2017 vs 2018 Tesla Model X

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Parking brake gear 2016–2017

What to check: Confirm that recall 17V260000 was done.

A gear in the electric parking brake can break, so the brake may not hold the car or may not release.

NHTSA

Nothing that 2017 lacks.

Falcon-wing doors that stop or will not latch All years

What to check: Open and close both falcon-wing doors several times, from the screen, the key and the door button. Watch that each rises all the way without stopping for nothing, and closes and latches.

Early cars' doors sometimes did not open or latch, and Tesla answered with software updates. Owners on Tesla Motors Club, in three threads, still report doors that sense obstacles that are not there: two with 2018 cars, one of them parked in the sun, and one in 2016 whose door sensors were replaced on a car weeks old.

CarGurus, a published reference, owners' reports (unofficial)
Panel gaps, seals and rattles All years

What to check: Look along every panel gap and at the paint and door seals in good light, and listen for squeaks and rattles on a rough road.

Edmunds found inconsistent panel gaps and paint and rubber gasket problems on the 2017, and more squeaks and rattles than other high-end SUVs on the 2019. Owners on Tesla Motors Club in 2016 traded stories of door seals torn on delivery day and noisy air conditioning.

Edmunds, owners' reports (unofficial)
Worn touchscreen memory 2016–2018

What to check: Confirm with Tesla or NHTSA that recall 21V035000 was done.

The touchscreen's memory chip wears out, which can take the rear camera, the defrost settings and the turn signals with it.

NHTSA

17V260000 2016–2017
A gear in the electric parking brake can break, so the brake may not release or may not hold the car. NHTSA
17V639000 2016–2017
The left second-row seat back may not latch fully because its recliner cables were set wrongly. The cables are adjusted. NHTSA

22V169000 2018–2019
On some cars with the 2.5 Autopilot computer, the rear camera picture can appear late when reversing. Fixed over the air. NHTSA

21V035000 2016–2018
The touchscreen's memory chip wears out, losing the rear camera, defrost settings and turn signals. The memory board is replaced. NHTSA
21V846000 2017–2021
On one software version, a fault can bring false collision warnings or sudden automatic braking. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
22V037000 2016–2022
Full Self-Driving Beta's rolling stop could take the car through an all-way stop without stopping. The feature is switched off over the air. NHTSA
22V818000 2017–2021
Power steering assist can drop out on rough roads or after a pothole. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
23V085000 2016–2023
Full Self-Driving Beta can behave unsafely at junctions and respond poorly to speed limit changes. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
23V838000 2016–2023
Autosteer's checks may not do enough to stop a driver misusing it. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
24V051000 2016–2024
The brake, parking brake and ABS warning lights are shown in letters too small. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
24V376000 2016–2024
The seat belt warning may not come on for an unbelted driver. Fixed over the air. NHTSA

After 2017, up to and including 2018.

2018Seven-seat cars get a second row that folds. A faster touchscreen computer, MCU 2, from March 2018, and darker graphite interior trim from May. Edmunds, CarGurus, Electrek, a published reference

Nothing that 2017 lacks.

Motors: Dual motor CarGurus, a published reference
Drivetrains: All-wheel drive CarGurus, a published reference
Trims: 75D (2016–2019) Edmunds, a published reference, 100D (2017–2019) Edmunds, a published reference
Packages: Six-seat interior CarGurus, Electrek, Seven-seat interior CarGurus, Electrek, Edmunds, Ludicrous Mode CarGurus, AutoGuide, Subzero Weather Package AutoGuide, Electrek, Tow Package AutoGuide, Electrek, Enhanced Autopilot CarGurus, Electrek, Full Self-Driving Capability Electrek, Edmunds

Nothing that 2018 lacks.

Nothing that 2017 lacks.

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Nothing that 2018 lacks.

Nothing that 2017 lacks.

Watch for: The 2016 to 2018 cars 2016–2018 Less sought after One source so far

CarGurus calls 2016 to 2018 the worst years, plagued by suspension and build quality issues and troublesome falcon-wing doors, with more complaints and investigations at NHTSA and low predicted reliability from Consumer Reports. CarGurus