2018 vs 2019 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.
2018
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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
2019
Nothing that 2018 lacks.
Both years
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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)
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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)
Recalls
2018
- 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
2019
Nothing that 2018 lacks.
Both years
- 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
- 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
- 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
What changed between
After 2018, up to and including 2019.
- 2019The 75D is dropped in January, leaving the 100D as the base car. The number names give way to Standard Range, Long Range and Performance, and an engineering update in May raises the range to 325 miles. CarGurus, Edmunds, a published reference
What it came with
2018
Nothing that 2019 lacks.
2019
Both years
Interiors
2018
Nothing that 2019 lacks.
2019
Nothing that 2018 lacks.
Both years
- Black Electrek
What owners and buyers say
Reputation: what owners and the press report
2018
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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
2019
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Sought after: The 2019 One source so far
CarGurus calls the 2019 the sweet spot for a buyer who wants an older, cheaper Model X, since it has relatively few recalls and complaints. CarGurus
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Sought after: The Long Range 2019–2020
Edmunds picked the Long Range for both 2019 and 2020. Edmunds