2018 TESLA MODEL X Complaints

View complaints related to 2018 TESLA MODEL X. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 190 complaints submitted for the 2018 TESLA MODEL X. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2018 TESLA MODEL X
    - Apex, NC

    I was driving down the road and my car started shaking, I was about 5 or 6 miles from an exit so continued and within 1 mile a rod broke and fell on top of my tire causing me to catastrophically have to stop n swerve off the road in 5 o'clock traffic. I just purchased this car 3 months ago, no issues just happend all of sudden. There are reports of weak suspension parts for tesla specifically the model x and y. The suspension parts need to be recalled. I was VERY lucky to not have collided with another car and potentially causing a fatality.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL X
    - Brookline, MA

    Last month we were driving our Tesla Model X on the highway and suddenly the steering started malfunctioning. It was all she could do to get the car home, wrestling with manual-only operation that was clearly messed up, with no steering assist. We saw the warning pop up on console saying this needed to be fixed immediately. Turns out this is a well-documented problem, and indeed the company knows this very well, as they initiated a recall. It’s a design flaw – the assembly is inadequately sealed allowing water to get in corrode various parts. We took it to Tesla Watertown (MA) and they said our vehicle is not under recall and demanded $5000 to replace the assembly and if we didn't, that we should get the undrivable car off their lot because they're very busy. I made the case that this is an ongoing problem and should clearly be corrected at no cost to the beleaguered consumer (we’ve poured thousands into this car for various quirky malfunctions, which has been disappointing because the alleged advantage of the computer on wheels was that it had fewer parts that need maintenance or fewer things as with combustion engines to go wrong). Specifically, though, the steering fail keeps happening, recounted in horrifying detail on Facebook groups and listservs, as drivers are motoring along and suddenly can’t control the steering of a three-ton vehicle. This sure seems like a consumer issue needing attention. I asked for some kind of appeal and they just shrugged; Tesla is 100% unreachable in terms of customer service, as you may know. They have walled off any hope with talking or messaging with a human being. There's simply no one to reach out to.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL X
    - Frisco, TX

    My 2018 Tesla model X front suspension is making cranking noise and seems like it’s unsafe to drive. This is a known issue to Tesla and NHTSA but recall was never announced so Tesla service center is not fixing this issue. Could you please look into this.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL X
    - Westford, MA

    Our Tesla Model X is failing recently with several issues as listed below: 1. 'Autiopilot disabled' - Autopilot was not available to use since 09/2024 after upgraded to 12.x FSD upgrade. Tesla service diagnosed in 11/2024 with some error connected to evaporator fan, advised me to replace the kit at an estimated $580 2. 'Unable to start' - HV battery failed on 03/06/2025 with series of failures that was reported to NHTSA (VOQ#11651899). Tesla replaced the battery, and service delivered vehicle on 03/24/2025 3. 'Hood unlatch' failure - while driving home from Service center on the same day at 70 mph on I-95 freeway, the 'hood' popped up blocking the front view, and had to pull vehicle to shoulder to safety. There was NO warning message on the screen at all. Took the vehicle to service immediately, and service team pointed that they forgot to turn on 'auto-latch' resulting hood failure. They offered the 'free' repair of hood. 4. 'ECU Autopilot failure' - while taking the delivery of 'hood' fix on 04/22/2025, I noticed the 'autopilot' was still NOT working. Serviced diagnosed with 'failed autopilot ECU' at an estimated cost of $1791.55. Currenlty the vehicle is with Tesla Service team. My vehicle is with service team since 03/06/2025, and has been identified with series of issues/failures. It has caused severe safety failure putting our lives at risk with 'unlatched' hood while driving on a freeway. Also with HV battery failure its completely unreliable on when it might fail during driving. Now with failed autopilot ECU, we are unsure of the vehicles ability to navigate, drive function and safety concerns. Service team is unable to provide precise root causes or fixes, or restore it to a functioning vehicle. Every visit with service team there is a new issue with vehicle. Our family is greatly concern with the quality of the vehicle, persisting issues, safety concerns and overall reliability of the vehicle. Please find enclosed all service records.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL X
    - DAYTON, NJ

    One fine morning Car would not start and shows some errors. tried using a AAA service and Had the car towed into Tesla SC. After diagnosis they mentioned that a HV x099 connector is corroded. To me this cannot be a vehicle owner fault. This seems to be a failure of an integral part associated with the Battery pack. Tesla has charged me a total of $2891.46 including taxes out of which $85 was for the part replacement and $2626.80 for labor costs. This seems like a major issue with a connector so deeply protected if corrodes this should be a Tesla design/manufacturing fault. ------------- Notes from tech: Repair Notes: towed vehicle into service center and utilized maintainer to power on. Once vehicle was online attempted to pull logs. While logs uploaded verified Hvil alerts present on UI. Began investigation checking hvil circuit from x099 to x098. Removed hv battery pack and found corrosion on connector x099. Inspected battery pack and also found corrosion on pack side connector. Will require removing ancillary tray in order to investigate corrosion further into the pack. after removing ancillary tray i found the corrosion had not gone past the low voltage rapid mate connector. Removed and replaced rapid mate and verified proper operation after reassembly. Test drove and verified no alerts present and vehicle functionality restored Total Parts Amount 85.00 Total Labor Amount 2,296.80 Labor Hours 10.44 ----------------------- Concern: corrosion found on connector X099 Repair Notes: performed wire repair on connector x099-11/12. Removed all corrosion from connector and reinstalled. Verified wire repair performed to tesla specification Correction: Wire - Electrical Harness (Does Not Include Access Labor) (Repair) Labor Hours Price Adjustment Subtotal 1.50 330.00 0.00 330.00 Pay Type: Customer Pay Total Parts Amount 0.00 Total Labor Amount 330.00 Labor Hours 1.50 Should these parts connecting to the battery be covered under the Battery warranty? Please help..

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL X
    - Dayton, OH

    I have had to replace my axles/have had cv joint failure 3 times and have another service scheduled for a fourth CV/axle service. This is a known problem and Tesla has acknowledged it and done nothing about it. See Tesla service bulletin SB-20-39-001about premature axle/CV joint failures.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL X
    - Westford, MA

    While driving on the freeway at 60 mph, the car's hood suddenly opened and struck the windshield, obstructing the driver's view completely. The car had just left a Tesla service center a few minutes earlier, and the incident occurred while driving on [XXX] North freeway near Dedham, MA. Incident occurred on [XXX] at [XXX]. Tesla service at Dedham, MA, accepted the vehicle for hood repair and mentioned its a service mistake. They did not mention any issues related to recall or software. Vehicle is still at Tesla service center at Dedham, MA, under repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL X
    - Scottsdale, AZ

    Based on thousands of posts, replies, etc, this seems to be a well known issue with this model/year Tesla as well as other years/models. It seems that the Wheel Sensor Cable is not fastened properly, and over time, the cable runs against the tire, causing the internal wires to be exposed, this in turn causes numerous faults to occur, which includes causing ABS, lane departure avoidance, traction control, stability control, ABS, and regenerative braking to stop working. This happens while driving resulting in an immediate change in how the vehicle functions which could easily lead to a major accident While there are numerous forums where this issue is noted, below is one that details the issue with photos [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL X
    - Davis, CA

    The auto close feature on the Tesla Model X can quite dangerous. I’ve been hit by it unexpectedly closing several times. The most recent time, the rear trunk closed on me while I was taking out my grocery bag out of it. It hit my forehead, and I got a major bump. I ask NHTSA to investigate if there’s a manufacturer defect, so us Tesla owners are not further injured.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL X
    - San Bruno , CA

    The steering wheel is hard to turn while driving. Also, heard a clanking/ squeaking sound while driving.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE