Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owned a 2025 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH with Self-driving Assist activated, while the vehicle in front deaccelerated, the vehicle had aggressively deaccelerated. The contact stated that the self-driving assist had deactivated, causing him to aggressively depress the brake pedal, stopping before it struck the vehicle in front. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was struck in the rear by another vehicle, causing the vehicle to rear-end another vehicle. The contact sought medical attention for head and back injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was deemed a loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,150.
The Full-Self Drive of my Tesla failed to follow the programmed navigation directions I set to take me home in one direction, but instead the vehicle took a completely different path on its own. When the vehicle was programmed to turn right towards my home, the car quickly jerked back into traffic and I was forced to take control before accidentally hitting another vehicle The vehicle continued to go into another direction and did the same thing several times later. I put my home address in the navigation to go home, but as soon as my Tesla was about to turn right into my subdivision it quickly pulled and jerked me left back into traffic and took me completely into another direction several days again. I let the car complete its misdirection and the car took me around the block into a parking lot and bought me back to my original planned destination to my home
Since a 2026 over-the-air software update, every time I disengage Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) while driving, on any road and at any speed, the center touchscreen shows a large pop-up titled "Why did you intervene?" with four buttons (Navigation, Parking, Critical, Other) and a voice-message option. It covers about a third of the display, including navigation, media controls and, during parking, the camera view. It does not clear on its own while driving; it stays until the driver taps an option or shifts into Park. Photos attached. Disengagements happen at the most demanding moments: correcting the system, avoiding a hazard, merging or parking. This prompt draws the driver's eyes and hand to the touchscreen at exactly those moments, on every disengagement and several times per drive. …
On 7/29/2026, 2:45 PM PST, I tapped the in-car myQ interface to send an "Open" command. Due to network latency/ connection drops in the Tesla infotainment system, there was a significant delay before the open command executed. After it finally opened, I proceeded to back out in Reverse. However, due to buffering/retry logic during the network reconnect, the system unexpectedly transmitted a follow-up "Close" command without any driver input. Because this automated ghost command executed while the vehicle was actively backing out, the overhead garage door unexpectedly began closing, striking the car and shattering the left Falcon Wing door glass. Safety Concern: The infotainment software suffers from a critical retry/buffering flaw where latent network API payloads execute out of sequence or trigger unintended secondary commands after initial connection drops. …
The contact owned a 2023 Tesla X. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the contact became distracted by an incoming phone call and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed upon impact and the contact became locked inside the vehicle. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. The police were called to the scene but were unable to assist with the contact's removal from the vehicle. After close to an hour, the contact finally found a latch to unlock the vehicle. The contact sustained a headache as a result of the accident but did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to a Tesla service center. The contact stated that the forward collision avoidance feature failed to operate as needed which should have prevented the accident. …
The contact owned a 2023 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving into her driveway, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated, and conversely, with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. As a result, the vehicle collided with the rear of another vehicle parked in the driveway, sending the other vehicle careening into the garage. The air bags did deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The occupants transported themselves to an area hospital for treatment; the contact was treated for a broken hand and two broken ribs, and the passenger was treated for bruising and a sprained ankle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. …
As I was trying to make a turn into the parking lot of a convenient store, my Tesla Model X started accelerating suddenly and unintendedly without my foot being on the accelerator. I kept pressing on the brake to stop the car, but it would not stop. I had no control and while it accelerated for 15-20 yards eventually it hit two other cars that were parked there. This happened so quickly. We all were terrified and shocked as I could not stop it from accelerating. I kept yelling "it is not stopping" to the person seating on the passenger side. I am confident that I did NOT press the accelerator pedal. The car was not on autopilot. My initial speed was probably 5 miles/hour, but it accelerated so suddenly that four airbags deployed, and the car is not drivable. …
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
Related recalls (6)
Electrical system
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Tesla will also identify any vehicles that experienced a circuit board failure, or stress that may lead to a circuit board failure, and replace the…
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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.
Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
Electrical system › Software
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles. The cabin doors can be unlocked during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Electrical system › ADAS › Driver monitoring › Software
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.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Electrical system › Software
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge.
Show 1 more recall
Electrical system › Software
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
NHTSA investigations
Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
On August 13, 2021, NHTSA?s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-020) to assess the performance of Tesla?s Autopilot system (a system characterized by Tesla as an SAE Level 2 driving automation system designed to support and assist the driver in performing the driving task) available in Tesla vehicles.
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening a Recall Query to assess the remedy adequacy of Recall 23V838. On December 12, 2023, Tesla filed a Defect Information Report (Recall 23V838) applicable to all Tesla models produced and equipped with any version of its Autopilot system, which Tesla described as an SAE Level 2 (L2) Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
The Office of Defects Investigation ("ODI") is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of FSD executing driving maneuvers that constitute tra c safety violations. This investigation concerns versions of FSD that Tesla has labeled as "FSD (Supervised)" and "FSD (Beta)." Tesla characterizes FSD as an SAE Level 2 partial automation system requiring a…
Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
On January 6, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation 24003 (PE24033) to investigate Actually Smart Summon (Summon) sessions resulting in crashes during active sessions. According to Tesla, Summon is a short-distance SAE Level 2 system, controlled by the user from a cell phone within a certain distance and intended for use in parking lots and on private property.
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
On October 17, 2024, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24031) of Tesla's Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) to assess: the ability of the FSD system to detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions; whether any other FSD crashes had occurred under degraded roadway visibility conditions that are…
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Engineering Analysis to evaluate Tesla's Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) degradation detection system. The focus of this investigation will be to assess the system's ability, when encountering reduced roadway visibility conditions, to detect degradation and alert the driver with sufficient time to respond.
Frequently asked questions
Which Tesla Model X years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (93), 2017 (72), 2018 (36), 2020 (28) and 2023 (21) model years. Electrical complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Tesla Model X electrical problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 25V-002 (electrical system, Jan 6, 2025); 24V-051 (instrument cluster/panel, Jan 30, 2024); 23V-862 (software, Dec 19, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Tesla Model X electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles; 69% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the adas › autonomous/self driving (8 mentions), followed by the instrument cluster/panel (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.