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2021 Tesla Model X problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2021 Tesla Model X has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 41owner complaints
- 3crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 2injuries reported
41 complaints, against an average of 136 for the other 10 Tesla Model X model years.
Every Tesla Model X model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2021 Tesla Model X?
The components named most often in the 41 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2021 Tesla Model X owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 41 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2021 Tesla Model X been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2021 Tesla Model X as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2021 Tesla Model X recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAOn certain MY 2021-2023 Model X vehicles the vehicle controller that detects the sensor voltage that indicates brake fluid level may not…On certain MY 2021-2023 Model X vehicles the vehicle controller that detects the sensor voltage that indicates brake fluid level may not have a sufficient threshold range at low fluid levels. A vehicle controller that does not correctly indicate low brake fluid levels to the customer
Risk: On certain MY 2021-2023 Model X vehicles the vehicle controller that detects the sensor voltage that indicates brake fluid level may not have a sufficient threshold range at low fluid levels. A vehicle controller that does not correctly indicate low brake fluid levels to the customer
Fix: Owners of affected vehicles only need to install OTA (over the air) software release 2023.32.7 or a later software release No service visit is necessary
EU Safety GateThe vehicle may have been equipped with an incorrect driver airbag during servicing to retrofit an alternative steering wheel.Airbags that are not adapted to the vehicle configuration can lead to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateDue to a software error, the control unit may not detect when the brake fluid level is low.A low brake fluid level can cause an increased stopping distance, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe front seat belt may not be properly attached to the pre-tensioner anchor and may not function properly in the event of a collision,…The front seat belt may not be properly attached to the pre-tensioner anchor and may not function properly in the event of a collision, increasing the risk of injury.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2021 Tesla Model X owners report?
12 of the 41 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
While driving the car the dash board lit up with several failures related to auto pilot and auto steering. The car would not engage auto pilot or cruise control and the dashboard showed messages that the car driver assist has failed, lane departure warning, blind spot warning and required immidiate service. Per Tesla, the problem was with the steering rack and had to be replaced and was not covered by any warranty.
Please see attached letter to Tesla outlining issues.
Steering got stuck on the road while driving. I couldnt move or change lanes. It was really scary. Then I slowed down and then I had tp pull out of the road to the shoulder. Then I waited for 20-30 mins and restarted the car. Then it worked. I was able to go home. I contacted Tesla and they said they need to look into the issue. At the service center, now they are saying they need to replace entire steering system and the cost is 5000. This is not fair and unprofessional. And it is very scary experience.
While driving our screen shut down, autopilot and GPS stopped working and the doors would not open. My kids were stuck on multiple occasions and had to climb through the front seats. Tesla has already confirmed that the Driver Assistance System ECU (Turbo A and Turbo B processors) is a known issue. Over 1600 cases reported. This defect disables safety-critical driver-assist functions without warning, which meets the federal definition of a safety defect under 49 U.S.C. § 30102. Provide a free remedy to owners — including replacement at no cost — as required by 49 U.S.C. § 30120. Telsa denied…
Summary: The front suspension defect on my 2021 Model X, confirmed by St. Petersburg Service Center (Invoice #3000S0013156326), presents a serious safety hazard. Timeline & Concern: Reported Dec 4, 2024, under ESA. Example of Tesla’s delay tactics—service was scheduled only after warranty lapsed. Issue diagnosed in May 2025 as a faulty front upper control arm. Safety risk: Failure could lead to loss of control. I request a safety investigation to prevent similar unsafe compromises.
My car has 50,000 miles on it and is just over 4 years old. The steering column has failed causing it to not be able to steer. The service for this is a new steering column at a cost of over $5,000.00. The Y models and 3 models had a recall on this issue. Now it looks like the X models are having the issue as well. The consumer should not be responsible for this. It is dangerous. It is expensive to fix. A steering column should not fail at 50,000 miles. I am not the only person who has been faced with this issue. Tesla service even confirmed that they are seeing this on the X models. I think…
This complain is regarding the recent recall regarding FSD tesla Smart Summon failures. Incident date June 02, 2024 Car was parked in a parking lot outside a movie theater. I was less than 20 feet away from car with clear visibility, and tried smart summon. Car pulled out of the parking making an acute turn damaging driver side door, and front bumper of car parked next to it. Tesla was contacted immediately regarding this malfunction of smart summon and requested them to stop offering this service to owners as it is dangerous. They took 3 months to conduct an internal investigation but refused…
Unintended, unexpected opening of front frunk hood while driving slowly in a parking lot into a strong wind gust. I did not deploy frunk switch and Secondary latch apparently inoperative
[XXX] I was driving southbound on [XXX] in Dallas, TX (near [XXX] exit) in Tesla ModelX, with 2 kids in the back seat. It is raining. My speed is around 60-65mph and I am in the rightmost lane. Suddenly the vehicle skids a little, and my steering wheel and brakes are not working anymore. It seemed that the car took complete control and does a full 360 rotation, crossing 4 lanes on the highway. I recall the 10 seconds when I am facing the incoming cars and the only thought I had "this is the end". For whatever reason, the incoming cars slowdown and my tesla makes a full circle, crosses 4 lanes…
It is commonly known that the drive shafts on the Model X fail. This is not a wear component and should be a recall. The suspension is also part of this issue and there are after market solutions to fix the suspension that is causing the failure of the half shafts.
On May 23, 2023the car went into the shop for an unrelated issue at that time the tires were checked and found to be needing replacement on front, nothing in notes about back tires. Tires we're filled with air at tesla service. Through out the day on message through app with service no one mentioned tl me the customer that tires needed changing and I was let to drive out on newly pumped up worn tires. 2 days while on the road with my children the tire blew put luckily no one was injured and car had to be towed. At this point they said ohh the back tires are also poor we need to replace both…
Compressor fails causing cooling of the battery to fail and AC in the car not to work. System sais AC reduced charging reduced. No Air at all. It seems to be a very common issue. This seems unsafe and is a major expense to fix. $2300+
2021 Tesla Model X: questions owners ask
Is the 2021 Tesla Model X reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Tesla Model X; the most common categories were steering (13, 31.7%), electrical system (7, 17.1%), forward collision avoidance (6, 14.6%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 3 complaints mention a crash, 2 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Tesla Model X?
Across 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are steering (31.7% of complaints), electrical system (17.1% of complaints), forward collision avoidance (14.6% of complaints), suspension (14.6% of complaints), lane departure (12.2% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2021 Tesla Model X have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2021 Tesla Model X. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2021 Tesla Model X stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
5 of the 41 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Tesla Model X (12.2%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "The touchscreen and instrument panel/dash screen went black and shut down on several occasions while driving the vehicle. I was not able to see how fast I was going and no indication of whether my turning signal or lights were working." (NHTSA complaint 11432740, September 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the power steering fail or feel heavy on my 2021 Tesla Model X?
4 of the 41 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Tesla Model X (9.8%) describe power steering failing, locking up or turning heavy. One owner wrote: "I was driving and the car started changing lanes. The steering became heavy and I was barely able to move it and required extreme force. Tesla screen displayed ( steering assist reduced ). I almost died." (NHTSA complaint 11595384, June 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
What causes clunking or suspension noise in the 2021 Tesla Model X?
4 of the 41 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Tesla Model X (9.8%) describe suspension clunks, worn parts or air suspension failures. One owner wrote: "Summary: The front suspension defect on my 2021 Model X, confirmed by St. Petersburg Service Center (Invoice #3000S0013156326), presents a serious safety hazard. Timeline & Concern: Reported Dec 4, 2024, under ESA." (NHTSA complaint 11668235, June 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Model X
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2021 only; combines NHTSA's entries for MODEL X 5-SEAT, MODEL X 6-SEAT and MODEL X 7-SEAT.