2021 vs 2022 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.
2021
Nothing that 2022 lacks.
2022
Nothing that 2021 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 and watch that each rises all the way and latches. Ask whether the car has had the 2024 software that lets the doors open further.
Owners on Tesla Motors Club report the same trouble on the refreshed car: a 2021 whose door sometimes would not open, and a 2024 door that stuck part-open until Tesla freed a jammed latch. Another owner says that on cars without ultrasonic sensors the doors stopped short of fully open until a 2024 software update.
Owners' reports (unofficial)
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Driver's airbag recalls All years
What to check: Confirm that recalls 21V868000 and 24V967000 were done, and if the yoke or the wheel has been swapped, 23V743000 too.
The driver's airbag can tear when it goes off, and after a swap between the yoke and the wheel the wrong airbag may have been fitted.
NHTSA
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Front seat belt anchors 2021–2023
What to check: Confirm that recall 23V488000 was done.
The front seat belts may not be fixed properly to their pretensioner anchors and can come loose.
NHTSA
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Build quality All years
What to check: Look along the panel gaps and listen for rattles from the cargo area over bumps.
Edmunds says build quality steadily improved after 2020 but is still a bit below the competition, and found the 2025's interior lacking in solidity. An owner on Tesla Motors Club reports plastic rubbing sounds from the cargo area over bumps.
Edmunds, owners' reports (unofficial)
Recalls
2021
- 21V846000 2017–2021
On one software version, a fault can bring false collision warnings or sudden automatic braking. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 21V868000 2021
The driver's airbag can tear when it goes off. NHTSA
- 22V818000 2017–2021
Power steering assist can drop out on rough roads or after a pothole. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 24V153000 2020–2021
A factory reset can silence the sound that warns pedestrians of the car. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
2022
- 22V264000 2022
One car was built without a body reinforcement bracket at the second- row seat. The car is replaced. NHTSA
- 23V862000 2022–2023
The doors can unlock in a crash. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
Both years
- 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
- 22V045000 2021–2022
The seat belt chime may not sound when the driver is unbuckled. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 22V050000 2021–2022
A software fault can open a heat pump valve and trap refrigerant, weakening the defroster. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 22V063000 2020–2022
The Boombox feature can play sounds through the outside speaker while moving and mask the pedestrian warning. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 22V233000 2021–2022
The front side curtain airbags may not deploy as intended when the windows are down. They are replaced. NHTSA
- 22V235000 2020–2022
The Boombox feature can play sounds through the outside speaker while moving and mask the pedestrian warning. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 22V296000 2021–2022
The touchscreen's processor can overheat while getting ready to fast- charge, and lag or restart. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 22V702000 2021–2022
The windows' automatic reversal may not react properly to an obstruction. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 22V843000 2021–2023
The airbag module's calibration may make the front passenger airbag deploy wrongly in some low-speed crashes. 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
- 23V488000 2021–2023
The front seat belts may not be fixed properly to their pretensioner anchors and can come loose. NHTSA
- 23V679000 2021–2023
The car may not detect low brake fluid or show a warning light. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 23V743000 2021–2024
When the yoke or the steering wheel was swapped, the wrong driver's airbag may have been fitted. 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
- 24V554000 2021–2024
The car may not notice a hood left unlatched. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
- 24V967000 2021–2025
The driver's airbag can tear when it goes off. NHTSA
- 25V172000 2021–2025
A driver's airbag fitted with the wrong horn pad can stop the horn working. NHTSA
- 26V283000 2021–2023
The rear camera picture can lag when reversing, on one software version. Fixed over the air. NHTSA
What changed between
After 2021, up to and including 2022.
- 2022The EPA ranges are cut to 348 miles for the Long Range and 333 for the Plaid, under updated testing. CarGurus, Edmunds
What it came with
2021
Nothing that 2022 lacks.
2022
Nothing that 2021 lacks.
Both years
Interiors
2021
Nothing that 2022 lacks.
2022
Nothing that 2021 lacks.
Both years
- Cream MobileSyrup
- Black and White MobileSyrup
- Ebony MobileSyrup
What owners and buyers say
Reputation: what owners and the press report
2021
Nothing that 2022 lacks.
2022
Nothing that 2021 lacks.
Both years
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Sought after: The dual-motor car All years
Edmunds picked the Long Range for 2021 and the All-Wheel Drive for 2026. Edmunds
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Watch for: Yoke All years Less sought after One source so far
Edmunds lists the lack of a steering wheel and stalks among the 2022's cons. Edmunds