Recalls & faults: Tesla Model X (2017-20)

Recalls: Tesla Model X

Overview

Recalls are issued for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Manufacturers or importers seek to inform the original buyer if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. However, manufacturers or importers may not have the contact details of subsequent owners. Please note that the recalls below are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.

Recalls: Tesla Model X

2016-17 Tesla Model X: flat folding rear seat could move forward during collision

In October 2017, recall campaign SB-17-004 was issued for 2016-17 Tesla Model X vehicles. In some of these vehicles with flat-folding second row seats, the left-side flat-folding seat may have a misadjusted cable that controls the recliner mechanisms. These seats had integrated three-point safety belts, and seats in this condition may not fully comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 207/210. Specifically, teh second row left seat contained two recliner mechanisms, and the two recliners were released by cables that included in-line cable length adjusters. During seat assembly, recliner cable adjustment may have been set when teh recliners were not fully latched. If this occurred, the resulting cable adjustment could be too tight, preventing one of the recliners from fully latching. If this occurred, the seatback may move forward during a collision, increasing the risk of injury. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-001275.

2017-18 Tesla Model X: malfunctioning Multimedia Card (eMMC)

In April 2021, recall campaign SB-21-21-001 was issued for 2017-18 Tesla Model X vehicles that had an 8 GB embedded Multimedia Card (eMMC) in the media control unit and were available for sale in Australia prior to 30 June 2018. The eMMC could malfunction and, if this occurred,

the central display may black out and not recover after restarting the touchscreen; and/or
there may be a loss of certain functionalities, including the rearview reversing camera, exterior turn signal lighting and windshield defogging and defrosting controls; and/or
a vehicle alert to contact Service may appear.

The loss of these functions may increase the risk of a collision, which increased the risk of injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-001587.

2017-20 Tesla Model X: reduced or no power steering

In November 2022, recall campaign SB-22-00-014 was issued for 2017-20 Tesla Model X vehicles. Due to a recently changed software calibration, the Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system may not operate as intended. This could result in reduced or no power steering assistance, requiring greater steering effort from the driver (particularly at low speeds). Upon experiencing reduced or no power steering assistance, an audio alert would trigger, and a visual alert would appear on the instrument cluster. To fix, Tesla deployed firmware release 2022.36.5 to affected vehicles. Owners could also contact their authorised Tesla dealer to make an appointment to have the firmware updated. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005562.

Problems and faults: Tesla Model X

Overview

This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.

To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.