353 of the
2,399 complaints filed about the Tesla Model X
are about the other systems —
15% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2023.
My 2019 Tesla Model X has Full Self Driving (FSD) software version 12.6.4, which is the latest version provided by Tesla for my vehicle. While driving with FSD engaged, the car became confused by the yellow centerline road markings and possibly lines of black tar road repair and swerved across the centerline and into oncoming traffic. I had to take manual control over from the FSD software to swerve the car back into my lane to avoid oncoming traffic. It is clear that this FSD software version is faulty and not capable of promised autonomy. There are newer versions of the Full Self Driving software that Tesla is providing to newer Tesla vehicles but not to my older Tesla with AI Hardware 3. I believe the NHTSA needs to investigate Tesla's faulty FSD software.
NHTSA complaint #11757969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On XXX, at approximately 3:30 PM while using FSD (Supervised) on software 2026.21.6, my Tesla Model X came to a sudden complete stop in the middle of a busy four-lane intersection. I had to intervene. The FSD feedback prompt appeared; I selected Critical. Approximately one mile later, while programming a destination, FSD pulled over unsafely on a busy multi-lane road with barely enough room for 50 mph traffic. I intervened again and selected Critical on the prompt. Neither event appears in the Dashcam Viewer (only Sentry parking clips visible). These continue a pattern. Previously, while driving from [XXX] to [XXX], the car jumped across freeway lanes unsafely. I reported it via the Tesla app and to Cathedral City Service. Technicians lacked diagnostic equipment, said they would escalate to the FSD team for research, and promised to realign the front cameras on a return visit. Months later: no follow-up and cameras still cosmetically misaligned. Camera Calibration menu only shows Clear option (I did not clear it). I have submitted a Service request and emailed Tesla requesting internal logs/telemetry and full escalation. Filing this for an independent record. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11758107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The main vertical display which shows rear view camera when car is in reverse is extremely slow. My rear view camera at times doesn’t show up until 15-20 seconds of putting the car in reverse and sometimes, the camera doesn’t even come up. This happens frequently on a weekly basis. I think the unit needs to be replaced for the camera and the entire car to be responsive. Now to answer your questions: 1. Yes it is available for inspection upon request 2. By the rear view camera not turning on the second the car is in reverse. This puts everyone’s safety at risk. 3. I have not gone anywhere to show it. It’s just a very slow computer, everything on it works very slow, needs replacement. 4. No it has not been. 5. No.
NHTSA complaint #11754356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. Transmitting an unprompted "Close" signal to an overhead garage door while a vehicle is actively moving in Reverse creates a severe collision hazard and safety risk for occupants and bystanders.
NHTSA complaint #11754055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While operating a 2025 Tesla Model X on Full Self-Driving (FSD Supervised), the vehicle engaged in leader-car following behavior and trailed a slow-moving vehicle onto an active railroad crossing. FSD failed to ensure the exit path was clear, causing the vehicle to suddenly decelerate from 12 mph to 0 mph, stranding the car directly on the tracks just as the crossing's active warning lights and gates triggered. When attempting to take immediate manual control to clear the tracks, the vehicle suffered a severe drivetrain control lockout. The vehicle remained unresponsive and stuck at 0 mph for approximately 3 seconds despite driver intervention to shift into reverse and accelerate. After the 3-second software lag, manual control was recovered, and the vehicle reversed. A dropping railroad gate arm struck the vehicle's panoramic roof and hood during the escape. Telemetry stats and multi-camera dashcam video of this autonomous software failure and control lockout have been retained.
NHTSA complaint #11748104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The apparent malfunction involved Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) during an autonomous highway lane change. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?** The vehicle struck lane delineator posts at approximately 70 mph without any observable warning or corrective action. Immediate manual intervention was required to avoid a potentially more serious collision with surrounding highway traffic. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center UNKNOWN. The incident has not been reproduced or independently confirmed. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?** A Tesla Service Request has been opened. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Tesla or any independent investigator. No police report was filed. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?** No. There were no warning lights, warning messages, audible alerts, emergency braking, or diagnostic notifications before, during, or after the incident.
NHTSA complaint #11747215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In January my parents Tesla in self driving mode drove them straight through a building. The breaks didn't deploy, the airbags didn't deploy and the steering wheel was shaking and unresponsive. Thankfully no one was seriously injured. That said, there was a lot of physical damage to the restaurant/building and the car was completely totaled. We are certain that there were catastrophic failures with the car that caused the accident however the mechanic has informed us that due to her NDA she cannot provide any details about her findings after examining the car. She sent her findings to Tesla who was supposed to issue a report to us and the insurance company, but several months later we still have not received anything. They are well past the 30 days time limit. We cannot get anyone from Tesla to respond to us. There was a police report and the cops, firemen, and mechanics where all absolutely floored that the airbags didn't deploy given the damage to the vehicle. Self driving failed. Breaks failed. Steering failed. Airbags failed. and Tesla has failed to respond.
NHTSA complaint #11745992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had “safety system restraints service is required “ as a warning four different times. Took my car in to a Tesla Service Center all 4 times & each time the repair only lasts about 6 months & it comes up again. For the 5th time I am going to the Tesla Service Center in Little Rock, AR. This time I will have to pay because my warranty is up. It is not fair & I want some remuneration or a replacement Model X.
NHTSA complaint #11739176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A car was backing up and almost hit my front bumper. The Tesla model X horn isn’t in the middle of the steering wheel on top of the airbag like every other car I have driven. There is a button (one of 7) on the steering wheel for the horn. Unsafe.
NHTSA complaint #11738672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The primary front trunk (frunk) latch mechanism fails to unlatch on the first attempt, requiring multiple actuations to open. When I brought the vehicle to the manufacturer's official service center to have the defective safety latch inspected and repaired, they confirmed the behavior but refused to fix the underlying hardware. Instead, the service center officially documented on my repair invoice that this latch failure is "frequently present and deemed a characteristic of the vehicle." A malfunctioning, binding, or misaligned front trunk latch poses a severe safety risk. If the primary latch is failing to release properly, it indicates a defect in the retention mechanism that could lead to the hood unexpectedly opening, flying up, and obstructing the driver's vision at highway speeds (a known issue that has caused recalls in the past). The manufacturer's refusal to repair a failing primary safety latch, and instead documenting it as a normal "characteristic," leaves a critical safety component in a compromised and dangerous state. There were no warning lights prior to this failure; it is a physical, mechanical defect that the manufacturer has acknowledged in writing but refuses to remedy.
NHTSA complaint #11736598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I would like to report a potential safety issue regarding Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD), specifically version 14.3.2. Following any driver intervention (such as braking or steering override), the system presents a prompt asking “Why did you intervene?” with selectable options (e.g., Navigation, Discomfort, Preference, Critical) or voice input. In my experience, this prompt does not automatically dismiss and requires manual interaction with the touchscreen to clear. This design creates a safety concern because: - It introduces a mandatory driver interaction immediately after a disengagement event. - It diverts driver attention away from the road during a potentially critical moment. - It may encourage rushed or inattentive responses just to clear the interface. Driver intervention moments are often associated with complex or unsafe driving situations, where full attention is essential. Requiring touchscreen interaction at that time may increase the risk of distraction-related incidents. I believe this behavior could represent a human-machine interface design issue that impacts driver safety. Vehicle: Tesla [Model] Software Version: FSD 14.3.2 Frequency: Occurs consistently after interventions
NHTSA complaint #11735945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While using the FSD system, ANYTIME you take over, a LARGE popup appears on the main screen disabling ALL user input, or view of the map or any other information needed to DRIVE THE CAR, UNTIL you tap one of the options on the screen. This can happen MULTIPLE times during any drive, at everytime you take over. This is exceptionally dangerous and outright one of the dumbest things I've ever seen a car do.
NHTSA complaint #11734690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
High voltage battery management system generated fault codes BMS_u008 and BMS_f071 during a Supercharger charging session, prohibiting drive mode. Vehicle had been driven normally to the Supercharger with no drive-prohibiting alerts during transit. After connecting to the Supercharger, fault codes manifested. Despite fault condition, vehicle continued charging to 93% state of charge before requiring towing. This is the second such event — original HV battery also generated BMS fault alerts prohibiting drive mode during a charging session in January 2024 and was replaced with a remanufactured assembly. Third-party firmware alert data shows recurring hardware charging fault alerts (CHG_f018, CHG_f076, customer message: Unable to charge) occurring in January and February 2026, weeks prior to the March 2026 failure. Alert DI_u014 also fired repeatedly on March 18, 2026 indicating insufficient 12V supply contributing to undriveable condition — a separate system from the HV battery. Tesla Service Center has not investigated whether Supercharger charging events contributed to either failure, has not produced Supercharger session logs, and has not attempted software-level fault resolution before recommending full hardware replacement. Tesla's own firmware documentation describes BMS_u008 as potentially self-clearing and BMS_f071 as having a documented clear condition. Remanufactured battery subsequently drained from 88% to 0% over 11 days while unplugged at service center — 6-9% per day versus normal 1-3% per day vampire drain, consistent with active BMS fault causing abnormal parasitic draw.
NHTSA complaint #11728947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2018 Tesla Model X that has multiple breakdowns ( 3 times to date: Feb.28, 2026, Mar.7, 2026, Mar.14, 2026) resulting in the vehicle becoming undriveable and could not be shifted out of Neutral. During driving on separate occasions, the vehicle displayed multiple safety warnings and critical systems became disabled. Alerts shown on vehicle included: 1. Automatic Emergency Braking unavailable 2. Power braking Assist reduced 3. Parking brake not applied 4. Safety restraint system issue 5. ABS disabled 6. Park Assist unavailable 7. Service required Following these alerts, the vehicle became undriveable and could not be shifted properly, remaining stuck in Neutral. The vehicle therefore could not be driven safely. The vehicle was previously taken to a Tesla service center after an earlier breakdown. Tesla reported cleaning corrosion during service, but shortly after the vehicle was returned, the problem occurred again with the same or similar safety warnings. This issue is concerning because multiple braking and safety appear to fail simultaneously, including ABS, braking assist, and restraint system alerts. The vehicle becomes undriveable and may create a dangerous situation. Given the repeated breakdowns and the disabling of critical safety systems, I am reporting this issue for investigation.
NHTSA complaint #11724612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 03/13/2026, while driving my 2020 Tesla Model X at approximately 65 mph on a freeway, the front hood (frunk lid) suddenly flew open without warning and slammed into the windshield. The hood rotated upward violently and struck the windshield completely blocking the driver’s forward visibility. This created an immediate safety hazard while traveling at highway speed. Prior to the incident there were no warning messages or alerts displayed on the vehicle screen indicating that the hood was open or improperly latched. Tesla vehicles normally provide a dashboard and a sound alert if the hood is not properly latched before driving. No such warning occurred. The vehicle’s front camera recorded the incident. The video does not show any hood movement or flutter prior to the failure, suggesting that the hood was fully closed before the event. After the incident, Tesla service personnel inspected the vehicle. The technician stated that the hood may not have been properly latched prior to driving. However: The vehicle gave no dashboard warning No hood movement or vibration was visible prior to the event The hood opened suddenly and violently rather than gradually If the secondary latch alone had been holding the hood, some hood movement or vibration would normally be expected prior to full release. Safety Concern A hood opening at highway speed that: occurs without warning results in complete loss of forward visibility presents a severe safety risk to the driver and surrounding traffic. This type of failure could easily cause a high-speed crash. Video evidence of the incident at: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11724823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. Because Tesla operates the vehicle manufacturing, repair network, and insurance services within the same ecosystem, I am submitting this information for review regarding potential impacts on repair access, repairability, and consumer choice.
NHTSA complaint #11722287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On February 17 at approximately 9:30 AM, while my wife was driving uphill, the vehicle abruptly shut down and became completely disabled. It began rolling backward despite her attempting to accelerate. Multiple warning alerts activated simultaneously, and the vehicle would not respond to forward input. Our [XXX] child was in the vehicle at the time. A total loss of power while in motion, combined with unintended rollback on an incline, represents a catastrophic safety defect. This was not a minor malfunction — it created a direct and immediate risk of collision and serious injury. Compounding this concern, on the morning following the incident at approximately 6:00 AM, I discovered one of the vehicle doors open without any user interaction. The vehicle had been secured the night before. This raises serious questions regarding electronic reliability and system integrity. Given the severity of these failures, I have lost confidence in the safety and dependability of this vehicle. My family’s safety cannot be subjected to further uncertainty. If this matter is not resolved promptly and satisfactorily, I am prepared to pursue all available legal and regulatory remedies, including formal complaints to appropriate federal safety authorities. Please confirm receipt of this letter and provide a written response outlining next steps within five business days. This situation placed my wife and child in direct danger. I expect a resolution that reflects the seriousness of that fact. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11718694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The 2018 Model X experienced a sudden and complete loss of power and became totally inaccessible. All doors and access points were inoperable and the vehicle could not be unlocked, disconnected, powered on, or placed into any service or tow mode. Emergency front-trunk release cables had to be used and external 12-volt power applied at the jump terminals to wake the vehicle. The inability to access the vehicle was unexpected and alarming. Children, pets, elderly, and others could have been inside of the vehicle. Thankfully, they were not. Tesla inspected the vehicle and stated the failure was related to the battery coolant heater. The failure resulted in a complete vehicle immobilization and access failure. I had previously experienced restart warnings on the dashboard, but I did not expect a total lockout and loss of access. The inability to access the vehicle was unexpected and alarming. It may be a known safety issue. It should be recalled. This condition presents a serious safety risk because occupants could be trapped inside the vehicle and the vehicle cannot be accessed or moved without external power. In extreme heat or cold, or in a medical or emergency situation involving a child or pet, this failure mode could create a life-threatening situation. Importantly, even after multiple requests, I have not received a copy of the diagnostic report, or anything other than informal emails or calls. Tesla has not provided information regarding this failure other than broad statements, and visuals of the location of the battery pack, in an attempt to deny warranty coverage. The Tesla reports a High Voltage System alert currently. The vehicle is subject to Tesla’s Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty. Tesla has stated that the failed component was the battery coolant heater, but has refused to cover the repair under warranty. Tesla confirmed the failure but has not provided the diagnostic report, fault codes, or vehicle logs supporting its determination.
NHTSA complaint #11715891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 02/01/2026 at approximately 2:07 p.m., my 2018 Tesla Model X (VIN [XXX] , approximately 151,099 miles, software version 2026.2.3) experienced Sudden Unintended Acceleration while I was driving near [XXX] . I was [briefly describe what you were doing, for example: “slowing to a stop in traffic,” or “slowly pulling into a parking space,” or “braking to turn into a driveway”]. My foot was on the brake and I was NOT attempting to accelerate when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly surged [forward/backward] with far more power than appropriate for the situation. I had to [firmly press the brake / shift to neutral / steer away] to avoid a collision. At or around the same time, a “Sudden Unintended Acceleration” warning/message appeared on the vehicle’s display. This acceleration did not match my pedal input and created a serious risk of a crash. [There was no contact, damage, or injury / or briefly describe any damage or injuries, if applicable.] The vehicle was operating on software version 2026.2.3 at the time. [Autopilot/Traffic‑Aware Cruise Control/Full Self‑Driving was ON/OFF at the time – please select what is correct.] I have reported this incident to Tesla and requested that they preserve and review the vehicle log data for this time and location. I am filing this complaint because I believe this is a safety‑critical defect involving sudden unintended acceleration, and I am concerned it could recur and/or affect other Tesla vehicles. *** If you tell me exactly what you were doing (parking vs in traffic, approximate speed, forward vs reverse, Autopilot on/off), I can fill in the bracketed parts precisely for you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11714968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Water entered the passenger cabin of my vehicle during normal rain exposure while the vehicle was parked overnight. The failure occurred at the roof glass/seal system, allowing rainwater to intrude into the interior behind the second-row seating area and soak the carpet and underlying padding. This resulted in persistent moisture and a strong musty odor inside the cabin, consistent with microbial growth and mold risk. The condition affects interior air quality and poses a potential health risk to vehicle occupants, particularly children or passengers seated in the rear. Prolonged moisture inside the cabin also raises safety concerns related to corrosion and possible impact to electrical components, sensors, and restraint systems routed through the interior floor area. The condition substantially impairs safe and normal vehicle use. The presence of moisture and microbial odor makes the vehicle unsuitable for passenger transport and creates uncertainty regarding the integrity of interior and electrical systems. The issue was inspected and confirmed by the manufacturer’s authorized service center. The service center documented that water intrusion occurred through failed or missing sealant around the roof/door glass assembly and confirmed saturation of interior carpet and padding. The manufacturer recommended replacement of interior padding for safety reasons but declined responsibility due to the vehicle being outside the basic warranty period. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to discovery. The issue was identified after rain exposure when wet carpet and odor were observed. The problem is reproducible under rain conditions. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11712459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.