Checklist: Refreshed Tesla Model X 2021–2026

What to look for on this generation, worst first. Tick each line as you check it.

The inspection sheet: mark up every panel, what is underneath and how it drives.

Look for 4

Known problems, and how to check for each.

Falcon-wing doors that stop or will not latch All yearsOpen 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' reports (unofficial)
Driver's airbag recalls All yearsConfirm that recalls 21V868000 and 24V967000 were done, and if the yoke or the wheel has been swapped, 23V743000 too. NHTSA
Front seat belt anchors 2021–2023Confirm that recall 23V488000 was done. NHTSA
Build quality All yearsLook along the panel gaps and listen for rattles from the cargo area over bumps. Edmunds, owners' reports (unofficial)

Recalls to ask about 31

Recalls filed for these model years, newest first. Not every car is covered; check the vehicle identification number with NHTSA.

Recall 26V283000 2021–2023The rear camera picture can lag when reversing, on one software version. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 25V172000 2021–2025A driver's airbag fitted with the wrong horn pad can stop the horn working. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 25V002000 2023–2025A circuit board in the computer can short and lose the rear camera picture. Fixed by software, and the computer is replaced where needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V967000 2021–2025The driver's airbag can tear when it goes off. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V904000 2024The parking lights and low beams may flicker. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V554000 2021–2024The car may not notice a hood left unlatched. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V376000 2016–2024The seat belt warning may not come on for an unbelted driver. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V153000 2020–2021A factory reset can silence the sound that warns pedestrians of the car. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V051000 2016–2024The brake, parking brake and ABS warning lights are shown in letters too small. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V035000 2023On cars with the 4.0 computer and certain software, the rear camera picture may not show. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 23V862000 2022–2023The doors can unlock in a crash. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 23V838000 2016–2023Autosteer's checks may not do enough to stop a driver misusing it. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 23V743000 2021–2024When the yoke or the steering wheel was swapped, the wrong driver's airbag may have been fitted. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 23V679000 2021–2023The car may not detect low brake fluid or show a warning light. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 23V488000 2021–2023The front seat belts may not be fixed properly to their pretensioner anchors and can come loose. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 23V489000 2023The forward camera may be misaligned, so emergency braking, collision warning and lane assist can switch off without telling the driver. The camera is checked and adjusted. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 23V244000 2023On cars with the 4.0 computer and one software version, a weak camera signal may stop the rear camera picture showing. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 23V085000 2016–2023Full Self-Driving Beta can behave unsafely at junctions and respond poorly to speed limit changes. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V843000 2021–2023The airbag module's calibration may make the front passenger airbag deploy wrongly in some low-speed crashes. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V818000 2017–2021Power steering assist can drop out on rough roads or after a pothole. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V702000 2021–2022The windows' automatic reversal may not react properly to an obstruction. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V296000 2021–2022The touchscreen's processor can overheat while getting ready to fast- charge, and lag or restart. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V264000 2022One car was built without a body reinforcement bracket at the second- row seat. The car is replaced. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V235000 2020–2022The Boombox feature can play sounds through the outside speaker while moving and mask the pedestrian warning. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V233000 2021–2022The front side curtain airbags may not deploy as intended when the windows are down. They are replaced. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V063000 2020–2022The Boombox feature can play sounds through the outside speaker while moving and mask the pedestrian warning. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V050000 2021–2022A software fault can open a heat pump valve and trap refrigerant, weakening the defroster. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V045000 2021–2022The seat belt chime may not sound when the driver is unbuckled. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V037000 2016–2022Full 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. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 21V868000 2021The driver's airbag can tear when it goes off. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 21V846000 2017–2021On one software version, a fault can bring false collision warnings or sudden automatic braking. Fixed over the air. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA

What buyers avoid 1

What owners and the press say to steer clear of.

Yoke All yearsEdmunds lists the lack of a steering wheel and stalks among the 2022's cons. Edmunds

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