives. This incident has been two years ago and until now Tesla refuses to acknowledge the faulty battery and is refusing to do anything about it
I am submitting information regarding repair access and repair estimate concerns involving a Tesla vehicle after a collision. During an insurance claim handled by Tesla Insurance Company, a repair estimate from a Tesla-preferred repair facility was used to declare the vehicle a total loss. However, a manufacturer-owned repair facility estimate would be significantly lower and could make the vehicle repairable. When I attempted to obtain an inspection and estimate from a Tesla manufacturer repair facility, the appointment was cancelled after communication between the insurance company and the repair facility. This prevented me from obtaining a competing repair estimate. …
Rear Passager Falcon Door does not consistently close on on the first attempt. Would need a second or multiple pressing of the button to close. The wing door scrapes the C- Pillar and is misaligned. Apparently, there is a flaw in the calibration and sensors. Every time I close the wing, I have to wait around to make sure it is completely closed. Frequently, the wing just gets stuck halfway and the passenger has to go over the side to exit or enter. The other door operates perfectly fine. This is unsafe because it makes it more difficult for passengers to get out of the car if the door refuses to open or close completely as it should. Have taken the vehicle to the service center and complained multiple times. Telsa simply says it operates within their standards, which is absurd. …
Related recalls (2)
Structure › Body
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model X vehicles. The front and center roof cosmetic trim pieces may be adhered to the vehicle without primer. As a result, one or both pieces of trim may separate from the vehicle.
Remedy: Tesla service will test the roof trim adhesion and reattach the trim pieces as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2024.
Structure › Body
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model X vehicles. The front and spine cosmetic roof trim may have been adhered to the vehicle without first using primer. As a result, one or both pieces of trim may separate from the vehicle while moving.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will test the roof trim adhesion, and, as necessary, apply primer, free of charge. The recall began January 15, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Frequently asked questions
Which Tesla Model X years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (57), 2018 (22), 2019 (14), 2017 (12) and 2023 (12) model years. Body complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Tesla Model X body problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 24V-615 (body, Aug 15, 2024); 20V-710 (body, Nov 17, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Tesla Model X body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 12,000 miles; 81% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (125 mentions), followed by the body › door (4).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.